The Writers' Room

[Mokrie Dela]

The current one-shot theme is a bit of a hard one, maybe changing it might attract more participants.

Well i think the rule is we can't change it. If we change it when it's too hard, then you might as well pick your own theme. I think that's the challenge.

 

If it's hard, just write some abstract poetry, haha.

 

Ziggs:

 

DONE

[MacAshford]

I did a short experimental watchdogs-inspired one-shot (you may need to use a binary converter)

 

 

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[Mokrie Dela]

Thought i saw a 2 ...

[MacAshford]

Haha xD

 

 

I've began fully planning my novl and it's probably gonna be awesome xD

 

Also, I chose my author name incase I ever need it "Mac Ashford" xD

Edited May 31, 2014 by Mokrie Dela

[Mokrie Dela]

Sorted, VP!

Mac Ashford - i like it, though i've never fully understood writing pseudonyms. I would just use my real name (it's short, sharp and snappy anyway). Just my personal opinion, however.

 

At the complete other end of the scale, i'm considering axing Fallout. I just don't think it's working.

Definitely putting it on hiatus at least (never thought I'd be one of those guys ).

Edited May 31, 2014 by Mokrie Dela

[MacAshford]

I'll use a pseudonym because I really really hate my name lol, my first name is Cameron and I get called Cam a lot but I feel like it's a girls name so I switch it to reverse so it becomes Mac xD

 

And if you've hit a wall on Fallout, it's best to put it on hiatus for a month or so, just to let the ideas mature and flow in

[Mokrie Dela]

I think it's more than a wall. Don't get me wrong, I love the characters and like the story I've built up, it's just that I'm not feeling that same buzz i did from COL or JIF. I upload a chapter reluctantly, and instead of feeling good about seeing a new reply, I sigh and say "what now". As much as i like it, i just don't feel it's working out.

[MacAshford]

It could be because it's a new genre, you're used to GTA fan fiction, post-apoc is stepping out of your comfort zone. If you really wanna cancel then you could always adapt your characters (their likenesses and personalities) into your GTAV fan fic.

 

EDIT: I just noticed I'm almost allowed a name change, I can't choose between "Mac Ashford" or "Yung Mac" xD

Edited June 1, 2014 by Vice President

[Mokrie Dela]

Nah, those two characters are tied in my head to that story. If i do something else, it'll be new characters.

It's not out of my comfort zone; i've played the games as much as i have GTA, and i have the story in my head, i have it planned, i've been working on this on and off since finishing JIF. I dunno. I feel like it's in the bargain bin in the bookstore as opposed to the shelves. Playing NV today and I feel those characters, and want to take them where i planned them to go, just... is there any point ?

[MacAshford]

Well, it's always practice for you future work.

 

 

Also, I have a question, is it legally allowed to use dead people in fiction, part of my novel revolves around a chain (like a necklace) which has occult powers and was last used by Hitler to brainwash the population, but then the protagonist discovers it. Is it legal to use Hitler in that way, I was consider having him the protagonist of the prologue to explain the importance of the chain and for a bit of foreshadowing but I'm not sure in how historical fiction can be used. The chain could be loosely compared to one of the Apples of Eden from Assassins creed in the way that two factions are fighting to claim it and use it for good/evil.

[Mokrie Dela]

AC is a good example - they've done it. Ezio meets Lorenzo Medici (a very prominent figure from Florentine history) and the motherf*cking pope! The Borgias.

 

There is no problem, if you're sensible.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4umDXI6zREM - Watch this is you have time [if i've got the right episode] there's an interesting bit about satire and such which is relevant.

 

There's a book i saw in the library actually called "Guess who's back" or something (i've forgotten, dammit) but it's about Hitler "waking up" in the modern world and from what i read, was quite funny.

My AC fanfic features Queen Victoria. I've seen lots of works and I see no problem with it.

 

Besides, what's hitler going to do, sue you?

[MacAshford]

Haha, thanks for the advice. It doesn't insult Hitler, he's like a character that's mainly there as a way of showing exactly how powerful the chain is. Hitler got away with bad stuff for a long time and managed to brainwash most of Germany which seems impossible.

[Mokrie Dela]

Well like i said, historical figures have been used in fiction, games, film etc a lot. I don't believe you can get in trouble for using them, though how they appear might cause controversy; write a story praising Hitler, or showing Princess Diana as a sex-murderer, and you'll not win any fans.

