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xd4l1u | writing_train | 0.8 | How to write consistently without giving up halfway through the book that you are writing Here’s a few suggestions to keep up your momentum: 1. Don’t go back and reread or rewrite the earlier chapters until you have a first draft. Not only does that pull away time you need for writing new material, it puts your mind in editing mode, not writing mode, which then kills your progress. 2. Try not to stop writing at the end of a scene or the end of a chapter. Even if you are almost done for the day when you get to such a natural ending point, try to pen at least a few paragraphs for the next scene or chapter. That gives you a leg up when you come back to start writing, but, more importantly, focuses your subconscious mind on the new beginning, rather than the ending, between writing sessions. 3. Whenever you are in a writing groove and the words are flowing well, don’t stop for anything until you are too tired to continue. If you write a lot when you are inspired and enthusiastic, there will be less to write when you are uninspired, but committed to grinding out some text. 4. Know where you are going and at least a couple of things you want to do along the way. Mid-book doldrums can be a sign of not knowing what you really want or need to come next. 5. If you feel stuck, skip ahead to a scene that excites you more, then come back and see what you need to do to set up that bit you’ve already written. | io9ky9o | io9ngpr | 1,663,081,290 | 1,663,082,228 | 3 | 11 | Tacking on to #5: don’t feel like you have to write chronologically at all! You can piece together the future scenes later. But if you suddenly get inspired about how the ending should be, or even just a scene that will happen a few chapters later… don’t lose that inspiration! Write it now! | Just knowing that the middle is usually the hardest part, and it that it gets easier later on, helps. I write my chapters sequentially. Each chapter builds on *everything* that came before. A minor incident can evolve unexpectedly into a running gag or a turning point several chapters later. If I skip ahead, I break my continuity and lose chances for serendipity. The story becomes flatter. I hate that. So I end up discarding the out-of-order chapters. This leaves me boxed in. Just because writing the middle sometimes feels like pushing through a brick wall doesn't mean that I won't break through or that the chapters won't be worth it. Having done all this before, I know I can and will push through that damned wall, and the sooner the better, since the last part of the book tends to be tremendous fun. | 0 | 938 | 3.666667 | ||
xd4l1u | writing_train | 0.8 | How to write consistently without giving up halfway through the book that you are writing Here’s a few suggestions to keep up your momentum: 1. Don’t go back and reread or rewrite the earlier chapters until you have a first draft. Not only does that pull away time you need for writing new material, it puts your mind in editing mode, not writing mode, which then kills your progress. 2. Try not to stop writing at the end of a scene or the end of a chapter. Even if you are almost done for the day when you get to such a natural ending point, try to pen at least a few paragraphs for the next scene or chapter. That gives you a leg up when you come back to start writing, but, more importantly, focuses your subconscious mind on the new beginning, rather than the ending, between writing sessions. 3. Whenever you are in a writing groove and the words are flowing well, don’t stop for anything until you are too tired to continue. If you write a lot when you are inspired and enthusiastic, there will be less to write when you are uninspired, but committed to grinding out some text. 4. Know where you are going and at least a couple of things you want to do along the way. Mid-book doldrums can be a sign of not knowing what you really want or need to come next. 5. If you feel stuck, skip ahead to a scene that excites you more, then come back and see what you need to do to set up that bit you’ve already written. | io99tgq | io9ngpr | 1,663,076,949 | 1,663,082,228 | 2 | 11 | I'm a big proponent of #2 and #5—these tactics have become invaluable to my writing style. | Just knowing that the middle is usually the hardest part, and it that it gets easier later on, helps. I write my chapters sequentially. Each chapter builds on *everything* that came before. A minor incident can evolve unexpectedly into a running gag or a turning point several chapters later. If I skip ahead, I break my continuity and lose chances for serendipity. The story becomes flatter. I hate that. So I end up discarding the out-of-order chapters. This leaves me boxed in. Just because writing the middle sometimes feels like pushing through a brick wall doesn't mean that I won't break through or that the chapters won't be worth it. Having done all this before, I know I can and will push through that damned wall, and the sooner the better, since the last part of the book tends to be tremendous fun. | 0 | 5,279 | 5.5 | ||
xd4l1u | writing_train | 0.8 | How to write consistently without giving up halfway through the book that you are writing Here’s a few suggestions to keep up your momentum: 1. Don’t go back and reread or rewrite the earlier chapters until you have a first draft. Not only does that pull away time you need for writing new material, it puts your mind in editing mode, not writing mode, which then kills your progress. 2. Try not to stop writing at the end of a scene or the end of a chapter. Even if you are almost done for the day when you get to such a natural ending point, try to pen at least a few paragraphs for the next scene or chapter. That gives you a leg up when you come back to start writing, but, more importantly, focuses your subconscious mind on the new beginning, rather than the ending, between writing sessions. 3. Whenever you are in a writing groove and the words are flowing well, don’t stop for anything until you are too tired to continue. If you write a lot when you are inspired and enthusiastic, there will be less to write when you are uninspired, but committed to grinding out some text. 4. Know where you are going and at least a couple of things you want to do along the way. Mid-book doldrums can be a sign of not knowing what you really want or need to come next. 5. If you feel stuck, skip ahead to a scene that excites you more, then come back and see what you need to do to set up that bit you’ve already written. | io9jkgc | io9ngpr | 1,663,080,782 | 1,663,082,228 | 2 | 11 | Sometimes I have to remind myself of the “bigger picture.” Sometimes I get so focused on one scene or one chapter that I lose the feel of the entire story. When I was writing my first chapter and struggling, I had to remind myself of where the first chapter is meant to lead. Not just in a plot scene, but in regards to the theme and feel of the story. So for me what also helps is to reread my basic synopsis for the story and remember the big picture. | Just knowing that the middle is usually the hardest part, and it that it gets easier later on, helps. I write my chapters sequentially. Each chapter builds on *everything* that came before. A minor incident can evolve unexpectedly into a running gag or a turning point several chapters later. If I skip ahead, I break my continuity and lose chances for serendipity. The story becomes flatter. I hate that. So I end up discarding the out-of-order chapters. This leaves me boxed in. Just because writing the middle sometimes feels like pushing through a brick wall doesn't mean that I won't break through or that the chapters won't be worth it. Having done all this before, I know I can and will push through that damned wall, and the sooner the better, since the last part of the book tends to be tremendous fun. | 0 | 1,446 | 5.5 | ||
xd4l1u | writing_train | 0.8 | How to write consistently without giving up halfway through the book that you are writing Here’s a few suggestions to keep up your momentum: 1. Don’t go back and reread or rewrite the earlier chapters until you have a first draft. Not only does that pull away time you need for writing new material, it puts your mind in editing mode, not writing mode, which then kills your progress. 2. Try not to stop writing at the end of a scene or the end of a chapter. Even if you are almost done for the day when you get to such a natural ending point, try to pen at least a few paragraphs for the next scene or chapter. That gives you a leg up when you come back to start writing, but, more importantly, focuses your subconscious mind on the new beginning, rather than the ending, between writing sessions. 3. Whenever you are in a writing groove and the words are flowing well, don’t stop for anything until you are too tired to continue. If you write a lot when you are inspired and enthusiastic, there will be less to write when you are uninspired, but committed to grinding out some text. 4. Know where you are going and at least a couple of things you want to do along the way. Mid-book doldrums can be a sign of not knowing what you really want or need to come next. 5. If you feel stuck, skip ahead to a scene that excites you more, then come back and see what you need to do to set up that bit you’ve already written. | io9ln26 | io9ky9o | 1,663,081,540 | 1,663,081,290 | 5 | 3 | I have written 12 books, 2 novels. My approach is to write the story from start to finish. That is typically 10 - 20,000 words over the course of a week or two. Then I fill-in the content which can take a year longer. Then you move into the firs edit ............... | Tacking on to #5: don’t feel like you have to write chronologically at all! You can piece together the future scenes later. But if you suddenly get inspired about how the ending should be, or even just a scene that will happen a few chapters later… don’t lose that inspiration! Write it now! | 1 | 250 | 1.666667 | ||
xd4l1u | writing_train | 0.8 | How to write consistently without giving up halfway through the book that you are writing Here’s a few suggestions to keep up your momentum: 1. Don’t go back and reread or rewrite the earlier chapters until you have a first draft. Not only does that pull away time you need for writing new material, it puts your mind in editing mode, not writing mode, which then kills your progress. 2. Try not to stop writing at the end of a scene or the end of a chapter. Even if you are almost done for the day when you get to such a natural ending point, try to pen at least a few paragraphs for the next scene or chapter. That gives you a leg up when you come back to start writing, but, more importantly, focuses your subconscious mind on the new beginning, rather than the ending, between writing sessions. 3. Whenever you are in a writing groove and the words are flowing well, don’t stop for anything until you are too tired to continue. If you write a lot when you are inspired and enthusiastic, there will be less to write when you are uninspired, but committed to grinding out some text. 4. Know where you are going and at least a couple of things you want to do along the way. Mid-book doldrums can be a sign of not knowing what you really want or need to come next. 5. If you feel stuck, skip ahead to a scene that excites you more, then come back and see what you need to do to set up that bit you’ve already written. | io99tgq | io9ln26 | 1,663,076,949 | 1,663,081,540 | 2 | 5 | I'm a big proponent of #2 and #5—these tactics have become invaluable to my writing style. | I have written 12 books, 2 novels. My approach is to write the story from start to finish. That is typically 10 - 20,000 words over the course of a week or two. Then I fill-in the content which can take a year longer. Then you move into the firs edit ............... | 0 | 4,591 | 2.5 | ||
xd4l1u | writing_train | 0.8 | How to write consistently without giving up halfway through the book that you are writing Here’s a few suggestions to keep up your momentum: 1. Don’t go back and reread or rewrite the earlier chapters until you have a first draft. Not only does that pull away time you need for writing new material, it puts your mind in editing mode, not writing mode, which then kills your progress. 2. Try not to stop writing at the end of a scene or the end of a chapter. Even if you are almost done for the day when you get to such a natural ending point, try to pen at least a few paragraphs for the next scene or chapter. That gives you a leg up when you come back to start writing, but, more importantly, focuses your subconscious mind on the new beginning, rather than the ending, between writing sessions. 3. Whenever you are in a writing groove and the words are flowing well, don’t stop for anything until you are too tired to continue. If you write a lot when you are inspired and enthusiastic, there will be less to write when you are uninspired, but committed to grinding out some text. 4. Know where you are going and at least a couple of things you want to do along the way. Mid-book doldrums can be a sign of not knowing what you really want or need to come next. 5. If you feel stuck, skip ahead to a scene that excites you more, then come back and see what you need to do to set up that bit you’ve already written. | io9ln26 | io9jkgc | 1,663,081,540 | 1,663,080,782 | 5 | 2 | I have written 12 books, 2 novels. My approach is to write the story from start to finish. That is typically 10 - 20,000 words over the course of a week or two. Then I fill-in the content which can take a year longer. Then you move into the firs edit ............... | Sometimes I have to remind myself of the “bigger picture.” Sometimes I get so focused on one scene or one chapter that I lose the feel of the entire story. When I was writing my first chapter and struggling, I had to remind myself of where the first chapter is meant to lead. Not just in a plot scene, but in regards to the theme and feel of the story. So for me what also helps is to reread my basic synopsis for the story and remember the big picture. | 1 | 758 | 2.5 | ||
xd4l1u | writing_train | 0.8 | How to write consistently without giving up halfway through the book that you are writing Here’s a few suggestions to keep up your momentum: 1. Don’t go back and reread or rewrite the earlier chapters until you have a first draft. Not only does that pull away time you need for writing new material, it puts your mind in editing mode, not writing mode, which then kills your progress. 2. Try not to stop writing at the end of a scene or the end of a chapter. Even if you are almost done for the day when you get to such a natural ending point, try to pen at least a few paragraphs for the next scene or chapter. That gives you a leg up when you come back to start writing, but, more importantly, focuses your subconscious mind on the new beginning, rather than the ending, between writing sessions. 3. Whenever you are in a writing groove and the words are flowing well, don’t stop for anything until you are too tired to continue. If you write a lot when you are inspired and enthusiastic, there will be less to write when you are uninspired, but committed to grinding out some text. 4. Know where you are going and at least a couple of things you want to do along the way. Mid-book doldrums can be a sign of not knowing what you really want or need to come next. 5. If you feel stuck, skip ahead to a scene that excites you more, then come back and see what you need to do to set up that bit you’ve already written. | io9ky9o | io99tgq | 1,663,081,290 | 1,663,076,949 | 3 | 2 | Tacking on to #5: don’t feel like you have to write chronologically at all! You can piece together the future scenes later. But if you suddenly get inspired about how the ending should be, or even just a scene that will happen a few chapters later… don’t lose that inspiration! Write it now! | I'm a big proponent of #2 and #5—these tactics have become invaluable to my writing style. | 1 | 4,341 | 1.5 | ||
xd4l1u | writing_train | 0.8 | How to write consistently without giving up halfway through the book that you are writing Here’s a few suggestions to keep up your momentum: 1. Don’t go back and reread or rewrite the earlier chapters until you have a first draft. Not only does that pull away time you need for writing new material, it puts your mind in editing mode, not writing mode, which then kills your progress. 2. Try not to stop writing at the end of a scene or the end of a chapter. Even if you are almost done for the day when you get to such a natural ending point, try to pen at least a few paragraphs for the next scene or chapter. That gives you a leg up when you come back to start writing, but, more importantly, focuses your subconscious mind on the new beginning, rather than the ending, between writing sessions. 3. Whenever you are in a writing groove and the words are flowing well, don’t stop for anything until you are too tired to continue. If you write a lot when you are inspired and enthusiastic, there will be less to write when you are uninspired, but committed to grinding out some text. 4. Know where you are going and at least a couple of things you want to do along the way. Mid-book doldrums can be a sign of not knowing what you really want or need to come next. 5. If you feel stuck, skip ahead to a scene that excites you more, then come back and see what you need to do to set up that bit you’ve already written. | io9ky9o | io9jkgc | 1,663,081,290 | 1,663,080,782 | 3 | 2 | Tacking on to #5: don’t feel like you have to write chronologically at all! You can piece together the future scenes later. But if you suddenly get inspired about how the ending should be, or even just a scene that will happen a few chapters later… don’t lose that inspiration! Write it now! | Sometimes I have to remind myself of the “bigger picture.” Sometimes I get so focused on one scene or one chapter that I lose the feel of the entire story. When I was writing my first chapter and struggling, I had to remind myself of where the first chapter is meant to lead. Not just in a plot scene, but in regards to the theme and feel of the story. So for me what also helps is to reread my basic synopsis for the story and remember the big picture. | 1 | 508 | 1.5 | ||
