1. GaMeFreakJ

    GaMeFreakJ Active Member

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    Book setup questions

    Discussion in 'Plot Development' started by GaMeFreakJ, Jun 14, 2019.

    Hello Guys!

    * I don't know if this is the right thread for this type of questions, sorry if this is wrong : s

    Okay: I got a question as to how to the layout of an idea.

    First off: The story:
    Fiction - Fantasy world - medieval (ish)

    intent/ design:
    A girl (14y - protagonist) turns out to be very good at (in?) maths and physics in primary school.
    (20y) She goes to the capital of the country and designs the first aircraft model.
    (21y) Begin's her engineering time designing new aircrafts after her study.
    Continues to invent new futuristic ideas with: home / ships and transport.

    But then the war comes...

    Question 1: Is it a good idea to make this into a war story? (your opinion if you personally would do it)
    Question 2: When should this war start? (25% / 50 %? )
    Question 3: Can she turn out to be a vanguard warrior?
    Question 4: Does this look interesting or is it overused?
    Question 5: Any short adds as to how to make this more interesting?
     
  2. Maverick_nc

    Maverick_nc Contributor Contributor

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    Hi GameFreak,
    The trouble with answering any of your question is: If we do, it's not really your story anymore.
    You obviously have ideas already so go ahead and write the story how YOU want, you're more likely to invest in it and write a better story that way.

    The initial premise sounds interesting so I would turn the questions back on you: Do YOU think it would make a good war story and be interesting?

    All the best with it!
    NC
     
  3. GaMeFreakJ

    GaMeFreakJ Active Member

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    Well, as a beginning writer it's easy to turn it into a war because I have no clue to make a book without it.
    I want to try it without the war but then my word count becomes stuck at 20/30k words.
    So to expand the story with a big war that has begun it's easy to finish/go on with it.

    However! Yes, I still think that a war story could work with this idea.
    So, thanks for the advice kind Sir!
    I will do my best ; D
     
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  4. Maverick_nc

    Maverick_nc Contributor Contributor

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    Well there you go, boom! You have your idea and your story.

    Look forward to reading it. :)
     
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  5. cosmic lights

    cosmic lights Contributor Contributor

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    I'm not sure I would advise anyone to put something in their book just to up the world count. I have seen writers stress about a low word count and want to add in sub-plots when really, all they needed to do was just expand on what they all ready had.

    Try some simple brain storming and ask what if:
    One what if is - what if a war comes.
    What if an asteroid impact threatens earth
    what if she discovers a bad scientist doing illegal experiments
    What if she is in a car accident and forgets all her knowledge that makes her good at her job

    That sort of thing, you can get really funky with it but something (maybe a few things) might show up.
    Hope this helped
     
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  6. GaMeFreakJ

    GaMeFreakJ Active Member

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    Heyyy, thanks a lot!
    Some options to consider indeed.
    I will try to use them, thanks : D
     
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  7. Thundair

    Thundair Contributor Contributor

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    I’m not a real author even though I’ve written four books and 60,000 words into the fifth, but all my stories grow as I write and I can tell you if the story has legs it’s real easy to get 60,000 words are better. I like the fact I can cut a whole paragraph and not worry about word count.
    As an amateur I would say write your story and see where it leads you. I wouldn’t worry about it becoming a war story as most of the ones I’ve read are about the interaction of the people involved. I recently did a rough draft of what will be a story with battle scenes about the Hussars in Poland and Hungary, but the story starts out with a warrior trying to save his son. The battles will be more of a side story as I write about my characters courage and bravery
     
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  8. Alan Aspie

    Alan Aspie Banned Contributor

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    Q4: No. It does not look interesting.

    You can make it interesting if you want to. And this is one way...

    Q5:
    - What does she want?
    - Why does she want that?
    - What is the (hidden?) need that drives that wanting?
    - What are the character flaws, wounds, traumas, deep cravings... which build those needs which drive that wanting?

    After answering to those 4 questions you know what is the motivational base of your character. Without motivation and something where it comes from you don't have much of a story.

    - Who is in her way, trying to stop her?
    - Why?
    - How?

    Answering those gives you your story's main conflict + antagonist.

    That means that now you have the main elements of a lame story.

    - In which ways is that antagonist much more powerful than your protagonist?

    Answering that gives you main elements for a good & interesting story.

    If and when you can answer these questions yourself, without asking us what to do, you have main elements for your own good and interesting story.
     
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  9. GaMeFreakJ

    GaMeFreakJ Active Member

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    Can I be your new neighbor? :D
    Thanks sir, this is what I was searching for.
    Ye, I was focusing on the protagonist with the questions and didn't even notice that I needed a story.
    Good advise, very solid, will work on some more background and antagonist sides of the story.
    Thanks!
     
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  10. Alan Aspie

    Alan Aspie Banned Contributor

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    Example:

    Harry wants to be a wizard. (Want)

    Need to have a substitute for missing family & loved ones and their love is the need which drives that wanting. (Need.)

    He is an orphan who lives in a closet under stairs with bunch of bullies. (Wound, trauma...)

    Voldemort tries to stop Harrys way to become a wizard. (Antagonist...)

    You see how all this starts to build a story.

    Then compare it to your opening.

    After doing that well start to build the real launch to your story.
     
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