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Author	Topic: Developing a Story
A_Tout_ner_Vode Registered: Mar '08	Date Posted: 9/24/08 10:58pm Subject: Developing a Story - Date Edited: 9/24/08 11:00pm (1 edits total) Edited By: A_Tout_ner_Vode
	So, a SW fanfic idea recently hit me for the first time in who knows how long, but I really like the idea and want it to not go the way of my other fics. That way was, I had a really inspired beginning, but then I couldn't really think of anywhere to take the story. Then I gave up and dropped it. So, my question is: how do you get a full plot out of one idea? It's easy to think of a bunch of different situations and plot points that would be good, but how do you come up with something that makes it into a coherent story? For the sake of directness, I'll go ahead and put what I've got so far. --- The automated systems caused air to whip around her face, yet the hallway remained at a just-barely-too-hot temperature. But she knew she needed to seem resolute, and kept her face straight and her brow dry. Though she intentionally walked at a slow, deliberate pace, she reached the doors a minute ahead of schedule and waited for the time to pass. She observed the doors in front of her. They were double doors of a muddy yellow hue, undoubtedly coming from the wroshyr trees of Kashyyyk. Given the importance the Wookiees placed on the trees, they had most likely been obtained through illegal means. This thought caused her to turn and observe the hallway behind her. The small paintings and carvings hanging from the wall, interesting but not distracting, were definitely of Toydarian origin. At this she smiled. Her agents had been correct. Well-practiced instinct told her that the minute had almost passed. She adjusted her suit, straightened her back, and pulled out a mirror to check her make-up. Her face, just beginning to show signs of age, gave off the most perfect impression of professionalism that anyone could hope for: her dirty-blond hair was trimmed and perfectly rounded, her brown eyes were strong and forceful, and her cheeks were soft but well-defined. Seeing no problems, she stowed the mirror and opened the old-fashioned door. A young Toydarian, his wings spread around the back of his chair, sat at a grey table waiting for her. She sat down across from him and smiled in greeting, a gesture the Toydarian returned with a nod. Putting down her suitcase, she began the conversation by reaching to shake hands. “Greetings, Mr. Macto. No doubt you know why I am here?” she said. Macto shook her hand and leaned back in his chair. “Ms. Sram, the entire business world knew about it weeks ago,” he laughed. She answered with a smirk. “I am sure they did, but that is somewhat unfortunate for us, yes? I would have preferred things to be more discreet.” “Yes,” Macto said, “so would I. But such things are irrelevant now.” “Quite. Since you and everyone else already know what my corporation wishes, I will get straight to the point.” She reached with her left hand to grab her suitcase and, pulling it onto the table, revealed some contracts from inside it. “These are the preliminary papers. You may look at them as you wish,” she said, passing them to him. Macto began reading them immediately, looking over the deal with the cautiousness all Toydarians had. After a few minutes of silence, he put the papers down. “Those seem to be in order, which leaves only one question: How much?” Macto asked. It had been a question none of her agents had wanted to be the one to answer. After nearly a month, they had finally gotten a firm estimate: Macto’s company was worth at least 60 billion credits. They informed her that she should open with an offer of 70 billion. But Macto was Toydarian. The whole corporation was Toydarian, and it owned nearly a fourth of the real estate on Toydaria. Given the amount of pride even a homeless Toydarian could exhibit, there was no way Macto would be so willing to settle for that amount. Leaning forward, clasping her hands together, she answered him. “240 billion credits.” She watched with plenty of her own pride, though it did not show on her face, as Macto did a double-take. Hey, it worked better than any mind trick would have. --- Yeah, Jedi businesswoman. I've got plans for it, but they're mostly just ideas for family members and support characters and the like. How does one really think of an entire plot from just an idea? -----signature----- I'm not going away/ I'm not going/Try so hard to break me but all/your diamonds turn to sand! A Tout le Monde/A tout mes amis/Je vous aime/Je dois partir... "Not all soldiers wear uniforms." - Darman
