Brainstorming Room

[Elliott]

Both, a little bit. Like, I want the incident to involve the social hierarchy. Something that happens to push Gwen's feelings about how screwed up it all is over the top, and something Tristan can't speak out about without ostracizing himself.

The social hierarchy isn't going to change because of the incident, if that's what you're saying. Like, Gwen thinks it could change if she or Tristan would do something about it, but neither of them do.

[Sum]

Hmmm, okay. I think your idea with the teacher isn't a bad one. Or maybe a higher-class or lower-class student could go too far with the bullying.

[Saru (Queen of Bookland)]

What about they witness a suicide by the bullying? Not to make it too dismal or anything.

[Elliott]

Maya wrote: "Hmmm, okay. I think your idea with the teacher isn't a bad one. Or maybe a higher-class or lower-class student could go too far with the bullying."

What way could they go to far in? Do you have any specific examples? If you don't, it's all good! I'm just having such a hard time figuring out what this elusive thing should be.

Saru (Queen of Bookland) wrote: "What about they witness a suicide by the bullying? Not to make it too dismal or anything."

I don't think I want to take it that far, because at heart Tristan is a good person... he's just terrified to be anything other than what he thinks he's supposed to be. So I want it to be something he can rationalize away as "not my problem" and if it involved a death, I don't think the kind of person he is would be able to do that.

[Saru (Queen of Bookland)]

Alicia (Lav) wrote: "Maya wrote: "Hmmm, okay. I think your idea with the teacher isn't a bad one. Or maybe a higher-class or lower-class student could go too far with the bullying."

What way could they go to far in? D..."

I get that. :)

Your profile is private, but I have an idea for NaNo that I don't want to share here. I wanted your feedback though. Could you shoot me a PM so I can tell you?

[Elliott]

Yeah, no problem!

[Saru (Queen of Bookland)]

Thanks. :)

[Saru (Queen of Bookland)]

Apparently you aren't accepting messages...

[Elliott]

Huh. That's odd. I'll go check out my privacy settings. Give me a second.

[Sum]

Alicia (Lav) wrote: "Maya wrote: "Hmmm, okay. I think your idea with the teacher isn't a bad one. Or maybe a higher-class or lower-class student could go too far with the bullying."

What way could they go to far in? D..."

The popular kids begin to be outshined by a lower-class kid, think he/she's trying to overstep bounds, maybe abuse said person physically? Or the lower-class kids pull a vicious prank (exposing secrets?) on a more popular person out of frustration?

[Elliott]

(Okay, you should be able to message me now, Saru.)

[Saru (Queen of Bookland)]

Alicia (Lav) wrote: "(Okay, you should be able to message me now, Saru.)"

Cool. Thanks I'll do it now.

[Elliott]

Maya wrote: "Alicia (Lav) wrote: "Maya wrote: "Hmmm, okay. I think your idea with the teacher isn't a bad one. Or maybe a higher-class or lower-class student could go too far with the bullying."

What way could..."

Yeah, something like that could possibly work. Maybe a group of some of the other kids starts trying to "rise up" and make a change and stop caring about what the other kids thing and then the popular kids can just destroy them by blackmailing kids into shutting up, framing some of them for various things, etc. If that makes sense? I want to try to avoid physical stuff as much as possible because I want to create this group of kids that thinks they're "above" all of that.

[Sum]

Yeah, like that! That would make for some very interesting minor characters. :) You know, whichever idea you like best.

[Elliott]

Ooh, you're right about the minor characters. I was struggling a bit with subplots and all of that, but I think that'll give me a lot of substance to work with and that way I can play with the dynamics of a school like that from both ends and not stay with the rich kids the whole time.

[Sum]

You should definitely show both sides of the conflict, not just the rich kids. Maybe Gwen could have a best friend who's of a lower social standing, and that's why she's more sympathetic than the other rich kids.

[Elliott]

I feel like Gwen won't have any real friends besides Tristan for most of the story, since she can't talk to anyone and I want to emphasize that. But she's extremely observant and socially aware and since she was never actually part of the rich kids group (because even the rich kids consider her stuck up since she doesn't talk) even though she is rich as well, she doesn't consider herself to be on their side.

But I think she's observant enough to notice things going on without having a direct contact in the group that's trying to change things. Plus, when people are super quiet, people forget to be guarded around them, so she overhears a lot.

[Sum]

Ah, I see. Kind of like a wallflower standing up for her beliefs? Sounds like it'll be a great story, Alicia :)

[Elliott]

Awh, thanks! It'll probably be a bunch of nonsense, because NaNo, but I really want to have a good handle on my characters and story this year.

