Tips and Traps for Writing Fiction - Page 3 - Science Fiction Fantasy Chronicles: forums

Morrigan · 19th May 2002, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Highlander II

btw - I did have someone read this before I posted it.

Yes, I read it, and I missed most of the errors. Heh, and they want me to be a Beta.

ray gower · 19th May 2002, 04:14 AM

I've read it. Twice.

Got to say I think its all good sound reasoning.

Heaven knows where I lay though

Dave · 3rd July 2002, 11:40 PM

Are you stuck for an original name for your character? You've exhausted the authors of books on the shelf above you, all your friends, your daughter's schoolmates, and now you are into the phonebooks?

I have a solution to your problem!

Find one of the many baby names websites such as this one:
http://www.popularbabynames.com/

You can input the sex, religion or geographical region, and the meaning of the name into 3 fields, then it searches out names for you with ease, and even sorts them out alphabetically.

Highlander II · 11th August 2002, 01:53 AM

Excellent advice, Dave!! (btw - I've done that)

Something that I do all the time - sports personalities --

hockey players have the coolest names! mix and match them and come up w/ some really cool names!

Another tip -- don't be afraid to use alternate spellings of names - it's much easier in fic than for an actual person (b/c the person in the fic doesn't have to constantly explain how to spell his/her name) --

Asmiley · 26th August 2002, 06:37 PM

H2 thanks for the info and list there. it was good info that I can use when I'm writing. I usually use most of the suggestions you mentioned. In fact I always have my sis look things over before i post a story.

Bayleaf48 · 7th September 2002, 08:11 PM

Thanks 4 the tips ray :rolly2:

I've already posted 1 thta I've wote using characters from 'London's Burning' & it's been done in the form of a diary of the character Michael David "Bayleaf" Wilson :blush:

:kisses: :rolly2:

Even though I've posted the 1st 5 entries & there's more 2 go, I've still got ideas that can & nbo doubt will be used at some time in there 2

So my hint is 2 jot idea(s) down on paper as you never know just how useful they could be

:blush:

ray gower · 8th September 2002, 12:13 AM

It goes without saying repetition in a story is a bad thing and should be avoided. I've just finished reading a fan fic where the blonde haired, blue eyed pilot, sat at his console six times in the first page, along with 'mighty star ships'.

But there are times where it is of great benefit- For instance when a thread of a story splits and spends a long time following one strand, before returning to pick up the other. Or if an event is seen in a very different way.
Even in these circumstances try to avoid describing the event with the same words. Better still avoid describing the thing at all in one or other string! (No it doesn't have to be in the first). If a space ship explodes in a 'crimson ball of smoke and fire', it will not benefit from a second dose.

Bayleaf48 · 9th September 2002, 11:16 AM

True, so even though the characters in mine are mainly the same (of course there are always changes in a watch over the years). I've tried not 2 have the same 'shout' happen twice, even though in the briagde it can, but usually ends up being different in another way

:blush:

ray gower · 9th September 2002, 12:11 PM

I think, individual words, like 'Shout', are often over and miss-used.
You can't avoid using them and repeating them, but are they necessarily correct? How are they shouting? Is it a roar, a bellow, a cry? Is it loud and clear, booming, hoarse, or muffled?

In cases where you have a command chain, which is what I think you are referring to, the command has to be repeated. But each carrier of the command will do it differently. e.g.
"Stand the men easy, Major," the Colonel suggested quietly.
"Stand the men easy, Captain," the Major ordered.
"Stand at ease," The Captain called the command on to the Sergeant Major.
"Sar!" The Sergeant Major snapped, before turning to the parade.
"Stand at ease!" He bellowed with all the force of an apoplectic elephant.

Perhaps not the best example, but the idea is there.

