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funnybunny 05-01-2010 09:25 PM

Need help!
 
So I've got an idea for a novel, but I need help starting and getting a plot for it.

My idea: Arielle (age 17) is trapped in a different world and she somehow needs to get out. She meets an young wizard (age 20 name? ideas please!) who is willing to help her, but he has not yet learned all the wizardry skills. In the end, I was thinking they would fall in love, and for the sake of Arielle, the wizard helps her get back into the real world.

My problem is that whenever I start a new story, either I can't complete it or something happens to the file. Then I just give up and start something else. Mostly, I have problems trying to complete my stories. I have way more unfinished stories than I can count, but at least those are under control. I want to start a novel, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to finish it.

It seems like a little ambitious to me, since I've only just completed my first story, but I think it might be okay if I start it when I'm done with my other stories.

Any comments or ideas for what I can do? Thanks!

Ryn Gray 05-02-2010 08:15 PM

Well so far, I think your plot sounds a little predictable. I think you need to come up with some kind of twist to make the story interesting and unique. This is not to sound offensive at all, so I apologize if it does. I have read many stories where I think I can predict the outcome and the author throws in something so unexpected that I can't put the book down. And so far, you only have perhaps three lines worth of summary, so there are plenty of places to put your own personal spin on the story line.

A way to perhaps get yourself started on the story is to start building the world that your character gets trapped in. Try creating the culture, the landscape, everything down to the last detail. You won't use most of it for your story (for example, your readers might never need to know about the religion practiced on this world, or the festivals celebrated, or the popular musical instruments, or the chief forms of torture, or whatever), but sometimes immersing yourself into this new world will help you figure out how you want your plot to go. And even if you end up deciding that the world you just created doesn't fit for Arielle's story, you still got a lot of practice and you might want to use the world for something else.

Of course, writing exercises that work for some people don't work for everybody, so don't get discouraged if trying world-building doesn't work. But good luck finding one that fits with you, and good luck writing your story!

funnybunny 05-04-2010 02:57 AM

Thanks!

I always try to add something a little different but I can't really think of anything yet. Hmm... I'll work on it. I haven't actually started with it yet... so I still have time I think. C:

I appreciate the feedback. xD


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