Fringe Fiction Unlimited discussion
Fairytale Creepshow - What Would Draw You In?
Have you read Neil Gaiman's Snow, Glass, Apples ?It was one of the best fairy tale creep show I've read.
If you have read it, or if that's not what you're looking for, how about freak circus shows? Nothing like a molting mermaid in a tank to really creep you out.
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I might have a Fiji Mermaid and pickled punks - thanks for affirming freak shows have appeal.
I kinda want to have magical items - like canned laughter and bottled lightning - to go with people fighting with suitcases and candlesticks lol
Go for it!Oh, another suggestion for research. Ray Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes. There's also a movie if you want the cliff notes lol
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Did you read Neverwhere? In any case, I really giggled at how their were play on words that were literal - like Black Friars and the Knight Bridge. Is that too specific a humor or something people appreciate?
Honey, I memorized Neverwhere lolTotally appreciate. How about the variations of the word "door"? That was clever.
Puns are great. They instantly give readers something fun and familiar.
loved the short fairy tale of Gaiman's. I read manga Negima. it really takes twists and turns on what the manga starts off as turns into, genre wise. it's a nice relaxing read, that also kinda turns the gears for me as far as inspiration goes
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I don't know - for me, play on words, puns, that ilk are great because it's like an inside joke everybody can get in on! It can be a riddle sometimes and people feel clever for catching the meaning/joke which makes them feel good and enjoy themselves more. Or that's the affect on me.
I think a certain amount of familiarity is inviting because we can still be intrigued by what's happening while feeling like we have insight into what's going on. Like...a false sense of security.
How about Jim Henson's The Storyteller? It was a short running tv series but at that fairy tale creepiness to it.I'm pretty sure you can find all the episodes on Youtube. I really don't feel like looking up all the links. You;re on your own. Sorry.
This may seem like a broad response but I think the best way to draw readers into any story is to give them a reason to care about the characters and to care about what happens to them. Why are we rooting for these two characters, or are we rooting for them? What's at stake if they lose the "game"? Also, who's behind it? Do we meet the villain? Do we know why he/she is staging such an elaborate (and forced) scheme?
Hope this helps :0)
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Tabitha - no wrong answers, I'm just happy if people have any thoughts :D
I actually know the answers to your questions!
1) The Damsel (and everybody) can't remember who she was or anything that happened before waking up in a box, dressed in bed clothes, in the House's cellar. I'm hoping readers can relate to the scariness of the situation and wonder how they would react.
2) "Elimination" and being "departed" are thrown around a lot...which is about as pleasant as it sounds. Anybody trapped in the House has to either choose whether they will "resign" automatically and agree to permanently adopt it as their home or "contest" being taken into its custody and try to fight for their release.
3) Yes - The Vile Veil of Vicious Vesper AKA the Reigning Champion and present "owner" of the House. She's smug, self-possessed, valiant and violent and never stops smiling...
4) It is a series, so the first book gives insight and speculation into some of her motives and expectations. If I don't end up writing a show-stopper at the end for what her Grand Scheme is, it'll definitely get elaborated on during the next book.
Thanks for those questions, seriously! It was like taking a quiz on my book and being able to confidently give those answers makes me feel like it's not shaping up too bad :D
fairytale creepshow... sounds like an interesting survivor horror title :)
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Courtney wrote: "I couldn't get into Negima for whatever reason ;pI don't know - for me, play on words, puns, that ilk are great because it's like an inside joke everybody can get in on! It can be a riddle somet..."
it's a guilty pleasure lol
I remember that Henson one, vaguely, but I remember it haha
Courtney wrote: "I swear I saw Storytellers a couple years back. We need more anthology shows.Tabitha - no wrong answers, I'm just happy if people have any thoughts :D
I actually know the answers to your questi..."
It sounds fabulous. I'd read it :0)
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I'll have to keep fine-tuning them details and charm to warrant enthusiasm for the idea. Makes me glad I'm extensively outlining and looking up theatrical motifs.
Courtney wrote: "OMG that's so encouraging! Seriously, way to make my birthday :DI'll have to keep fine-tuning them details and charm to warrant enthusiasm for the idea. Makes me glad I'm extensively outlining ..."
Happy Belated B-day!
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Oh yeah - Damsels have problems and I don't pretend otherwise lol. For instance - Damsels can chase down anything that fascinates them, haul ass leaps, bounds and leagues ahead of other parts if its headlong into trouble BUT are Damsels are slowest in the pack if something is trying to catch them.
Stereotypes associated with a given part are basically super powers or weaknesses depending on what they are or the circumstances.
