I don't know the game, however I know what helped me was posting the various elements of my fantasy story first time round. I learned what seemed cliche and what wasn't I then rewrote my story taking out various elements and I now have a much better story not a generic one. Don't be afraid to change what you are doing if you think it will make a better story at the end. Are you still on the first draft if you are then your story will probably change drastically anyway. Don't ditch it use this to make it better and have new ideas. No story is 100% unique.
This basic plot has been done before Mass Effect, and more than once. So I wouldn't worry about that aspect of it. You can write a unique and compelling story with that basic plot line. Given the popularity of Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2, you may want to change some names and other easily-altered elements of your story that are very similar to what Bioware did in Mass Effect. But apart from that, just concentrate on writing the best story you can.
A story concept means nothing. I can tell you now, it has all been done before. What matters is how you write it, the characterization, the flow, the imagery, all of it. There's no benefit in asking what other people think of the concept! They'll either say,"Sounds great," or, "it sounds like a ripoff of..." If the idea stirs you, write it. Then ask people what they think of the final story. After they tell you what they don't like about it, revise it, usually several times, until you're happy with it or until you throw up your hands and say the hell with it. Please read this thread about What is Plot Creation and Development? The long and short of it is, don't worry if your story bears a similarity to something else. Tell a good story, and tell it well.
I love that reply Cogito. I've seen it so much it's almost become like a friend to whom I feel I should nod a quick hello
There's nothing new under the sun. I love what Cogito said. Also agree, this concept is definitely not unique, sounds like Stargate Atlantis as well? You never knew about Mass Effect before you came up with your idea ... so just writing your space opera how you initially envisioned it, in your unique voice as a writer, will instantly set it apart in my opinion. You aren't copying anyone's story, you aren't copying anyone's writing style; you have a unique (to you) story concept. Forget about Mass Effect (and don't look up Stargate Atlantis, either!! ) and just let your fingers fly.
I know how you feel, really. I've come up with the most amazingly awesome, unique ideas and felt that the ideas alone were so original and groundbreaking that everyone would just drop to their knees in awe over them. Thing is, I was just ignorant. Ignorant to how many stories there are out there already, using the same ideas. The more you read, the more you realise it's not the idea but the execution of it that matters. Mass Effect was an awesome game, but it wasn't original. Even if Mass Effect had never come around, your story wouldn't be original. Because, like with all other good ideas, loads of writers have thought them up before and your/Mass Effect's idea is no exception. But you know, it doesn't matter. Mass Effect is a good game story because it's well told, has well executed drama, likeable characters and a rich world to become immersed in. It has it's own unique personality, and so will your story have because it's written by you and your personality is unique by default. If you wanna distance your story more from that of Mass Effect then draw on your own life experience to make it more personal to you.
Hello everyone. Thank you for the replies. I must admit that I am not really surprised by any of the responses. I was very aware that similar stories had been made before such as Stargate. I am not so much a fan of the different star gate TV series but I loved the original movie. The point is, I new there stories before mine that featured an extinct alien race and something to do with their extinction came back to threaten the present. But the idea I had was different that all those or at least it was different enough. Mass Effect just go so many of the details exactly the same as my story. It be honest, when I first beat Mass Effect 1, I actually researched to find out who made the game (individual people) just to see if it was anybody I knew, the details were that close. It turned out that to my knowledge, I don't know the guys who created Mass Effect. I have made my self a list of all the details of the story that I needed to figure out and solve. Most of these details were names given to organizations, governments, technologies ect. Mass Effect hit a lot of what I came up with for these head on; some of them are exactly what I came up with. I had been on a really creative burst lately. I had been filling in the blanks and coming up with these details at a lightening pace, and I was very happy with them. Mass Effect was like me running full speed into a brick wall. It literally stopped this creative burst right in its tracks and knocked back a bit and yeah, it even hurt. It was very, very frustrating. I will say though as I went into a bit on my first post. Mass Effect is not 100 percent exactly like my story. There some significant differences, mainly in how the story ends... Well, I say that. Mass Effect was apparently designed from the beginning to be a trilogy. Part three is not out yet and I have yet to complete Mass Effect 2 so who knows how this trilogy will end. Luckily though, I had a dream last night which kind of helped me come up with a way to change the direction of my story while still keeping the same central plot. Hopefully this will separate my story from Mass Effect enough that I won’t be accused of "ripping it off". I appreciate the link Cogito, which will certainly come in handy as I move forward.