I've talked about this before on the NaNo topic but I shouldn't have assumed you saw it. But the main purpose of this idea is that the main character, Gwen, has horrible social anxiety and she literally can't talk when she's in a situation she's not fully comfortable in. So high school makes her completely silent. And Tristan tries to get her to talk to him, not knowing about her problems and then they start writing notes to each other and all of that.

I've actually been thinking about it for the past fifteen minutes, and I might not even go the route of having the classes thing be the conflict. Like it could be a subtle underlying thing, but the main conflict could just be Tristan trying to get Gwen to talk and them falling for each other, but Tristan not being able to accept her silence as a part of who she is. It might keep my main purpose from being drowned out by a ton of excess noise. Like, I would still have people being dissatisfied with the way things were and everything, but it wouldn't have to be something so dramatic. Unless the idea we came up with sounds like it could work and I could still have the main focus be on Tristan and Gwen's relationship.

Thoughts?

(Sorry, I'm rambling so so much tonight. I just have a lot of thoughts. Do you want to talk about your story at all?)

[Anthony]

Alicia, I have an idea for you!

When I get stuck on a book idea, and I need ideas for story progression/structure/subplots and themes, I read books in the same genre that have a similar writing style. This helps with character and plot development, because the book you read serves as both a model for your story and inspiration (though you don't want to copy the other author's idea.)

That being said, I recently read a book that would probably help you out. Have you ever heard of this book?

Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson

The main character is a girl entering high school. She has anxiety issues and is unable to speak up for herself in stressful situations, which stems from a traumatic event in her past, and the book revolves around her journey to find her voice again. It also breaks high school down into a social hierarchy and examines the relationships between different people.

Let me know if this helps! :)

[Sum]

Alicia (Lav) wrote: "Awh, thanks! It'll probably be a bunch of nonsense, because NaNo, but I really want to have a good handle on my characters and story this year.

I've talked about this before on the NaNo topic but..."

Sorry, I logged out last night before reading this!

I remember reading your summary before, I guess I just forgot about it haha. So Gwen and Tristan would find a cause they want to fight for. And Tristan would try to convince Gwen to speak. Yes, good good. At first I was thinking that the main focus would be the hierarchy.

I don't have anything to ask about my story YET, but expect a lot in the future....

[Grace]

So... I have this story.
I really need help with it.

Casey is a wizard. She tries to be the best, but because it's in the olden times (No real time) no one will listen to her because she is a woman. She uses magic to turn into a man (She can turn back into a woman.)
Casey goes to the wizard school of which her father and mother own. She is roommates with another student named Steven. Steven seems to be a weak and lame wizard, but he really is a great wizard! (He just doesn't know it yet!) Steven and Casey become real good friends, and Casey kind of falls in love with him and tells him that she is really a woman!
And while all that is going on, Casey's rival wizard James is trying to control his magic better so he doesn't ruin his life with his wife.
What I REALLY REALLY need help with is with how to start writing it, and some ideas to make the story better. (Also this story, when I came up with it was going to be a comedy... But I changed it to being more serious.) And I kind of need a title...

[[deleted user]]

I was wondering what you guys think is a good way to start a story? What type of writing do you think is best? 1st person? 2nd? Anything else? Specifically in YA novels...

[Isaac]

Vanesa wrote: "I was wondering what you guys think is a good way to start a story? What type of writing do you think is best? 1st person? 2nd? Anything else? Specifically in YA novels..."

It really depends on your character. I usually write in 3rd person (usually limited), but it matters on how you're approaching it. Do you want to tell the whole story through the character's eyes? Do you want to tell the whole story through the character's eyes to another character? Do you want to tell it from an unseen narrator's point of view on one character? Do you want to tell it from an unseen narrator's point of view on all characters? Think of which one would help your story the best.

[[deleted user]]

Emily wrote: "Vanesa wrote: "I was wondering what you guys think is a good way to start a story? What type of writing do you think is best? 1st person? 2nd? Anything else? Specifically in YA novels..."

It reall..."

thanks, I just always wondered on how writers came about to deciding how they wanted it to be written but each writer has their own preferences

[Sam~~ we cannot see the moon, and yet the waves still rise~~]

i usually write in first person, so that i can tell the reader what the character is thinking/feeling/etc.

[Olivia]

It write first person For basically the Same reason Sam and its just what I do.

[Grace]

I like to write in first person, but not for the reason Sam and Olivia do. I write in first person because it's easier for me.

[Grace]

Okay, so I tried to write some of the story (which I post above.)

