sometimes you need to explain your idea to strengthen the end result. feel free to explain your novel idea and tell me what it's about. i'm in the process of writing 3 novel with a fourth one on the way…
or if you want to talk about how to create a good plot or keep up a good dialogue. I'll talk about anything really :)
I'm really conflicted about my plot at the moment. It made a lot of sense in my head, but the more I put down on paper, the more confused I get. It seems like a very politically-driven story, which isn't really what I wanted to write.
what do you want it to be about? how does it feel politically driven to you?
(I'll try my best to help :))
The plot is honestly so complicated. It's a dystopia/urban fantasy mostly about the ever-looming threat of annihilation, but a lot of the time about the inner-workings of their socialist underground (literally underground) community.
ok. are there any political leaders that could be influenced by emotion for the opposing side or the protagonist? that would create a more emotional connection rather than a political one
or you could have a character that means a lot to the leader get injured/killed and that leader becomes emotionally driven to overcome the opposing side. (children or a wife's death would probably be the way to go) ;)
is that helpful at all?
Well, all of the political figures that are actual players in the story all have some sort of emotional connection to the plot. It's just the politics in general that seem to bog down the story some. Idk, I haven't really gotten far enough to tell whether or not it will, but on the current trajectory…yeah, kinda seems like it.
yikes.
well I'm not a professional or anything like that but you may have to keep going and just see where it leads. you can always go back later and edit it.
usually with politics I see people add in some rule breaking and that spices it up a bit if you want to try that.
Well, it's kinda a rebellion? But not quite. I'm not sure how to explain it so I guess I'll just wing it 'til I get there lol. Thanks for your help!
Sure thing!
So, do you need any help with anything? I feel like I should return the favor
I'm having a bit of trouble with making my antagonist seem human. any suggestions?
The plot is honestly so complicated. It's a dystopia/urban fantasy mostly about the ever-looming threat of annihilation, but a lot of the time about the inner-workings of their socialist underground (literally underground) community.
wait so is the politic aspect a plot device? or do you just have a really well developed gov and you're trying to tell the readers all about the government?
Bc politics play a role in my story (fantasy, there's this one person who's trying to take over the throne, and take away the freedom of the ppl (but in return he provides for them)) but while they're an important aspect of my plot, I wouldn't say they take over the book
I'm having a bit of trouble with making my antagonist seem human. any suggestions?
BACKSTORY
like not villain origin story
but like
develop their family and their childhood. Unless your villain came from a terrible childhood and that made him bitter, they had a life before their life of crime
friends!!!! make him have actual friends!!! maybe a partner in crime (ha ha v funny) with whom they have a ton of inside jokes and when they get to a big part of their plan and it succeeds they jump up and down and hug each other and take each other out to a nice dinner
That sounds good. I actually had his backstory lean toward the military. him and his wife were in the military and when his wife was told to kill innocent people she refused and the gov forced him to kill her through technology and a drug. so now he tries to eliminate anything he feels is weakness because he thinks that's what killed his wife.
is that what you meant?
Motivation. Motivation is the most important aspect to any character, especially an antagonist. He needs to have a clear goal, and a clear reason why he wants that goal.
The plot is honestly so complicated. It's a dystopia/urban fantasy mostly about the ever-looming threat of annihilation, but a lot of the time about the inner-workings of their socialist underground (literally underground) community.
wait so is the politic aspect a plot device? or do you just have a really well developed gov and you're trying to tell the readers all about the government?
Bc politics play a role in my story (fantasy, there's this one person who's trying to take over the throne, and take away the freedom of the ppl (but in return he provides for them)) but while they're an important aspect of my plot, I wouldn't say they take over the book
It's a plot device, but it's a really central plot device. More so than I planned initially…
so for mine it would be to eliminate anyone he deems unworthy and weak
Why does he deem them unworthy or weak? What makes him want to do that? He needs a more personal motivation in order to seem relatable. Most people don't want to kill those who they think are unworthy or weak, but if you make it so that people understand why he wants to do it, then he'll seem more human. The key to a relatable villain is explainable, but not justifiable. Your reader should be able to see and understand how the villain got to that point, but not excuse them for it.
I am writing a story that is based off of Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron. I have it all planned out and have the first chapter already written. I just don't know if it sounds boring or not. Also, whatever I do, it always comes back to the movie. I am trying to be original but struggling with that concept (for chapter 2).
I. Adore. Spirit. I watched that movie multiple times a day as a kid, and it still never gets old. Tell me about your plot! I'll do what I can to help :D
Quote
87d56f78c4b1f2659f38407bd4651620?s=128&d=mm @writelikeyourerunningoutoftime 3 minutes ago
Why does he deem them unworthy or weak? What makes him want to do that? He needs a more personal motivation in order to seem relatable. Most people don't want to kill those who they think are unworthy or weak, but if you make it so that people understand why he wants to do it, then he'll seem more human. The key to a relatable villain is explainable, but not justifiable. Your reader should be able to see and understand how the villain got to that point, but not excuse them for it.
i posted why earlier. his wife was killed because she wouldn't kill weaker soldiers like they were ordered to.
That sounds good. I actually had his backstory lean toward the military. him and his wife were in the military and when his wife was told to kill innocent people she refused and the gov forced him to kill her through technology and a drug. so now he tries to eliminate anything he feels is weakness because he thinks that's what killed his wife.
is that what you meant?
Ohhh. I see. Well, this is a bit dodgy. Why would he kill her to begin with? Even if the gov forced him to, you'd think he'd blame himself, or the government. Not weakness… It's hard to relate to that because most people wouldn't draw that conclusion from that particular situation.