I once read there are two basic cake recipes, the rest are variations on a theme. Stories are much the same.
Ok, from what you have described so far it sounds like a million and one other space stories, but as far as the comparison goes with Mass Effect 1/2 I'd say it seems far enough apart to be worthy to continue, I'd even go as far as to say your storyline sounds much better than that of Mass Effect. I've had moments like this with my book. I've rented so many films because I've seen a trailer or something and paniced that my story has been a waste of time and unoriginal. But everytime I've watched the films in question I've so far been able to breathe a sigh of relief as nothing has actually come close to my storyline. Phew! My story is hard work, I'm still on a first draft, and I'm crafting it into something unlike anything else on the market (as far as I'm aware). It will take time, but it is possible to write something new.
Just don't let your story rely on being original, because there's most likely something, somewhere out there that follows the exact same plot idea. You just haven't read it yet. I'm not saying this in an attempt to discourage -- just pointing out that relying on originality is putting all your eggs in one basket.
I think there are two ways to go about it. Make sure you know where you are and make sure you know where you want to go. I think being blocked is akin to being lost. Take time to retrace the steps that got you where you are today. But even more importantly, you should know where you plan on ending up. I don't mean a literal accounting of the ending but rather solid notion of where the plot will end up. That should get you back on the road.
Writer's block and I Hey everyone, My second post here and I am already in love with you all. I was a smart poet and a child short story writer in my early teens and before that until I decided to pursue English Litt as my Main in school. From that day on, through my 7 years of specialization until now I have been having that writer's block. I can read anything from Trsistram Shandy to War and Peace. But I can't write a thing. Not even a personal diary. I used to feel suffocated, agonized and tortured. But words wouldn't come out. Now, suddenly some old muse passing by has shaken me from the roots with such coersion that I decided to write a novel. I believe that my block was more due to negative experiences in my life, stress and a lot many displeasing things that killed both my creativity and spirits. When I have slowly learnt to manage my stress, to let go off things the muse has come back to me.
I have found a very good way of getting over writer's block is to take a chapter of your favourite author's work and copy it in longhand then write an analysis of how the chapter is built. Can be time-consuming, but so is sitting there empty-headed! Second way is to read through your existing work (and you would be amazed at how good it really is), summarize it and do a critical analysis of it.
Not a bad idea at all. It will kindle your spirits and might dwindle your lethargy.I promise to give it a try.
Another way is to edit someone else's book (especially a published book) from your genre. Rather than analyse it, pretend it's your own - edit it and turn it into your work. Not only will it help to get the words in your head to flow, but you'll probably realise how much even some professional writers suck at writing! I often find that revising my previous chapters will help me to overcome my worst problem - writing that first line of the new chapter! It took me 6 hours to write 12 words this morning! I find that writers block is often associated with confidence. The best way to get into a writing mood is to just write whatever words come into your head, even if it's just "I don't know what to write!" You could follow that up by writing "Why don't I know what to write? Maybe it's because I am scared of what will come out?" But seriously, your brain might be protecting you from the fear of writing rubbish, but everyone writes rubbish at some point. Every single writer writes stuff they, or someone else, thinks is awful. It's only by writing, and writing as much as possible, whenever possible, that you will refine your skills and cut down on the rubbish! And revising someone else's work, especially a published book, can help inspire the confidence that is needed.
I find it very helpful, before I finish work for the day, to write some notes about what I am going to start work on next morning.
You know what? Writing just a standard, linear novel, is hard. I don't have writer's block, but I've come to the beginning of the end of my children's novel, and I'm starting to worry about plot holes and inconsistancies. I know it's best to just get the thing down, but making all this fit without it sounding naive and amateur is going to be tough. Especially when you've written it all from a few short notes and whatever's floating about in your head. //Sigh.
