slides in
I had an idea
dumps half thought out plot onto table
We have the main character, a cheery extroverted college student named August
He love to help people out on does volunteer work
It’s his birthday, but he doesn’t really know that (doesn’t keep track of the date and doesn’t celebrate his birthday really)
August is helping people he knows (a couple that 1/2 of which used to babysit him) move into their new house, and while he’s lifting now boxes, he notices some noises coming from and alley. There’s someone getting beat up, and he sets down the box and moves to help them. Before he can do so, a bag is put over his head and he’s knocked out.
He wakes up in an abandoned building surrounded by a bunch of people.
They’re group of people who fight/drug deal/etc. for money, and they recruit other people. There’s one unknown person somewhere that supplies them with all the money.
The person getting beat up was a recruit, and now they’re thinking of turning August into one.
That’s all I have so far, and it’s terrible (in my opinion), but whaddya think?
I like it, here's my thoughts:
1) I think the whole birthday thing is irrelevant (no offense), but the "he loves to help people" thing is great
2) Considering that he's helping people move, maybe the town he's helping them move into is vastly different from his home (so we get some culture shock in there).
3) Maybe he witnesses more than someone getting beat up, like an actual drug deal or possibly a murder, that way this gang has an actual reason to take him.
4) Make it impossible for him to say no to his gang. Then you'll get some great angst with a character who just wants to do good but is being forced to do bad things.
5) HUMANIZE THE GANG! I think it would be waaaaaaaayyyyy too easy for this gang to become cartoony villains, so you'll have to pay special attention to that.
6) August is kind of a weird name for a kid in modern-day America, unless you have a valid explanation.
Hope this helps!
1) Yeah, not sure why I added that, this came out of me being bored with a headache.
2) He’s used to his college campus, and he’s helping them move into a slightly shady part of downtown. Thanks for the tip, I’ll try to include that in my writing!
3) Ooh good idea! I’ll probably change it from someone getting beat up to someone getting stabbed/shot.
4) Yeah! I didn’t mention it, but I pictured him tied to a chair when he wakes up in the building, he definitely won’t have much of a choice.
5) I’ll do my best. August will probably make friends with some of the gang members, and it has a variety of people in it
6) Now that I think about it, that’s a good point. Do you have any suggestions?
I have a similar plot for one of my stories, so I'll try stalking this thread and maybe that will help.
The main character accidentally watches somebody get murdered by a gang. She has no choice but to join and she discovers that her crush is in the gang. Her life is forever changed.
Sounds good
Do you have any suggestions for a name, since August might not be then best pick?
Maybe try names like,
- Scott
- Sam (or Dean, you can quote tv shows)
- Tom
- Jack
- Kyle
- David
- Michael
- Nick
Or you can just google popular boys names.
Hope this helped!
-Viola xxx
Thanks for the options, and it’s really funny how you included Sam and Dean because Supernatural is my favorite show, and I’m dressed as Dean today because it’s Dress as Your Favorite TV Character Day today at my school.
Also:
Maybe make the person who got killed/beaten up an important person. Like a celebrity or the Prime Minister or someone. So your character will feel even more pressured to join the gang. And also so they can hear about updates on the news but not be able to tell anyone. You could also make it a family member or gf/bf. The possibilties do go on.
Thanks for the options, and it’s really funny how you included Sam and Dean because Supernatural is my favorite show, and I’m dressed as Dean today because it’s Dress as Your Favorite TV Character Day today at my school.
Ha thats funny. I love Supernatural as well, it’s my favourite tv show.
I was thinking I’d have a member of the gang kill his best friend later in the story, but I could make it happen in the beginning.
That would be a good idea as well! Im not the best writer so I would stick to your plan
Thank you for all your pointers/tips!
Thanks for the options, and it’s really funny how you included Sam and Dean because Supernatural is my favorite show, and I’m dressed as Dean today because it’s Dress as Your Favorite TV Character Day today at my school.
Ha thats funny. I love Supernatural as well, it’s my favourite tv show.
Awesome!
Btw (on a completely different subject) how did you dress as Dean? I’m just wondering.
Thanks for the options, and it’s really funny how you included Sam and Dean because Supernatural is my favorite show, and I’m dressed as Dean today because it’s Dress as Your Favorite TV Character Day today at my school.
Ha thats funny. I love Supernatural as well, it’s my favourite tv show.
Awesome!
Btw (on a completely different subject) how did you dress as Dean? I’m just wondering.
Jeans, grey boots, the Samulet, a black T-Shirt, and an olive green flannel jacket :) My friends sister is dressed as Castiel