pxz857 | writing_train | 0.97 | How to establish a plot when it does not come naturally? (When you are inspired by a setting or character first) There is a story I want to write, I just don't know what it is! Often times before, stories easily come naturally to me. However this time, the SETTING came first and I really really want to work with it, but I am struggling to come up with an enticing plot. Have any of you encountered this? I usually don't struggle with plot building. Being inspired by a character or place, etc. Before the plot? The setting lies untouched in my brain, and I am struggling to give it a plot it deserves other than clichés. Right now all I have is a ghost town waiting to be brought to life. Tips if this has happened to you is appreciated. Thank you | hes82qa | heqro6v | 1,632,956,767 | 1,632,934,703 | 18 | 9 | A setting can be treated like a character in many ways - it's very passive, but it *can* act. Devising a setting, you give it background, traits, moods, style, education level. Certain things sustain it (trade, supply, ideology), certain things hurt it. Certain events defined it in its past, and give it its current trajectory, overt or subtle. Various parts of this could be represented with some or all of the residents. Just like with a character, the introduction of another opposed character, an upheaval, or an event diametrically opposed to the setting's values or abilities can challenge its values, trajectory, target weak points, and push it out of its comfort zone. Hardship, conflict, opposition, and the right factors can lay the heart of it bare, and reveal facets of it. So I'd ask you, as a starting point... who would be the worst person to drop into your setting? It doesn't have to be major. It can even be interesting, if someone wide eyed and inquisitive stumbles into the hive of local family secrets, or someone wants to get a business going but doesn't realize what's evolved in terms of local culture or expectations. Or if you've identified what sustains this place... what happens if that becomes strained (business is bad, more and more people without work looking for other ways to earn), or is tested (a community held together by religion is left devastated when the pastor loses his faith and has a mental breakdown in front of the congregation, saying things he shouldn't)? What buttons could be pressed, or how might its trajectory change? | The novel I am writing was sparked by a 1 page description of a setting and the atmosphere. I had a very specific idea for the opening scene. And that was it for a while. Then later I got a specific idea for a set piece somewhere in the middle. A couple of days later I got another idea for a set piece, and it made sense to arrange them in a certain way. I tried to write the opening scene but there were so many unknowns. I only had a vague idea about my main character, but the rest was a blur. Way too many undefined things to begin. So I began my desperate search for the story. It took me two years to find the hook. When it suddenly came to me I had no idea how to get my characters out of that terrible situation. A week or so later I found out how they can resolve the situation. And then all of a sudden I knew my ending. But it took another year to finalize my outline to I point where I'm confident to write the first prose draft. | 1 | 22,064 | 2 | ||
pxz857 | writing_train | 0.97 | How to establish a plot when it does not come naturally? (When you are inspired by a setting or character first) There is a story I want to write, I just don't know what it is! Often times before, stories easily come naturally to me. However this time, the SETTING came first and I really really want to work with it, but I am struggling to come up with an enticing plot. Have any of you encountered this? I usually don't struggle with plot building. Being inspired by a character or place, etc. Before the plot? The setting lies untouched in my brain, and I am struggling to give it a plot it deserves other than clichés. Right now all I have is a ghost town waiting to be brought to life. Tips if this has happened to you is appreciated. Thank you | heqxn5f | hes82qa | 1,632,937,124 | 1,632,956,767 | 5 | 18 | Ask yourself who in that setting would have the most interesting story, list out at least 10 ideas to get past the obvious choices and get to some more unique ones, and then pick one of them. Who would be the most interesting MC? Who has the most interesting back story? Who is going to do the most interesting things? What part of the world is the best introduction to it, and who is there to introduce the audience to it? Who could have a story that would show us the places you want us to see? Etc | A setting can be treated like a character in many ways - it's very passive, but it *can* act. Devising a setting, you give it background, traits, moods, style, education level. Certain things sustain it (trade, supply, ideology), certain things hurt it. Certain events defined it in its past, and give it its current trajectory, overt or subtle. Various parts of this could be represented with some or all of the residents. Just like with a character, the introduction of another opposed character, an upheaval, or an event diametrically opposed to the setting's values or abilities can challenge its values, trajectory, target weak points, and push it out of its comfort zone. Hardship, conflict, opposition, and the right factors can lay the heart of it bare, and reveal facets of it. So I'd ask you, as a starting point... who would be the worst person to drop into your setting? It doesn't have to be major. It can even be interesting, if someone wide eyed and inquisitive stumbles into the hive of local family secrets, or someone wants to get a business going but doesn't realize what's evolved in terms of local culture or expectations. Or if you've identified what sustains this place... what happens if that becomes strained (business is bad, more and more people without work looking for other ways to earn), or is tested (a community held together by religion is left devastated when the pastor loses his faith and has a mental breakdown in front of the congregation, saying things he shouldn't)? What buttons could be pressed, or how might its trajectory change? | 0 | 19,643 | 3.6 | ||
pxz857 | writing_train | 0.97 | How to establish a plot when it does not come naturally? (When you are inspired by a setting or character first) There is a story I want to write, I just don't know what it is! Often times before, stories easily come naturally to me. However this time, the SETTING came first and I really really want to work with it, but I am struggling to come up with an enticing plot. Have any of you encountered this? I usually don't struggle with plot building. Being inspired by a character or place, etc. Before the plot? The setting lies untouched in my brain, and I am struggling to give it a plot it deserves other than clichés. Right now all I have is a ghost town waiting to be brought to life. Tips if this has happened to you is appreciated. Thank you | heqtia8 | hes82qa | 1,632,935,446 | 1,632,956,767 | 5 | 18 | I usually start with a couple of characters, an initial setting, and maybe a McGuffin or two, but no plot. But I'm a pulp-fiction guy at heart, so someone's sure to try to murder someone (likely the characters I started with) or attempt some other dastardly deed in chapter 2. Or possibly a non-criminal crisis will propel Our Heroes headlong into adventure. | A setting can be treated like a character in many ways - it's very passive, but it *can* act. Devising a setting, you give it background, traits, moods, style, education level. Certain things sustain it (trade, supply, ideology), certain things hurt it. Certain events defined it in its past, and give it its current trajectory, overt or subtle. Various parts of this could be represented with some or all of the residents. Just like with a character, the introduction of another opposed character, an upheaval, or an event diametrically opposed to the setting's values or abilities can challenge its values, trajectory, target weak points, and push it out of its comfort zone. Hardship, conflict, opposition, and the right factors can lay the heart of it bare, and reveal facets of it. So I'd ask you, as a starting point... who would be the worst person to drop into your setting? It doesn't have to be major. It can even be interesting, if someone wide eyed and inquisitive stumbles into the hive of local family secrets, or someone wants to get a business going but doesn't realize what's evolved in terms of local culture or expectations. Or if you've identified what sustains this place... what happens if that becomes strained (business is bad, more and more people without work looking for other ways to earn), or is tested (a community held together by religion is left devastated when the pastor loses his faith and has a mental breakdown in front of the congregation, saying things he shouldn't)? What buttons could be pressed, or how might its trajectory change? | 0 | 21,321 | 3.6 | ||
pxz857 | writing_train | 0.97 | How to establish a plot when it does not come naturally? (When you are inspired by a setting or character first) There is a story I want to write, I just don't know what it is! Often times before, stories easily come naturally to me. However this time, the SETTING came first and I really really want to work with it, but I am struggling to come up with an enticing plot. Have any of you encountered this? I usually don't struggle with plot building. Being inspired by a character or place, etc. Before the plot? The setting lies untouched in my brain, and I am struggling to give it a plot it deserves other than clichés. Right now all I have is a ghost town waiting to be brought to life. Tips if this has happened to you is appreciated. Thank you | heqxc0d | hes82qa | 1,632,936,996 | 1,632,956,767 | 2 | 18 | I don’t know if you have this, but i usually have many Idea snippets lying around, that i don’t know how to use. When i find myself in a situation like you, i draw inspiration from that and usually combine two or tree ideas into one. Other than that, you can start with an interesting character, give him or her a goal and then an obstacle that prevents them from reaching their goal. Bam: you’ve got a Story! | A setting can be treated like a character in many ways - it's very passive, but it *can* act. Devising a setting, you give it background, traits, moods, style, education level. Certain things sustain it (trade, supply, ideology), certain things hurt it. Certain events defined it in its past, and give it its current trajectory, overt or subtle. Various parts of this could be represented with some or all of the residents. Just like with a character, the introduction of another opposed character, an upheaval, or an event diametrically opposed to the setting's values or abilities can challenge its values, trajectory, target weak points, and push it out of its comfort zone. Hardship, conflict, opposition, and the right factors can lay the heart of it bare, and reveal facets of it. So I'd ask you, as a starting point... who would be the worst person to drop into your setting? It doesn't have to be major. It can even be interesting, if someone wide eyed and inquisitive stumbles into the hive of local family secrets, or someone wants to get a business going but doesn't realize what's evolved in terms of local culture or expectations. Or if you've identified what sustains this place... what happens if that becomes strained (business is bad, more and more people without work looking for other ways to earn), or is tested (a community held together by religion is left devastated when the pastor loses his faith and has a mental breakdown in front of the congregation, saying things he shouldn't)? What buttons could be pressed, or how might its trajectory change? | 0 | 19,771 | 9 | ||
pxz857 | writing_train | 0.97 | How to establish a plot when it does not come naturally? (When you are inspired by a setting or character first) There is a story I want to write, I just don't know what it is! Often times before, stories easily come naturally to me. However this time, the SETTING came first and I really really want to work with it, but I am struggling to come up with an enticing plot. Have any of you encountered this? I usually don't struggle with plot building. Being inspired by a character or place, etc. Before the plot? The setting lies untouched in my brain, and I am struggling to give it a plot it deserves other than clichés. Right now all I have is a ghost town waiting to be brought to life. Tips if this has happened to you is appreciated. Thank you | her6yw6 | hes82qa | 1,632,940,976 | 1,632,956,767 | 4 | 18 | I think Alexa Donne said it best. Think of the worst thing that could happen to your protagonist and do it to them. | A setting can be treated like a character in many ways - it's very passive, but it *can* act. Devising a setting, you give it background, traits, moods, style, education level. Certain things sustain it (trade, supply, ideology), certain things hurt it. Certain events defined it in its past, and give it its current trajectory, overt or subtle. Various parts of this could be represented with some or all of the residents. Just like with a character, the introduction of another opposed character, an upheaval, or an event diametrically opposed to the setting's values or abilities can challenge its values, trajectory, target weak points, and push it out of its comfort zone. Hardship, conflict, opposition, and the right factors can lay the heart of it bare, and reveal facets of it. So I'd ask you, as a starting point... who would be the worst person to drop into your setting? It doesn't have to be major. It can even be interesting, if someone wide eyed and inquisitive stumbles into the hive of local family secrets, or someone wants to get a business going but doesn't realize what's evolved in terms of local culture or expectations. Or if you've identified what sustains this place... what happens if that becomes strained (business is bad, more and more people without work looking for other ways to earn), or is tested (a community held together by religion is left devastated when the pastor loses his faith and has a mental breakdown in front of the congregation, saying things he shouldn't)? What buttons could be pressed, or how might its trajectory change? | 0 | 15,791 | 4.5 | ||
pxz857 | writing_train | 0.97 | How to establish a plot when it does not come naturally? (When you are inspired by a setting or character first) There is a story I want to write, I just don't know what it is! Often times before, stories easily come naturally to me. However this time, the SETTING came first and I really really want to work with it, but I am struggling to come up with an enticing plot. Have any of you encountered this? I usually don't struggle with plot building. Being inspired by a character or place, etc. Before the plot? The setting lies untouched in my brain, and I am struggling to give it a plot it deserves other than clichés. Right now all I have is a ghost town waiting to be brought to life. Tips if this has happened to you is appreciated. Thank you | hes82qa | hera4lp | 1,632,956,767 | 1,632,942,280 | 18 | 4 | A setting can be treated like a character in many ways - it's very passive, but it *can* act. Devising a setting, you give it background, traits, moods, style, education level. Certain things sustain it (trade, supply, ideology), certain things hurt it. Certain events defined it in its past, and give it its current trajectory, overt or subtle. Various parts of this could be represented with some or all of the residents. Just like with a character, the introduction of another opposed character, an upheaval, or an event diametrically opposed to the setting's values or abilities can challenge its values, trajectory, target weak points, and push it out of its comfort zone. Hardship, conflict, opposition, and the right factors can lay the heart of it bare, and reveal facets of it. So I'd ask you, as a starting point... who would be the worst person to drop into your setting? It doesn't have to be major. It can even be interesting, if someone wide eyed and inquisitive stumbles into the hive of local family secrets, or someone wants to get a business going but doesn't realize what's evolved in terms of local culture or expectations. Or if you've identified what sustains this place... what happens if that becomes strained (business is bad, more and more people without work looking for other ways to earn), or is tested (a community held together by religion is left devastated when the pastor loses his faith and has a mental breakdown in front of the congregation, saying things he shouldn't)? What buttons could be pressed, or how might its trajectory change? | One way to come up with a plot is to examine the other parts of the premise, and see what choices will show off your setting in the best possible light. Setting + character + conflict + theme = premise. The setting comes with two parts, the ordinary world of the protagonist before the conflict starts, and the extraordinary world of adventure in the second act. The protagonist's life is supposed to be turned completely upside down when the second act starts, and their shortcomings are to become a real problem. It doesn't have to be a physical change of location if it doesn't fit, it could just as well be an antagonist showing up and turning the protagonist's life upside down. Thinking up some good options of what that change might be can give you an inkling to what kind of protagonist you should choose, someone that can really show off the bits of the setting you want to explore. Same line of reasoning goes with conflict. What kind of conflict would show off your setting to best effect? Is a geographical exploration in order? Is a tight drama the best fit? Or something else? If you can answer this you have another piece of the puzzle. To make it a complete premise you need a central theme. It will dictate how the plot unfolds from the situation you've created with the conflict and the setting. What kind of obstacles can be generated from the setting to force the protagonist to grow, what real life lesson would make sense to explore in your setting? If you can answer all this you should be able to write a premise statement and be well on your way to write a back cover blurb. It pays to take your time at this stage and test your premise by plugging it into the dramatic structure of your choice. A solid premise should generate ideas and scenes easily and stir the imagination. | 1 | 14,487 | 4.5 | ||
