Numero Uno: What exactly are you struggling with with this merc? Do you want to discuss those ideas, or are you just looking for a few unspecific pointers?
Number Two: With the number of threads on this site, all too many can go silent for a short while, and some never wake up. Don't think its your fault.
In another vein- I have a question for you fanficcers out there. I have put up a poll for the latest chapter of my fic, Into The Unknown. The vote is now deadlocked. How should I break the tie? Just make my own choice, based upon personal preference, keep the poll open in the off chance someone comes along and breaks the tie, or ask on a bioware thread for someone to cast a vote to break the tie?
...
I guess I've gone for option three, but what do you guys think? To clarify, I cannot write the next chapter until I have the result of this vote.
Fan Fiction Discussion
Débuté par
Severyx
, déc. 20 2010 02:09
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#277
Posté 07 novembre 2011 - 03:38
EnigmaRage
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I guess a few pointers wold be appreciated, especially since I have a general idea where to take the character.
I kind of have a notion that (aside from Zaeed) that most mercs are just normal soldiers fighting for the wrong side, if that makes sense. Therefore, I want my merc character to be more of a normal character.
I kind of have a notion that (aside from Zaeed) that most mercs are just normal soldiers fighting for the wrong side, if that makes sense. Therefore, I want my merc character to be more of a normal character.
#278
Posté 08 novembre 2011 - 12:10
Severyx
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Don't think that you're the death of this thread - that's what's been happening to all ME2 forums lately, since it's all old news. I'm just glad to see that this thread still lives, so by all means, keep posting.
As for your merc question, I can give you advice based on what I've experienced building the main character from my ME story, since he's a merc.
He's in it for the cash. Depending on your character's specialties are, (s)he might align his or her self with one of the main 'protection services' factions, such as Blue Suns, Eclipse, etc. Such mercs usually try to play it tough, since they have the social security of having a huge gang behind them. Going solo has its benefits, but remember that getting places in the galaxy without an attached faction or some form of name for yourself isn't a walk in the park, especially if there are factions that can do whatever your merc does better and for less money.
My merc runs solo, but he has a couple connections and has pretty much gotten himself on the bad side of every major faction out there. It's a great boon for believability to say that your run-of-the-mill merc has gotten on some nerves, even with small-time gangs or individuals. Working as a mercenary is dirty work unless you place at a considerably high rank in a faction. Your character may even run into crucial (money-wise) jobs that they probably don't want to do. Those kinds of things are fun to run with in terms of character development.
Always remember that mercenaries aren't quite as abundant in Citadel Space because it is better policed than the Terminus Systems. However, that doesn't mean there aren't any at all. How many mercs did you blast away in ME1? How many of them were actually bad people, not normal guys just trying to get a job done by following orders?
Have fun with it. The specifics will come to you as you build the character up. :>
As for your merc question, I can give you advice based on what I've experienced building the main character from my ME story, since he's a merc.
He's in it for the cash. Depending on your character's specialties are, (s)he might align his or her self with one of the main 'protection services' factions, such as Blue Suns, Eclipse, etc. Such mercs usually try to play it tough, since they have the social security of having a huge gang behind them. Going solo has its benefits, but remember that getting places in the galaxy without an attached faction or some form of name for yourself isn't a walk in the park, especially if there are factions that can do whatever your merc does better and for less money.
My merc runs solo, but he has a couple connections and has pretty much gotten himself on the bad side of every major faction out there. It's a great boon for believability to say that your run-of-the-mill merc has gotten on some nerves, even with small-time gangs or individuals. Working as a mercenary is dirty work unless you place at a considerably high rank in a faction. Your character may even run into crucial (money-wise) jobs that they probably don't want to do. Those kinds of things are fun to run with in terms of character development.
Always remember that mercenaries aren't quite as abundant in Citadel Space because it is better policed than the Terminus Systems. However, that doesn't mean there aren't any at all. How many mercs did you blast away in ME1? How many of them were actually bad people, not normal guys just trying to get a job done by following orders?
Have fun with it. The specifics will come to you as you build the character up. :>
#279
Posté 08 novembre 2011 - 05:33
EnigmaRage
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ironically, your post didn't help me, yet it helped me at the same time. While it didn't answer the question I was thinking directly, it led me to realize that I need to flesh out just what my merc did as opposed to just the fact that he's a merc.
As far as his backstory: former Blue Suns, drug and slave runner (with the slave runner part having a larger part of the story). He's not a merc anymore because someone (take 3 guesses) shows up and convinces him to stop.
The story itself isn't so much shoot stuff as more emotional in and of itself. Shepard shows up (after he [male shepard in this story] stops the merc) but doesn't have a lion's share of "screen time".
Just a synopsis anyway, I think I got carried away...
