Comments on: Seven Common Problems with Psychic Characters http://www.superheronation.com/2008/01/05/8-common-problems-with-psychic-superheroes/ How to write a superhero book, comic book or superhero novel and get it published Sun, 12 Feb 2012 08:42:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Sylar http://www.superheronation.com/2008/01/05/8-common-problems-with-psychic-superheroes/comment-page-1/#comment-164360 Sylar Mon, 07 Nov 2011 03:38:54 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/blog/2008/01/05/8-common-problems-with-psychic-superheroes/#comment-164360 B.Mac, you CAN make mind-erasure dramatic and suspenseful. Make mind-erasure difficult, physically strenuous and even inaccurate; so when a hero tries to erase someone's memory, they're always pondering about whether or not they finished the job and COMPLETELY erased their memory... B.Mac, you CAN make mind-erasure dramatic and suspenseful. Make mind-erasure difficult, physically strenuous and even inaccurate; so when a hero tries to erase someone’s memory, they’re always pondering about whether or not they finished the job and COMPLETELY erased their memory…

]]> By: Aj of Earth http://www.superheronation.com/2008/01/05/8-common-problems-with-psychic-superheroes/comment-page-1/#comment-142281 Aj of Earth Tue, 02 Aug 2011 22:49:18 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/blog/2008/01/05/8-common-problems-with-psychic-superheroes/#comment-142281 This is an interesting article with a lot of good points, though I think with the consideration of a few key fundamentals most of these pitfalls can be easily avoided. So... Psionics, 101: Here we go. <br /> - Concerning mind-reading as an instant problem-solver: The most important thing to keep in mind (pun) when dealing with psionics (specifically telepathy, from which most other non-physical mental capacities stem) is that rarely if ever is employment of these abilities as simple as just turning them on and using them. To utilize a simple analogy, walking into someone's mind for a specific piece of information is not the same (or as easy) as walking into, say, a grocery store to find a particular product. When dealing with Mind it isn't very likely at all that what you're looking for will be professionally packaged and labelled with it's contents listed, placed neatly on an easily-accessible shelf in a clearly identified aisle with other products of a similar type. Consciousness just doesn't work that way - at least not for your average (or even slightly above-average) psychic; the mind is an extremely complex, living network of constantly shifting thought and emotion, memory and awareness. It's (dangerously) easy to get lost if you don't know exactly what you're doing. <br /> To take the grocery store analogy one step further, how many times in real life have you physically stood in that exact aisle you needed to be in, knowing what you were actively looking for, yet still couldn't find it even though it was right in front of your face? The same thing applies to plucking information out of someone's head, which isn't to say that telepathy is useless; far from it of course. Perhaps your telepath *does* in fact recover the thought/secret/information/fear/enemy location needed - the deed done, it's generally more effective and plausible that it's a difficult endeavor, not simply guaranteed to be successful - not just a walk in the park (or grocery aisle, rather). It doesn't have to be the ultimate trump card that it's commonly made out to be; it doesn't have to be one end of the extreme or the other (instant problem-solver or else completely useless). There are degrees to psychic aptitude, middle-grounds, gray areas. Also, it's important to remember that with most superhero-types, the same trick isn't apt to work so easily a second time (fool me once, shame on me; fool me twice...) <br /> Another point to this is that everyone, super-powered or not, possesses consciousness and that non-psychic characters can still be taught general psychic defense to help protect them. Especially if they happen to know that one of their opponents is a telepath. <br /> - Concerning the difficulty of depicting psychic fights/action/activity, etc.: This is most easily addressed by developing solid, effective narrative. Period. This is something required of any writer regardless of the use of psychic characters, so the good news here is that you don't necessarily have to learn something too