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DarthIshtar Title: Former CR Registered: Mar '01	Date Posted: 9/24/08 11:22pm Subject: RE: Developing a Story
	Interesting start. I have written many epic stories, so here's how I typically go about it: I get the idea I fight off the idea I grow used to the idea I think of where/when it will intersect with a well-known storyline or whether it will branch off I decide who the main characters will be I decide on the emotional and physical climaxes of the story I pinpoint a few key steps that need to be taken on the way there I start writing and then am not surprised when either my muse or my readers change my mind on something. -----signature----- "GET OUT OF THE WAY." Yoink It's coming
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Katana_Geldar Title: Former CR Tasmania, AU RPG & Minis Saga GM Registered: Mar '03	Date Posted: 9/24/08 11:46pm Subject: RE: Developing a Story
	The idea sort of needs to grow on you before it can become something more than that. But when stories are at their earliest stages it's a very personal preference what you do with them. I find that I have to live with them in my head for a fair bit before I can write anything down. Unless it is a detective story, then I have to research and plan thoroughly -----signature----- Jacen and the two Vergeres http://gmgeldar.wordpress.com/vergere-essay/ Now, if you don't mind, I am somewhat preoccoupied telling the laws of physics to shut up and sit down.
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Ubersue Registered: Sep '08	Date Posted: 9/25/08 12:31am Subject: RE: Developing a Story
	"So, my question is: how do you get a full plot out of one idea? It's easy to think of a bunch of different situations and plot points that would be good, but how do you come up with something that makes it into a coherent story?" Speaking as someone who has yet to post a finished story on the boards, and therefore might not be the most qualified to answer , here are my thoughts, and I hope they help. A single idea is just a starting point, and needs more ideas to keep it going. One of several fics I'm fiddling with started from an idea. The idea was, the Empire was very unpopular, and people generally listen to music. What did the rebels listen to to psych themselves up to fight? So then I got the idea of a popular musician who sings protest music. The next thing I did was start asking a whole lot of questions. How does the Empire react to this guy? What happens to him? What's his relationship with the Rebellion? What about the Jedi? Why does he choose to risk his life by getting political when he could otherwise be singing love songs or something? After getting that general framework, I looked into how to approach it. Do I want an exciting action/adventure story where he's constantly dodging assassination attempts and transmitting his banned music from undisclosed locations? An angsty love story from the point of view of his girlfriend? Finally I settled on a mystery, in which the New Republic is investigating former Imperial officers and agents for war crimes, and this guy is suspected of secretly collaborating with the Empire and putting up the protest thing as a front. So in your case, you have the idea of a Jedi businessperson. Now it's time to ask questions. What is a Jedi doing in business? Is this person a practicing Jedi or a former Jedi who has quit the Order? If this person is still part of the Order, why does the Order need a Jedi to do business when there are plenty of trading guilds who can do that? Does this person work for herself, the Order, the Republic, or some other entity? Do the people she trades with know she's a Jedi? Is she really there to do business, or is it a front she's putting up for a different reason entirely? By the time I answer that many questions, I usually have a plot Well that's my plot generating formula, and I hope it was useful. Good luck on your fic! -----signature----- "A friend of mine once sent me a post card with a picture of the entire planet Earth taken from space. On the back it said, 'Wish you were here.'" - Steven Wright Proud Padawan of Kurdt_Kobain!