Bayleaf48 · 9th September 2002, 12:48 PM

A 'shout' is a fire brigade term 4 a working job i.e call out & so that's why it's used as part of their terminology, but I do try & explain the meaning as best as I can

:blush:

ray gower · 9th September 2002, 12:51 PM

My apologies! :wave:
I mis-interpreted. However the point I think is valid?

Bayleaf48 · 9th September 2002, 12:54 PM

That's okay ray, no need 2 apologise

True it is a valid point & so another tip should be 2 explain words/phrases that COUYLD be easily misunderstood

:blush:

ray gower · 22nd September 2002, 09:35 PM

Asked how to write a Parody by an enthusiast of Fleet Lark on Startrek Fanfiction.

I don't claim to be an expert on the subject. So I bring the question here for better answers.

For my money:-
It goes without question all the good points listed here apply, only more so. Plus:-

Don't exagerate (too much)! It gets boring

You need to set up good characters e.g. To send up Jean Luc Picard, you need to prove he is a stuck up pompous twit and produce some real smartarses to make him look a fool.

Play on the characters characteristics, but ensure it is generally believeable- Tuttenbeck's, Geroff, for instance is a very laid back fixer.

Things that happen should be possible, at least within the context of the story. Choose and place the props carefully.

Things should work, just not necessarily quite as expected e.g. a replicator that can produce coffee, but not a cup.

Highlander II · 23rd September 2002, 03:26 AM

Excellent thoughts on parodies there --

something I've seen done in good ones -- choose one character trait from each character, and slightly over-exaggerate it -

ie: Daniel and his coffee addiction (Stargate)
or: Angel's brooding (Angel / BTVS)

little things -- things that everyone knows are there, but won't really pick up on until they're pointed out --

Bayleaf48 · 23rd September 2002, 08:21 AM

In books that I've read, I've found that characters are developed as the book progresses & that 4 me is a good thing as you get 2 read about the characters developing - if that makes sense at all!

:blush:

3rd July 2002, 11:40 PM	#33 (permalink)
Dave Wherever I Am, I'm There Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 12,281	Character Names. Are you stuck for an original name for your character? You've exhausted the authors of books on the shelf above you, all your friends, your daughter's schoolmates, and now you are into the phonebooks? I have a solution to your problem! Find one of the many baby names websites such as this one: http://www.popularbabynames.com/ You can input the sex, religion or geographical region, and the meaning of the name into 3 fields, then it searches out names for you with ease, and even sorts them out alphabetically.

8th September 2002, 12:13 AM	#37 (permalink)
ray gower Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 3,610	Repetition It goes without saying repetition in a story is a bad thing and should be avoided. I've just finished reading a fan fic where the blonde haired, blue eyed pilot, sat at his console six times in the first page, along with 'mighty star ships'. But there are times where it is of great benefit- For instance when a thread of a story splits and spends a long time following one strand, before returning to pick up the other. Or if an event is seen in a very different way. Even in these circumstances try to avoid describing the event with the same words. Better still avoid describing the thing at all in one or other string! (No it doesn't have to be in the first). If a space ship explodes in a 'crimson ball of smoke and fire', it will not benefit from a second dose.

22nd September 2002, 09:35 PM	#43 (permalink)
ray gower Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 3,610	How to Write a Parody? Asked how to write a Parody by an enthusiast of Fleet Lark on Startrek Fanfiction. I don't claim to be an expert on the subject. So I bring the question here for better answers. For my money:- It goes without question all the good points listed here apply, only more so. Plus:- Don't exagerate (too much)! It gets boring You need to set up good characters e.g. To send up Jean Luc Picard, you need to prove he is a stuck up pompous twit and produce some real smartarses to make him look a fool. Play on the characters characteristics, but ensure it is generally believeable- Tuttenbeck's, Geroff, for instance is a very laid back fixer. Things that happen should be possible, at least within the context of the story. Choose and place the props carefully. Things should work, just not necessarily quite as expected e.g. a replicator that can produce coffee, but not a cup.