As far as his backstory: former Blue Suns, drug and slave runner (with the slave runner part having a larger part of the story). He's not a merc anymore because someone (take 3 guesses) shows up and convinces him to stop.
The story itself isn't so much shoot stuff as more emotional in and of itself. Shepard shows up (after he [male shepard in this story] stops the merc) but doesn't have a lion's share of "screen time".
Just a synopsis anyway, I think I got carried away...
#280
Posté 09 novembre 2011 - 12:51
fainmaca
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Can't really put it much better than Sev just did.
Backstory is absolutely key to writing a character. While you may not tell your readers about your characters history, you need to know it intimately. It helps you when you need to write from his perspective, as you understand his past experience and therefore his views on life. A general summary is okay for starting off, but every time you sit down to write about him, add another anecdote. Doesn't have to be an encounter with a prominent figure or a life-or-death situation, it could just be a journey from Omega to the Citadel that he remembers for no other reason than the Salarian next to him who just wouldn't shut up. Pennies add up to pounds, pounds add up to hundreds, and so on. Little facts and memories turn into a general outlook on certain things, these outlooks add up to a well-rounded personality, a good personality makes a powerful character.
Also, be careful when using Shepard in your story. Readers will connect with him a little more as he's the one they've been playing for 60+ hours, so economise his presence in order to allow your OC to shine.
Just a few tips, although I think Sev's already hogging the good advice to give you.
Backstory is absolutely key to writing a character. While you may not tell your readers about your characters history, you need to know it intimately. It helps you when you need to write from his perspective, as you understand his past experience and therefore his views on life. A general summary is okay for starting off, but every time you sit down to write about him, add another anecdote. Doesn't have to be an encounter with a prominent figure or a life-or-death situation, it could just be a journey from Omega to the Citadel that he remembers for no other reason than the Salarian next to him who just wouldn't shut up. Pennies add up to pounds, pounds add up to hundreds, and so on. Little facts and memories turn into a general outlook on certain things, these outlooks add up to a well-rounded personality, a good personality makes a powerful character.
Also, be careful when using Shepard in your story. Readers will connect with him a little more as he's the one they've been playing for 60+ hours, so economise his presence in order to allow your OC to shine.
Just a few tips, although I think Sev's already hogging the good advice to give you.
#281
Posté 19 novembre 2011 - 04:04
fainmaca
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Got a question for my fellow authors out there:
How much is too much?
I'm writing a chapter at the moment with a lot going on in it. A lot. What I want to know, without spoiling the plotline I have in place, is whether I'm crossing the line of too muchery or not. So please, discuss what you think to be too much in a fic. You can talk about action, comedy, drama, romance, suspense, cast size, plot length, complication, revelations, whatever you think can be overdone and how that occurs. Principally, I want to know what constitutes too much action. I don't want to take the story to new dramatic, actiony heights only for it to become so intense its just plain funny. I'm writing a serious chapter and want to keep it from becoming a joke.
Any and all advice is appreciated, my friends. And for any of you out there who haven't read Into The Unknown yet, why the hell not? There's a link in my signiature, so get over there and get reading!
How much is too much?
I'm writing a chapter at the moment with a lot going on in it. A lot. What I want to know, without spoiling the plotline I have in place, is whether I'm crossing the line of too muchery or not. So please, discuss what you think to be too much in a fic. You can talk about action, comedy, drama, romance, suspense, cast size, plot length, complication, revelations, whatever you think can be overdone and how that occurs. Principally, I want to know what constitutes too much action. I don't want to take the story to new dramatic, actiony heights only for it to become so intense its just plain funny. I'm writing a serious chapter and want to keep it from becoming a joke.
Any and all advice is appreciated, my friends. And for any of you out there who haven't read Into The Unknown yet, why the hell not? There's a link in my signiature, so get over there and get reading!
#282
Posté 19 novembre 2011 - 05:00
JoeLaTurkey
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Too muchery huh?
Concerning word count, I wouldn't go over 20 000 for a single chapter. If you're worried about cast size, take a look at those characters the story can't exist without, and ask yourself if it's possible to write out unwanted characters in a satisfying way, or think of ways you can move minor plots forward without invoking them.
Action doesn't always have to be in loving detail - write the most important action scene fully, and summarise anything that may follow in past tense. Comedy is overdone the moment it begins to feel forced and unecessary; is it there to relieve tension and remind us of a character's humanity/softer side? Or is it there for the sake of being there?
As for big events - limit it to one dominant move in the plot per chapter.
Concerning word count, I wouldn't go over 20 000 for a single chapter. If you're worried about cast size, take a look at those characters the story can't exist without, and ask yourself if it's possible to write out unwanted characters in a satisfying way, or think of ways you can move minor plots forward without invoking them.