Casey was smiling, for the very first time she smiled. The doctor held her and tears rolled down his cheeks. He had never seen a baby so happy. I reached out for her. And then I saw her future.
She was standing on dead bodies, holding a dark staff. She had no smile on her face. All around her was darkness and evil. I was terrified, but I thought I could change her, I really did... But nothing could change fate but fate itself.

10 years later.
Casey was walking and talking. She seemed like any other child...
She had a friend named James. He always seemed to like to pick fights with her. James was a sad story, he had no home, he no family and he only had Casey as a friend. Casey and James weren't really the best of friends, they just hung out. James seemed to like Casey, because whenever I asked him about her he would blush.
Once, Casey was playing ball with him. Casey had kicked the ball so hard it popped and they couldn't play anymore. James was so mad at Casey, because the ball was his only childhood toy. James punched Casey in the face and they yelled at each other. After that they wouldn't talk... I tried to fix things, but as I always have, I made it worse.

1 year later.
Casey and James had made up, they were no longer upset at each other. Casey wasn't going to be friends with him though. She did not want a friend that could hit her so hard it would make her bleed.
Casey went to live with her father. And I did not see her for 10 years.

10 years later.
Casey had grown into woman. But she was following her father's footsteps, she had become a wizard, but I knew her and she wouldn't just be any wizard, she needed to be the wizard. Casey had gone to doing the dark arts. Which, of course, is not good.
When I saw her again it was in my room. She had come there because she wanted to know her future.
I saw two futures...
One with a nice young boy and her future I saw when she was a child, but strangely, it had changed from her being alone to the the boy being there. I understood now, the boy would do anything for her even if it meant that the world itself would be in ruins.
And then I looked closer at the boy and saw it was Steven. Steven was a student, a very smart one. Though he was no good at magic he still came to the school. Steven was very quiet, and sweet. I never thought Casey would end up with a man like him. She liked to fight and yell. She wasn't very sweet..

Casey's side of the story.

When I was child, James would kick me. But I wouldn't let him win. I would fight back, forever. No matter how strong James got, I would be stronger. I would never cry, I would never be beaten, I would be the best!

I went to my father's school of magic. I didn't know I would see James there.
James stood there. His short black hair in a mess, dark circles under his eyes and he was yelling at my mother. “J-James?” I stuttered, holding my staff close to me. James turned around and saw me. “Casey! Wow, I never thought I would see you here!” James shouted happily. My mother watched me as James and I talked. Her raven black curls looked the same as they were twenty years ago. Everything about her looked the same. “Casey, you've grown so much!” James continued to talk, “Hey, what's with the staff?” James asked, he reached out to touch my staff. “DON'T TOUCH MY STAFF!” I yelled. James slowly moved his hand away. My mother sighed and walked back to inside of the school. I turned away from James and walked into the school. The school had changed a lot in the last twenty years. But, my father had not.
My father, the owner of the school, never wanted me to be a magic user and he really hated me because I used dark magic. I understood, of course he wouldn't want a daughter who uses dark magic!
I ran into James in class. He told me that he was sorry about touching my staff. I forgive him, but then he asked a question... “Why are you here?” I couldn't answer. I couldn't tell him the truth, I was so glad when the teacher told everyone to be quiet. “Today, there is a new student,” The teacher started to say. My father came into the classroom and waved for me to come out. “Uh, never mind...” The teacher said, staring at my father. My father looked bad, his hair was grey, his face covered in wrinkles.
“Casey, why the hell are you here?” He asked.
I really need heeeeelp with this, I have no idea if this is even good at all! I really think it sucks, but that's just me... CAN SOMEONE HELP ME WITH THIS STORY???!?!?!

[Sam~~ we cannot see the moon, and yet the waves still rise~~]

i don't understand, grace, what do you want help with?

[Grace]

This story, when I came up with it was going to be a comedy, I changed it to being more serious but I really feel like it's not turning out very well (And the comedy was going to still be there, but just a lot less!) I need help getting a real idea in here, because actually nothing is going to happen because the whole plot is just Casey and Steven being happy together and I don't think that would really make a good book.
What I want help with is an idea to make this interesting.

[Sam~~ we cannot see the moon, and yet the waves still rise~~]

so you want help in developing the plot more?

[Grace]

YES!

[Elliott]

So, you're saying you want to narrate your story from the sort of sidekick's point of view?

[Dana]

Oh his comment got deleted. Aww, I was sitting here for like 5 minutes wondering what happened lol

[[deleted user]]

Sorry, it's me Human, made a new account, so what do you guys think of my idea? Good, bad, suggestions?

[Taylor]

Well…it's been done before (Sherlock Holmes, for example), so I'm gonna need more information on what makes your story unique.