pxz857 | writing_train | 0.97 | How to establish a plot when it does not come naturally? (When you are inspired by a setting or character first) There is a story I want to write, I just don't know what it is! Often times before, stories easily come naturally to me. However this time, the SETTING came first and I really really want to work with it, but I am struggling to come up with an enticing plot. Have any of you encountered this? I usually don't struggle with plot building. Being inspired by a character or place, etc. Before the plot? The setting lies untouched in my brain, and I am struggling to give it a plot it deserves other than clichés. Right now all I have is a ghost town waiting to be brought to life. Tips if this has happened to you is appreciated. Thank you | hes82qa | her1cyr | 1,632,956,767 | 1,632,938,648 | 18 | 2 | A setting can be treated like a character in many ways - it's very passive, but it *can* act. Devising a setting, you give it background, traits, moods, style, education level. Certain things sustain it (trade, supply, ideology), certain things hurt it. Certain events defined it in its past, and give it its current trajectory, overt or subtle. Various parts of this could be represented with some or all of the residents. Just like with a character, the introduction of another opposed character, an upheaval, or an event diametrically opposed to the setting's values or abilities can challenge its values, trajectory, target weak points, and push it out of its comfort zone. Hardship, conflict, opposition, and the right factors can lay the heart of it bare, and reveal facets of it. So I'd ask you, as a starting point... who would be the worst person to drop into your setting? It doesn't have to be major. It can even be interesting, if someone wide eyed and inquisitive stumbles into the hive of local family secrets, or someone wants to get a business going but doesn't realize what's evolved in terms of local culture or expectations. Or if you've identified what sustains this place... what happens if that becomes strained (business is bad, more and more people without work looking for other ways to earn), or is tested (a community held together by religion is left devastated when the pastor loses his faith and has a mental breakdown in front of the congregation, saying things he shouldn't)? What buttons could be pressed, or how might its trajectory change? | >***'Ghost town waiting to be brought to life.'*** well I'm not the best writer right now but I have a few ideas on how you get it set up: 1. Think of the theming of it. Is it an old western, fantasy, modern, or a Si-fi thing. 2. What is the town looks and area from the theming you had picked (Note: get examples from online). 3. Think of the people who live there and what a few of them do on a day to day basis (Note: you can have a twist in this town's people. A good story does not always need blank people in the world and only a few interesting.) From there you can add a character, and add arcs for the character and the town. Heck, it can just be the ordinary people who work together to make that community grow. I'm happy to work with you to get the right image your looking for, that is if you allow me to. Hope this advice helps | 1 | 18,119 | 9 | ||
pxz857 | writing_train | 0.97 | How to establish a plot when it does not come naturally? (When you are inspired by a setting or character first) There is a story I want to write, I just don't know what it is! Often times before, stories easily come naturally to me. However this time, the SETTING came first and I really really want to work with it, but I am struggling to come up with an enticing plot. Have any of you encountered this? I usually don't struggle with plot building. Being inspired by a character or place, etc. Before the plot? The setting lies untouched in my brain, and I am struggling to give it a plot it deserves other than clichés. Right now all I have is a ghost town waiting to be brought to life. Tips if this has happened to you is appreciated. Thank you | hes82qa | herpap9 | 1,632,956,767 | 1,632,948,425 | 18 | 1 | A setting can be treated like a character in many ways - it's very passive, but it *can* act. Devising a setting, you give it background, traits, moods, style, education level. Certain things sustain it (trade, supply, ideology), certain things hurt it. Certain events defined it in its past, and give it its current trajectory, overt or subtle. Various parts of this could be represented with some or all of the residents. Just like with a character, the introduction of another opposed character, an upheaval, or an event diametrically opposed to the setting's values or abilities can challenge its values, trajectory, target weak points, and push it out of its comfort zone. Hardship, conflict, opposition, and the right factors can lay the heart of it bare, and reveal facets of it. So I'd ask you, as a starting point... who would be the worst person to drop into your setting? It doesn't have to be major. It can even be interesting, if someone wide eyed and inquisitive stumbles into the hive of local family secrets, or someone wants to get a business going but doesn't realize what's evolved in terms of local culture or expectations. Or if you've identified what sustains this place... what happens if that becomes strained (business is bad, more and more people without work looking for other ways to earn), or is tested (a community held together by religion is left devastated when the pastor loses his faith and has a mental breakdown in front of the congregation, saying things he shouldn't)? What buttons could be pressed, or how might its trajectory change? | Whenever I encounter this problem in my work, I always try to place myself in the character’s shoes or try to visit the setting or a replica of it and try to ask myself questions while in the place. Try to draw on the senses. What does the character touch? What memory does it bring up? What scent is around? Is there a specific sound that urges the character to run into some conflict? Give your character distress! | 1 | 8,342 | 18 | ||
pxz857 | writing_train | 0.97 | How to establish a plot when it does not come naturally? (When you are inspired by a setting or character first) There is a story I want to write, I just don't know what it is! Often times before, stories easily come naturally to me. However this time, the SETTING came first and I really really want to work with it, but I am struggling to come up with an enticing plot. Have any of you encountered this? I usually don't struggle with plot building. Being inspired by a character or place, etc. Before the plot? The setting lies untouched in my brain, and I am struggling to give it a plot it deserves other than clichés. Right now all I have is a ghost town waiting to be brought to life. Tips if this has happened to you is appreciated. Thank you | heqxc0d | heqxn5f | 1,632,936,996 | 1,632,937,124 | 2 | 5 | I don’t know if you have this, but i usually have many Idea snippets lying around, that i don’t know how to use. When i find myself in a situation like you, i draw inspiration from that and usually combine two or tree ideas into one. Other than that, you can start with an interesting character, give him or her a goal and then an obstacle that prevents them from reaching their goal. Bam: you’ve got a Story! | Ask yourself who in that setting would have the most interesting story, list out at least 10 ideas to get past the obvious choices and get to some more unique ones, and then pick one of them. Who would be the most interesting MC? Who has the most interesting back story? Who is going to do the most interesting things? What part of the world is the best introduction to it, and who is there to introduce the audience to it? Who could have a story that would show us the places you want us to see? Etc | 0 | 128 | 2.5 | ||
pxz857 | writing_train | 0.97 | How to establish a plot when it does not come naturally? (When you are inspired by a setting or character first) There is a story I want to write, I just don't know what it is! Often times before, stories easily come naturally to me. However this time, the SETTING came first and I really really want to work with it, but I am struggling to come up with an enticing plot. Have any of you encountered this? I usually don't struggle with plot building. Being inspired by a character or place, etc. Before the plot? The setting lies untouched in my brain, and I am struggling to give it a plot it deserves other than clichés. Right now all I have is a ghost town waiting to be brought to life. Tips if this has happened to you is appreciated. Thank you | heqxc0d | her6yw6 | 1,632,936,996 | 1,632,940,976 | 2 | 4 | I don’t know if you have this, but i usually have many Idea snippets lying around, that i don’t know how to use. When i find myself in a situation like you, i draw inspiration from that and usually combine two or tree ideas into one. Other than that, you can start with an interesting character, give him or her a goal and then an obstacle that prevents them from reaching their goal. Bam: you’ve got a Story! | I think Alexa Donne said it best. Think of the worst thing that could happen to your protagonist and do it to them. | 0 | 3,980 | 2 | ||
pxz857 | writing_train | 0.97 | How to establish a plot when it does not come naturally? (When you are inspired by a setting or character first) There is a story I want to write, I just don't know what it is! Often times before, stories easily come naturally to me. However this time, the SETTING came first and I really really want to work with it, but I am struggling to come up with an enticing plot. Have any of you encountered this? I usually don't struggle with plot building. Being inspired by a character or place, etc. Before the plot? The setting lies untouched in my brain, and I am struggling to give it a plot it deserves other than clichés. Right now all I have is a ghost town waiting to be brought to life. Tips if this has happened to you is appreciated. Thank you | heqxc0d | hera4lp | 1,632,936,996 | 1,632,942,280 | 2 | 4 | I don’t know if you have this, but i usually have many Idea snippets lying around, that i don’t know how to use. When i find myself in a situation like you, i draw inspiration from that and usually combine two or tree ideas into one. Other than that, you can start with an interesting character, give him or her a goal and then an obstacle that prevents them from reaching their goal. Bam: you’ve got a Story! | One way to come up with a plot is to examine the other parts of the premise, and see what choices will show off your setting in the best possible light. Setting + character + conflict + theme = premise. The setting comes with two parts, the ordinary world of the protagonist before the conflict starts, and the extraordinary world of adventure in the second act. The protagonist's life is supposed to be turned completely upside down when the second act starts, and their shortcomings are to become a real problem. It doesn't have to be a physical change of location if it doesn't fit, it could just as well be an antagonist showing up and turning the protagonist's life upside down. Thinking up some good options of what that change might be can give you an inkling to what kind of protagonist you should choose, someone that can really show off the bits of the setting you want to explore. Same line of reasoning goes with conflict. What kind of conflict would show off your setting to best effect? Is a geographical exploration in order? Is a tight drama the best fit? Or something else? If you can answer this you have another piece of the puzzle. To make it a complete premise you need a central theme. It will dictate how the plot unfolds from the situation you've created with the conflict and the setting. What kind of obstacles can be generated from the setting to force the protagonist to grow, what real life lesson would make sense to explore in your setting? If you can answer all this you should be able to write a premise statement and be well on your way to write a back cover blurb. It pays to take your time at this stage and test your premise by plugging it into the dramatic structure of your choice. A solid premise should generate ideas and scenes easily and stir the imagination. | 0 | 5,284 | 2 | ||
pxz857 | writing_train | 0.97 | How to establish a plot when it does not come naturally? (When you are inspired by a setting or character first) There is a story I want to write, I just don't know what it is! Often times before, stories easily come naturally to me. However this time, the SETTING came first and I really really want to work with it, but I am struggling to come up with an enticing plot. Have any of you encountered this? I usually don't struggle with plot building. Being inspired by a character or place, etc. Before the plot? The setting lies untouched in my brain, and I am struggling to give it a plot it deserves other than clichés. Right now all I have is a ghost town waiting to be brought to life. Tips if this has happened to you is appreciated. Thank you | heqxc0d | het5qi1 | 1,632,936,996 | 1,632,973,037 | 2 | 3 | I don’t know if you have this, but i usually have many Idea snippets lying around, that i don’t know how to use. When i find myself in a situation like you, i draw inspiration from that and usually combine two or tree ideas into one. Other than that, you can start with an interesting character, give him or her a goal and then an obstacle that prevents them from reaching their goal. Bam: you’ve got a Story! | I reverse engineer from the point I was inspired by. “What needed to happen for this scene/character to be here?” And then fill in things to make it compelling. | 0 | 36,041 | 1.5 | ||
pxz857 | writing_train | 0.97 | How to establish a plot when it does not come naturally? (When you are inspired by a setting or character first) There is a story I want to write, I just don't know what it is! Often times before, stories easily come naturally to me. However this time, the SETTING came first and I really really want to work with it, but I am struggling to come up with an enticing plot. Have any of you encountered this? I usually don't struggle with plot building. Being inspired by a character or place, etc. Before the plot? The setting lies untouched in my brain, and I am struggling to give it a plot it deserves other than clichés. Right now all I have is a ghost town waiting to be brought to life. Tips if this has happened to you is appreciated. Thank you | her1cyr | her6yw6 | 1,632,938,648 | 1,632,940,976 | 2 | 4 | >***'Ghost town waiting to be brought to life.'*** well I'm not the best writer right now but I have a few ideas on how you get it set up: 1. Think of the theming of it. Is it an old western, fantasy, modern, or a Si-fi thing. 2. What is the town looks and area from the theming you had picked (Note: get examples from online). 3. Think of the people who live there and what a few of them do on a day to day basis (Note: you can have a twist in this town's people. A good story does not always need blank people in the world and only a few interesting.) From there you can add a character, and add arcs for the character and the town. Heck, it can just be the ordinary people who work together to make that community grow. I'm happy to work with you to get the right image your looking for, that is if you allow me to. Hope this advice helps | I think Alexa Donne said it best. Think of the worst thing that could happen to your protagonist and do it to them. | 0 | 2,328 | 2 | ||