Action doesn't always have to be in loving detail - write the most important action scene fully, and summarise anything that may follow in past tense. Comedy is overdone the moment it begins to feel forced and unecessary; is it there to relieve tension and remind us of a character's humanity/softer side? Or is it there for the sake of being there?
As for big events - limit it to one dominant move in the plot per chapter.
#283
Posté 19 novembre 2011 - 06:32
EnigmaRage
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I'd agree with that, as for me, detail is something I'm trying to work on...I have a good idea of what happens in my head...it's trying to translate it to paper (or on the computer box in this case)
#284
Posté 19 novembre 2011 - 10:38
fainmaca
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Hmm... I think I can see what you're saying, JLT.
Unfortunately, the chapter length isn't something I can really cut down. Each chapter is a self-contained mission, so I need to bring the plot from conception to completion in the single window. Sometimes the plot can be really simple, such as the one I'm writing right now, which basically covers the plot line of securing the Krogan support for the war effort. But then opthers get very complicated, like the heist from Shepard's Seventeen, which is as long as a normal sized 300 page novel. Cast size, fortunately, I can change from chapter to chapter. Thoss Shep doesn't need or I have no room for can stay on the Normandy, although I am worried about overall squad size (19 recruited so far, but nearly at full strength).
As for the action, that actually helps a lot. I do tend to make the fight scenes and vehicle segments lengthy while mapping them out in detail. I can see how that could get tedious and unnecessary.
Thanks for the advice! It really helps me redefine the goals of my chapters.
EnigmaRage: One tip I'd give you is that a rested mind is a focused mind. Make sure you tackle a difficult section when you're wide awake. If you try it when you're tired, your mind is too easily distracted and soon you find yourself...
...
...
sorry, got distracted and spent four hours watching videos of talking cats on Youtube.
Sometimes its better to go to sleep and deal with it tomorrow than force something if the words ain't flowing. Its a lot more genuine that way.
Just a helpful hint I've found helps me. For example, I was in bed and asleep by 10PM last night. Today: i just wrote five thousand words that I am very happy with. The past week, I was happy if I managed 500-1000 words on average.
Fainmaca.
Unfortunately, the chapter length isn't something I can really cut down. Each chapter is a self-contained mission, so I need to bring the plot from conception to completion in the single window. Sometimes the plot can be really simple, such as the one I'm writing right now, which basically covers the plot line of securing the Krogan support for the war effort. But then opthers get very complicated, like the heist from Shepard's Seventeen, which is as long as a normal sized 300 page novel. Cast size, fortunately, I can change from chapter to chapter. Thoss Shep doesn't need or I have no room for can stay on the Normandy, although I am worried about overall squad size (19 recruited so far, but nearly at full strength).
As for the action, that actually helps a lot. I do tend to make the fight scenes and vehicle segments lengthy while mapping them out in detail. I can see how that could get tedious and unnecessary.
Thanks for the advice! It really helps me redefine the goals of my chapters.
EnigmaRage: One tip I'd give you is that a rested mind is a focused mind. Make sure you tackle a difficult section when you're wide awake. If you try it when you're tired, your mind is too easily distracted and soon you find yourself...
...
...
sorry, got distracted and spent four hours watching videos of talking cats on Youtube.
Sometimes its better to go to sleep and deal with it tomorrow than force something if the words ain't flowing. Its a lot more genuine that way.
Just a helpful hint I've found helps me. For example, I was in bed and asleep by 10PM last night. Today: i just wrote five thousand words that I am very happy with. The past week, I was happy if I managed 500-1000 words on average.
Fainmaca.
#285
Posté 20 novembre 2011 - 05:05
EnigmaRage
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Well, what I've decided to do is to write a summary of my character's background and what he does in the story. I think that will help me get a better idea of how to write everything
#286
Posté 30 mars 2012 - 12:39
DemonRisingSun
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Severyx wrote...
- And finally, authors! Want to discuss potential plots? Need help with writer's block? Not sure how to bring out the proper feel of a character and want some pointers? Post away! Just remember, everyone can see your musings, so if you have a secret plot development, this may not be the best place to talk about it!
A note to the authors:
If you would like to announce releases of new chapters or Mass Effect fan fictions, feel free to do so.
So if I may it is with great pleasure that I introduce you to my latest addition in the choose your own adventure series titled: Friends in High Places. As part of the overal ME3 Interactive Ending project. Friends in High Places is only one of many alternate endings where you the reader gets to decide the outcome of ME3.
Story Elements: Romance, Action, Drama, Intrigue, and Adventure...
Synopsis: This is a choose your own adventure storyline that takes place in the Mass Effect 3 storyline. It includes: Multiple Squad-mates, Romances and choices that critically affect the ending of the game. Put on some Mass Effect music and take a look. You will not be disappointed.
So how'd I do?
