Hey there! I have a lot of knowledge of what strong, good characters and stories look like. If you have a question, ask it! If you're stuck with something, I can help you with that, too. Keep it character-related, as this discussion is in the character section.
Could you do some critiquing for me? I have some bois that are extremely under developed.
Sure! Just send them here.
Do you have/know any tips on how to keep a steady stream of ideas rolling? Like, when youΒ΄re writing your rough draft and trying to come up with the next part of the scene? I usually listen to music to help me with that but I still struggle to come up with ideas/ways to phrase stuff.
Yes. But depends on what kind of ideas, and what scenes.
For the next scenes, try to understand your plot. What was happening just before you got stuck? List some ideas on what would make sense to happen next. How will your characters react to the situation?
Here's another tip: just write. It doesn't have to make sense, and you've probably heard this tip before, but it works. Write down any scenario you imagine your characters in.
Also, try to work in a quiet space. It will allow you to try to focus on keeping your ideas steady.
Listening to music is a good idea! But also try to understand what you're writing about. Try to understand your characters, and how they would react in a given situation.
Also, watch what others do, and research facts to make it more realistic. This can give you a few ideas. Like if your characters are in school, and you have trouble figuring out what their science teacher is going to teach them, ask someone what they're learning if they're in the same grade as your characters. Or search up the skills you learn in that certain grade.
If you don't understand anything or have any more questions, you can write them here.
I hope this helped!
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Hi I have a character that I would love some feedback on. He's really underdeveloped so I would appreciate any help you might be able to share. Ashur Ruby
This looks really great! I can see him in real life. What do you think he's underdeveloped in?
Maybe you want to work on the background.
Love the image!
Can you see if my character is developed enough??
Azrael Reaper
Sure!
She looks pretty developed to me! Great job! Love the creativity!
Invalid Character here he is!
(Thank you for the advice! )
@algalithe, your character looks pretty developed! You did a great job!
And you're welcome, @QUABSTIX!
I really need help in making a villain for my story!
I cannot think of an antagonist group/organization to go in my story which hasn't got something to do with "Secret government experimentation" or "DNA stealers" or the generic "evil" organization plot. I need something different. Here are the points to consider:
The world of the story is like our own except there are subtle abilities. These abilities could range from having a really strong tolerance of spicy food to having a photographic memory/ability to create deja vu. (I'm thinking these abilities could come from a gene everyone has and there are certain nucleotides that create them. The longer the sequence of nucleotides, the stronger the ability)
However, I could leave the origin of the abilities are secret and could add that as a motivation for the plotβ¦ and the villainβ¦
The public isn't aware of there being such thing as "superpowers" as these abilities can be categorized as just excess of skill or mere "oddity". For example, you see a squash player and think he's incredible because he's trained his whole life. What if, in reality, he had the ability to ricochet objects with uncanny precision and had amazing spatial awareness.
We're at a point in time where the characters are realizing that these "abilities" are far more than just "incredible talents". (If you need more context on this, just ask because I think it'll be too long for me to explain here)
I need this antagonist to somehow incorporate the need to kidnap people as that's a strong part of the plot. I know a father comes to the private investigator to help find his daughter and in this case, the PI finds an escaped "kidnapee"
How would you react in a world where some people are more "heightened" than others? Would you be jealous? Outraged? Or accepting? What if you didn't have any of these abilities? Do you think extremist groups would be formed in retaliation?
(I'm so sorry if this is too long, I just thought some proper info would help. I really am stuck on the villain's motive in this story.)
Can someone give me some plot ideas I've got some characters, but don't have any idea where to go with the story? Most of the character profiles aren't complete. I can link the character profiles if that helps.
Don't be sorry! I appreciate all the information!
So when you asked the question: "How would you react in a world where some people are more "heightened" than others?", I was thinking that the villain's motive could be the fact that some have more abilities than others, not only heightened in number but in power. You could tie this up with whatever plan he/they/she has to do something. Maybe they want to create balance but are doing it in the wrong way? Or maybe they think that they are doing the right thing, although they're aware that the outcome will prove to their benefit only.