pxz857 | writing_train | 0.97 | How to establish a plot when it does not come naturally? (When you are inspired by a setting or character first) There is a story I want to write, I just don't know what it is! Often times before, stories easily come naturally to me. However this time, the SETTING came first and I really really want to work with it, but I am struggling to come up with an enticing plot. Have any of you encountered this? I usually don't struggle with plot building. Being inspired by a character or place, etc. Before the plot? The setting lies untouched in my brain, and I am struggling to give it a plot it deserves other than clichés. Right now all I have is a ghost town waiting to be brought to life. Tips if this has happened to you is appreciated. Thank you | her1cyr | hera4lp | 1,632,938,648 | 1,632,942,280 | 2 | 4 | >***'Ghost town waiting to be brought to life.'*** well I'm not the best writer right now but I have a few ideas on how you get it set up: 1. Think of the theming of it. Is it an old western, fantasy, modern, or a Si-fi thing. 2. What is the town looks and area from the theming you had picked (Note: get examples from online). 3. Think of the people who live there and what a few of them do on a day to day basis (Note: you can have a twist in this town's people. A good story does not always need blank people in the world and only a few interesting.) From there you can add a character, and add arcs for the character and the town. Heck, it can just be the ordinary people who work together to make that community grow. I'm happy to work with you to get the right image your looking for, that is if you allow me to. Hope this advice helps | One way to come up with a plot is to examine the other parts of the premise, and see what choices will show off your setting in the best possible light. Setting + character + conflict + theme = premise. The setting comes with two parts, the ordinary world of the protagonist before the conflict starts, and the extraordinary world of adventure in the second act. The protagonist's life is supposed to be turned completely upside down when the second act starts, and their shortcomings are to become a real problem. It doesn't have to be a physical change of location if it doesn't fit, it could just as well be an antagonist showing up and turning the protagonist's life upside down. Thinking up some good options of what that change might be can give you an inkling to what kind of protagonist you should choose, someone that can really show off the bits of the setting you want to explore. Same line of reasoning goes with conflict. What kind of conflict would show off your setting to best effect? Is a geographical exploration in order? Is a tight drama the best fit? Or something else? If you can answer this you have another piece of the puzzle. To make it a complete premise you need a central theme. It will dictate how the plot unfolds from the situation you've created with the conflict and the setting. What kind of obstacles can be generated from the setting to force the protagonist to grow, what real life lesson would make sense to explore in your setting? If you can answer all this you should be able to write a premise statement and be well on your way to write a back cover blurb. It pays to take your time at this stage and test your premise by plugging it into the dramatic structure of your choice. A solid premise should generate ideas and scenes easily and stir the imagination. | 0 | 3,632 | 2 | ||
pxz857 | writing_train | 0.97 | How to establish a plot when it does not come naturally? (When you are inspired by a setting or character first) There is a story I want to write, I just don't know what it is! Often times before, stories easily come naturally to me. However this time, the SETTING came first and I really really want to work with it, but I am struggling to come up with an enticing plot. Have any of you encountered this? I usually don't struggle with plot building. Being inspired by a character or place, etc. Before the plot? The setting lies untouched in my brain, and I am struggling to give it a plot it deserves other than clichés. Right now all I have is a ghost town waiting to be brought to life. Tips if this has happened to you is appreciated. Thank you | her1cyr | het5qi1 | 1,632,938,648 | 1,632,973,037 | 2 | 3 | >***'Ghost town waiting to be brought to life.'*** well I'm not the best writer right now but I have a few ideas on how you get it set up: 1. Think of the theming of it. Is it an old western, fantasy, modern, or a Si-fi thing. 2. What is the town looks and area from the theming you had picked (Note: get examples from online). 3. Think of the people who live there and what a few of them do on a day to day basis (Note: you can have a twist in this town's people. A good story does not always need blank people in the world and only a few interesting.) From there you can add a character, and add arcs for the character and the town. Heck, it can just be the ordinary people who work together to make that community grow. I'm happy to work with you to get the right image your looking for, that is if you allow me to. Hope this advice helps | I reverse engineer from the point I was inspired by. “What needed to happen for this scene/character to be here?” And then fill in things to make it compelling. | 0 | 34,389 | 1.5 | ||
pxz857 | writing_train | 0.97 | How to establish a plot when it does not come naturally? (When you are inspired by a setting or character first) There is a story I want to write, I just don't know what it is! Often times before, stories easily come naturally to me. However this time, the SETTING came first and I really really want to work with it, but I am struggling to come up with an enticing plot. Have any of you encountered this? I usually don't struggle with plot building. Being inspired by a character or place, etc. Before the plot? The setting lies untouched in my brain, and I am struggling to give it a plot it deserves other than clichés. Right now all I have is a ghost town waiting to be brought to life. Tips if this has happened to you is appreciated. Thank you | het5qi1 | hesm0qo | 1,632,973,037 | 1,632,963,362 | 3 | 2 | I reverse engineer from the point I was inspired by. “What needed to happen for this scene/character to be here?” And then fill in things to make it compelling. | Try to find something like a easily corrupted government, a war, character flaw, etc. For the plot to fix like if the government is corrupted and it doesn't always have to be linear if it grows significantly away from your original idea and it works better let it be if you want. I did a blueprint of a story that started from a scene and that scene ended up not happening. | 1 | 9,675 | 1.5 | ||
pxz857 | writing_train | 0.97 | How to establish a plot when it does not come naturally? (When you are inspired by a setting or character first) There is a story I want to write, I just don't know what it is! Often times before, stories easily come naturally to me. However this time, the SETTING came first and I really really want to work with it, but I am struggling to come up with an enticing plot. Have any of you encountered this? I usually don't struggle with plot building. Being inspired by a character or place, etc. Before the plot? The setting lies untouched in my brain, and I am struggling to give it a plot it deserves other than clichés. Right now all I have is a ghost town waiting to be brought to life. Tips if this has happened to you is appreciated. Thank you | het5qi1 | hesr0kj | 1,632,973,037 | 1,632,965,706 | 3 | 2 | I reverse engineer from the point I was inspired by. “What needed to happen for this scene/character to be here?” And then fill in things to make it compelling. | You should try The Hero's Journey. You don't have to follow it exactly, but it might give you some good ideas. Good luck! | 1 | 7,331 | 1.5 | ||
pxz857 | writing_train | 0.97 | How to establish a plot when it does not come naturally? (When you are inspired by a setting or character first) There is a story I want to write, I just don't know what it is! Often times before, stories easily come naturally to me. However this time, the SETTING came first and I really really want to work with it, but I am struggling to come up with an enticing plot. Have any of you encountered this? I usually don't struggle with plot building. Being inspired by a character or place, etc. Before the plot? The setting lies untouched in my brain, and I am struggling to give it a plot it deserves other than clichés. Right now all I have is a ghost town waiting to be brought to life. Tips if this has happened to you is appreciated. Thank you | herpap9 | het5qi1 | 1,632,948,425 | 1,632,973,037 | 1 | 3 | Whenever I encounter this problem in my work, I always try to place myself in the character’s shoes or try to visit the setting or a replica of it and try to ask myself questions while in the place. Try to draw on the senses. What does the character touch? What memory does it bring up? What scent is around? Is there a specific sound that urges the character to run into some conflict? Give your character distress! | I reverse engineer from the point I was inspired by. “What needed to happen for this scene/character to be here?” And then fill in things to make it compelling. | 0 | 24,612 | 3 | ||
pxz857 | writing_train | 0.97 | How to establish a plot when it does not come naturally? (When you are inspired by a setting or character first) There is a story I want to write, I just don't know what it is! Often times before, stories easily come naturally to me. However this time, the SETTING came first and I really really want to work with it, but I am struggling to come up with an enticing plot. Have any of you encountered this? I usually don't struggle with plot building. Being inspired by a character or place, etc. Before the plot? The setting lies untouched in my brain, and I am struggling to give it a plot it deserves other than clichés. Right now all I have is a ghost town waiting to be brought to life. Tips if this has happened to you is appreciated. Thank you | hesa7t2 | het5qi1 | 1,632,957,777 | 1,632,973,037 | 1 | 3 | I always try to think in terms of the Campell/Vogler hero's journey, so I'd try to think about, what can I have happen to this guy? What does he really want? What would break his heart? And what are some mundane likes and dislikes, too. Put all that together and it usually gets some plot idea stewing in my head. And I say, dont be afraid to get weird with it! I'm a lawyer turned writer who really likes fantasy games. I hope people want to read about prosecutors of illegal magic. LOL. I'm unpublished, trying to get someone's attention, so I say go for it and be wild. | I reverse engineer from the point I was inspired by. “What needed to happen for this scene/character to be here?” And then fill in things to make it compelling. | 0 | 15,260 | 3 | ||
pxz857 | writing_train | 0.97 | How to establish a plot when it does not come naturally? (When you are inspired by a setting or character first) There is a story I want to write, I just don't know what it is! Often times before, stories easily come naturally to me. However this time, the SETTING came first and I really really want to work with it, but I am struggling to come up with an enticing plot. Have any of you encountered this? I usually don't struggle with plot building. Being inspired by a character or place, etc. Before the plot? The setting lies untouched in my brain, and I am struggling to give it a plot it deserves other than clichés. Right now all I have is a ghost town waiting to be brought to life. Tips if this has happened to you is appreciated. Thank you | hesm0qo | herpap9 | 1,632,963,362 | 1,632,948,425 | 2 | 1 | Try to find something like a easily corrupted government, a war, character flaw, etc. For the plot to fix like if the government is corrupted and it doesn't always have to be linear if it grows significantly away from your original idea and it works better let it be if you want. I did a blueprint of a story that started from a scene and that scene ended up not happening. | Whenever I encounter this problem in my work, I always try to place myself in the character’s shoes or try to visit the setting or a replica of it and try to ask myself questions while in the place. Try to draw on the senses. What does the character touch? What memory does it bring up? What scent is around? Is there a specific sound that urges the character to run into some conflict? Give your character distress! | 1 | 14,937 | 2 | ||
pxz857 | writing_train | 0.97 | How to establish a plot when it does not come naturally? (When you are inspired by a setting or character first) There is a story I want to write, I just don't know what it is! Often times before, stories easily come naturally to me. However this time, the SETTING came first and I really really want to work with it, but I am struggling to come up with an enticing plot. Have any of you encountered this? I usually don't struggle with plot building. Being inspired by a character or place, etc. Before the plot? The setting lies untouched in my brain, and I am struggling to give it a plot it deserves other than clichés. Right now all I have is a ghost town waiting to be brought to life. Tips if this has happened to you is appreciated. Thank you | hesa7t2 | hesm0qo | 1,632,957,777 | 1,632,963,362 | 1 | 2 | I always try to think in terms of the Campell/Vogler hero's journey, so I'd try to think about, what can I have happen to this guy? What does he really want? What would break his heart? And what are some mundane likes and dislikes, too. Put all that together and it usually gets some plot idea stewing in my head. And I say, dont be afraid to get weird with it! I'm a lawyer turned writer who really likes fantasy games. I hope people want to read about prosecutors of illegal magic. LOL. I'm unpublished, trying to get someone's attention, so I say go for it and be wild. | Try to find something like a easily corrupted government, a war, character flaw, etc. For the plot to fix like if the government is corrupted and it doesn't always have to be linear if it grows significantly away from your original idea and it works better let it be if you want. I did a blueprint of a story that started from a scene and that scene ended up not happening. | 0 | 5,585 | 2 | ||
pxz857 | writing_train | 0.97 | How to establish a plot when it does not come naturally? (When you are inspired by a setting or character first) There is a story I want to write, I just don't know what it is! Often times before, stories easily come naturally to me. However this time, the SETTING came first and I really really want to work with it, but I am struggling to come up with an enticing plot. Have any of you encountered this? I usually don't struggle with plot building. Being inspired by a character or place, etc. Before the plot? The setting lies untouched in my brain, and I am struggling to give it a plot it deserves other than clichés. Right now all I have is a ghost town waiting to be brought to life. Tips if this has happened to you is appreciated. Thank you | hesr0kj | herpap9 | 1,632,965,706 | 1,632,948,425 | 2 | 1 | You should try The Hero's Journey. You don't have to follow it exactly, but it might give you some good ideas. Good luck! | Whenever I encounter this problem in my work, I always try to place myself in the character’s shoes or try to visit the setting or a replica of it and try to ask myself questions while in the place. Try to draw on the senses. What does the character touch? What memory does it bring up? What scent is around? Is there a specific sound that urges the character to run into some conflict? Give your character distress! | 1 | 17,281 | 2 | ||
pxz857 | writing_train | 0.97 | How to establish a plot when it does not come naturally? (When you are inspired by a setting or character first) There is a story I want to write, I just don't know what it is! Often times before, stories easily come naturally to me. However this time, the SETTING came first and I really really want to work with it, but I am struggling to come up with an enticing plot. Have any of you encountered this? I usually don't struggle with plot building. Being inspired by a character or place, etc. Before the plot? The setting lies untouched in my brain, and I am struggling to give it a plot it deserves other than clichés. Right now all I have is a ghost town waiting to be brought to life. Tips if this has happened to you is appreciated. Thank you | hesa7t2 | hesr0kj | 1,632,957,777 | 1,632,965,706 | 1 | 2 | I always try to think in terms of the Campell/Vogler hero's journey, so I'd try to think about, what can I have happen to this guy? What does he really want? What would break his heart? And what are some mundane likes and dislikes, too. Put all that together and it usually gets some plot idea stewing in my head. And I say, dont be afraid to get weird with it! I'm a lawyer turned writer who really likes fantasy games. I hope people want to read about prosecutors of illegal magic. LOL. I'm unpublished, trying to get someone's attention, so I say go for it and be wild. | You should try The Hero's Journey. You don't have to follow it exactly, but it might give you some good ideas. Good luck! | 0 | 7,929 | 2 | ||
pxz857 | writing_train | 0.97 | How to establish a plot when it does not come naturally? (When you are inspired by a setting or character first) There is a story I want to write, I just don't know what it is! Often times before, stories easily come naturally to me. However this time, the SETTING came first and I really really want to work with it, but I am struggling to come up with an enticing plot. Have any of you encountered this? I usually don't struggle with plot building. Being inspired by a character or place, etc. Before the plot? The setting lies untouched in my brain, and I am struggling to give it a plot it deserves other than clichés. Right now all I have is a ghost town waiting to be brought to life. Tips if this has happened to you is appreciated. Thank you | hetvxj0 | herpap9 | 1,632,992,643 | 1,632,948,425 | 2 | 1 | With a character I do a lifetime synopsis and find the interesting bits and go from there. Setting? What makes it so unusual and can that be a plot? I guess I ask questions until something clicks. My current work was inspired by a "writers must follow these rules to be successful" list. It made angry. I combined my outrage with a setting I have had in my head since I was a toddler and now my books are flowing. | Whenever I encounter this problem in my work, I always try to place myself in the character’s shoes or try to visit the setting or a replica of it and try to ask myself questions while in the place. Try to draw on the senses. What does the character touch? What memory does it bring up? What scent is around? Is there a specific sound that urges the character to run into some conflict? Give your character distress! | 1 | 44,218 | 2 | ||
