I've been writing this book series for a while and have decided to write a prequel. So I need plot ideas cause writer's block sucks. Basically, the part I need help on is where these three people are in this other world and two of them get split from the other guy. The pov will be the girl who is lost with the guy. I want a romance between them but the guy is a bit cold hearted but does have a soft spot for her. The world as a bunch of creatures/magic/ its a fantasy world. The two also have to get to this village to warn everyone before the other guy in their group gets there.
Do you have any ideas for what types of problems they run into? Like do you want to throw their way to stop their success? And what about the one guy they get separated from, how is he involved in the plot?
Since this is a prequel, what events need to be parallel to your main story? Why do they need to warn the village before the guy gets there too? Is he a good guy turned bad or is something else up.
And about the romance, what is their friendship/dynamic like and why does he fall in love with her? Is it just their connection grew so strong over the time of this mission or was it something else?
Sorry for so many questions but maybe I can give you a better vision of I have some more details of what you have so far and how it connects to your main story.
Thank you for responding, and I don't mind the questions.
So the girl I guess is being held captive by the other guy named Damien, and the guy she is with when she's lost helps her escape but was originally going with Damien's plan. They are mostly going to have problems of attacks from creatures in this world. And when they reach the village they will find that somebody that works for Damien is there and he takes the girl. They needed to warn the village that they were going to be destroyed. Damien is basically a good guy turned bad. The world had another evil ruler and multiple people worked together to defeat the ruler with the promise of equal power on the throne but Damien took all of it. The girl used to be on his side, he'd keep her away from the other guys at all costs. The guy she falls in love with is Alex. He's kind of a social outcast and nobody likes him and are afraid of him. He's known to be mean but he's actually just misunderstood and some of the others know this but he pushes them away when they try to help. The girl understands him a bit more and they have bonded a bit before, for example he's taught her to fight. The romance doesn't really take off until after they escape the world but I want something to hint to it and make it more believable.
Okay so one thing off the bat that stands out to me the most is the facts that your chapters deal mostly with attacks from creatures while they are on their journey. You have to remember that it will become very repetitive after time and then the reader will lose interest, use it more to raise the stakes rather than drive the plot.
When foreshadowing the romance is a bit harder especially when you don’t want it to seem like you threw two characters together and said “LOVE EACH OTHER”. I struggle with this as well so take my advice with a grain of salt.
Maybe she didn’t trust him instantly since he was a stranger and is a little weird at first. She could be very reserved but opens up a little bit when he teaches her about fighting. She is being vulnerable which allows room for a relationship.
Can I ask what is the importance of the village? I mean I assume they want to protect the people there but is there anything specific about that one village that makes it more relevant than the next one over?
Btw your story sounds great! There are a few things that need work but that’s what we are discussing.
Not all the problems during their travels are attacks from animals, I was just giving an example. The story is still in development. I'm thinking that the village will be destroyed when Damien and Alex fight but I do need to think of a good reason they need to get there.
Actually I'm pretty good with the plot, I just need to set some time aside to map it all out and think of somethings. Do you have any ideas for other problems the two could encounter during their travels. I do feel that animal attacks may become repetitive like you said.
Okay so maybe having a run in with other “bad” people? I’ve actually had this trouble before with travelling situation but here is a list of things that could happen:
-Attacked by people:
• Things could show that there if more than just your villain to fear and up the stakes a bit. Maybe develop more on the people that kidnapped the girl like if they are looking for her or if there is a competing “underground thing” trying to get her as well. Do be carful since if she gets kidnapped to often she is now just a damsel in distress that can kinda fight.
-just good old fashion discussion
•have them talk about current events, the mission, and future plans and experiences. This can be “campfire discussions” as I call it where chapters are slowly opening up more as they travel together. Maybe even have Alex talk about Damian and bit by bit about his past and what lead him to become evil.
-Encountering people
•because they will have to travel a lot they will meet others, make use of this and have some traumatic incidents go on. Maybe Damian’s other men are destroying other villages or killing other people. Having them encounter others one way or another who have experience this. I imagine something like in Mulan when they see the destroyed village, it was lighthearted with a fun song but got dark quickly.
Sorry if this didn’t help, like I’d aid I’m struggling with this issue too so if I have any better ideas I’ll put it on this discussion.
But keep editing your story, it really does sound interesting!
Thank you so much for helping, I appreciate it and you helped me think some things out and get a better grasp about what I want to happen. Also thank you for the ideas, I'll definitively use some.
That’s great! I’m glad I could help and I hope everything goes well and these ideas do work out for you!