You should always be worried about plot holes and inconsistencies! One tip - EVERY time a character does something or makes a decision, ask yourself: why didn't they do something else, or do it a different way? Sometimes it's an obvious answer and not really worth going into in too much detail, or you'll spend way too much time doing it. But sometimes you can find a loose thread that cannot simply be cut, and must be unwound and re-sewn into the fabric of the story. The story you don't write can be as important to you as the story you do write!
Plot holes and inconsistencies are the types of errors that you should be able to address by just giving your work a careful proof reading. If you have just finished writing it and still have all the ideas bouncing around inside your head, it may be best to set you work aside for a while and proof read it later with a fresh and clear perspective. If you proof it right away you run the risk of reading the story the you meant to write it and not necessarily the way you actually wrote it. Having said that, allow me to draw your attention to the world famous STAR WARS series, whose writing was apparently inspired during a heavily medicated stupor, following a massive head injury. Seriously, who came up with a plot where the most learned and wise of the Jedi get all excited about "The Chosen One" who is supposed to "Return Balance" to the Force. Especially at a point in time where the "Good Guys" have the upper hand and clear advantage and the ONLY possible way of returning "Balance" is to chop the good guys down to size and elevate the Dark Side so that they become equal. Apparently the Dark Side, out of an interest in fair play, is supposed to voluntarily STOP once they are equal and not pursue ABSOLUTE power, as is the nature of evil. What asshat thought THAT was a good idea? Talk about a plot hole...sheesh.
Oh don't get me started on those prequels. I've never seen a saga so completely paradoxical - the original films are some of the greatest stories ever written, but these modern ones are such a pile of pish. One day I'm going to re-write the prequels for myself and try to forget all about those ghastly films.
Lmao, thanks guys. I've been wary of them all along, and I've tried to be as careful as I can. But you're right, i'll never find them until I proof-read the whole thing in one go. The problem with writing a novel is that it takes time, and so one must constantly re-cap the last chapter every time they continue. Thing is, part of me really wants to re-cap the entire thing every time I write more, lol. I write daily and yet still manage to forget what I wrote a few chapters back, and so I just have to trust my (hopefully) linear plot not to stear me round in circles. I've never written something of this length before, so understandably I'm nervous. However, It's actually for a competition, and I have a deadline to meet. This is a great motivator, but doesn't do well for my nerves, lol. And about Star Wars....is it wrong of me to feel a little more relaxed in the knowledge that even the big guys make mistakes, and people still loved their creations despite them? Probably not, hah.
Have you not written a story outline? I've just finished mine for my new book. It's about 7,500 words and sums up the whole plot, cut into crude scene breaks rather than chapters, and includes some simple bits of dialogue I thought about when I wrote it. It will probably change as I write the actual piece, but it will help me keep to the general plot, keep the balance right and hopefully avoid the circles, as well as identifying some of the plot holes in advance. That's a great way to think about it - certainly beats sitting around feeling jealous that such a lousy writer gets to be so successful!
My "planning" consists of a plot flow chart and a couple of character motives and aims. Believe it or not, plans actually restrict me. I've started two novels before now and quit both of them a quater of the way through, purely because I felt limited by everything I'd planned out. Every new thing I thought of was (wrongly, I know) discarded, until I eventually decided that my plans were rubbish ideas after all. Entirely my fault, of course - plans are there to help people, not frustrate them. Apparently alot of writers work the way I do, though, so that's encouraging. I spent alot of time planning novels but doing very little writing of them, and so I just tossed my work away. Now that I've just sat down and gotten to it, I've managed to write a whole novel at a leisurely pace and actually get it finished! I know where it's going, and the writing has been going great by some miracle. It's just little details like names of minor characters and bits of dialogue that I'm worried about repeating, and some stuff that you don't probably wouldn't detail in a plan anyway. I think it's something everyone has to struggle with, hah. It's a shame none of this guarantees that it'll be a good one.
I would have thought that they were the sort of things you should be looking for as you go along. A plot hole or inconsistency could be very hard to patch up consistently, and could wreck everything that follows!
Very true. My answer presumed you are working from some sort of outline and any plot hole was an accident, as opposed to being a major design flaw that could derail your entire piece.