pxz857 | writing_train | 0.97 | How to establish a plot when it does not come naturally? (When you are inspired by a setting or character first) There is a story I want to write, I just don't know what it is! Often times before, stories easily come naturally to me. However this time, the SETTING came first and I really really want to work with it, but I am struggling to come up with an enticing plot. Have any of you encountered this? I usually don't struggle with plot building. Being inspired by a character or place, etc. Before the plot? The setting lies untouched in my brain, and I am struggling to give it a plot it deserves other than clichés. Right now all I have is a ghost town waiting to be brought to life. Tips if this has happened to you is appreciated. Thank you | hetvxj0 | hesa7t2 | 1,632,992,643 | 1,632,957,777 | 2 | 1 | With a character I do a lifetime synopsis and find the interesting bits and go from there. Setting? What makes it so unusual and can that be a plot? I guess I ask questions until something clicks. My current work was inspired by a "writers must follow these rules to be successful" list. It made angry. I combined my outrage with a setting I have had in my head since I was a toddler and now my books are flowing. | I always try to think in terms of the Campell/Vogler hero's journey, so I'd try to think about, what can I have happen to this guy? What does he really want? What would break his heart? And what are some mundane likes and dislikes, too. Put all that together and it usually gets some plot idea stewing in my head. And I say, dont be afraid to get weird with it! I'm a lawyer turned writer who really likes fantasy games. I hope people want to read about prosecutors of illegal magic. LOL. I'm unpublished, trying to get someone's attention, so I say go for it and be wild. | 1 | 34,866 | 2 | ||
pxz857 | writing_train | 0.97 | How to establish a plot when it does not come naturally? (When you are inspired by a setting or character first) There is a story I want to write, I just don't know what it is! Often times before, stories easily come naturally to me. However this time, the SETTING came first and I really really want to work with it, but I am struggling to come up with an enticing plot. Have any of you encountered this? I usually don't struggle with plot building. Being inspired by a character or place, etc. Before the plot? The setting lies untouched in my brain, and I am struggling to give it a plot it deserves other than clichés. Right now all I have is a ghost town waiting to be brought to life. Tips if this has happened to you is appreciated. Thank you | hetvxj0 | het76wq | 1,632,992,643 | 1,632,973,873 | 2 | 1 | With a character I do a lifetime synopsis and find the interesting bits and go from there. Setting? What makes it so unusual and can that be a plot? I guess I ask questions until something clicks. My current work was inspired by a "writers must follow these rules to be successful" list. It made angry. I combined my outrage with a setting I have had in my head since I was a toddler and now my books are flowing. | I got a bunch of history books about a time period and location similar to my world and read them, taking notes. Eventually various little bits of things came together and suggested a plot, and I was able to work on it and build it out from there. | 1 | 18,770 | 2 | ||
pxz857 | writing_train | 0.97 | How to establish a plot when it does not come naturally? (When you are inspired by a setting or character first) There is a story I want to write, I just don't know what it is! Often times before, stories easily come naturally to me. However this time, the SETTING came first and I really really want to work with it, but I am struggling to come up with an enticing plot. Have any of you encountered this? I usually don't struggle with plot building. Being inspired by a character or place, etc. Before the plot? The setting lies untouched in my brain, and I am struggling to give it a plot it deserves other than clichés. Right now all I have is a ghost town waiting to be brought to life. Tips if this has happened to you is appreciated. Thank you | hetd2v4 | hetvxj0 | 1,632,977,471 | 1,632,992,643 | 1 | 2 | You can just sit on the setting and do something else until you get a story idea. I created a conlang a while ago for fun, then devwloped the basis of a world for the conlang. I had no story or character ideas and just did other things. Then I was watching a music video on youtube and I got a story idea. Then, I realized I had a setting already that would be perfect for it. I wasn't even looking for a story idea and it had been several months. | With a character I do a lifetime synopsis and find the interesting bits and go from there. Setting? What makes it so unusual and can that be a plot? I guess I ask questions until something clicks. My current work was inspired by a "writers must follow these rules to be successful" list. It made angry. I combined my outrage with a setting I have had in my head since I was a toddler and now my books are flowing. | 0 | 15,172 | 2 | ||
pxz857 | writing_train | 0.97 | How to establish a plot when it does not come naturally? (When you are inspired by a setting or character first) There is a story I want to write, I just don't know what it is! Often times before, stories easily come naturally to me. However this time, the SETTING came first and I really really want to work with it, but I am struggling to come up with an enticing plot. Have any of you encountered this? I usually don't struggle with plot building. Being inspired by a character or place, etc. Before the plot? The setting lies untouched in my brain, and I am struggling to give it a plot it deserves other than clichés. Right now all I have is a ghost town waiting to be brought to life. Tips if this has happened to you is appreciated. Thank you | hethbrt | hetvxj0 | 1,632,980,267 | 1,632,992,643 | 1 | 2 | Setting based stories have protagonists that are motivated by a social relationship or physical relationship to the setting. For example, an authority figure wanting to influence, manipulate or subjugate them; an outsider trying to invade; or something about the setting that is sick or wrong that needs to be put right. Once you have a motivation for both protagonist and antagonist, you find them both goals to strive for, then plan to reach those goals, and also mindset they have in opposing each other (kindness vs cruelty for instance) that they ultimately choose (though don't necessarily start with). | With a character I do a lifetime synopsis and find the interesting bits and go from there. Setting? What makes it so unusual and can that be a plot? I guess I ask questions until something clicks. My current work was inspired by a "writers must follow these rules to be successful" list. It made angry. I combined my outrage with a setting I have had in my head since I was a toddler and now my books are flowing. | 0 | 12,376 | 2 | ||
pxz857 | writing_train | 0.97 | How to establish a plot when it does not come naturally? (When you are inspired by a setting or character first) There is a story I want to write, I just don't know what it is! Often times before, stories easily come naturally to me. However this time, the SETTING came first and I really really want to work with it, but I am struggling to come up with an enticing plot. Have any of you encountered this? I usually don't struggle with plot building. Being inspired by a character or place, etc. Before the plot? The setting lies untouched in my brain, and I am struggling to give it a plot it deserves other than clichés. Right now all I have is a ghost town waiting to be brought to life. Tips if this has happened to you is appreciated. Thank you | hex4hfu | herpap9 | 1,633,049,469 | 1,632,948,425 | 2 | 1 | Five your character a backstory. Find conflict in the backstory. Build the plot around the conflict. | Whenever I encounter this problem in my work, I always try to place myself in the character’s shoes or try to visit the setting or a replica of it and try to ask myself questions while in the place. Try to draw on the senses. What does the character touch? What memory does it bring up? What scent is around? Is there a specific sound that urges the character to run into some conflict? Give your character distress! | 1 | 101,044 | 2 | ||
pxz857 | writing_train | 0.97 | How to establish a plot when it does not come naturally? (When you are inspired by a setting or character first) There is a story I want to write, I just don't know what it is! Often times before, stories easily come naturally to me. However this time, the SETTING came first and I really really want to work with it, but I am struggling to come up with an enticing plot. Have any of you encountered this? I usually don't struggle with plot building. Being inspired by a character or place, etc. Before the plot? The setting lies untouched in my brain, and I am struggling to give it a plot it deserves other than clichés. Right now all I have is a ghost town waiting to be brought to life. Tips if this has happened to you is appreciated. Thank you | hesa7t2 | hex4hfu | 1,632,957,777 | 1,633,049,469 | 1 | 2 | I always try to think in terms of the Campell/Vogler hero's journey, so I'd try to think about, what can I have happen to this guy? What does he really want? What would break his heart? And what are some mundane likes and dislikes, too. Put all that together and it usually gets some plot idea stewing in my head. And I say, dont be afraid to get weird with it! I'm a lawyer turned writer who really likes fantasy games. I hope people want to read about prosecutors of illegal magic. LOL. I'm unpublished, trying to get someone's attention, so I say go for it and be wild. | Five your character a backstory. Find conflict in the backstory. Build the plot around the conflict. | 0 | 91,692 | 2 | ||
pxz857 | writing_train | 0.97 | How to establish a plot when it does not come naturally? (When you are inspired by a setting or character first) There is a story I want to write, I just don't know what it is! Often times before, stories easily come naturally to me. However this time, the SETTING came first and I really really want to work with it, but I am struggling to come up with an enticing plot. Have any of you encountered this? I usually don't struggle with plot building. Being inspired by a character or place, etc. Before the plot? The setting lies untouched in my brain, and I am struggling to give it a plot it deserves other than clichés. Right now all I have is a ghost town waiting to be brought to life. Tips if this has happened to you is appreciated. Thank you | het76wq | hex4hfu | 1,632,973,873 | 1,633,049,469 | 1 | 2 | I got a bunch of history books about a time period and location similar to my world and read them, taking notes. Eventually various little bits of things came together and suggested a plot, and I was able to work on it and build it out from there. | Five your character a backstory. Find conflict in the backstory. Build the plot around the conflict. | 0 | 75,596 | 2 | ||
pxz857 | writing_train | 0.97 | How to establish a plot when it does not come naturally? (When you are inspired by a setting or character first) There is a story I want to write, I just don't know what it is! Often times before, stories easily come naturally to me. However this time, the SETTING came first and I really really want to work with it, but I am struggling to come up with an enticing plot. Have any of you encountered this? I usually don't struggle with plot building. Being inspired by a character or place, etc. Before the plot? The setting lies untouched in my brain, and I am struggling to give it a plot it deserves other than clichés. Right now all I have is a ghost town waiting to be brought to life. Tips if this has happened to you is appreciated. Thank you | hetd2v4 | hex4hfu | 1,632,977,471 | 1,633,049,469 | 1 | 2 | You can just sit on the setting and do something else until you get a story idea. I created a conlang a while ago for fun, then devwloped the basis of a world for the conlang. I had no story or character ideas and just did other things. Then I was watching a music video on youtube and I got a story idea. Then, I realized I had a setting already that would be perfect for it. I wasn't even looking for a story idea and it had been several months. | Five your character a backstory. Find conflict in the backstory. Build the plot around the conflict. | 0 | 71,998 | 2 | ||
pxz857 | writing_train | 0.97 | How to establish a plot when it does not come naturally? (When you are inspired by a setting or character first) There is a story I want to write, I just don't know what it is! Often times before, stories easily come naturally to me. However this time, the SETTING came first and I really really want to work with it, but I am struggling to come up with an enticing plot. Have any of you encountered this? I usually don't struggle with plot building. Being inspired by a character or place, etc. Before the plot? The setting lies untouched in my brain, and I am struggling to give it a plot it deserves other than clichés. Right now all I have is a ghost town waiting to be brought to life. Tips if this has happened to you is appreciated. Thank you | hex4hfu | hethbrt | 1,633,049,469 | 1,632,980,267 | 2 | 1 | Five your character a backstory. Find conflict in the backstory. Build the plot around the conflict. | Setting based stories have protagonists that are motivated by a social relationship or physical relationship to the setting. For example, an authority figure wanting to influence, manipulate or subjugate them; an outsider trying to invade; or something about the setting that is sick or wrong that needs to be put right. Once you have a motivation for both protagonist and antagonist, you find them both goals to strive for, then plan to reach those goals, and also mindset they have in opposing each other (kindness vs cruelty for instance) that they ultimately choose (though don't necessarily start with). | 1 | 69,202 | 2 | ||
tx13ci | writing_train | 0.93 | How to write a surprised question without using the unprofessional "?!" I'm having a bit of trouble writing questions where it gives off the feeling of surprise, excitement, fear, and so on. I know it's unprofessional to use "?!" Or at least it's not proper. So how do I go about doing this? For example: "You can do that?" Sounds like a simple question. "You can do that!" Sounds more like it's a cheer or excitement rather then a question. Then some people would do "You can do that?!" And while I have no problems with the use of "?!" I know some people do and I also want to try and keep things as correct as possible. So how do I make a question sound surprised with fear or excitement without using "?!" to show it? | i3j2f2d | i3iviu8 | 1,649,186,928 | 1,649,184,269 | 592 | 160 | Try showing her feelings instead of telling them with punctuation. "Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped. 'Can you do that?' " or try introducing her question with her excitement. "That's amazing. Can you do that?" | Oh why oh why can't the interrobang be more widely accepted‽ | 1 | 2,659 | 3.7 | ||
tx13ci | writing_train | 0.93 | How to write a surprised question without using the unprofessional "?!" I'm having a bit of trouble writing questions where it gives off the feeling of surprise, excitement, fear, and so on. I know it's unprofessional to use "?!" Or at least it's not proper. So how do I go about doing this? For example: "You can do that?" Sounds like a simple question. "You can do that!" Sounds more like it's a cheer or excitement rather then a question. Then some people would do "You can do that?!" And while I have no problems with the use of "?!" I know some people do and I also want to try and keep things as correct as possible. So how do I make a question sound surprised with fear or excitement without using "?!" to show it? | i3irbj8 | i3j2f2d | 1,649,182,613 | 1,649,186,928 | 124 | 592 | "You can do that?" the dog gasped. | Try showing her feelings instead of telling them with punctuation. "Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped. 'Can you do that?' " or try introducing her question with her excitement. "That's amazing. Can you do that?" | 0 | 4,315 | 4.774194 | ||
tx13ci | writing_train | 0.93 | How to write a surprised question without using the unprofessional "?!" I'm having a bit of trouble writing questions where it gives off the feeling of surprise, excitement, fear, and so on. I know it's unprofessional to use "?!" Or at least it's not proper. So how do I go about doing this? For example: "You can do that?" Sounds like a simple question. "You can do that!" Sounds more like it's a cheer or excitement rather then a question. Then some people would do "You can do that?!" And while I have no problems with the use of "?!" I know some people do and I also want to try and keep things as correct as possible. So how do I make a question sound surprised with fear or excitement without using "?!" to show it? | i3j2f2d | i3izctg | 1,649,186,928 | 1,649,185,753 | 592 | 110 | Try showing her feelings instead of telling them with punctuation. "Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped. 'Can you do that?' " or try introducing her question with her excitement. "That's amazing. Can you do that?" | I don't see a big deal with using ?!, I see it all the time in books. As long as it's not used excessively i believe it's perfectly fine | 1 | 1,175 | 5.381818 | ||
tx13ci | writing_train | 0.93 | How to write a surprised question without using the unprofessional "?!" I'm having a bit of trouble writing questions where it gives off the feeling of surprise, excitement, fear, and so on. I know it's unprofessional to use "?!" Or at least it's not proper. So how do I go about doing this? For example: "You can do that?" Sounds like a simple question. "You can do that!" Sounds more like it's a cheer or excitement rather then a question. Then some people would do "You can do that?!" And while I have no problems with the use of "?!" I know some people do and I also want to try and keep things as correct as possible. So how do I make a question sound surprised with fear or excitement without using "?!" to show it? | i3j2f2d | i3iwgbg | 1,649,186,928 | 1,649,184,630 | 592 | 75 | Try showing her feelings instead of telling them with punctuation. "Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped. 'Can you do that?' " or try introducing her question with her excitement. "That's amazing. Can you do that?" | I just use **?!** lol | 1 | 2,298 | 7.893333 | ||
