forum "You think it, I'll write it!" | Sorrel's Plot Factory | I'll write something up for you!

Started January 31, 2020 by Deleted user

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Is there anything that could be improved in this plot? Anything you could add?
2593, people are already on mars, but they left the only thing that allows them to travel to other planets. The orb. This orb is incredibly important.  It provides the energy needed to travel through the forces of space , or further than the mars. The space agency has to travel back to earth, without foreseeing the consequences. There is a deadly virus in the dirt on earth. If anyone touches the soil, they develop blisters gradually moving from their feet to their neck, causing their skin to bubble and boil. The space agency had no idea what the cause of this deadly disease was. (answer - a chemical in the soil that is gradually infected the air and will eventually infect the whole universe, it can only be removed using an incredibly strong vacuum.)

I have a couple of things I need help with, one is a plot problem and the other a character problem. Do you think you can help Sorrel?

I have a couple of things I need help with, one is a plot problem and the other a character problem. Do you think you can help Sorrel?

@ZephirFox8812 of course I can, spill the stuff you want help with!

Is there anything that could be improved in this plot? Anything you could add?
2593, people are already on mars, but they left the only thing that allows them to travel to other planets. The orb. This orb is incredibly important.  It provides the energy needed to travel through the forces of space , or further than the mars. The space agency has to travel back to earth, without foreseeing the consequences. There is a deadly virus in the dirt on earth. If anyone touches the soil, they develop blisters gradually moving from their feet to their neck, causing their skin to bubble and boil. The space agency had no idea what the cause of this deadly disease was. (answer - a chemical in the soil that is gradually infected the air and will eventually infect the whole universe, it can only be removed using an incredibly strong vacuum.)

@ISOBEL, maybe try and develop why the space agency needs to go back to earth. Just 'going back to earth' makes no sense, there's always a motive. How long has the orb existed, and who found it are also good questions left unanswered. That's basically what I can think of.

First problem: I have a story with a group of 8 characters, but only 6 of them I've been able to connect with and give personalities. I don't know what to do with the other 2. In terms of helping with the story, they're kind of like Hitchcock and Scully from B99. How can I connect with them?

Second problem: In a different universe, I've come up with some great characters and a good start but I don't know where to take it from there… There are things called hybrids and the government hate them for some reason and I don't know why.

First problem: I have a story with a group of 8 characters, but only 6 of them I've been able to connect with and give personalities. I don't know what to do with the other 2. In terms of helping with the story, they're kind of like Hitchcock and Scully from B99. How can I connect with them?

Second problem: In a different universe, I've come up with some great characters and a good start but I don't know where to take it from there… There are things called hybrids and the government hate them for some reason and I don't know why.

@ZephirFox8812, to connect with characters, I suggest using ONLY those specific characters for a week, at least. It helps you focus on them, and idealize ways that you can make them better, easier to connect to. It'll be frustrating, ignoring the other characters, but it's helpful if you try it.

As for the second issue, I daresay I love the idea. Maybe the government hates them because they fear a possible groth in power, like the government doesn't want to fail or something! Or, possibly, the government could despise them because everything has to be normal, and the hybrids are everything except that, if you get my vibe. Experiment with problems and find one that fits.

I hope this helps!!!

That definitely helps! Thanks so much Sorrel!

That definitely helps! Thanks so much Sorrel!

@ZephirFox8812, no problem! Keep me updated!! :D

So, I've got this campaign called Writers Academy, it's pretty much a bunch of minor gods who are students at a school where they learn to write the stories of mortal's lives.
However, I don't have a plot for it :(.

How do I make a mean character likable?

So far, my (D&D) character, who has increasingly become power hungry, is being forced to do things (with or against her will) by two separate entities, who are also power hungry. Her one weakness: she will save creatures who are being held captive or are enslaved and will help them seek revenge.

I'm trying to get her to connect with the other characters, but she seems to be more stubborn and go down a different path than everyone else, making it harder for a betrayal scene in the future to fully impact everyone.

So, I've got this campaign called Writers Academy, it's pretty much a bunch of minor gods who are students at a school where they learn to write the stories of mortal's lives.
However, I don't have a plot for it :(.