I do have one question though: What time period is this happening in? Also, sure, I could use a bit more context on that. It would give me a better understanding (also you did a wonderful job explaining)
I do think extremist groups would be a good idea. I feel like they could be portrayed as good/bad like maybe they're involved with the villain somehow. These can be people who are upset they don't have any abilities or people who think that because they have abilities they are better than anyone else.
In fact, maybe the villain created these powers himself to create an imbalance in the world.
I think your idea for motivation works, too! I also like the way the public doesn't know. But is this magic?
Soβ¦for the need to kidnap peopleβ¦the villain could probably kidnap those with non-abilities. He/She/They could also kidnap people with very strong abilities in order to use them to move forward with their plan.
I'm not sure if you wanted me to answer those questions personally, but I will anyway :P.
I would feel kind of sad, as I've always dreamed of heightened senses (although I've developed them on my own), and I guess I would feel pretty left out if I didn't have any, while my friends did. Although I would help them with anything they'd need on their journey, using my own traits. So yeah, I guess I'd feel a little jealous but very accepting and supportive. Also, I do think extremist groups would be formed.
I'm so sorry it took me 30 minutes to respond! If you have any question or just want to add something, you can do just that.
I really hoped this helped!
Tati, can you elaborate a little? What's your story about? What genre is it?
Sophia, the world is set in a sci-fi fantasy world where there are humans and fairies. In the world, some humans can get abilities but most people don't. Most people in the city that the story is set in really dislike humans that have powers and fairies.
The main family is related to two women that have abused their powers and as a result, most humans and even fairies mistrust and misunderstand them.
One of the women a powered human that has a history of child abuse and torture. The other is a fairy who is described as a psychotic murderer that caused the genocide of a specific class of fairy. The first woman has already served a prison sentence and still, people misjudge her and her family. She possesses a telepathic/psychic ability that her daughter and granddaughter both inherited.
The second woman tried to kill the first woman because of her ability. The second woman has not served any time for her crimes.
The fairies also have their own societal government run by a queen and her council. The second woman killed the Queen of the Fairies' parents when the queen was 5 years old. About 25 years before the story takes place the fairies fleed their planet and are refugees on the planet that the story takes place.
This is all the info I could come up with. Not sure if it's all relevant. If you need more just ask.
Nice! This is really creative!
Thank you for the information. Where are you stuck on your plot?
Don't know where to start or where to go with it.
Don't be sorry! I appreciate all the information!
So when you asked the question: "How would you react in a world where some people are more "heightened" than others?", I was thinking that the villain's motive could be the fact that some have more abilities than others, not only heightened in number but in power. You could tie this up with whatever plan he/they/she has to do something. Maybe they want to create balance but are doing it in the wrong way? Or maybe they think that they are doing the right thing, although they're aware that the outcome will prove to their benefit only.
I do have one question though: What time period is this happening in? Also, sure, I could use a bit more context on that. It would give me a better understanding (also you did a wonderful job explaining)
I do think extremist groups would be a good idea. I feel like they could be portrayed as good/bad like maybe they're involved with the villain somehow. These can be people who are upset they don't have any abilities or people who think that because they have abilities they are better than anyone else.
In fact, maybe the villain created these powers himself to create an imbalance in the world.
I think your idea for motivation works, too! I also like the way the public doesn't know. But is this magic?
Soβ¦for the need to kidnap peopleβ¦the villain could probably kidnap those with non-abilities. He/She/They could also kidnap people with very strong abilities in order to use them to move forward with their plan.
I'm not sure if you wanted me to answer those questions personally, but I will anyway :P.