tx13ci | writing_train | 0.93 | How to write a surprised question without using the unprofessional "?!" I'm having a bit of trouble writing questions where it gives off the feeling of surprise, excitement, fear, and so on. I know it's unprofessional to use "?!" Or at least it's not proper. So how do I go about doing this? For example: "You can do that?" Sounds like a simple question. "You can do that!" Sounds more like it's a cheer or excitement rather then a question. Then some people would do "You can do that?!" And while I have no problems with the use of "?!" I know some people do and I also want to try and keep things as correct as possible. So how do I make a question sound surprised with fear or excitement without using "?!" to show it? | i3j2f2d | i3irzao | 1,649,186,928 | 1,649,182,873 | 592 | 23 | Try showing her feelings instead of telling them with punctuation. "Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped. 'Can you do that?' " or try introducing her question with her excitement. "That's amazing. Can you do that?" | Channeling my inner Stephen king, I think what comes before and after that is how you show the tone of the question. | 1 | 4,055 | 25.73913 | ||
tx13ci | writing_train | 0.93 | How to write a surprised question without using the unprofessional "?!" I'm having a bit of trouble writing questions where it gives off the feeling of surprise, excitement, fear, and so on. I know it's unprofessional to use "?!" Or at least it's not proper. So how do I go about doing this? For example: "You can do that?" Sounds like a simple question. "You can do that!" Sounds more like it's a cheer or excitement rather then a question. Then some people would do "You can do that?!" And while I have no problems with the use of "?!" I know some people do and I also want to try and keep things as correct as possible. So how do I make a question sound surprised with fear or excitement without using "?!" to show it? | i3iz1j7 | i3j2f2d | 1,649,185,631 | 1,649,186,928 | 14 | 592 | For me the use of certain punctuation, whether by itself or in groups, is only unprofessional or a problem if it is used too often. | Try showing her feelings instead of telling them with punctuation. "Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped. 'Can you do that?' " or try introducing her question with her excitement. "That's amazing. Can you do that?" | 0 | 1,297 | 42.285714 | ||
tx13ci | writing_train | 0.93 | How to write a surprised question without using the unprofessional "?!" I'm having a bit of trouble writing questions where it gives off the feeling of surprise, excitement, fear, and so on. I know it's unprofessional to use "?!" Or at least it's not proper. So how do I go about doing this? For example: "You can do that?" Sounds like a simple question. "You can do that!" Sounds more like it's a cheer or excitement rather then a question. Then some people would do "You can do that?!" And while I have no problems with the use of "?!" I know some people do and I also want to try and keep things as correct as possible. So how do I make a question sound surprised with fear or excitement without using "?!" to show it? | i3irw9c | i3j2f2d | 1,649,182,839 | 1,649,186,928 | 8 | 592 | You use the quotation mark, as it's an objective label--it's a question not a statement--while exclamation points are a subjective characterization of tone. If you *really* feel the tone is critical, you indicate it with dialogue tags or other descriptors. **"What did you just do?" screamed John.** | Try showing her feelings instead of telling them with punctuation. "Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped. 'Can you do that?' " or try introducing her question with her excitement. "That's amazing. Can you do that?" | 0 | 4,089 | 74 | ||
tx13ci | writing_train | 0.93 | How to write a surprised question without using the unprofessional "?!" I'm having a bit of trouble writing questions where it gives off the feeling of surprise, excitement, fear, and so on. I know it's unprofessional to use "?!" Or at least it's not proper. So how do I go about doing this? For example: "You can do that?" Sounds like a simple question. "You can do that!" Sounds more like it's a cheer or excitement rather then a question. Then some people would do "You can do that?!" And while I have no problems with the use of "?!" I know some people do and I also want to try and keep things as correct as possible. So how do I make a question sound surprised with fear or excitement without using "?!" to show it? | i3iviu8 | i3irbj8 | 1,649,184,269 | 1,649,182,613 | 160 | 124 | Oh why oh why can't the interrobang be more widely accepted‽ | "You can do that?" the dog gasped. | 1 | 1,656 | 1.290323 | ||
tx13ci | writing_train | 0.93 | How to write a surprised question without using the unprofessional "?!" I'm having a bit of trouble writing questions where it gives off the feeling of surprise, excitement, fear, and so on. I know it's unprofessional to use "?!" Or at least it's not proper. So how do I go about doing this? For example: "You can do that?" Sounds like a simple question. "You can do that!" Sounds more like it's a cheer or excitement rather then a question. Then some people would do "You can do that?!" And while I have no problems with the use of "?!" I know some people do and I also want to try and keep things as correct as possible. So how do I make a question sound surprised with fear or excitement without using "?!" to show it? | i3iviu8 | i3irzao | 1,649,184,269 | 1,649,182,873 | 160 | 23 | Oh why oh why can't the interrobang be more widely accepted‽ | Channeling my inner Stephen king, I think what comes before and after that is how you show the tone of the question. | 1 | 1,396 | 6.956522 | ||
tx13ci | writing_train | 0.93 | How to write a surprised question without using the unprofessional "?!" I'm having a bit of trouble writing questions where it gives off the feeling of surprise, excitement, fear, and so on. I know it's unprofessional to use "?!" Or at least it's not proper. So how do I go about doing this? For example: "You can do that?" Sounds like a simple question. "You can do that!" Sounds more like it's a cheer or excitement rather then a question. Then some people would do "You can do that?!" And while I have no problems with the use of "?!" I know some people do and I also want to try and keep things as correct as possible. So how do I make a question sound surprised with fear or excitement without using "?!" to show it? | i3iviu8 | i3irw9c | 1,649,184,269 | 1,649,182,839 | 160 | 8 | Oh why oh why can't the interrobang be more widely accepted‽ | You use the quotation mark, as it's an objective label--it's a question not a statement--while exclamation points are a subjective characterization of tone. If you *really* feel the tone is critical, you indicate it with dialogue tags or other descriptors. **"What did you just do?" screamed John.** | 1 | 1,430 | 20 | ||
tx13ci | writing_train | 0.93 | How to write a surprised question without using the unprofessional "?!" I'm having a bit of trouble writing questions where it gives off the feeling of surprise, excitement, fear, and so on. I know it's unprofessional to use "?!" Or at least it's not proper. So how do I go about doing this? For example: "You can do that?" Sounds like a simple question. "You can do that!" Sounds more like it's a cheer or excitement rather then a question. Then some people would do "You can do that?!" And while I have no problems with the use of "?!" I know some people do and I also want to try and keep things as correct as possible. So how do I make a question sound surprised with fear or excitement without using "?!" to show it? | i3iwgbg | i3izctg | 1,649,184,630 | 1,649,185,753 | 75 | 110 | I just use **?!** lol | I don't see a big deal with using ?!, I see it all the time in books. As long as it's not used excessively i believe it's perfectly fine | 0 | 1,123 | 1.466667 | ||
tx13ci | writing_train | 0.93 | How to write a surprised question without using the unprofessional "?!" I'm having a bit of trouble writing questions where it gives off the feeling of surprise, excitement, fear, and so on. I know it's unprofessional to use "?!" Or at least it's not proper. So how do I go about doing this? For example: "You can do that?" Sounds like a simple question. "You can do that!" Sounds more like it's a cheer or excitement rather then a question. Then some people would do "You can do that?!" And while I have no problems with the use of "?!" I know some people do and I also want to try and keep things as correct as possible. So how do I make a question sound surprised with fear or excitement without using "?!" to show it? | i3izctg | i3irzao | 1,649,185,753 | 1,649,182,873 | 110 | 23 | I don't see a big deal with using ?!, I see it all the time in books. As long as it's not used excessively i believe it's perfectly fine | Channeling my inner Stephen king, I think what comes before and after that is how you show the tone of the question. | 1 | 2,880 | 4.782609 | ||
tx13ci | writing_train | 0.93 | How to write a surprised question without using the unprofessional "?!" I'm having a bit of trouble writing questions where it gives off the feeling of surprise, excitement, fear, and so on. I know it's unprofessional to use "?!" Or at least it's not proper. So how do I go about doing this? For example: "You can do that?" Sounds like a simple question. "You can do that!" Sounds more like it's a cheer or excitement rather then a question. Then some people would do "You can do that?!" And while I have no problems with the use of "?!" I know some people do and I also want to try and keep things as correct as possible. So how do I make a question sound surprised with fear or excitement without using "?!" to show it? | i3izctg | i3iz1j7 | 1,649,185,753 | 1,649,185,631 | 110 | 14 | I don't see a big deal with using ?!, I see it all the time in books. As long as it's not used excessively i believe it's perfectly fine | For me the use of certain punctuation, whether by itself or in groups, is only unprofessional or a problem if it is used too often. | 1 | 122 | 7.857143 | ||
tx13ci | writing_train | 0.93 | How to write a surprised question without using the unprofessional "?!" I'm having a bit of trouble writing questions where it gives off the feeling of surprise, excitement, fear, and so on. I know it's unprofessional to use "?!" Or at least it's not proper. So how do I go about doing this? For example: "You can do that?" Sounds like a simple question. "You can do that!" Sounds more like it's a cheer or excitement rather then a question. Then some people would do "You can do that?!" And while I have no problems with the use of "?!" I know some people do and I also want to try and keep things as correct as possible. So how do I make a question sound surprised with fear or excitement without using "?!" to show it? | i3irw9c | i3izctg | 1,649,182,839 | 1,649,185,753 | 8 | 110 | You use the quotation mark, as it's an objective label--it's a question not a statement--while exclamation points are a subjective characterization of tone. If you *really* feel the tone is critical, you indicate it with dialogue tags or other descriptors. **"What did you just do?" screamed John.** | I don't see a big deal with using ?!, I see it all the time in books. As long as it's not used excessively i believe it's perfectly fine | 0 | 2,914 | 13.75 | ||
tx13ci | writing_train | 0.93 | How to write a surprised question without using the unprofessional "?!" I'm having a bit of trouble writing questions where it gives off the feeling of surprise, excitement, fear, and so on. I know it's unprofessional to use "?!" Or at least it's not proper. So how do I go about doing this? For example: "You can do that?" Sounds like a simple question. "You can do that!" Sounds more like it's a cheer or excitement rather then a question. Then some people would do "You can do that?!" And while I have no problems with the use of "?!" I know some people do and I also want to try and keep things as correct as possible. So how do I make a question sound surprised with fear or excitement without using "?!" to show it? | i3irzao | i3iwgbg | 1,649,182,873 | 1,649,184,630 | 23 | 75 | Channeling my inner Stephen king, I think what comes before and after that is how you show the tone of the question. | I just use **?!** lol | 0 | 1,757 | 3.26087 | ||
tx13ci | writing_train | 0.93 | How to write a surprised question without using the unprofessional "?!" I'm having a bit of trouble writing questions where it gives off the feeling of surprise, excitement, fear, and so on. I know it's unprofessional to use "?!" Or at least it's not proper. So how do I go about doing this? For example: "You can do that?" Sounds like a simple question. "You can do that!" Sounds more like it's a cheer or excitement rather then a question. Then some people would do "You can do that?!" And while I have no problems with the use of "?!" I know some people do and I also want to try and keep things as correct as possible. So how do I make a question sound surprised with fear or excitement without using "?!" to show it? | i3iwgbg | i3irw9c | 1,649,184,630 | 1,649,182,839 | 75 | 8 | I just use **?!** lol | You use the quotation mark, as it's an objective label--it's a question not a statement--while exclamation points are a subjective characterization of tone. If you *really* feel the tone is critical, you indicate it with dialogue tags or other descriptors. **"What did you just do?" screamed John.** | 1 | 1,791 | 9.375 | ||
tx13ci | writing_train | 0.93 | How to write a surprised question without using the unprofessional "?!" I'm having a bit of trouble writing questions where it gives off the feeling of surprise, excitement, fear, and so on. I know it's unprofessional to use "?!" Or at least it's not proper. So how do I go about doing this? For example: "You can do that?" Sounds like a simple question. "You can do that!" Sounds more like it's a cheer or excitement rather then a question. Then some people would do "You can do that?!" And while I have no problems with the use of "?!" I know some people do and I also want to try and keep things as correct as possible. So how do I make a question sound surprised with fear or excitement without using "?!" to show it? | i3irw9c | i3irzao | 1,649,182,839 | 1,649,182,873 | 8 | 23 | You use the quotation mark, as it's an objective label--it's a question not a statement--while exclamation points are a subjective characterization of tone. If you *really* feel the tone is critical, you indicate it with dialogue tags or other descriptors. **"What did you just do?" screamed John.** | Channeling my inner Stephen king, I think what comes before and after that is how you show the tone of the question. | 0 | 34 | 2.875 | ||
tx13ci | writing_train | 0.93 | How to write a surprised question without using the unprofessional "?!" I'm having a bit of trouble writing questions where it gives off the feeling of surprise, excitement, fear, and so on. I know it's unprofessional to use "?!" Or at least it's not proper. So how do I go about doing this? For example: "You can do that?" Sounds like a simple question. "You can do that!" Sounds more like it's a cheer or excitement rather then a question. Then some people would do "You can do that?!" And while I have no problems with the use of "?!" I know some people do and I also want to try and keep things as correct as possible. So how do I make a question sound surprised with fear or excitement without using "?!" to show it? | i3iz1j7 | i3irw9c | 1,649,185,631 | 1,649,182,839 | 14 | 8 | For me the use of certain punctuation, whether by itself or in groups, is only unprofessional or a problem if it is used too often. | You use the quotation mark, as it's an objective label--it's a question not a statement--while exclamation points are a subjective characterization of tone. If you *really* feel the tone is critical, you indicate it with dialogue tags or other descriptors. **"What did you just do?" screamed John.** | 1 | 2,792 | 1.75 | ||
tx13ci | writing_train | 0.93 | How to write a surprised question without using the unprofessional "?!" I'm having a bit of trouble writing questions where it gives off the feeling of surprise, excitement, fear, and so on. I know it's unprofessional to use "?!" Or at least it's not proper. So how do I go about doing this? For example: "You can do that?" Sounds like a simple question. "You can do that!" Sounds more like it's a cheer or excitement rather then a question. Then some people would do "You can do that?!" And while I have no problems with the use of "?!" I know some people do and I also want to try and keep things as correct as possible. So how do I make a question sound surprised with fear or excitement without using "?!" to show it? | i3j3i7l | i3irw9c | 1,649,187,346 | 1,649,182,839 | 14 | 8 | fuck that rule?! | You use the quotation mark, as it's an objective label--it's a question not a statement--while exclamation points are a subjective characterization of tone. If you *really* feel the tone is critical, you indicate it with dialogue tags or other descriptors. **"What did you just do?" screamed John.** | 1 | 4,507 | 1.75 | ||