[Yasmani]

Hey guys! Here is this story that I have been working on and I would love for you guys to read it and comment and tell me what you think. 14 chapters but there not really all that long and I have a few more that I haven't published if any one would like to revise them
https://www.goodreads.com/story/show/...

[[deleted user]]

So basically there is this school where you learn to use your brain to the fullest ability, as in telekinesis, telepathy, stuff like that, there is a teacher for each branch of the school. Water, fire, nature, mind, air, shapeshifting. The school is not private or hidden, anyone can join but most people think it's a hoax. I am going to make my character the best friend of the "powerful one". There was once a branch in the school that was shut down, cold because that branch was too dangerous and gave unexpected results. However the branch didn't die, they went and formed a group and are trying to take over the school and, something else too, not really sure yet i'm still working out all the plot and stuff.

[Elliott]

I've playing around with a new story idea and it keeps jumping back and forth between two different settings.

I know that I want it to be about a girl who is depressed and reads a ton of books to help her cope and because she loves reading, and I want it to be about the magic of escapism and all of that.

But I'm not sure if I want it to be set in modern day and center around a girl who spends most of her time in a library and has a romance type of thing with a boy who works at the library, or if I want it to be in a fantasy kingdom about a girl who discovers the kingdom's library and ends up spending a lot of time there and then all sorts of magical fantasy adventures happen, involving books and other awesome people and maybe people trying to suppress knowledge and all of that.

I've also been thinking about combining the ideas and sending the girl into another world at certain points when she's at the library in the modern world. I guess I'm a little wary of that because it seems kind of childish and cliche. (My main character will be a 17-19ish.)

Right now I'm leaning towards the fantasy world, but I'm not sure.

Thoughts?

[Michelle]

@Alicia, Maybe you could write the first couple of chapters for each setting, then see which idea you like best?

[Anastacia *gaining love*]

Okay, I need help with a story I'm planning to write!!

I was going to wait to write this in November *coughnanowrimocough* BUT I told the plot to my friend and she wants me to write it before then....I told her possibly but if I want it as long as I'm hoping it will get (more that 10,000 words since I can't seem to ever write a longer story than that...) that I need to take time to plan and crap. BUT I need to figure out symbols...a LOT of symbols. That since I need a symbol for each chapter and one of the main characters are suppose to be an excellent artist. I'm too lazy to try to look up symbols in my book (though I'll most likely do it), but I need a site where I can find pictures of these symbols since I honestly SUCK at drawing!!!

If you could help that'd be great, I don't plan on writing this book anytime soon...

[Roxanne]

She could act really mean most of the time, but secretly have an inner sweet side that is really hard for a lot of people to see. I think that might help.

[Dana]

Yeah, I agree with Roxanne, or, your character could have some past situation or upbringing that caused her mean-ness. That would really bring a "personal" side to your character that will probably make her relatable. It would show that she isn't mean for no reason, that she was brought up that way or whatever.

[Brigid ✩, No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader.]

Does she have to be likable? I think what's more important is to make a character believable and interesting, even if they're not someone the reader would want to befriend in real life. As long as her actions make sense and her motives are clear, I wouldn't get too caught up in trying to make her a more relatable person.

[Brigid ✩, No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader.]

Well, I think it depends. If she's completely horrible and has few redeeming qualities, that could be a risk. But it also depends on how her characteristics are relevant to the plot. Depending on her circumstances, it could make sense for her to be an unlikable person but she could still make for an interesting character. I think it also depends a lot on development, and whether she changes throughout the course of the story.

I also think it's difficult to suggest attributes to add to a character, especially out of context. But in general, I tend to like characters who are realistically flawed. They're not perfect people, they make mistakes, they may do some unlikable things. But they also have strong motivations, they care about others, they ultimately are trying to do the right thing, etc.

[Brigid ✩, No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader.]

Yeah, I know how that is. XD I think it usually helps to at least get through the first draft and see how the characters have turned out by then. And after that, you can always go back and make changes.

[Brigid ✩, No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader.]

No problem!

[Catelyn]

I have a question...how do I post a story?

[Brigid ✩, No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader.]

Catelyn wrote: "I have a question...how do I post a story?"

In the future, please post technical questions like this in the Questions and Suggestions thread. This topic is more for help with ideas. ;)

But in answer to your question: Go to the Goodreads homepage. Scroll down on the right hand side of the page to where it says "My Profile." There should be a link that says "writing." Click on that and it should take you to your writing page. In the upper right hand corner there should be something that says "add new writing." And it's pretty straightforward from there. Hope that helps!