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Creepy as hell. Now finish the damn book :P
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Nah, seriously, I'm still plotting and outlining the series so it'll be a while. I'm just making sure clever to me isn't lame to everybody else ;p
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Painting yourself into a corner is the best thing you can do. Seriously, don't avoid. The best writing always comes from the author figuring out creative ways to get out of that painted corner. It's a very good thing.
While you continue that book, I'm working on that survivor horror title. Carry on :)
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Best of luck K.P.
Stop flying by the seat of your pants and plot a *loose* outline! I typically pants until I write myself into a corner, then I look at where I'm going, rip out what doesn't work and plot the rest to its logical conclusion.Sometimes I deviate from my outline... but it's there just in case :P
You know how it starts and ends, right? The middle might be murky, but as long as you have an ending, pants baby pants! ^_^
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Presently, I'm creating a user manual for world-building. This process has served and suited me the best so I'm just investing here rather than paying for it later.
Writing process isn't a problem - I've got that handled - I'm just trying to feel passionate about the material since my ideas have stalled out on me. It's good old fashioned writer's block atm, not an inability to tell a story ;p
You might want to take a break from outlining then...
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It could be possible I'm burnt out - which is why I'm trying to recharge my batteries a little - but I'm actually really proud of myself for sticking to my guns, doing my due diligence rather than indulging my impatient tendencies.
Whatever you need to do, and whatever works for you.
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If you want to get technical, I've only written about 3 books in my life. But I spread out the stories. That's what works for me *shrugs*
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What is good word for blood that holds the same imagery/significance but deviates from "human" properties? I'm toying with making my characters...different in that respect.
Hmmm...Essence.
Spiritual leaking.
Gut tears. (If a gut open wound caused by a sword, let's say).
Exposure. (Like, their insides are exposed. I'm making shit up).
Wound vomit.
Okay, that last one wasn't great, but whatever.
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Courtney wrote: "Okay - brainstorm session! Here are a couple things that are irking my creative process. Let's see if great minds can stimulate some ideas into mine.What is good word for blood that holds the sa..."
"fluid"
I LOVE this concept, and I'm excited to read the final story... keep up the good work Cour and stop doubting yourself - you're a wonderful writer and your idea is awesome. Believe in it, and it WILL reach its full potential.
Good luck Courtney, all these ideas sound amazing!
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I might keep blood (just to avoid confusing readers with flowery speech) but may include "humour" and "gore", here and there.
Racheal, Royal Me - I so appreciate that. Everybody likes a thumbs up and ego pet but it seriously means a lot when people sound intrigued or excited by this odd-ball stuff.
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Lingo - A lot of my outlining atm is getting the terminology situated and straight. I swear, I'm not trying to overburden people but I do want readers to feel like they're in an otherworldly place.
My (generally) good characters are known as "contestants" - because they contest being taken into the House's custody and are trying to fight their way free.
They're called "Sols" (puns and star motifs)
My (generally) bad characters are "champions" - those who won a position of esteem and fight for the Vile Veil of Vicious Vesper (AKA The Reigning Champion and Darkness Behind the Stars) keeping control of her House.
They're called "Glints" or "Fades", depending on how well the Refinement Process "perfected" their "flaws". (More puns, like "flash in the pan", "glint in the Vile Veil's eye", "shadow of oneself" or "beneath one's shadow".)
My (generally) neutral/amoral characters are "Residents" - those who resigned from contesting along with themselves to the House's custody.
They're called "Cols" (Like a "diamond that never came to be, never mind shined")
So it's like a cross between "species" (Cols, Sols, Fades, Glints) and "classification" (Contestants, champions, residents of the House).
I'm hoping it's not much different D&D or Harry Potter's division of character types and world-building - something to get people curious and make the wonder about the various inhabitants of the premise.
Any thoughts?
My only thought, have you tried saying Vile Veil of Vicious Vesper out loud and ten times in a row? It's a bit awkward. There's only so much alliteration a reader can take. If it's once in the whole book, that's fine, but if it's repeated frequently, you might lose readers.
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Fringe Fiction Unlimited
Books mentioned in this topic
Something Wicked This Way Comes (other topics)Snow, Glass, Apples (other topics)
I'm outlining a book which is embracing fairytale/folklore tropes and stock characters (i.e. a Distressing Damsel and Dark Stranger) who are trapped in a creepshow place that resembles a broken home. Everything's staged and theatrical, people are told to play their part or risk getting recast. It has booby traps, dangerous playthings and puppets and deadly games with cutthroat competition.
By no means the blurb and I don't mind elaborating but that's the general premise to try and open up a dialogue of what expectations people might have going in, things they would hope to see, so forth.
I'm just getting frustrated spinning my wheels and prodding my keyboard so - seriously - if you guys have suggestions or random thoughts that could get my muse to jog back in here, you would make my attempt at writing tomorrow so much more productive...