 

I like the idea, but i am concerned it's too similar to Assassin's Creed. You'll have to tread carefully, and be aware of AC's history and styles, and try to avoid them

 

 

I actually did some writing yesterday. I played Fallout NV and opened up my fallout story, went to write and thought "what's the point".

Then later, i wrote part of a story i haven't touched for 2 years - i'll keep the title and style etc quiet for now - but what i wrote felt good.

 

I'm thinking of making it episodic - like a TV show - upload new stories every now and then. Instead of one long story arch, having it closer to one shots, but where it all comes together.

[MacAshford]

That sounds great

 

About the similarities to Assassins Creed, there'll be nothing like an animus or sticking to their medieval styles. My story focuses more on magic instead of swords, the main parts of the story will be in modern day with just tiny snippets of the past instead of how assassins creed do the opposite.

 

 

 

That song is where I got the inspiration from, the lyrics hint at the story too.

 

 

As for the Hitler thing, I'm considering just creating a character similar to him so it works as a completely fictional universe

[Ziggy455]

As for the Hitler thing, I'm considering just creating a character similar to him so it works as a completely fictional universe

 

 

Exactamundo. Don't re-use, recycle.

[Mokrie Dela]

Okay, as long as you're aware or the similarities of AC - keep it in mind and I'm sure you can avoid any same-ness.

 

I like the idea of a hitler based character and making this a different universe. The trick will be in making people know it's hitler, while making it now hitler.

[MacAshford]

Thanks for the advice

 

I chose the Hitler remake's name as Foster Hilton. Basically, without giving away too much of the story, Foster is assassinated within the first few paragraphs. He's portrayed as a sick, evil dictator who murders his own followers for the fun of it. Through out the main story, there'll be flashbacks that show why he's like that etc.

 

Anyways, almost all of the planning is done now, I know the ending will blow your mind. xD

 

Something else that I wanted to mention, I'll be releasing this to here 'cause if I ever wanna publish it, I could always just do some editing to change the ending and some events. It'll be released in narrative aswell as a script. Each time a chapter is released, it'll be released in script too

 

Prologue

 

Prologue:

 

Foster's Palace, New Delridge, Alelsa - January 1953

 

Foster whistled to the melody of the soft jazz that echoed into the smoke-filled office from the rest of the palace, he began to tap on the ivory desk in front of him to the calm music. He spun his chair around and glared out of his windows, watching thousands of his followers stand guard at the palace doors, their yellow eyes gleaming as bright as a lightbulb.

His mouth twisted into a sick smile and his eyes closed as he touched the blue, glowing chain around his neck, causing the guards outside to go insane, clawing each other to death in a bloody daze. More hypnotized followers immediately replaced them, not even paying attention to the gory piles of mangled bodies beneath their feet.

 

One lone man sat carefully on a rooftop across from the palace, aiming a sniper rifle right inside and carefully guiding it's red laser to Foster's head. He brushed his flowing black hair away from his eyes and pulled the trigger, blasting a hole straight through Foster's bald head and killing him instantly. The man smiled as Foster's lifeless body slumped down onto the desk and his followers regained their free-will. Slowly, the guards' eyes changed back to their normal colours as they shrieked and screamed, noticing the dead bodies all around them.

 

"It worked! I can't believe it! Wait, now all I have to do is deliver the chain back to the Shinigami," The man shouted, in shock from his accomplishment.

 

Edited June 5, 2014 by Vice President

[TonyZimmzy]

Work has become rather slow and I've decided to write a new story. Well. I started the story about a year ago but didn't get very far in to it at all. I'm very rusty and I have to scratch my head before wording things out, but I'm getting there. Details to come in time. Missed y'alls faceses.

[Ziggy455]

Work has become rather slow and I've decided to write a new story. Well. I started the story about a year ago but didn't get very far in to it at all. I'm very rusty and I have to scratch my head before wording things out, but I'm getting there. Details to come in time. Missed y'alls faceses.

I pray to Lawd Jebus that it's an original story.

[Mokrie Dela]

 

Work has become rather slow and I've decided to write a new story. Well. I started the story about a year ago but didn't get very far in to it at all. I'm very rusty and I have to scratch my head before wording things out, but I'm getting there. Details to come in time. Missed y'alls faceses.

I pray to Lawd Jebus that it's an original story.

 

That'd be tasty. Tony's always seemed to me to have a zany take on things, and an original could be fresh. I enjoyed Heart City, but by the time i got toward the end of the second, it had gotten stale - not a reflection on Tony's ability at all, but more on the format, and my own personal position on the format.