terribly specific to psionics. What might be useful to remember, however, is that the mental sphere/astral plane/human consciousness generally works on the concept of symbolism; on metaphors and archetypes (much like dreams). If your character is trying to get into the mind of another character, make use of the metaphor. Describe the initial contact as though your character were maneuvering down a long, twisting corridor with many other corridors branching off, each with their own doors, perhaps some of them locked, or perhaps walled up completely (a little generic, but you get the idea). Mind is perception, and everyone's is different, so structure whatever character's mind is being invaded appropriately to the nature/style/attitude of that character. If you can effectively narrate any other aspect of your story, you can just as effectively narrate psychic activity. <br /> For more on psychic/mental metaphor & symbolism, spend some time with a Dream Dictionary. That's a great reference for appropriately utilizing aspects of meaning for whatever symbolism might be lurking in your characters (sub)consciousness. <br /> - Concerning mental possession, mind-control, hypnosis/influence: Consider the amount of mental concentration required of you to perform regular, everyday tasks. You can read the same paragraph over and over and if you're not totally focused you won't have actually retained a single word. Or better yet, let's use chopping up produce on a cutting board as an example (I know, another food analogy. I love to eat though, so this is what you get, heh...). If you're not paying absolute, 100% attention to what you're doing, chances are you will mess up and seriously injure yourself. In the most extreme (though admittedly rare) of instances, you might sever some sort of artery and just bleed out. Assuming you can't get immediately to a hospital to get stitched up, you're done. Now equate this to psychic activity, specifically the prolonged holding and manipulation of a mind that isn't your own. It's not the easiest thing in the world to consider or further, pull off, even if your character is telepathically adept. The concentration is what's key here; absolutely and unequivocally crucial to success, and if your character's concentration is broken, even for a moment, that control will dissolve. So here again, while the act of mind-control is totally in line with the nature of psionics, it's not always a quick-fix or guaranteed to work (just like the use of any of superpower). Add the element of some personal injury (psychic backlash, induced coma, whatever) as a consequence of not getting it just right and you've suddenly got suspense and danger; you've raised the stakes which = effective storytelling. <br /> - Finally, concerning the act of killing another character with psychic powers: Even with a more physically-oriented psychic ability, like telekinesis, the mind is still engaged in the process. What this means is while your character COULD kill with a thought, chances are the ending of another being's life will absolutely backlash on the psychic doing the killing. It's a different story to induce unconsciousness, to put to sleep or even, using telekinesis, beat the $&!% out someone (rearrange their organs)... but death? The sudden, violent act of permanently ending another's life, while your characters mind is engaged in and focused upon theirs? Your psychic will experience it as though it's happened to them. Or rather, they SHOULD. There are some things that even Master telepaths just can't accomplish without direct, personal and equally balance consequence. (Plus, it's a better, much more credible explanation than "but s/he's a good guy", even if the villain is literally seconds away from destroying the planet). <br /> And that's that. I hope this has helped you folks who are working with psychic characters to think around and through some of the very common (and admittedly frustrating) issues dealing with psychic power. Just remember to use your imagination! Your characters don't have to be unrealistic, instant problem-solving trump cards anymore than they have to be totally useless in melee combat just because they're psychic. <br /> So yeah. You have your mission. Be on your way. <br /> This is an interesting article with a lot of good points, though I think with the consideration of a few key fundamentals most of these pitfalls can be easily avoided. So… Psionics, 101: Here we go.

- Concerning mind-reading as an instant problem-solver: The most important thing to keep in mind (pun) when dealing with psionics (specifically telepathy, from which most other non-physical mental capacities stem) is that rarely if ever is employment of these abilities as simple as just turning them on and using them. To utilize a simple analogy, walking into someone’s mind for a specific piece of information is not the same (or as easy) as walking into, say, a grocery store to find a particular product. When dealing with Mind it isn’t very likely at all that what you’re looking for will be professionally packaged and labelled with it’s contents listed, placed neatly on an easily-accessible shelf in a clearly identified aisle with other products of a similar type. Consciousness just doesn’t work that way – at least not for your average (or even slightly above-average) psychic; the mind is an extremely complex, living network of constantly shifting thought and emotion, memory and awareness. It’s (dangerously) easy to get lost if you don’t know exactly what you’re doing.

To take the grocery store analogy one step further, how many times in real life have you physically stood in that exact aisle you needed to be in, knowing what you were actively looking for, yet still couldn’t find it even though it was right in front of your face? The same thing applies to plucking information out of someone’s head, which isn’t to say that telepathy is useless; far from it of course. Perhaps your telepath *does* in fact recover the thought/secret/information/fear/enemy location needed – the deed done, it’s generally more effective and plausible that it’s a difficult endeavor, not simply guaranteed to be successful – not just a walk in the park (or grocery aisle, rather). It doesn’t have to be the ultimate trump card that it’s commonly made out to be; it doesn’t have to be one end of the extreme or the other (instant problem-solver or else completely useless). There are degrees to psychic aptitude, middle-grounds, gray areas. Also, it’s important to remember that with most superhero-types, the same trick isn’t apt to work so easily a second time (fool me once, shame on me; fool me twice…)

Another point to this is that everyone, super-powered or not, possesses consciousness and that non-psychic characters can still be taught general psychic defense to help protect them. Especially if they happen to know that one of their opponents is a telepath.

- Concerning the difficulty of depicting psychic fights/action/activity, etc.: This is most easily addressed by developing solid, effective narrative. Period. This is something required of any writer regardless of the use of psychic characters, so the good news here is that you don’t necessarily have to learn something too terribly specific to psionics. What might be useful to remember, however, is that the mental sphere/astral plane/human consciousness generally works on the concept of symbolism; on metaphors and archetypes (much like dreams). If your character is trying to get into the mind of another character, make use of the metaphor. Describe the initial contact as though your character were maneuvering down a long, twisting corridor with many other corridors branching off, each with their own doors, perhaps some of them locked, or perhaps walled up completely (a little generic, but you get the idea). Mind is perception, and everyone’s is different, so structure whatever character’s mind is being invaded appropriately to the nature/style/attitude of that character. If you can effectively narrate any other aspect of your story, you can just as effectively narrate psychic activity.

For more on psychic/mental metaphor & symbolism, spend some time with a Dream Dictionary. That’s a great reference for appropriately utilizing aspects of meaning for whatever symbolism might be lurking in your characters (sub)consciousness.

- Concerning mental possession, mind-control, hypnosis/influence: Consider the amount of mental concentration required of you to perform regular, everyday tasks. You can read the same paragraph over and over and if you’re not totally focused you won’t have actually retained a single word. Or better yet, let’s use chopping up produce on a cutting board as an example (I know, another food analogy. I love to eat though, so this is what you get, heh…). If you’re not paying absolute, 100% attention to what you’re doing, chances are you will mess up and seriously injure yourself. In the most extreme (though admittedly rare) of instances, you might sever some sort of artery and just bleed out. Assuming you can’t get immediately to a hospital to get stitched up, you’re done. Now equate this to psychic activity, specifically the prolonged holding and manipulation of a mind that isn’t your own. It’s not the easiest thing in the world to consider or further, pull off, even if your character is telepathically adept. The concentration is what’s key here; absolutely and unequivocally crucial to success, and if your character’s concentration is broken, even for a moment, that control will dissolve. So here again, while the act of mind-control is totally in line with the nature of psionics, it’s not always a quick-fix or guaranteed to work (just like the use of any of superpower). Add the element of some personal injury (psychic backlash, induced coma, whatever) as a consequence of not getting it just right and you’ve suddenly got suspense and danger; you’ve raised the stakes which = effective storytelling.

- Finally, concerning the act of killing another character with psychic powers: Even with a more physically-oriented psychic ability, like telekinesis, the mind is still engaged in the process. What this means is while your character COULD kill with a thought, chances are the ending of another being’s life will absolutely backlash on the psychic doing the killing. It’s a different story to induce unconsciousness, to put to sleep or even, using telekinesis, beat the $&!% out someone (rearrange their organs)… but death? The sudden, violent act of permanently ending another’s life, while your characters mind is engaged in and focused upon theirs? Your psychic will experience it as though it’s happened to them. Or rather, they SHOULD. There are some things that even Master telepaths just can’t accomplish without direct, personal and equally balance consequence. (Plus, it’s a better, much more credible explanation than “but s/he’s a good guy”, even if the villain is literally seconds away from destroying the planet).

And that’s that. I hope this has helped you folks who are working with psychic characters to think around and through some of the very common (and admittedly frustrating) issues dealing with psychic power. Just remember to use your imagination! Your characters don’t have to be unrealistic, instant problem-solving trump cards anymore than they have to be totally useless in melee combat just because they’re psychic.

So yeah. You have your mission. Be on your way.

]]> By: Chihuahua0 http://www.superheronation.com/2008/01/05/8-common-problems-with-psychic-superheroes/comment-page-1/#comment-140281 Chihuahua0 Sat, 23 Jul 2011 21:25:08 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/blog/2008/01/05/8-common-problems-with-psychic-superheroes/#comment-140281 Hello, it's me again. I decided to read this article again because I'm working on an YA novel where the protagonists are psychics, and they fight manifestations of the human soul. Let see if I avoid all of these problems: 1. There are a lot of psychic blasts, mists, beams, and other visuals described to make fight scenes exiciting. I detest to the fact that writing such a scene in a novel is harder. With the five primary sense, and the narrator's internal thoughts, there is more to be shown. 2. First of all, the two protagonist (Bryan, the narrator, and Finn, the British exchange student) are quite weak. Telepathy is like using fizzy walkie-talkies, mind-reading is pretty hard, mind control requires a lot of willpower, and mind-blasting is reserved for more experienced psychics. They have to act creatively to defeat their opponent. 3. There isn't much to mind-read. The Manifestations are pretty brutish, and Bryan doesn't learn how to mind-read. 4. Not really needed. There is a masquerade, a sort of censor, that prevents most people from seeing Manifestations and noticing psychic powers. Since no one but Bryan sees through the censor (which kicks off the novel), there isn't anyone to mind-wipe. It's an advanced skill anyways. 5. Forcefields are like panels made from psychic matter. They don't wrap around in a dome, and they crack. 6. Although a blow with a Manifestation would hurt a person both psychically and emotionally, only minor injuries are inflicted. 7. Manifestations don't have wind-pipes. If there are any rouge psychics to fight against, crushing a wind-pipe would take too much time and effort. Throw in a world-wide psychic society that encourages excessive use of psychic powers and cover up any incidents that may get pass the censor, and there isn't really any problems in this area. All I have to do is to work on Bryan's motive and explain how he's learning his powers so quickly than Finn, who had been training for years. And I have a question: Would anyone mind if I use the term "psychic energy", even though there is no such thing as "pure energy" as it normally is used? "Psychic matter" is actual solid psychic energy, so I can't use that term. Hello, it’s me again.

I decided to read this article again because I’m working on an YA novel where the protagonists are psychics, and they fight manifestations of the human soul. Let see if I avoid all of these problems:

1. There are a lot of psychic blasts, mists, beams, and other visuals described to make fight scenes exiciting. I detest to the fact that writing such a scene in a novel is harder. With the five primary sense, and the narrator’s internal thoughts, there is more to be shown.

2. First of all, the two protagonist (Bryan, the narrator, and Finn, the British exchange student) are quite weak. Telepathy is like using fizzy walkie-talkies, mind-reading is pretty hard, mind control requires a lot of willpower, and mind-blasting is reserved for more experienced psychics. They have to act creatively to defeat their opponent.

3. There isn’t much to mind-read. The Manifestations are pretty brutish, and Bryan doesn’t learn how to mind-read.

4. Not really needed. There is a masquerade, a sort of censor, that prevents most people from seeing Manifestations and noticing psychic powers. Since no one but Bryan sees through the censor (which kicks off the novel), there isn’t anyone to mind-wipe. It’s an advanced skill anyways.

5. Forcefields are like panels made from psychic matter. They don’t wrap around in a dome, and they crack.

6. Although a blow with a Manifestation would hurt a person both psychically and emotionally, only minor injuries are inflicted.

7. Manifestations don’t have wind-pipes. If there are any rouge psychics to fight against, crushing a wind-pipe would take too much time and effort.

Throw in a world-wide psychic society that encourages excessive use of psychic powers and cover up any incidents that may get pass the censor, and there isn’t really any problems in this area. All I have to do is to work on Bryan’s motive and explain how he’s learning his powers so quickly than Finn, who had been training for years.

And I have a question: Would anyone mind if I use the term “psychic energy”, even though there is no such thing as “pure energy” as it normally is used? “Psychic matter” is actual solid psychic energy, so I can’t use that term.

]]> By: B. Mac http://www.superheronation.com/2008/01/05/8-common-problems-with-psychic-superheroes/comment-page-1/#comment-135850 B. Mac Sat, 02 Jul 2011 01:25:28 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/blog/2008/01/05/8-common-problems-with-psychic-superheroes/#comment-135850 "How will my hero (Scott Dooney) describe how he uses his powers [in first-person POV]? I used to use a metaphor where characters go to a sort of mindscape inside of their head, but it’s rather unrealistic considering fights happen in real-time." One possibility would be that he does battle with mental hallucinations, like an imagined knight that does physical damage as long as the person believes the illusion. The hallucinations could then do battle in real-time. Alternately, you could have the character do various psychic attacks and then show how the targets respond in real-time. For example, having someone spasm and shriek uncontrollably because they think they've been set on fire and rolled down a hill in burning tar. If the battle is between people with psychic powers, I think a mental mindscape would probably work well even though the battle is happening in real-time. Please let me know if you'd like me to review any battle scenes. I can be reached at superheronation-at-gmail-dot-com. “How will my hero (Scott Dooney) describe how he uses his powers [in first-person POV]? I used to use a metaphor where characters go to a sort of mindscape inside of their head, but it’s rather unrealistic considering fights happen in real-time.” One possibility would be that he does battle with mental hallucinations, like an imagined knight that does physical damage as long as the person believes the illusion. The hallucinations could then do battle in real-time. Alternately, you could have the character do various psychic attacks and then show how the targets respond in real-time. For example, having someone spasm and shriek uncontrollably because they think they’ve been set on fire and rolled down a hill in burning tar. If the battle is between people with psychic powers, I think a mental mindscape would probably work well even though the battle is happening in real-time. Please let me know if you’d like me to review any battle scenes. I can be reached at superheronation-at-gmail-dot-com.

]]> By: JTheGreat http://www.superheronation.com/2008/01/05/8-common-problems-with-psychic-superheroes/comment-page-1/#comment-135819 JTheGreat Fri, 01 Jul 2011 21:44:29 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/blog/2008/01/05/8-common-problems-with-psychic-superheroes/#comment-135819 Hey, just wanted to let you know that I love your website. It's been very useful to me in my writing "adventures" ;D. I keep your list in mind when I'm writing my story (it's about teens with psychic abilities). It's in a fantasy setting, so they wear a special armor which blocks psychic attacks. I was just wondering about Problem One. I can probably get by depicting psychic actions, but I'm attempting to write it from first-person POV. How will my hero (Scott Dooney) describe how he uses his powers? I used to use a metaphor where characters go to a sort of mindscape inside of their head, but it's rather unrealistic considering fights happen in real-time. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks :). Hey, just wanted to let you know that I love your website. It’s been very useful to me in my writing “adventures” ;D. I keep your list in mind when I’m writing my story (it’s about teens with psychic abilities). It’s in a fantasy setting, so they wear a special armor which blocks psychic attacks. I was just wondering about Problem One. I can probably get by depicting psychic actions, but I’m attempting to write it from first-person POV. How will my hero (Scott Dooney) describe how he uses his powers? I used to use a metaphor where characters go to a sort of mindscape inside of their head, but it’s rather unrealistic considering fights happen in real-time. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks :) .

]]> By: Myna http://www.superheronation.com/2008/01/05/8-common-problems-with-psychic-superheroes/comment-page-1/#comment-135427 Myna Wed, 29 Jun 2011 21:27:24 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/blog/2008/01/05/8-common-problems-with-psychic-superheroes/#comment-135427 Well, heroes have morals, after all. Unless you villain is particularly sadistic, I can't see the hero having good enough motivation to kill them in such a violent/horrific way (death by burning = excruciatingly painful.) Villains can kill like this, but generally good-guy heroes (that is, no antiheroes, grey and grey morality types, etc) wouldn't do this. As for killing overall? I'm not sure. If a hero is completely against killing, it might complicate solutions to their problems (as morbid as those solutions may be) but it can go either way. Well, heroes have morals, after all. Unless you villain is particularly sadistic, I can’t see the hero having good enough motivation to kill them in such a violent/horrific way (death by burning = excruciatingly painful.) Villains can kill like this, but generally good-guy heroes (that is, no antiheroes, grey and grey morality types, etc) wouldn’t do this.

As for killing overall? I’m not sure. If a hero is completely against killing, it might complicate solutions to their problems (as morbid as those solutions may be) but it can go either way.

]]> By: Crystal http://www.superheronation.com/2008/01/05/8-common-problems-with-psychic-superheroes/comment-page-1/#comment-135422 Crystal Wed, 29 Jun 2011 20:33:29 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/blog/2008/01/05/8-common-problems-with-psychic-superheroes/#comment-135422 Sorry, I didn't mean weak in a fight. I meant sounding...well... "Well, if I don't use my superpowers to kill the bad guy, the world as we know it will end. But killing is wrong. Only bad people kill." Y'know, like that. I didn't use the greatest word choice, I admit. :) Well, she's a martial artist, too, so, basically, she can set her fist on fire and punch someone or whatever. As long as they're not total idiots, if they remember 'Stop, Drop, and Roll', they'll be fine. But, yeah, you got what I meant. I certainly wouldn't be okay with that. I just didn't want to make her sound...Wimpy. That's the word I was looking for. :) Sorry, I didn’t mean weak in a fight. I meant sounding…well… “Well, if I don’t use my superpowers to kill the bad guy, the world as we know it will end. But killing is wrong. Only bad people kill.”
Y’know, like that.
I didn’t use the greatest word choice, I admit. :)
Well, she’s a martial artist, too, so, basically, she can set her fist on fire and punch someone or whatever. As long as they’re not total idiots, if they remember ‘Stop, Drop, and Roll’, they’ll be fine.
But, yeah, you got what I meant. I certainly wouldn’t be okay with that. I just didn’t want to make her sound…Wimpy. That’s the word I was looking for. :)

]]> By: Myna http://www.superheronation.com/2008/01/05/8-common-problems-with-psychic-superheroes/comment-page-1/#comment-135418 Myna Wed, 29 Jun 2011 20:01:07 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/blog/2008/01/05/8-common-problems-with-psychic-superheroes/#comment-135418 What do you mean by she has a few qualms with setting people on fire? I mean, I can't imagine a young girl being okay with lighting people up in fights (especially because the results... are horrific, to say the least) but I don't think she'd be weak in a fight 'cause of this. You can still use fire well in a fight scene, without sending someone to the E.R. with third-degree burns. ^.^ What do you mean by she has a few qualms with setting people on fire? I mean, I can’t imagine a young girl being okay with lighting people up in fights (especially because the results… are horrific, to say the least) but I don’t think she’d be weak in a fight ’cause of this. You can still use fire well in a fight scene, without sending someone to the E.R. with third-degree burns. ^.^

]]> By: Crystal http://www.superheronation.com/2008/01/05/8-common-problems-with-psychic-superheroes/comment-page-1/#comment-135409 Crystal Wed, 29 Jun 2011 18:57:53 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/blog/2008/01/05/8-common-problems-with-psychic-superheroes/#comment-135409 <i>"Why doesn't she just crush Dr. Doom's windpipe!?"</i> You just gave me a great idea for Chapter 5...*Evil laugh* Though this also applies to Adam and Maria. Adam...Well, oddly enough, he only has that good of an aim when he's out of control. Otherwise, it's more like, "Okay, I'm gonna clumsily pick up this tree and swing it around and hope it hits someone." On the other hand, Maria...Well, not like she's one of those people who refuse to kill people because they can't hurt anybody, ever. She just has a few qualms about setting people on fire. (Well, c'mon. She's what, thirteen, fourteen? Just a kid.) Is that okay? I mean, <i>setting someone on fire</i> is a far cry from stopping the villain's heart, or something like that...I just don't want to make her sound too weak. “Why doesn’t she just crush Dr. Doom’s windpipe!?”

You just gave me a great idea for Chapter 5…*Evil laugh*

Though this also applies to Adam and Maria.

Adam…Well, oddly enough, he only has that good of an aim when he’s out of control. Otherwise, it’s more like, “Okay, I’m gonna clumsily pick up this tree and swing it around and hope it hits someone.”
On the other hand, Maria…Well, not like she’s one of those people who refuse to kill people because they can’t hurt anybody, ever. She just has a few qualms about setting people on fire. (Well, c’mon. She’s what, thirteen, fourteen? Just a kid.) Is that okay? I mean, setting someone on fire is a far cry from stopping the villain’s heart, or something like that…I just don’t want to make her sound too weak.

]]> By: B. Mac http://www.superheronation.com/2008/01/05/8-common-problems-with-psychic-superheroes/comment-page-1/#comment-131579 B. Mac Tue, 07 Jun 2011 22:12:32 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/blog/2008/01/05/8-common-problems-with-psychic-superheroes/#comment-131579 Using foreign languages to juke psychics? ¡Buena idea, Sylar! :) Using foreign languages to juke psychics? ¡Buena idea, Sylar! :)

]]> By: Sylar http://www.superheronation.com/2008/01/05/8-common-problems-with-psychic-superheroes/comment-page-1/#comment-131548 Sylar Tue, 07 Jun 2011 17:51:03 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/blog/2008/01/05/8-common-problems-with-psychic-superheroes/#comment-131548 B. Mac, there is one other limitation you could've put. And that's the possibility that the protagonist reads someones mind, but they speak AND think in a foreign language, so he can't understand they're thinking (Matt Parkman had that limitation in Heroes). B. Mac, there is one other limitation you could’ve put. And that’s the possibility that the protagonist reads someones mind, but they speak AND think in a foreign language, so he can’t understand they’re thinking (Matt Parkman had that limitation in Heroes).

]]> By: ealperin http://www.superheronation.com/2008/01/05/8-common-problems-with-psychic-superheroes/comment-page-1/#comment-117594 ealperin Thu, 24 Mar 2011 19:52:18 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/blog/2008/01/05/8-common-problems-with-psychic-superheroes/#comment-117594 And yes the power does drain her a bit. So, she does need some rest. And yes the power does drain her a bit. So, she does need some rest.

]]> By: ealperin http://www.superheronation.com/2008/01/05/8-common-problems-with-psychic-superheroes/comment-page-1/#comment-117593 ealperin Thu, 24 Mar 2011 19:51:36 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/blog/2008/01/05/8-common-problems-with-psychic-superheroes/#comment-117593 I've got an issue involving my character/heroine: I know that I want her to be the sort of psychic that sees brief flashes of what the dead person's life was like- (along with the fact that she sees glimpses of the "person" {It's the main villian, btw}who kills them as she touches the person via skin contact [with gloves on, I guess] ) -as the dead person in question- is lying on the autopsy table, but I don't know how to start it off. All I know is that the beginning starts off with the fact that she finds out that she has ths "gift" as her mother is dying right in front of her. - (There's a whole scene where she finds out her husband has been off doing his villian-schtick on paid leave. The main villian kills her/the mom for knowing too much about the villian and the husband partnering up.) -[this is where the whole coroner thing comes into play,here. She finds a big cardboard box that on her autopsy table that has blown up profile pictures of her superhero-ing. Beneath all that, there's a severed head of one of her friends that attended her mothers funeral. Shock and anger ensues until she gets a call from her estranged father. Scene ends and another one begins....] I’ve got an issue involving my character/heroine: I know that I want her to be the sort of psychic that sees brief flashes of what the dead person’s life was like-

(along with the fact that she sees glimpses of the “person” {It’s the main villian, btw}who kills them as she touches the person via skin contact [with gloves on, I guess] )

-as the dead person in question- is lying on the autopsy table, but I don’t know how to start it off.

All I know is that the beginning starts off with the fact that she finds out that she has ths “gift” as her mother is dying right in front of her.

- (There’s a whole scene where she finds out her husband has been off doing his villian-schtick on paid leave. The main villian kills her/the mom for knowing too much about the villian and the husband partnering up.)

-[this is where the whole coroner thing comes into play,here. She finds a big cardboard box that on her autopsy table that has blown up profile pictures of her superhero-ing. Beneath all that, there's a severed head of one of her friends that attended her mothers funeral. Shock and anger ensues until she gets a call from her estranged father. Scene ends and another one begins....]

]]> By: Jasmine http://www.superheronation.com/2008/01/05/8-common-problems-with-psychic-superheroes/comment-page-1/#comment-115366 Jasmine Sun, 13 Mar 2011 17:24:21 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/blog/2008/01/05/8-common-problems-with-psychic-superheroes/#comment-115366 Hey, I'm planning to write a novella that has two guys and a girl as the main characters. I'm not sure what the plot would be, but I think it would be about fighting a crazed psychic wanting to make the world livable for other psychics (whom will be dubbed 'espers' in the novella). The two guys and girl are adults in this novella (in their thirties), and are espers: One guy is telekinetic and clairvoyant, the other is telepathic and can "project" his astral body. The girl can teleport and generate - as well as manipulate - magnetic forcefields with her mind. They all gained these powers by being the second generation of espers; their parents were test subjects from a super secret government project codenamed E.S.P.E.R, which was to create espers to serve as shock troops for further expansion and future wars. However it was eventually deemed dangerous when accidents started happening and E.S.P.E.R was terminated; many espers were killed, but a few survived - those few are the parents of the main characters - long enough to give birth to the main characters along with a few others. I need some advice on writing about their powers. It's not going to be perfect but their powers are planned to have flaws in them such as requiring willpower and concentration. Telekinesis I can do already and telepathy somewhat, but I need some help on the more harder psychic abilities such as teleporting, force field generation (yeah I know, it isn't usually), clairvoyance, and astral projection. I am also planning to have a supporting main character who is also an esper: He is an adult (he is also in his thirties), is a Japanese immigrant who is a martial artist and is telekinetic, but he is also empathic and precognitive. I need help on writing on empathy and precognition. The last thing I want to add: All espers are capable of forming psychic links with each other. They can also form those on "normals" - people who are not espers. The main characters are "linked" to each other, but they can also form mental blocks on those links when someone isn't wanted. - Jas Hey, I’m planning to write a novella that has two guys and a girl as the main characters. I’m not sure what the plot would be, but I think it would be about fighting a crazed psychic wanting to make the world livable for other psychics (whom will be dubbed ‘espers’ in the novella).

The two guys and girl are adults in this novella (in their thirties), and are espers: One guy is telekinetic and clairvoyant, the other is telepathic and can “project” his astral body. The girl can teleport and generate – as well as manipulate – magnetic forcefields with her mind. They all gained these powers by being the second generation of espers; their parents were test subjects from a super secret government project codenamed E.S.P.E.R, which was to create espers to serve as shock troops for further expansion and future wars. However it was eventually deemed dangerous when accidents started happening and E.S.P.E.R was terminated; many espers were killed, but a few survived – those few are the parents of the main characters – long enough to give birth to the main characters along with a few others.

I need some advice on writing about their powers. It’s not going to be perfect but their powers are planned to have flaws in them such as requiring willpower and concentration. Telekinesis I can do already and telepathy somewhat, but I need some help on the more harder psychic abilities such as teleporting, force field generation (yeah I know, it isn’t usually), clairvoyance, and astral projection.

I am also planning to have a supporting main character who is also an esper: He is an adult (he is also in his thirties), is a Japanese immigrant who is a martial artist and is telekinetic, but he is also empathic and precognitive. I need help on writing on empathy and precognition.

The last thing I want to add: All espers are capable of forming psychic links with each other. They can also form those on “normals” – people who are not espers. The main characters are “linked” to each other, but they can also form mental blocks on those links when someone isn’t wanted.

- Jas

]]> By: Marquis http://www.superheronation.com/2008/01/05/8-common-problems-with-psychic-superheroes/comment-page-1/#comment-114727 Marquis Thu, 10 Mar 2011 13:42:35 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/blog/2008/01/05/8-common-problems-with-psychic-superheroes/#comment-114727 Ohhhhh ok, so the bad has gone crazy with power. thinking that what he is doing is right. I really like that idea maybe at the end the bad guy finally sees that what he is doing is wrong but its to late( Either his plan is already in motion,or he is about to die I think that would make the reader feel sympathy for the bad guy) Ohhhhh ok, so the bad has gone crazy with power. thinking that what he is doing is right. I really like that idea maybe at the end the bad guy finally sees that what he is doing is wrong but its to late( Either his plan is already in motion,or he is about to die I think that would make the reader feel sympathy for the bad guy)

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