I would feel kind of sad, as I've always dreamed of heightened senses (although I've developed them on my own), and I guess I would feel pretty left out if I didn't have any, while my friends did. Although I would help them with anything they'd need on their journey, using my own traits. So yeah, I guess I'd feel a little jealous but very accepting and supportive. Also, I do think extremist groups would be formed.I'm so sorry it took me 30 minutes to respond! If you have any question or just want to add something, you can do just that.
I really hoped this helped!
Ah gosh! You're such a nice person to develop ideas with on here! So sorry I'm the one replying late now, it's just that we're probably in different time zones and it's getting really late over hereβ¦
I'll continue the necessary context for tomorrow and perhaps something can arise from that. The ideas you've given me so far alongside questions are very useful and will definitely be contemplated over the next few days haha
Talk soon xx
Thank you so much, @Morosis! It's fine if you reply a little late! I'll talk to you soon, also! :3
Tati, it seems like you've got your characters and setting! Now, are these two women the villains? What is their role in the story? Did the first woman become "evil" because she was misjudged too much?
You could start with the main family in their house. Do these family members have powers? Are they fairies? They could be eating dinner or whatnot just as they hear some noises outside. So, one family member goes to check through the window, not the door, as they know going outside probably wouldn't be safe. There, they see the two women (or just one) and a dead body, not knowing who the murderers are and that they're related to them.
So that's just my suggestion on how to start the story. If you didn't like it, I hope you could get some ideas from it!
I need help in creating one of my characters' clothing styles. Can someone give me some ideas? The character is 13, headstrong, and misunderstood by others outside her family. She lived with her mother a year prior to the story and is thin, yet strong at the same time. Just some things that might help. Thanks.
I have returned!
Ok, context continued:
These powers are at a level where they're subtle enough to not really be recognized as "superpowers" and can be excused by the stereotypical "what a coincidence" "how lucky!" "It's a miracle" etc etc
However, they're abstract enough for the main characters (and possibly villain) to realize there is something far more at play here. These people aren't just extremely talented or lucky in skill but rather have some sort of special ability!
Here are some abilities for context:
β’ Instinctively know everybody's name.
β’ You can always tell if someone is lying by a headache. The larger the lie (Lying about murder) or the number of lies told in a speech, the stronger the headache.
β’ Momentum Cancellation. You're still affected by gravity and other external forces, but you can turn on a dime, or go from running at full speed to completely stationary in an instant- good for chases near cliff edges, or avoiding running into walls. You'd kick ass at parkour.
β’ Being really, really unobtrusive- the sort of person people just overlooks, even when they're specifically trying to find you. Your face is hard to remember- the closest people get to recognizing you is a vague sense of deja-vu; you can go places where you're not supposed to be, and unless you make an obvious ruckus, people don't think it's worth mentioning or doing anything about.
β’ Eidetic Memory (photographic)
β’ Photographic Reflexes: The ability to mimic the actions of an individual perfectly.
β’ Mad spacial/geometric intelligence- brilliant at games like pool or pinball, and, when using a ranged weapon, able to plan ricochets with uncanny precision.
Time Period:
This is set in modern-day in a world pretty much identical to our own. Everything is the same apart from, of course, the heightened abilities, a variation of extremists groups (like you proposed), and maybe perhaps slight advancements in medical and scientific fields.
As I plan for this to be a TV series, I imagine it with the same "zaniness" as The Umbrella Academy or a Tarantino Film.
Is it magic?
No, magic does not exist in this world (as it doesn't exist in ours, sorry kids). It's just a big deviation of our natural sciences and a few broken rules in the laws of physics.
I'm beginning to think the villain/s wants to announce to the world that there are in fact people among us who possess these abilities. For what reason, I am still pondering.
The need to kidnap people may be to witness their powers, indoctrinate them into their beliefs or perhaps use them as guinea pigs for a developing drug which would make these abilities even more heightened.
The protagonists, after encountering the person/people behind the kidnappings (as that is their main focus) will most likely agree to be against the idea, realizing that segregation, prejudice, jealousy, and stigma will arise therefore society never really be the same again.
