Resource Fanfic Writer's Desk: Your Place for Writing Discussion, Questions, and Advice

Shhh! Mods have secret powers (and a batcave to go along with them).

 

Hey there. I have a quick question about the alphanumeric codes used by stormtroopers.

I'm writing about a character whose real name won't be revealed until the latter stages of my tale, and I refer to him as TK-6013. Is this number appropriate for a low-ranking trooper at the time of ANH? He's usually stationed on some remote outworld, carrying out pointless tasks.

Also, do all Imperial officers have codes with three letters during that time period? Thanks.

 

@It Is Your Destiny , since you asked about this over in the social thread - There are four slots still open in the Disney animated movie quote challenge and there are eight more slots in the Chart hits challenge up for grabs.

 

@divapilot - Thanks so much for the thoughtful links. I'll definitely check out what these challenges are all about.

 

The second one could really, really use a new participant. Plus, the songs are hilarious.

 

Your alphanumeric code sounds fine for your stormtrooper.

As far as I am aware, normal officers do not have such codes, unless they are officers in the stormtrooper corps, and were originally stormtroopers. TIE pilots may have such codes as well.

 

I'll certainly keep this challenge in mind. I'm far more familiar with pre-2010 music as well. Thanks.

Right, officers wouldn't have two letters and 3-4 numbers like stormtroopers. Instead, an officer's operating number would consist of three letters and 2-3 numerals, like ABC-03. At least that's what I've read. Does that seem accurate?

Thanks for the input.

 

I am not aware of normal human, and that one Chiss, officers, having an operating code of any type. Basically, if they have a visible face, no operating codes.

Anybody behind a faceplate - stormtroopers, TIE pilots (who tend to have their own officer structure), AT-AT drivers I expect, etc. They will have operating codes, as the Empire likes to keep them in-personal.

If you particularly want your guy or gal to have a code, it's your story, have at it. I doubt anyone here is going to make a federal case out of it.

 

Okay, so I'm writing a crack!fic, a bizarre AU and "from a certain point of a view type of a story" at once. HALP. How does one do that alleged "focus" thing? The last time I tried this, some two months ago, nothing materialised.

 

@Ewok Poet - what, precisely, are you asking?

How to write from a POV?

Or how to focus on one story?

If the latter, I go to Wordcounter, set myself a word target, say 200 words, and start typing.
That helps me concentrate on a particular fic's update, just so I know that I am making progress.

 

I have no problem progressing, it's just that my attention flies over one to another and back.

 

Usually to focus on something I'm writing, I try to read a previous section or story I've written. Gets me thinking about the characters and arcs.

 

That's normal. I think. But I get an idea for whatever other story I have and I'm like, "MUST.ASAP.HE.CARD.READ.GOOD!1!1"

 

Can you just note that idea (with details) really quick, then go back?

I think finishing things is its own skill to be mastered. It's really tough, but worth it.

 

I do manage to finish stuff - finished three epics so far, and numerous shorter fics, except for those when I did the usual seat-of-pants thing and wrote myself in the corner and the ones where I suddenly became more interested in their joint sequel.

But this has been an issue for, like, the past twenty years or so. If I get an idea, I must drop everything and immediately put it to paper, or, well, Word or Evernote.

 

Does anyone know of a name for this piece that goes down the front of the dress from the waist. I was thinking apron (which is also what the pattern calls it), but I feel like that invokes an image of a cooking apron. I was thinking thin apron, but I don't know if that still makes you think of something you'd wear to prevent the garment from getting dirty rather than it being a part of the garment.

 

yeah, that's tough @mavjade... most words you could use invoke other imagery you probably don't want. Another would be "breechcloth," though this is also basically a loincloth.

A site I visit pretty much every day is www.powerthesaurus.org. Perhaps this search would help: https://www.powerthesaurus.org/apron

 

@mavjade - if you wikipedia "apron", as I did, you will see that it has lots of uses; even deities wore them.

Apron works as a term, but doesn't necessarily mean what you thought.

Several examples of ceremonial aprons.

 

I think I've used the word 'sash' for that kind of thingy (or more specifically waist sash) since that is the word for the thing Ventress wears: Rattakaki Sash. (Edit: the word is also used for Togruta things like that HERE.)

 

EDIT: Wrong clothing item. Blame DRL for my attention span.

 

@mavjade - the pattern itself refers to it as an apron. There doesn’t seem to be much in terms of a rl item like it, although a little internet sleuthing cane up with “placard.” The thing is, a medieval placard would be attached at the bodice, not the waist. The belt, technically, if we’re looking at this as medieval, is a “girdle.” As medieval clothing goes it’s purely decorative.

Edit: you already read the back of the pattern envelope. Duh. Of course you would have. Sorry!

 

Oh I know, but I think we someone reads the word apron this day in age, what they think of is something that is used as a covering, not an item of clothing which is why I wanted to use a different word.

- -

Thanks all! Looks like sash is probably the best bet! I like the idea of pinafore (in the list snocone linked) but I think that's another case of people wouldn't know what it was, except maybe a ship (musical theater joke, sorry).

 

Don't be sorry. I got the joke, even though I've never seen that particular musical. It was, however, referenced in Star Trek: Insurrection.

 

So, would it make sense to throw away two plots, one of which has not gone anywhere since mid-2015 and the other one since February last year? Like, donate them to the plot thread?

 

Perfectly fine, if you are not doing anything with them.