 

Work has become rather slow and I've decided to write a new story. Well. I started the story about a year ago but didn't get very far in to it at all. I'm very rusty and I have to scratch my head before wording things out, but I'm getting there. Details to come in time. Missed y'alls faceses.

It's been a while, man. welcome back!

[MacAshford]

Welcome back, Tony

[TonyZimmzy]

It's generally another game script, but set in Brazil. I really don't have the same passion I once had for writing to continue with an original story. One day, I will work on the novel I've had planned for a long time, but that day wont be any time soon. This is more just for a bit of fun.

[Vercetti42]

I'm back here as-well. I see Tony is back, Mokrie, Ziggy and VP are still here but a lot of the others seem to have left. Tyler, Typhus, AceRay.... time to spice up the activity I guess.

 

Anywho I just don't have an urge to write anymore. This has been going on for months. My head is just empty when I take a pen and paper. I can't get immersed in a book either nor does a movie inspire me to write a story like it used to before. Might start writing video game scripts just to get back into the writing mood again.

Edited June 11, 2014 by Vercetti42

[MacAshford]

It's great that there's gonna be a ton more videogame scripts here soon, I prefer scripts, for some unknown reason.

 

Also, I'm having trouble with this gawd-dayum novel. Everytime I go to write it, it enters my head in script form. Lately, I'm thinking that it may be best to write it in script form then write it as a novel. Everything that I try to write has way too much dialogue, so even if I did do it as a narrative, there'd be hundreds of pages full of pure dialogue, if I cut it down then there won't be much character development though

[Ziggy455]

It's great that there's gonna be a ton more videogame scripts here soon, I prefer scripts, for some unknown reason.

 

Also, I'm having trouble with this gawd-dayum novel. Everytime I go to write it, it enters my head in script form. Lately, I'm thinking that it may be best to write it in script form then write it as a novel. Everything that I try to write has way too much dialogue, so even if I did do it as a narrative, there'd be hundreds of pages full of pure dialogue, if I cut it down then there won't be much character development though

 

I'm more concerned as to why you're attempting to even write a novel in the first place? That's like attempting to scale Everest without even knowing a single thing about climbing. I'm not trying to insult your writing skill, but most of your work comes from fanfiction and inspiration, and really, if you want to take writing seriously as a craft, you need to start realistically, with a short story. A novel is just...It's hard work, and takes a certain approach.

Edited June 12, 2014 by Ziggy455

[Mokrie Dela]

And stamina. Months down the line, you'll be grinding it out, and there's the danger that you'll end up just going through the motions to get it finished, or even put it aside. I would recommend writing a novelette or novella. But if you're writing something, and enjoying it, then that's all that counts ultimately. I think that's why Fallout's on Hiatus - all the miss-fires with it, I'm just not enjoying writing it atm. Every update feels like I can't do right, and I probably have to re-assess the entire thing.

[MacAshford]

Thanks so much for the advice, writing a novel at this stage really was a terrible idea. I'm probably gonna attempt some short stories soon but I'm almost certain that the novel idea is gonna become a TV script. I've been working on my scriptwriting skills lately and they genuinely seem to be getting stronger which is great. I'll probably have a pilot episode done in a couple of weeks to post

 

One thing that I'm desperately trying to improve at is describing the settings during a scene. During WTTE, I didn't really describe anything at all during the later episodes, re-reading it now, it looks sloppy and lazy.

 

Without spoiling too much, the new TV show thingy is gonna be quite over-the-top and anime-ish yet still have emotional scenes and a lot of plot twists.

[Mokrie Dela]

Many things start life as something else - don't be afraid of such changes if they feel organic or just happen. I've had it in a smaller scale, where the story just became first person, and that was the missing link...

I actually wrote two or three novels when I was 15 (or thereabouts) until i was about 17/18. Feels so long ago, and I read it about 5 years ago, and they were truly terrible. Embarrassingly so. Still, I don't regret them.

[MacAshford]

Writing in third person seems easier for me, especially when I'm writing about a lot of protagonists.

[Mokrie Dela]

Multiple protagonists, yeah first person isn't going to work - or if it does, it'll take some very characteristic writing.

First person is hard because you can fall into "lists" too easily.

"I went here, and I did that. I then did this. I then did that"

But it's a lot more personal. Hopefully in the next few months you'll all see this project, assuming i can carry it long enough to post! I can't see Fallout going anywhere atm, and my Assassin's Creed story's too underdeveloped. My GTA V story's a bit too stretched, so "L.D.H" (that's the acronym of the title) is the most likely one i think...