Can I post a part of something I'm writing here? Can someone tell me how I could improve and things of that nature?
Yes, of course you can Tati!
Yes, of course, you can Tati!
Thanks. This scene isn't done btw. I might edit the post later if I add anything today.
It all started one October afternoon. Before that day, I truly believed that I could be normal one day but, when Ally Cowiak and Ben Miller are your parents, anything can happen. So, when The Queen of the Fairies showed up at our door, I was the least bit surprised.
"Tina! What are you doing here?" My mother asked with a tight smile.
Like most fairies, Tina was short. Her long, blonde hair was pulled into a ponytail, and despite the chilly autumn weather, she wore a knee-length, pale pink dress and black heels.
"Over the past couple of months, I noticed something about Amelia. So, I decided to look into it, and I know, Ally, you didn't want me to look into it, but I did anyway. I discovered that Amelia is a fairy." The second Tina finished talking, two things happened. All the blood drained from my dad's face, and his and my mom's expressions turned to worried. Before I had time to wonder why. There was a puff of smoke and a woman standing in the middle of the room.
"Amelia, get behind me!" my dad shouted. I obliged.
"Come on, Ben. You know I won't hurt her," the woman smiled. There was an eerie familiarity about the woman as if I had met her once before, but I was sure that I hadn't. The woman would have stood out in a crowd. She had pale skin, blue-green eyes, and long black hair that was woven into intricate braids. She wore an elegant, layered dress the color of blood. The dress was torn in a multitude of places as if it had been struck repeatedly by a sword.
"You've hurt me and everyone else I care about. So, no, Alex, I don't," he replied.
"You just found out she's a fairy, and you're worrying yourself with the thought that I'd hurt her. You've been living here for two months, Ben. How many times have you reminded yourself that if I wished harm or death upon your daughter, you'd know it already? She is not her mother, but she still suffers the same torments. What will happen when the truth about her is revealed? I suspect every damn thing you've tried to prevent from happening will happen. You will be lucky if the world doesn't put bounties on your heads," Alex said. There was no kindness in her voice. It was clear to me at that moment that I was the only person present who did not know the truth she spoke of. I knew my father was raised by fairies, but that was not entirely what she was referring to. It was a small part of a much larger secret: one that would threaten to crumble my family if we let it.
To this day, I don't know what made me do it, but I stepped out from behind my dad; to face Alex. I was not going to let her intimidate me. She tried to murder my mother for an ability that my mother and I possess. She may not have wished me dead, but I was not going to cower in my father's shadow.
"I have lived thus far with the legacy of one hated woman I can live with another!" I said. Alex smirked.
"When'd you tell her?" she asked my dad.
"I didn't," was his response. I don't think I have ever seen my father look at me with such disbelief in my life.
"Smart girl," his mother said.
"It wasn't that hard. However, thanks to you, I am about the most unlucky girl on the planet. After all, you and Samantha are the two most hated people on the planet. Except, no one wants anything to do with you. You have wished harm upon every one of my family members. You deserve to rot in jail."
There was a twinkle in her eyes like she was planning something. A heartbeat later, Alex had thrust out her arm; a column of flame had erupted from her arm and was heading right toward me. It engulfed my arm; it was inescapable agony. It felt like I had stuck my arm in a pot of molten hot lava. Suddenly, there was a gust of wind, and the column of flame dispersed.
"Guysβ¦ That wasn't meβ¦" I said.
"Me neither," Tina said. Everyone simultaneously looked at my dad.
Alex smirked. "I guess that spell wasn't as permanent as you thought."
That's amazing! Great job!
That's amazing! Great job!
I added a couple more paragraphs. Is there anything I can improve? Could I end the chapter here? I have an idea for after this, but it is only about as long as what is already there. Do you have any ideas about how I could go from here? Plot ideas, etc.