![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
fun in the foundation
Jul. 12th, 2025 10:45 pmWent back to rework the opening and make it a firmer foundation. Had to know how the heroine discovered her powers up front to work on her making more subtle discoveries.
Am discovering bits and pieces that do not add up.
The heroine chooses which way to go based on severely limited information. She is going to have to learn what was the other way at some point -- in particular, because she meets some people on the way, and they had to have a reason to be there.
sigh
Am discovering bits and pieces that do not add up.
The heroine chooses which way to go based on severely limited information. She is going to have to learn what was the other way at some point -- in particular, because she meets some people on the way, and they had to have a reason to be there.
sigh
where to start
Jan. 19th, 2025 08:51 pmI outline the timeline of events affecting my heroine, and my hero. Then I gave it a gimlet gaze, trying to decide where to start.
( Read more... )
( Read more... )
beginnings and middles
Jan. 6th, 2025 11:14 pmSo, starting a story. Noticing I was using the past perfect, which is not a good sign.
Considered putting in an earlier scene. Then I realized that I could put what I thought of as an earlier scene after my original start. That scene could be compressed down to a few sentences AND used to give the main character an excuse to escape from it.
Befores and afters are sometimes complicated
Considered putting in an earlier scene. Then I realized that I could put what I thought of as an earlier scene after my original start. That scene could be compressed down to a few sentences AND used to give the main character an excuse to escape from it.
Befores and afters are sometimes complicated
begin at the beginning
Feb. 8th, 2024 11:59 pmIt starts with the cat.
Or rather, it starts when she arrives at the castle and is given a cat.
The arrival at the castle should explain why, because it's going to be Important later, and she knows it now. . .
The story arrived very quickly in outline. Paragraph form is harder.
Or rather, it starts when she arrives at the castle and is given a cat.
The arrival at the castle should explain why, because it's going to be Important later, and she knows it now. . .
The story arrived very quickly in outline. Paragraph form is harder.
you need the machine
Oct. 19th, 2023 11:37 pmRead an isekai's opening. Inexplicably, the hero found himself in another world. . . .
Nope. I mean, if the transition itself is not important, you have to downplay it. (Seriously downplay it.) But you need something. A machine, they used to call it. The character gets handed a lucky charm that lets you wish, and he wishes to leave. Or something.
Of course, if I wrote it, I would no doubt turn to the question of why such charms were handed out.
Nope. I mean, if the transition itself is not important, you have to downplay it. (Seriously downplay it.) But you need something. A machine, they used to call it. The character gets handed a lucky charm that lets you wish, and he wishes to leave. Or something.
Of course, if I wrote it, I would no doubt turn to the question of why such charms were handed out.
outlining out of order
May. 1st, 2023 11:54 pmOne advantage of a plot structure -- Save the Cat, Hero's Journey, Lester Dent's, what have you -- is that it gives you a place to put story ideas in order when the story is incomplete.
( Read more... )
( Read more... )
abduction and inspiration
Mar. 23rd, 2023 11:15 pmAbduction is useful when starting out with a story.
By which I do not mean stealing a story idea from something (even something copyrighted) and then running off with it slung over your shoulders, though abduction is good for that, but logical abduction, where you start with things and try to fit them together.
( Read more... )
By which I do not mean stealing a story idea from something (even something copyrighted) and then running off with it slung over your shoulders, though abduction is good for that, but logical abduction, where you start with things and try to fit them together.
( Read more... )
wizards and intelligence
Mar. 9th, 2023 09:38 pmCharacters are about to get a briefing.
Going to have to figure out what to tell. In particular, they are correctly going to be told which necromancers are the masterminds and most dangerous, which is going to lead to some negligence about those who are not but still aren't safe.
But briefings aren't scintillating.
Going to have to figure out what to tell. In particular, they are correctly going to be told which necromancers are the masterminds and most dangerous, which is going to lead to some negligence about those who are not but still aren't safe.
But briefings aren't scintillating.
a fight breaks out
Nov. 18th, 2022 11:03 pmI know what happens in it. I even have a point of view character whose job in the fight will ensure he gets a good view of what happens.
( Read more... )
( Read more... )
series and structure
Oct. 11th, 2022 06:57 pmAnd how long can you make a series? Was pondering this question and hit on a blog post that made me think more on the answer.
( Read more... )
( Read more... )