tx13ci | writing_train | 0.93 | How to write a surprised question without using the unprofessional "?!" I'm having a bit of trouble writing questions where it gives off the feeling of surprise, excitement, fear, and so on. I know it's unprofessional to use "?!" Or at least it's not proper. So how do I go about doing this? For example: "You can do that?" Sounds like a simple question. "You can do that!" Sounds more like it's a cheer or excitement rather then a question. Then some people would do "You can do that?!" And while I have no problems with the use of "?!" I know some people do and I also want to try and keep things as correct as possible. So how do I make a question sound surprised with fear or excitement without using "?!" to show it? | i3j2xvb | i3j3i7l | 1,649,187,128 | 1,649,187,346 | 7 | 14 | Not sure if it would be considered any more 'professional', but I use italics to help convey emotion: "You can *do* that?" or "You can do *that?"* (depending where you want the emphasis) conveys surprise quite effectively imo. | fuck that rule?! | 0 | 218 | 2 | ||
tx13ci | writing_train | 0.93 | How to write a surprised question without using the unprofessional "?!" I'm having a bit of trouble writing questions where it gives off the feeling of surprise, excitement, fear, and so on. I know it's unprofessional to use "?!" Or at least it's not proper. So how do I go about doing this? For example: "You can do that?" Sounds like a simple question. "You can do that!" Sounds more like it's a cheer or excitement rather then a question. Then some people would do "You can do that?!" And while I have no problems with the use of "?!" I know some people do and I also want to try and keep things as correct as possible. So how do I make a question sound surprised with fear or excitement without using "?!" to show it? | i3j3o5u | i3irw9c | 1,649,187,409 | 1,649,182,839 | 10 | 8 | How about “!?” | You use the quotation mark, as it's an objective label--it's a question not a statement--while exclamation points are a subjective characterization of tone. If you *really* feel the tone is critical, you indicate it with dialogue tags or other descriptors. **"What did you just do?" screamed John.** | 1 | 4,570 | 1.25 | ||
tx13ci | writing_train | 0.93 | How to write a surprised question without using the unprofessional "?!" I'm having a bit of trouble writing questions where it gives off the feeling of surprise, excitement, fear, and so on. I know it's unprofessional to use "?!" Or at least it's not proper. So how do I go about doing this? For example: "You can do that?" Sounds like a simple question. "You can do that!" Sounds more like it's a cheer or excitement rather then a question. Then some people would do "You can do that?!" And while I have no problems with the use of "?!" I know some people do and I also want to try and keep things as correct as possible. So how do I make a question sound surprised with fear or excitement without using "?!" to show it? | i3j2xvb | i3j3o5u | 1,649,187,128 | 1,649,187,409 | 7 | 10 | Not sure if it would be considered any more 'professional', but I use italics to help convey emotion: "You can *do* that?" or "You can do *that?"* (depending where you want the emphasis) conveys surprise quite effectively imo. | How about “!?” | 0 | 281 | 1.428571 | ||
xzsb1k | writing_train | 0.78 | How do you create conflict for the protagonist without "losing" 24/7? I know that some defeats are necessary for plot development, but I'm the type of person that doesn't want to see a protagonist exposed for their true identity, framed for crimes they did, or lose a physical fight. However, I also don't want to rely on plot armor and let them win fights and scenarios they normally wouldn't have won in the first place. I considered going onto some depressing aftermaths, but it seems too weak. So, how would you be able to make the plot relevant without giving characters some type of handicap? | iro8vgr | iro9tk8 | 1,665,344,348 | 1,665,344,713 | 7 | 24 | Even Goku lost fights. | In typical storytelling, a protagonist doesn't lose. They have temporary setbacks and find a way to overcome them. Each setback gets progressively harder to overcome, forcing the protagonist to grow. | 0 | 365 | 3.428571 | ||
xzsb1k | writing_train | 0.78 | How do you create conflict for the protagonist without "losing" 24/7? I know that some defeats are necessary for plot development, but I'm the type of person that doesn't want to see a protagonist exposed for their true identity, framed for crimes they did, or lose a physical fight. However, I also don't want to rely on plot armor and let them win fights and scenarios they normally wouldn't have won in the first place. I considered going onto some depressing aftermaths, but it seems too weak. So, how would you be able to make the plot relevant without giving characters some type of handicap? | iro8vgr | irp3ioy | 1,665,344,348 | 1,665,357,528 | 7 | 15 | Even Goku lost fights. | The simple rule I have heard for "does the protagonist achieve their goal?" is either use "yes, but" or "no, and." Basically if they achieve their goal then something else is revealed that helps drive them forward. If they don't achieve their goal they learn something that will help them achieve it later etc. | 0 | 13,180 | 2.142857 | ||
xzsb1k | writing_train | 0.78 | How do you create conflict for the protagonist without "losing" 24/7? I know that some defeats are necessary for plot development, but I'm the type of person that doesn't want to see a protagonist exposed for their true identity, framed for crimes they did, or lose a physical fight. However, I also don't want to rely on plot armor and let them win fights and scenarios they normally wouldn't have won in the first place. I considered going onto some depressing aftermaths, but it seems too weak. So, how would you be able to make the plot relevant without giving characters some type of handicap? | irp3ioy | iroiwm5 | 1,665,357,528 | 1,665,348,289 | 15 | 4 | The simple rule I have heard for "does the protagonist achieve their goal?" is either use "yes, but" or "no, and." Basically if they achieve their goal then something else is revealed that helps drive them forward. If they don't achieve their goal they learn something that will help them achieve it later etc. | Dont have them lose 24/7? | 1 | 9,239 | 3.75 | ||
xzsb1k | writing_train | 0.78 | How do you create conflict for the protagonist without "losing" 24/7? I know that some defeats are necessary for plot development, but I'm the type of person that doesn't want to see a protagonist exposed for their true identity, framed for crimes they did, or lose a physical fight. However, I also don't want to rely on plot armor and let them win fights and scenarios they normally wouldn't have won in the first place. I considered going onto some depressing aftermaths, but it seems too weak. So, how would you be able to make the plot relevant without giving characters some type of handicap? | iroxpv6 | irp3ioy | 1,665,354,811 | 1,665,357,528 | 4 | 15 | Have them win something at a cost. example: Man wanted to be a doctor since he was very young, he has put a lot of effort into being one. Hes finally a qualified doctor. But by all that effort, he's lost friends. Not the best example, but what I mean is have them get what it is they wanted (whether it is something big or a smaller achievement) and then have them lose something along the way. either physical, a relationship, or a family home...etc | The simple rule I have heard for "does the protagonist achieve their goal?" is either use "yes, but" or "no, and." Basically if they achieve their goal then something else is revealed that helps drive them forward. If they don't achieve their goal they learn something that will help them achieve it later etc. | 0 | 2,717 | 3.75 | ||
xzsb1k | writing_train | 0.78 | How do you create conflict for the protagonist without "losing" 24/7? I know that some defeats are necessary for plot development, but I'm the type of person that doesn't want to see a protagonist exposed for their true identity, framed for crimes they did, or lose a physical fight. However, I also don't want to rely on plot armor and let them win fights and scenarios they normally wouldn't have won in the first place. I considered going onto some depressing aftermaths, but it seems too weak. So, how would you be able to make the plot relevant without giving characters some type of handicap? | irp449y | irpayxu | 1,665,357,802 | 1,665,361,171 | 1 | 2 | He wins. He always wins. But it's halfway through the book where he starts to realize how many friends he's lost because of that. | I’m all for making characters suffer. All for that sweet drama. Make them lose but in doing so a new door opens. Make them win but at a cost. Allow them to make mistakes they normally wouldn’t. Avoid a Mary-sue at all costs. I just finished my first manuscript and brought my normally stoic and brave knight to his knees, sobbing. But he comes back and wins in the end at a greater cost. Allow your characters (even the strongest ones) to be weak and in doing so, you’ll have a “strong” character. | 0 | 3,369 | 2 | ||
xzsb1k | writing_train | 0.78 | How do you create conflict for the protagonist without "losing" 24/7? I know that some defeats are necessary for plot development, but I'm the type of person that doesn't want to see a protagonist exposed for their true identity, framed for crimes they did, or lose a physical fight. However, I also don't want to rely on plot armor and let them win fights and scenarios they normally wouldn't have won in the first place. I considered going onto some depressing aftermaths, but it seems too weak. So, how would you be able to make the plot relevant without giving characters some type of handicap? | irpmzkg | irp449y | 1,665,366,962 | 1,665,357,802 | 2 | 1 | \> framed for crimes they did Don't you mean "crimes they didn't do"? Anyway, the climax of *Return of the Jedi* consisted of Luke losing a fight. Defeat does not mean instant destruction. The other way to set back the protagonist, without him suffering an actual defeat, was repeated (three times, no less) in the *Lensman* series. The first novel ends with the protagonist taking on and defeating the head of a military/criminal organization that spans the entire Milky Way galaxy. Since sequels were not common at that point, it was a bit of a surprise to the readers when: * The second novel opens with the revelation that the head guy defeated in the first book wasn't the true head of the organization, but reported to a higher echelon in a nearby galaxy; * There are references in the first, second, and third novels to a species that isn't even encountered until the fourth book; * This cryptically-hinted foe is itself the penultimate level of the enemy hierarchy. * The enemy's top level is known only to their immediate subordinates and to the top level of the good guy's leadership (consisting of the All-Wise Ancients and exactly five humans). The trick is to reveal information that paints the victory in a new light; either the enemy defeated was just the real enemy's cat's-paw, or the enemy was not really defeated, or the means by which the enemy was defeated was in fact counter-productive or has dangerously compromised the situation for the good guys. And it's even better if this revelation is not a new reveal, but was stated in advance, and was disregarded for reasons that make perfect sense. | He wins. He always wins. But it's halfway through the book where he starts to realize how many friends he's lost because of that. | 1 | 9,160 | 2 | ||
vv206q | writing_train | 0.94 | How do you reveal the villian's plan without making him say it out loud for no reason or making the narrator explain it How to reveal plot twist? How to show what was the pourpose of what the villian is doing? | ifh9qgf | ifhatx0 | 1,657,378,217 | 1,657,378,707 | 9 | 24 | Don't. Leave the protag in the dark and let her work it out, just like they would in real life. Let your reader wonder and worry, just like they would irl. | Your villain does things, right? Find ways for your other characters to find out about them, bits and pieces, so that at the end, they come together and put all the pieces together. Your villain doesn’t have to explain a thing, but your other characters would know exactly what he’s up to. Create some red herrings though, so it’s not all straight forward. | 0 | 490 | 2.666667 | ||
vv206q | writing_train | 0.94 | How do you reveal the villian's plan without making him say it out loud for no reason or making the narrator explain it How to reveal plot twist? How to show what was the pourpose of what the villian is doing? | ifh9657 | ifhatx0 | 1,657,377,967 | 1,657,378,707 | 5 | 24 | Leave dots. Let the hero connect them and come to the realization. If it feels as if the it shouldn't be possible for the hero to figure this out by only the things the villain has done till now, maybe try to have the villain be further towards achieving his goals, so that more evidence is available. | Your villain does things, right? Find ways for your other characters to find out about them, bits and pieces, so that at the end, they come together and put all the pieces together. Your villain doesn’t have to explain a thing, but your other characters would know exactly what he’s up to. Create some red herrings though, so it’s not all straight forward. | 0 | 740 | 4.8 | ||
vv206q | writing_train | 0.94 | How do you reveal the villian's plan without making him say it out loud for no reason or making the narrator explain it How to reveal plot twist? How to show what was the pourpose of what the villian is doing? | ifhatx0 | ifh47l8 | 1,657,378,707 | 1,657,375,651 | 24 | 1 | Your villain does things, right? Find ways for your other characters to find out about them, bits and pieces, so that at the end, they come together and put all the pieces together. Your villain doesn’t have to explain a thing, but your other characters would know exactly what he’s up to. Create some red herrings though, so it’s not all straight forward. | let it play out and describe it in detail! i feel like if the reader figures it out as its unfolding, that's bound to be interesting :)) plus lots of readers love making their own theories as it goes along. x | 1 | 3,056 | 24 | ||
vv206q | writing_train | 0.94 | How do you reveal the villian's plan without making him say it out loud for no reason or making the narrator explain it How to reveal plot twist? How to show what was the pourpose of what the villian is doing? | ifh9qgf | ifhdlk3 | 1,657,378,217 | 1,657,379,901 | 9 | 11 | Don't. Leave the protag in the dark and let her work it out, just like they would in real life. Let your reader wonder and worry, just like they would irl. | Talking through "holes" in the plan with an underling! But also it's fun when the reader gets to figure it out with the hero at the same pace/time. | 0 | 1,684 | 1.222222 | ||
vv206q | writing_train | 0.94 | How do you reveal the villian's plan without making him say it out loud for no reason or making the narrator explain it How to reveal plot twist? How to show what was the pourpose of what the villian is doing? | ifh9657 | ifhdlk3 | 1,657,377,967 | 1,657,379,901 | 5 | 11 | Leave dots. Let the hero connect them and come to the realization. If it feels as if the it shouldn't be possible for the hero to figure this out by only the things the villain has done till now, maybe try to have the villain be further towards achieving his goals, so that more evidence is available. | Talking through "holes" in the plan with an underling! But also it's fun when the reader gets to figure it out with the hero at the same pace/time. | 0 | 1,934 | 2.2 | ||
vv206q | writing_train | 0.94 | How do you reveal the villian's plan without making him say it out loud for no reason or making the narrator explain it How to reveal plot twist? How to show what was the pourpose of what the villian is doing? | ifhdlk3 | ifh47l8 | 1,657,379,901 | 1,657,375,651 | 11 | 1 | Talking through "holes" in the plan with an underling! But also it's fun when the reader gets to figure it out with the hero at the same pace/time. | let it play out and describe it in detail! i feel like if the reader figures it out as its unfolding, that's bound to be interesting :)) plus lots of readers love making their own theories as it goes along. x | 1 | 4,250 | 11 | ||
vv206q | writing_train | 0.94 | How do you reveal the villian's plan without making him say it out loud for no reason or making the narrator explain it How to reveal plot twist? How to show what was the pourpose of what the villian is doing? | ifh9qgf | ifhmlob | 1,657,378,217 | 1,657,383,824 | 9 | 10 | Don't. Leave the protag in the dark and let her work it out, just like they would in real life. Let your reader wonder and worry, just like they would irl. | Always give your reader some credit—they may very well be smarter than you. ‘And I would have gotten away with it too, if it weren’t for you meddling kids!’ | 0 | 5,607 | 1.111111 | ||
vv206q | writing_train | 0.94 | How do you reveal the villian's plan without making him say it out loud for no reason or making the narrator explain it How to reveal plot twist? How to show what was the pourpose of what the villian is doing? | ifh9657 | ifhmlob | 1,657,377,967 | 1,657,383,824 | 5 | 10 | Leave dots. Let the hero connect them and come to the realization. If it feels as if the it shouldn't be possible for the hero to figure this out by only the things the villain has done till now, maybe try to have the villain be further towards achieving his goals, so that more evidence is available. | Always give your reader some credit—they may very well be smarter than you. ‘And I would have gotten away with it too, if it weren’t for you meddling kids!’ | 0 | 5,857 | 2 | ||
vv206q | writing_train | 0.94 | How do you reveal the villian's plan without making him say it out loud for no reason or making the narrator explain it How to reveal plot twist? How to show what was the pourpose of what the villian is doing? | ifhkgck | ifhmlob | 1,657,382,891 | 1,657,383,824 | 3 | 10 | Operation Grandslam! See Goldfinger for one of the best and most fun villain plan reveals ever. All of the original James Bond movies came up with unique ways to reveal the evil plans, any of them could be used as an example. Lots of fun. View it that way. Have fun being bad. | Always give your reader some credit—they may very well be smarter than you. ‘And I would have gotten away with it too, if it weren’t for you meddling kids!’ | 0 | 933 | 3.333333 | ||
vv206q | writing_train | 0.94 | How do you reveal the villian's plan without making him say it out loud for no reason or making the narrator explain it How to reveal plot twist? How to show what was the pourpose of what the villian is doing? | ifhgg2c | ifhmlob | 1,657,381,144 | 1,657,383,824 | 2 | 10 | Give your villain a history. Often that provides the reader with some reasoning to the the grand plan | Always give your reader some credit—they may very well be smarter than you. ‘And I would have gotten away with it too, if it weren’t for you meddling kids!’ | 0 | 2,680 | 5 | ||
vv206q | writing_train | 0.94 | How do you reveal the villian's plan without making him say it out loud for no reason or making the narrator explain it How to reveal plot twist? How to show what was the pourpose of what the villian is doing? | ifhmlob | ifh47l8 | 1,657,383,824 | 1,657,375,651 | 10 | 1 | Always give your reader some credit—they may very well be smarter than you. ‘And I would have gotten away with it too, if it weren’t for you meddling kids!’ | let it play out and describe it in detail! i feel like if the reader figures it out as its unfolding, that's bound to be interesting :)) plus lots of readers love making their own theories as it goes along. x | 1 | 8,173 | 10 | ||
vv206q | writing_train | 0.94 | How do you reveal the villian's plan without making him say it out loud for no reason or making the narrator explain it How to reveal plot twist? How to show what was the pourpose of what the villian is doing? | ifh9657 | ifh9qgf | 1,657,377,967 | 1,657,378,217 | 5 | 9 | Leave dots. Let the hero connect them and come to the realization. If it feels as if the it shouldn't be possible for the hero to figure this out by only the things the villain has done till now, maybe try to have the villain be further towards achieving his goals, so that more evidence is available. | Don't. Leave the protag in the dark and let her work it out, just like they would in real life. Let your reader wonder and worry, just like they would irl. | 0 | 250 | 1.8 | ||
vv206q | writing_train | 0.94 | How do you reveal the villian's plan without making him say it out loud for no reason or making the narrator explain it How to reveal plot twist? How to show what was the pourpose of what the villian is doing? | ifh9qgf | ifh47l8 | 1,657,378,217 | 1,657,375,651 | 9 | 1 | Don't. Leave the protag in the dark and let her work it out, just like they would in real life. Let your reader wonder and worry, just like they would irl. | let it play out and describe it in detail! i feel like if the reader figures it out as its unfolding, that's bound to be interesting :)) plus lots of readers love making their own theories as it goes along. x | 1 | 2,566 | 9 | ||
vv206q | writing_train | 0.94 | How do you reveal the villian's plan without making him say it out loud for no reason or making the narrator explain it How to reveal plot twist? How to show what was the pourpose of what the villian is doing? | ifh9657 | ifh47l8 | 1,657,377,967 | 1,657,375,651 | 5 | 1 | Leave dots. Let the hero connect them and come to the realization. If it feels as if the it shouldn't be possible for the hero to figure this out by only the things the villain has done till now, maybe try to have the villain be further towards achieving his goals, so that more evidence is available. | let it play out and describe it in detail! i feel like if the reader figures it out as its unfolding, that's bound to be interesting :)) plus lots of readers love making their own theories as it goes along. x | 1 | 2,316 | 5 | ||
vv206q | writing_train | 0.94 | How do you reveal the villian's plan without making him say it out loud for no reason or making the narrator explain it How to reveal plot twist? How to show what was the pourpose of what the villian is doing? | ifkdp43 | ifhkgck | 1,657,432,662 | 1,657,382,891 | 4 | 3 | Clues clues clues. Build it up throughout the book. Have the villain or the villain's henchpeople drop hints every now and then. And when you want the twist to come, you have the MC figure it out. Or you have the MC come *so close* to figuring it out and then actually show it happening. | Operation Grandslam! See Goldfinger for one of the best and most fun villain plan reveals ever. All of the original James Bond movies came up with unique ways to reveal the evil plans, any of them could be used as an example. Lots of fun. View it that way. Have fun being bad. | 1 | 49,771 | 1.333333 | ||
vv206q | writing_train | 0.94 | How do you reveal the villian's plan without making him say it out loud for no reason or making the narrator explain it How to reveal plot twist? How to show what was the pourpose of what the villian is doing? | ifhgg2c | ifhkgck | 1,657,381,144 | 1,657,382,891 | 2 | 3 | Give your villain a history. Often that provides the reader with some reasoning to the the grand plan | Operation Grandslam! See Goldfinger for one of the best and most fun villain plan reveals ever. All of the original James Bond movies came up with unique ways to reveal the evil plans, any of them could be used as an example. Lots of fun. View it that way. Have fun being bad. | 0 | 1,747 | 1.5 | ||
vv206q | writing_train | 0.94 | How do you reveal the villian's plan without making him say it out loud for no reason or making the narrator explain it How to reveal plot twist? How to show what was the pourpose of what the villian is doing? | ifh47l8 | ifhkgck | 1,657,375,651 | 1,657,382,891 | 1 | 3 | let it play out and describe it in detail! i feel like if the reader figures it out as its unfolding, that's bound to be interesting :)) plus lots of readers love making their own theories as it goes along. x | Operation Grandslam! See Goldfinger for one of the best and most fun villain plan reveals ever. All of the original James Bond movies came up with unique ways to reveal the evil plans, any of them could be used as an example. Lots of fun. View it that way. Have fun being bad. | 0 | 7,240 | 3 | ||
vv206q | writing_train | 0.94 | How do you reveal the villian's plan without making him say it out loud for no reason or making the narrator explain it How to reveal plot twist? How to show what was the pourpose of what the villian is doing? | ifkdp43 | ifk24pa | 1,657,432,662 | 1,657,425,291 | 4 | 3 | Clues clues clues. Build it up throughout the book. Have the villain or the villain's henchpeople drop hints every now and then. And when you want the twist to come, you have the MC figure it out. Or you have the MC come *so close* to figuring it out and then actually show it happening. | Have the protagonist get it wrong. | 1 | 7,371 | 1.333333 | ||
vv206q | writing_train | 0.94 | How do you reveal the villian's plan without making him say it out loud for no reason or making the narrator explain it How to reveal plot twist? How to show what was the pourpose of what the villian is doing? | ifhgg2c | ifkdp43 | 1,657,381,144 | 1,657,432,662 | 2 | 4 | Give your villain a history. Often that provides the reader with some reasoning to the the grand plan | Clues clues clues. Build it up throughout the book. Have the villain or the villain's henchpeople drop hints every now and then. And when you want the twist to come, you have the MC figure it out. Or you have the MC come *so close* to figuring it out and then actually show it happening. | 0 | 51,518 | 2 | ||
vv206q | writing_train | 0.94 | How do you reveal the villian's plan without making him say it out loud for no reason or making the narrator explain it How to reveal plot twist? How to show what was the pourpose of what the villian is doing? | ifkdp43 | ifj4xrw | 1,657,432,662 | 1,657,408,281 | 4 | 2 | Clues clues clues. Build it up throughout the book. Have the villain or the villain's henchpeople drop hints every now and then. And when you want the twist to come, you have the MC figure it out. Or you have the MC come *so close* to figuring it out and then actually show it happening. | Have it revealed in a hank Schrader on the toilet type scene | 1 | 24,381 | 2 | ||
vv206q | writing_train | 0.94 | How do you reveal the villian's plan without making him say it out loud for no reason or making the narrator explain it How to reveal plot twist? How to show what was the pourpose of what the villian is doing? | ifjnpj4 | ifkdp43 | 1,657,417,664 | 1,657,432,662 | 2 | 4 | From reader's POV: Don't tell me sh\*t drop me the pieces let me have fun piecing them together. | Clues clues clues. Build it up throughout the book. Have the villain or the villain's henchpeople drop hints every now and then. And when you want the twist to come, you have the MC figure it out. Or you have the MC come *so close* to figuring it out and then actually show it happening. | 0 | 14,998 | 2 | ||
vv206q | writing_train | 0.94 | How do you reveal the villian's plan without making him say it out loud for no reason or making the narrator explain it How to reveal plot twist? How to show what was the pourpose of what the villian is doing? | ifkb73x | ifkdp43 | 1,657,430,906 | 1,657,432,662 | 2 | 4 | "Dan, I'm not a Republic serial villain. Do you seriously think I'd explain my master-stroke if there remained the slightest chance of you affecting its outcome? I did it thirty-five minutes ago." | Clues clues clues. Build it up throughout the book. Have the villain or the villain's henchpeople drop hints every now and then. And when you want the twist to come, you have the MC figure it out. Or you have the MC come *so close* to figuring it out and then actually show it happening. | 0 | 1,756 | 2 | ||
vv206q | writing_train | 0.94 | How do you reveal the villian's plan without making him say it out loud for no reason or making the narrator explain it How to reveal plot twist? How to show what was the pourpose of what the villian is doing? | ifhtpo9 | ifkdp43 | 1,657,386,876 | 1,657,432,662 | 1 | 4 | At the end of every scene have your villain evilly laugh and do that thing Mr Burns does with his fingers. Remember Show, don’t Tell. | Clues clues clues. Build it up throughout the book. Have the villain or the villain's henchpeople drop hints every now and then. And when you want the twist to come, you have the MC figure it out. Or you have the MC come *so close* to figuring it out and then actually show it happening. | 0 | 45,786 | 4 | ||
vv206q | writing_train | 0.94 | How do you reveal the villian's plan without making him say it out loud for no reason or making the narrator explain it How to reveal plot twist? How to show what was the pourpose of what the villian is doing? | ifkdp43 | ifh47l8 | 1,657,432,662 | 1,657,375,651 | 4 | 1 | Clues clues clues. Build it up throughout the book. Have the villain or the villain's henchpeople drop hints every now and then. And when you want the twist to come, you have the MC figure it out. Or you have the MC come *so close* to figuring it out and then actually show it happening. | let it play out and describe it in detail! i feel like if the reader figures it out as its unfolding, that's bound to be interesting :)) plus lots of readers love making their own theories as it goes along. x | 1 | 57,011 | 4 | ||
vv206q | writing_train | 0.94 | How do you reveal the villian's plan without making him say it out loud for no reason or making the narrator explain it How to reveal plot twist? How to show what was the pourpose of what the villian is doing? | ifkdp43 | ifhnscg | 1,657,432,662 | 1,657,384,337 | 4 | 1 | Clues clues clues. Build it up throughout the book. Have the villain or the villain's henchpeople drop hints every now and then. And when you want the twist to come, you have the MC figure it out. Or you have the MC come *so close* to figuring it out and then actually show it happening. | Like in Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood the heroes find it out by putting it all together. Sometimes it’s slowly overtime but then they come to an “Aha” moment and start to piece those past things together. If you showed those clues earlier in the story it can turn out great. | 1 | 48,325 | 4 | ||
vv206q | writing_train | 0.94 | How do you reveal the villian's plan without making him say it out loud for no reason or making the narrator explain it How to reveal plot twist? How to show what was the pourpose of what the villian is doing? | ifi2qg4 | ifkdp43 | 1,657,390,872 | 1,657,432,662 | 1 | 4 | Have a character (MC or otherwise) eavesdrop on the villain for all/part of a conversation about his plan. OR Have the MC stumble onto evidence and figure out what it might be proof of. | Clues clues clues. Build it up throughout the book. Have the villain or the villain's henchpeople drop hints every now and then. And when you want the twist to come, you have the MC figure it out. Or you have the MC come *so close* to figuring it out and then actually show it happening. | 0 | 41,790 | 4 | ||
vv206q | writing_train | 0.94 | How do you reveal the villian's plan without making him say it out loud for no reason or making the narrator explain it How to reveal plot twist? How to show what was the pourpose of what the villian is doing? | ifkdp43 | ifif97b | 1,657,432,662 | 1,657,396,504 | 4 | 1 | Clues clues clues. Build it up throughout the book. Have the villain or the villain's henchpeople drop hints every now and then. And when you want the twist to come, you have the MC figure it out. Or you have the MC come *so close* to figuring it out and then actually show it happening. | Someone stumbles onto it but the villain has no idea. | 1 | 36,158 | 4 | ||
vv206q | writing_train | 0.94 | How do you reveal the villian's plan without making him say it out loud for no reason or making the narrator explain it How to reveal plot twist? How to show what was the pourpose of what the villian is doing? | ifirk4c | ifkdp43 | 1,657,402,056 | 1,657,432,662 | 1 | 4 | You can reveal it in that way as well. The story police won’t arrest you if you do, in fact things being made in 2022 have that trope still in them. | Clues clues clues. Build it up throughout the book. Have the villain or the villain's henchpeople drop hints every now and then. And when you want the twist to come, you have the MC figure it out. Or you have the MC come *so close* to figuring it out and then actually show it happening. | 0 | 30,606 | 4 | ||
vv206q | writing_train | 0.94 | How do you reveal the villian's plan without making him say it out loud for no reason or making the narrator explain it How to reveal plot twist? How to show what was the pourpose of what the villian is doing? | ifkdp43 | ifis038 | 1,657,432,662 | 1,657,402,261 | 4 | 1 | Clues clues clues. Build it up throughout the book. Have the villain or the villain's henchpeople drop hints every now and then. And when you want the twist to come, you have the MC figure it out. Or you have the MC come *so close* to figuring it out and then actually show it happening. | Not sure if I would consider this a loop hole or not, but certainly a different take to the other good suggestions: You could offer your protagonist a false ally whose motivations bring on their own personal conflicts. That is to say, this false ally who is actually working for your villain could reveal they were working for the villain, but are struggling with actually following through. This opens up an opportunity for the protagonist to try and get some of the answers they need. This shouldn’t replace what a lot of other people have mentioned though. It should still make sense, which means that you should still drop hints and key information along the way so that when it is eventually revealed, it’s like pieces clicking into place, rather than a completely random turnaround! | 1 | 30,401 | 4 | ||
vv206q | writing_train | 0.94 | How do you reveal the villian's plan without making him say it out loud for no reason or making the narrator explain it How to reveal plot twist? How to show what was the pourpose of what the villian is doing? | ifkdp43 | ifj35ls | 1,657,432,662 | 1,657,407,439 | 4 | 1 | Clues clues clues. Build it up throughout the book. Have the villain or the villain's henchpeople drop hints every now and then. And when you want the twist to come, you have the MC figure it out. Or you have the MC come *so close* to figuring it out and then actually show it happening. | Show, don't tell. | 1 | 25,223 | 4 | ||
vv206q | writing_train | 0.94 | How do you reveal the villian's plan without making him say it out loud for no reason or making the narrator explain it How to reveal plot twist? How to show what was the pourpose of what the villian is doing? | ifkdp43 | ifj9b8k | 1,657,432,662 | 1,657,410,402 | 4 | 1 | Clues clues clues. Build it up throughout the book. Have the villain or the villain's henchpeople drop hints every now and then. And when you want the twist to come, you have the MC figure it out. Or you have the MC come *so close* to figuring it out and then actually show it happening. | This is a majorly open-ended question. Ultimately it depends on your story. If the protag is trying to piece together a mystery, then that's the story. If the protag figured it out early, then tried to stop the antag for the rest of the book, then that's the story. If the protag never figured it out, the antag finished their plan, now the protag has to deal with the ramifications, then that's the story. Its going to depend on the story you want to write. Most mystery books aren't completely in the light until the very end, slowly revealing the moving parts as it goes. How you reveal said plan depends on what kind of role your protag is going to have with it. | 1 | 22,260 | 4 |
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