Entry tags:
Entry tags:
Entry tags:
themes and plot devices
There are plot devices that help with certain themes. Going back and changing history in time travel -- alternate universes from different decisions -- both lend themselves to themes about the importance (or if you choose, the unimportance) of decisions.
But both, if you think about them, have baggage.
( Read more... )
But both, if you think about them, have baggage.
( Read more... )
Entry tags:
reflections on theme
You start with what you start.
But in some respects, if the muse puts forth a theme, it's the hardest thing to work with.
( Read more... )
But in some respects, if the muse puts forth a theme, it's the hardest thing to work with.
( Read more... )
supers and the source
Where do you get your powers from, when you get them?
This is perhaps one of the greatest questions of super world-building. It can influence or even determine politics. It can implicate metaphysics. It can raise grave questions in ethics. It can box in theme.
( Read more... )
This is perhaps one of the greatest questions of super world-building. It can influence or even determine politics. It can implicate metaphysics. It can raise grave questions in ethics. It can box in theme.
( Read more... )
Entry tags:
one advantage of sequels
The ideas for a sequel to a WIP are appearing. A WIP that is still very much in the formation process.
The one advantage of this, I realize, is that I can use it as a clipping file for ideas that got cut from the WIP. Thus far everything fits.
The one advantage of this, I realize, is that I can use it as a clipping file for ideas that got cut from the WIP. Thus far everything fits.
war as a plot device
Ah, retelling Sleeping Beauty and getting to the war.
(You don't remember a war in Sleeping Beauty? Quick, read this and cover that up. It's near the end. . . .)
( Read more... )
(You don't remember a war in Sleeping Beauty? Quick, read this and cover that up. It's near the end. . . .)
( Read more... )
Entry tags:
rewriting legends
Was pondering Robin Hood and legends in general after re-reading Howard Pyle's Merry Adventures of Robin Hood.
It did not hold up to childhood memories, quite, but I have never found a better re-telling. Pyle artfully fit together a number of ballads and gave them new connections to make it more novelistic. Most other writers invent new adventures and don't have the art of it.
( Read more... )
It did not hold up to childhood memories, quite, but I have never found a better re-telling. Pyle artfully fit together a number of ballads and gave them new connections to make it more novelistic. Most other writers invent new adventures and don't have the art of it.
( Read more... )
Entry tags:
omnium gatherum
The omnium gatherum of monsters, used D&D and the like, is not wise in a novel, because it is very hard on unity of theme. But there is the question of how to limit your monsters to actually lend them unity.
( Read more... )
( Read more... )
the dm vs the writer: unity and balance
One thing that helps with unity of theme is a unified threat. The random assemblage of monsters is not in any way a story because there is no real reason why one should come after the other instead of the other way round.
( Read more... )
( Read more... )
Entry tags:
character types
It is possible to have a -- comic -- story about a character who blunders from success to success. Who solves people's problems by accidentally saying the right thing for entirely selfish reasons. Who accidentally stumbles on solutions to puzzles and finds lost items underfoot.
That has to be the only mode of operation. Perhaps the character can do something right by intention up front, but then be trapped in a cascade of situations where the comic blundering saves the day. But having a character flipflop between dumb luck and shrewd -- or even commonsensical -- action breaks the unity of the theme and plot
That has to be the only mode of operation. Perhaps the character can do something right by intention up front, but then be trapped in a cascade of situations where the comic blundering saves the day. But having a character flipflop between dumb luck and shrewd -- or even commonsensical -- action breaks the unity of the theme and plot
the DM vs the writer, monsters
Was contemplating a book full of monsters and stats. . . .
You don't want to use the omnium-gatherum in a novel. Lacks unity. OTOH, you often don't want to use them in a game. Many discussions recommend paring them down hard.
( Read more... )
You don't want to use the omnium-gatherum in a novel. Lacks unity. OTOH, you often don't want to use them in a game. Many discussions recommend paring them down hard.
( Read more... )
Entry tags:
unity and the DM
Interesting!
As a DM you can get away with less unity than a novelist needs, but this is discussing the advantages a DM gets in throwing the same monster at the party over and over.
Unity of theme is not mentioned. 0:)
As a DM you can get away with less unity than a novelist needs, but this is discussing the advantages a DM gets in throwing the same monster at the party over and over.
Unity of theme is not mentioned. 0:)
Entry tags:
the DM vs the writer
One difference between the writer and the DM is that the writer controls reactions. This is vitally important in the arena of level-inappropriate encounters.
( Read more... )
( Read more... )