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19th May 2002, 04:14 AM	#32 (permalink)
ray gower Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 3,610	I've read it. Twice. Got to say I think its all good sound reasoning. Heaven knows where I lay though

11th August 2002, 01:53 AM	#34 (permalink)
Highlander II There can be only one!! Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 9,630	Excellent advice, Dave!! (btw - I've done that) Something that I do all the time - sports personalities -- hockey players have the coolest names! mix and match them and come up w/ some really cool names! Another tip -- don't be afraid to use alternate spellings of names - it's much easier in fic than for an actual person (b/c the person in the fic doesn't have to constantly explain how to spell his/her name) --

26th August 2002, 06:37 PM	#35 (permalink)
Asmiley lost in Time Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 9,397 Blog Entries: 2	H2 thanks for the info and list there. it was good info that I can use when I'm writing. I usually use most of the suggestions you mentioned. In fact I always have my sis look things over before i post a story.

7th September 2002, 08:11 PM	#36 (permalink)
Bayleaf48 Hero Of Time Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 3,131	Thanks 4 the tips ray :rolly2: I've already posted 1 thta I've wote using characters from 'London's Burning' & it's been done in the form of a diary of the character Michael David "Bayleaf" Wilson :blush: :kisses: :rolly2: Even though I've posted the 1st 5 entries & there's more 2 go, I've still got ideas that can & nbo doubt will be used at some time in there 2 So my hint is 2 jot idea(s) down on paper as you never know just how useful they could be :blush:

9th September 2002, 11:16 AM	#38 (permalink)
Bayleaf48 Hero Of Time Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 3,131	True, so even though the characters in mine are mainly the same (of course there are always changes in a watch over the years). I've tried not 2 have the same 'shout' happen twice, even though in the briagde it can, but usually ends up being different in another way :blush:

9th September 2002, 12:11 PM	#39 (permalink)
ray gower Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 3,610	I think, individual words, like 'Shout', are often over and miss-used. You can't avoid using them and repeating them, but are they necessarily correct? How are they shouting? Is it a roar, a bellow, a cry? Is it loud and clear, booming, hoarse, or muffled? In cases where you have a command chain, which is what I think you are referring to, the command has to be repeated. But each carrier of the command will do it differently. e.g. "Stand the men easy, Major," the Colonel suggested quietly. "Stand the men easy, Captain," the Major ordered. "Stand at ease," The Captain called the command on to the Sergeant Major. "Sar!" The Sergeant Major snapped, before turning to the parade. "Stand at ease!" He bellowed with all the force of an apoplectic elephant. Perhaps not the best example, but the idea is there.

9th September 2002, 12:48 PM	#40 (permalink)
Bayleaf48 Hero Of Time Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 3,131	A 'shout' is a fire brigade term 4 a working job i.e call out & so that's why it's used as part of their terminology, but I do try & explain the meaning as best as I can :blush:

9th September 2002, 12:51 PM	#41 (permalink)
ray gower Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 3,610	My apologies! :wave: I mis-interpreted. However the point I think is valid?

9th September 2002, 12:54 PM	#42 (permalink)
Bayleaf48 Hero Of Time Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 3,131	That's okay ray, no need 2 apologise True it is a valid point & so another tip should be 2 explain words/phrases that COUYLD be easily misunderstood :blush:

23rd September 2002, 03:26 AM	#44 (permalink)
Highlander II There can be only one!! Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 9,630	Excellent thoughts on parodies there -- something I've seen done in good ones -- choose one character trait from each character, and slightly over-exaggerate it - ie: Daniel and his coffee addiction (Stargate) or: Angel's brooding (Angel / BTVS) little things -- things that everyone knows are there, but won't really pick up on until they're pointed out --

23rd September 2002, 08:21 AM	#45 (permalink)
Bayleaf48 Hero Of Time Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 3,131	In books that I've read, I've found that characters are developed as the book progresses & that 4 me is a good thing as you get 2 read about the characters developing - if that makes sense at all! :blush: