Mar 13 2009
Gurion Omega’s Review Forum
See the comments below.
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- Please Avoid Having Characters Repeat Each Other
Hiya! Maybe I start by thanking B.mac for his record breaking speed. Thanks B.mac!
My name is Gurion Omega! Didja know that?
So on a more serious note, lets get to the more important stuff.
Here be some rules for my forum:
1 Ah, what the heck. Does it matter?
Sticks and stones may break my bones, but….
Whatever.
*Sigh*
Sorry, I wasn’t being very serious when I wrote the heading.
Age Range:
13-19
Some Themes:
Redemption, choices. destiny, the psychology of being one of a kind. Sci-fi, cyberpunk, fantasy, modern, maybe even some realistic fiction are the main themes I work with.
I have a few ideas and storylines, which I would like to expand on when I get a chance.
I’m also very paranoid about the details of my works, so I usually give just the basic, storylines, themes, and settings.
Criticism:
Of course, this is mainly for criticism, but I won’t really be warm to really harsh reviews. Just the truth will be needed.
I like that you’re doing a story that branches to the real world with its psychology. I plan on doing something similar later. That is, if my comic writing career takes off.
Thank you, Ragged Boy, I’m sure your desired career will take off.
How do I start a opening in a novel? Or maybe, what is the best POV for a fantasy or Science fiction novel?
In some past manuscripts, I attempted to start the novel off with another character, but I would add on and on, and then I would have trouble with transferring it to the central character! I like the effective way a 1st person delivers, but 3rd person omniscient covers ALL the characters, giving readers the chance to view how they all see the current situation, so as not to leave the person in the dark about what Randy is thinking while Sammy is battling a rabid Dragon-Phoenix hybrid.
Just an example.
I think 3rd person omniscient can be confusing if you can hear all the characters’ thoughts.
If you use 1st person, though, usually you use one POV all the way through. It’s very jarring to go from the POV of one person to another. If you can’t fit your opening with the central character in 1st person, 3rd would probably be best.
Personally, I think third person would be best for your story, from what I know so far. I don’t know many details, but I’m getting the feeling that your story has multiple main characters. I could be wrong, though. If so, then with third person we could see the personal dilemmas and choices of each character. As well as understand how these choices affect the character’s relationships and environment.
On a psychological note, first person and third person are like case studies and surveys. With a case study, you research in-depth on few (usually one) subject(s). Looking at every facet of the subject and getting more accurate results. Conversely, with a survey, you study broadly over a large group of subjects, giving you more general results. Just some random knowledge. I’m a bit of a psychology buff.
Because I was sorta thinkin’ that at first, some of the characters are sort of admirers of each other, but as the novel progresses, and the reality behind the character(s) comes to light, they think differently about them.
How about that?
If that’s the case then I think third person is best. Unless your character is an empath.
Alrighty, thanks.
Okay. I actually haven’t gotten to even the rough draft yet, I still need some opening advice!
There are a number of starting events that I’m thinking would be good for the beginning:
1) Novel begins with the character (I’ll say this ONLY. Its a girl) discovering Friend is missing, but due to the fact that the Girl is fed up of being in Friends shadow, finds that a relief, with some guilt. (This is told in 1st Person)
2) Girl (though she is unaware of it) traverses into a parallel dimension of Earth (through some sort of room , or well) but notices that she is in a different part of town.
The townspeople, strangely refuse to grant her shelter, and even run her outta town.
(Yeah I know, I totally forgot to give you the basic synopsis first!)
Okay, lemme write that down….
Lol. You guys will have to wait a bit for THAT. Sorry.
In the meanwhile, another idea for a novel (or comic miniseries) was about two fueding families, everybody in both families has psychic powers (of course, some will be like reality warping, some will be like telepathy, etc). I was thinking that maybe, at first, the two clans were good friends, but then something happens (or happened) that sparked a feud between them. And that’s where I’m lost.
What STARTED (or starts) the clan conflict?
Why is it serious enough for a feud?
The teenage characters will be about 14-16.
Oh darnit!
Those 2 posts are mine. Lol. Forgot the posting basics!
mahah.
Uhhh…..
Or maybe I was thinkin’ of them being (and don’t anyone dare suggest Harry Potter) two families of magicians (I’ll also be looking for a more creative name than ‘magician’) feuding over something.
Also, reminder: Those ‘Anonymous’ posts are MINE, Gurion Omega the one-and-only owner of these review forum! SO ANSWER ALREADY lol!
And can I get another Review forum?
Hmm. How about you make them actual Magicians (you know, the sort who perform in shows), and have the feud be because the reputation of one family’s grandfather was destroyed by a member of another family? I would recommend keeping the feud reasonably close to the current generation. The further back you go, the more unlikely it seems for the argument to stick around.
Good. Idea. Holliequ!
But I’ll still need to alter it a bit….good idea, thanks!
Sooo…I don’t want to sound confusing or annoying, but can I get that second forum, please?
Hmm. I’m sorry, I didn’t see your request sooner. I’ve set up another one for you here.
Thanks, B. Mac. I apologize if I seem scatterbrained in my current projects!
It happens. I’m pretty bad about finishing what I start, so I know first-hand how important it is to finish the job.
Point taken.
I think that when I start the novel I’ll have to write it long-handed. Ohhh, how I hate to write long-handed! I merging old ideas and stuff like that, and I am definitely getting a better kick out of it, rather than single-out ideas. It works!