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DarthGaul Registered: May '04	Date Posted: 9/25/08 5:31am Subject: RE: Developing a Story
	I tend to write out the plot details first, then flesh out the basic characters, worlds and then skip to the ending. If I know how it will all end first...all I have to do after is work on the beginning. Once I've read all my key points and generally satisfied with my characters...then I tackle the story and try expanding the main plot. Breaking it down into components is how it works for me. -----signature----- Read my Fan Fiction: The Jedi Wars - Ep2: Battle For The Jedi Order http://boards.theforce.net/message.asp?topic=18237430&start=18239442 TheDarkTimes-EpI: Power Of The Darkside http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/22747113/p1/?2
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MsLanna Title: CR GSFF Central Registered: Jul '05	Date Posted: 9/25/08 5:39am Subject: RE: Developing a Story
	I never got a whole plot in one go, I think. Usually, I start out with a great idea I just can't shake. Then I write down some of the fun scenes becasue that's the first stuff getting to me. Somewhen then it is important for me to get the end of the story. Nevermind the inbetween, I need to know where I'm going. Otherwise, I'll just end up lost in a sea of words going nowhere. Once the beginning and the end are fixed, I try to fill the holes between the scenes I already have in a sensible way that doesn't shout "lookee here, I'm just filler!!!" It's not a method I'd recommend though since it is volatile. -----signature----- "What would you have me do?" "Endure." . Proud Master and buir'ika of Commander_Ducky. Alcohol is not a solution – it's a compound. Master of spycoder9
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Katana_Geldar Title: Former CR Tasmania, AU RPG & Minis Saga GM Registered: Mar '03	Date Posted: 9/25/08 6:52am Subject: RE: Developing a Story
	My best endings have come as complete surprises. I'll be writing a scene and then there's a WTH, I just wrote the end but where did that come from? -----signature----- Jacen and the two Vergeres http://gmgeldar.wordpress.com/vergere-essay/ Now, if you don't mind, I am somewhat preoccoupied telling the laws of physics to shut up and sit down.
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earlybird-obi-wan Registered: Aug '06	Date Posted: 9/25/08 8:16am Subject: RE: Developing a Story
	I come up with a real life based plot bunny or one from reading a book or comic and make a scheme in Excell with what the key-figures are doing when and where and write keywords down. The ending is mostly writen first. -----signature----- writer and Star Wars fan FANART [link=http://boards.theforce.net/fan_art/b10020/25793899]fanart[/link] stories in my bio
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NYCitygurl Title: Manager of SFFBC, C&G, NSWFF, and Icons Registered: Jul '02	Date Posted: 9/25/08 4:24pm Subject: RE: Developing a Story
	I get an idea and figure out some key scenes, the beginning, and usually the end. Many parts in the middle I just come up with on the way. -----signature----- I agree with RJ Officially Idri's Muse I approve of Qui-Gon_Reborn's sig
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Idrelle_Miocovani Registered: Feb '05	Date Posted: 9/25/08 5:48pm Subject: RE: Developing a Story - Date Edited: 9/25/08 5:48pm (1 edits total) Edited By: Idrelle_Miocovani
	Usually when I get an idea, the characters come right with it. My main epic right now started like that and the plot and the characters are so entwined that they're driving each other -- it would be a completely different story if I used any one different. Anyways, I start off with the basic idea. Then I flesh that idea out and also do some research on the characters involved to flesh them out as will and build up character profiles. I do this even for canon characters. The main reason is that my plots tend to be driven by the characters, as all their actions build up to deliver the final outcome and they are responsible for the consequences of their actions. I need to find out how their characterizations and how they react to each situation will affect the final outcome -- so I usually then go to the end of the story and work backwards to figure out how the end of the story came to be. Event X happens, so what caused Event X to occur? etc, etc. I usually end up with extensive planning by the end of it, create an outline for each of my posts and then start writing. Of course, I usually expect things to change a bit in the middle and sometimes I end up added new story arcs within the main plot because my plot bunnies have subplot bunnies , but that's typically how I deal with developing a story. -----signature----- Nat is my Officially Official Muse Proud Member of Slytherin. The JC House Cup is controlling my life! DarthIshtar's Padawan
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A_Tout_ner_Vode Registered: Mar '08	Date Posted: 9/25/08 7:31pm Subject: RE: Developing a Story
	Thanks everybody, that makes a lot of sense. I think I've got some ideas coming already. Hooray! -----signature----- I'm not going away/ I'm not going/Try so hard to break me but all/your diamonds turn to sand! A Tout le Monde/A tout mes amis/Je vous aime/Je dois partir... "Not all soldiers wear uniforms." - Darman
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Katana_Geldar Title: Former CR Tasmania, AU RPG & Minis Saga GM Registered: Mar '03	Date Posted: 9/26/08 6:52am Subject: RE: Developing a Story
	Your plot bunnies breed, Irdelle? Mine do too, like rabbits. Glad we could be of help vode -----signature----- Jacen and the two Vergeres http://gmgeldar.wordpress.com/vergere-essay/ Now, if you don't mind, I am somewhat preoccoupied telling the laws of physics to shut up and sit down.