@UnseelieKing-FloridaMan, here's a good plot for that! Imagine one of the minor gods, say, A, literally can't write for anything. They find a mortal at a human writers academy who's awesome at it, a mortal prodigy. The two could become friends, and write together, which would freak the other minor gods out. What they do, hmm. I don't know that much, maybe try and kick A out of the academy.

How do I make a mean character likable?

So far, my (D&D) character, who has increasingly become power hungry, is being forced to do things (with or against her will) by two separate entities, who are also power hungry. Her one weakness: she will save creatures who are being held captive or are enslaved and will help them seek revenge.

I'm trying to get her to connect with the other characters, but she seems to be more stubborn and go down a different path than everyone else, making it harder for a betrayal scene in the future to fully impact everyone.

@The-Absurd-Nerd, give her some relatable traits, some that others can come closer to her because of. Maybe she has a certain type of date that she prefers, and someone else agrees with her opinion! Or maybe she's clumsy, and that one friend just happens to have to watch out for them. Or find them a friend who absolutely loves doing the same, maybe one of the other characters mentally feels the same as her.

So, I've got this campaign called Writers Academy, it's pretty much a bunch of minor gods who are students at a school where they learn to write the stories of mortal's lives.
However, I don't have a plot for it :(.

@UnseelieKing-FloridaMan, here's a good plot for that! Imagine one of the minor gods, say, A, literally can't write for anything. They find a mortal at a human writers academy who's awesome at it, a mortal prodigy. The two could become friends, and write together, which would freak the other minor gods out. What they do, hmm. I don't know that much, maybe try and kick A out of the academy.

Oooh, yeah, I might do that, I just need to find a way to include other players!

How does one make a character either loved or hated by the reader without making it related to media opinions?

How does one make a character either loved or hated by the reader without making it related to media opinions?

@areasell, if you're trying to make them loved, then give them traits that you enjoy. If I were to make a character I'd love, I'd make them lazy, annoying, and serious. The media hates those kinds of people, haha. :) It's the same for the one you want to hate, create a character with traits you hate. Do they speak too slowly? Are they incredibly smart? I hate those types, and others love them. Consider your audience and go from there.

Hey, Sorrel! Nice to see ya again!
I have a 2 quick questions regarding characters—

1. What’s the difference in character inconsistency and character growth? How do I keep from writing inconsistently, yet still have characters change?

2. I have an extremely serious plot, and my characters go through a lot of tough stuff. I’m tempted to write a breaking point, because in this situation, that’s what makes them human. Any tips or pointers on writing deeply emotional breaking points?

Thanks so much! If this is too big of a question feel free to answer just one or none at all. Thanks again! You’re always a bit help.

Hey, Sorrel! Nice to see ya again!
I have a 2 quick questions regarding characters—

1. What’s the difference in character inconsistency and character growth? How do I keep from writing inconsistently, yet still have characters change?

2. I have an extremely serious plot, and my characters go through a lot of tough stuff. I’m tempted to write a breaking point, because in this situation, that’s what makes them human. Any tips or pointers on writing deeply emotional breaking points?

Thanks so much! If this is too big of a question feel free to answer just one or none at all. Thanks again! You’re always a bit help.

@CoffeeBean,

1. Character inconsistency is when their personality changes and other such changes are really rapid, and seem out of place. Character development is when you see these changes in a slow, more sensible frame. I'd say that taking things slow and steady will help you write your character changes.

2. Alright. I like where that's heading. I think that writing the characters each having their own emotional escape would be best. I would also write it to where they are all not connected, each person being alone. Each of them coming to terms with life alone would increase the emotional impact of the breaking, see.

I hope these answers help you, good luck!

Hi! I just wanted to ask here really quick, I have a character from Dragonlance named Raistlin Majere that I'm taking under my wing (I like taking canon characters to RP) but he's wildly canon-divergent, sassy and snarky how do I keep him in character while making potentially my own backstory for him?

(If this barely made sense I'm sorry!!!)

Hello @Sorrel! I'm working on a Victorian-era mystery and while I have some bare-bones plot, I could really use your help.
So basically, there's a baroness and her father goes missing. Then the son of a criminal (would those have been a thing in the Victorian era??) shows up and offers to help so he can take her family's money and stuff. Then they start bonding and I'm not sure if I'll make them a couple (right now I'm thinking not).
Can you please help this have a bit more direction? Anything helps!