http://www.superheronation.com Writing resources for superhero, fantasy & sci-fi authors Sun, 07 Sep 2008 21:56:49 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en "It's these constant attempts on Hitler's life by time-travellers.  You kind of have to wonder!" http://www.superheronation.com/2008/09/07/i-loved-this-take-on-wwii-time-travel-stories/ As an advertisement, this probably didn't sell Serta mattresses very well, but the laugh-line at :25 was remarkably well-delivered. http://www.superheronation.com/2008/09/07/this-serta-advertisement-is-strong-comedy/ Hint: the Iraqi connection. Now it is reported that the combination of high-voltage rock and happy-smiley children's songs can break the will of the hardest terrorist or rogue element. "Trust me, it works," a US operative said. CADET DAVIS ADDS: There's no way the Geneva Conventions allow for that. http://www.superheronation.com/2008/09/06/what-do-metallica-and-the-theme-to-barney-the-dinosaur-have-in-common/ Dr. McNinja is a doctor that is also a ninja.  More importantly, he's the protagonist of an absolutely hilarious webcomic.  This is what Real Ultimate Power would be if Robert Hamburger were a real comedian. If you're new to DMN, I recommend starting with series 2. For example, on page 21 ... http://www.superheronation.com/2008/09/06/check-out-dr-mcninja/ You're writing a book about a candidate trying to join the Navy SEALs.  If his quest gets too hard, he can always walk away.  That's a lousy plot.  There's no consequence for failure!  If failure is an acceptable option, we probably won't care whether the character succeeds.  You can make ... http://www.superheronation.com/2008/09/06/dont-let-your-characters-walk-away-from-the-quest/ This is a useful resource for anyone that might want to destroy the world. http://www.superheronation.com/2008/09/05/destroying-the-earth-a-how-to-guide/ Inquiring minds will want to check out Marvel's Secret Invasion. I've never been a fan of the Skrulls, Marvel's standard shape-shifting alien villains.  Sort of like an Atlantean invasion, aliens feel so far removed from the standard Marvel setting that the effect is campy rather than sinister.  It's also extremely ... http://www.superheronation.com/2008/09/05/inquiring-minds-want-to-know-are-environmentalists-the-vanguard-of-an-alien-invasion/ John August did a post on writing a plot that isn't contrived.  He focused on the role of coincidence. I found it highly useful... Given a choice, try to find cause and effect. One event happens because of something else we’ve seen — ideally, something the hero himself has done. Instead ... http://www.superheronation.com/2008/09/05/john-august-on-coincidences-in-fiction/ One of the easiest ways to create comedy is to use a double act.  You set up a comedic conflict between two characters-- usually, one character is sober and the other is crazy or one is savvy and the other is clueless.  This is a very flexible setup that can ... http://www.superheronation.com/2008/09/04/writing-tip-of-the-day-dont-trade-characterization-for-comedy/ "It's the most heart-warming phone ad of the year!"  I'm not sure that heart-warming is the best fit for NFL Live.  I think that the average American man likes his humor a bit more robust and, umm, funny. UPDATE: We're in the second quarter now and the ad has played three ... http://www.superheronation.com/2008/09/04/if-they-play-that-ad-again-im-going-to-scream/ Many villains do gratuitously bad stuff to remind us that they're EVIL. For example, the nerdy antagonist in Live Free or Die Hard coldly executes his hackers even though there's surely enough money to go around (ahem... hundreds of billions of dollars). Not only was it unnecessary for him ... http://www.superheronation.com/2008/09/01/dont-make-your-villains-unnecessarily-evil/ What do you think?  I haven't put in the text yet, but it'll eventually say SUPERHERO NATION, obviously.  Any thoughts on what we should use for a background? What I loved: The clothing, particularly the tweed details on Agent Black's suit and the way that Agent Orange's sleeve looks so much looser ... http://www.superheronation.com/2008/09/01/reviewing-a-book-cover-draft/ The site is http://www.annecordwainer.com/ .  Anne is a friend of mine and I would really appreciate if you would check out her site, particularly if you're a fan of real-world magic stories.  Does the site work?  It feels like there's something not quite clicking, but I'm not sure what. http://www.superheronation.com/2008/09/01/does-this-writing-site-work/ The author claims that Star Wars was better because it was human-centric rather than world- or action-centric.  Our contributors respond... JACOB: I agree.  For example, Han Solo shoots Greedo (first), flips a coin to the bartender and says "sorry about the mess."  That sequence shows something about his personality and it's also ... http://www.superheronation.com/2008/08/31/salon-asks-why-the-star-wars-trilogy-beat-lotr/ Exhibit A: Exhibit B: Exhibit C: Exhibit D: Exhibit E: http://www.superheronation.com/2008/08/31/george-lucas-disproves-evolution/