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Idrelle_Miocovani Registered: Feb '05	Date Posted: 9/26/08 7:41am Subject: RE: Developing a Story - Date Edited: 9/26/08 7:42am (1 edits total) Edited By: Idrelle_Miocovani
	Oh yes, mine breed. Over the course of three years, I have more plot bunnies and subplot bunnies for one story than I know what to do with (okay, that's a lie, I do know what to do with them ). That's how I jumped from having 52 planned chapters to 87. Of course, chapter splits don't help with that either. Usually when I reach 10-14 pages (~6000-7000 words), I have to find a good place to stop (i.e. a cliffhanger ) and move the rest of my planned notes to the next chapter. I hate posting 18 paged chapters, but I have had to do that on occasion. Glad we could help, Vode! Best of luck with your story. -----signature----- Nat is my Officially Official Muse Proud Member of Slytherin. The JC House Cup is controlling my life! DarthIshtar's Padawan
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Featherpaw Registered: Mar '08	Date Posted: 9/26/08 8:09pm Subject: RE: Developing a Story - Date Edited: 9/26/08 8:10pm (1 edits total) Edited By: Featherpaw
	Idrelle_Miocovani posted: Usually when I get an idea, the characters come right with it. My main epic right now started like that and the plot and the characters are so entwined that they're driving each other -- it would be a completely different story if I used any one different. I was just thinking that about my story earlier today! Uncanny. Usually I get the beginning of a plot idea while watching a movie, then wondering how the main characters actions affect ordinary people. -----signature----- This nutcase was trained by padawanlissa, da bestest masta evah Master of DarkPowerUnlimited The dark side has cookies, but the light side has ice cream! Good bye pinky toe... you will be avenged. - Caboose
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verd_beskar_prudii Registered: Sep '08	Date Posted: 9/27/08 12:33am Subject: RE: Developing a Story
	to answer the thread, i always start a story, write until i cant, and then leave it for a while, then i'll start another and another the same way, until i've got several, then i'll find a way those stories are compatible and points of intersection kinda pop out at me. then i find a purpose in all that intersecting. i find it easier that way, and the stories i think are far more interesting. on another note, i love mando stories, but i can never find a lot of them, or many really good ones. is that becuz no one writes them and posts them or cuz theres no demand for them? (in the process of writing one now, appraising audience.) -----signature----- Ke nu jurkad sha Mando'ade- Dont mess with Mandos- General Kenobi! How the heck does it go-bie? I hope right you are, or predicate shall i put again before subject and gibberish shall i spout.
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MsLanna Title: CR GSFF Central Registered: Jul '05	Date Posted: 9/27/08 2:13am Subject: RE: Developing a Story
	There are some around, but not as many as you might think. Let me have a look.... Road to Mandalore by Dar_manda A Graveyard in the Making by Commander5052 On Duxn by SakuraTsukikage (one shot) Child of Mandalore by VaderLVR64 NAd here, The Mando Thread of Resource, with an index. -----signature----- "What would you have me do?" "Endure." . Proud Master and buir'ika of Commander_Ducky. Alcohol is not a solution – it's a compound. Master of spycoder9
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