9961 réponses à ce sujet

[Terror_K]

Icyflare wrote...

On an unrelated note, how do you guys pick your titles? I get the theory it should represent a theme in your story, but I've always disliked the whole combing-through-all-the-words-I-know process to find a word that's apt and powerful without being overdramatic.

With my story Mass Effect Digression, I wanted to write an original story with original characters that could fit anybody's canon in similar vein to Drew's official novels, so I wanted to give it the same type of title as the canon material (i.e. "Mass Effect" and then some word ending with "ion").

I chose "Digression" because it fit this rule, and because the story was a digression away from the main Mass Effect trilogy story with only very small links to it. On top of that, the protagonist kind of meanders about with his plans and those around him who he allies with kind of deter from their own paths to join him.

[Sweawm]

Just on another idea... who would be interested in reading a Halo/Mass Effect Crossover Fan Fiction? I'm a pretty big fan of both really and I'm almost finished off my other fan fictions and I'm looking to write an new one.

Both series have a lot in common and I had an idea in which to insert Shepard; Javik style, into a future Cycle after being defeated by Harbinger. It would create a pretty cool device to create the crossover.

Modifié par Sweawm, 15 juin 2012 - 08:20 .

[AgentStark]

lillitheris wrote...

AgentStark wrote...

When it comes to making the ship I was wondering if someone on the site could actually design it.

I think Mass Effect Universe (forget URL, DDG/google it) has a few topics regarding ship design and some templates, have you checked there?

I have not. Thank you for the suggestion, I will try to find time to check it out.

[AgentStark]

Sweawm wrote...

Just on another idea... who would be interested in reading a Halo/Mass Effect Crossover Fan Fiction? I'm a pretty big fan of both really and I'm almost finished off my other fan fictions and I'm looking to write an new one.

I'd be interested. I actually tried my hand at a Star Trek/Mass Effect crossover, but it didnt mesh well.

[Sweawm]

AgentStark wrote...

Sweawm wrote...

Just on another idea... who would be interested in reading a Halo/Mass Effect Crossover Fan Fiction? I'm a pretty big fan of both really and I'm almost finished off my other fan fictions and I'm looking to write an new one.

I'd be interested. I actually tried my hand at a Star Trek/Mass Effect crossover, but it didnt mesh well.

I think the idea is worth doing a pilot, just to check on how many readers, but there isn't many popular places to put Crossover Fan Fics on the Internet. Fan Fiction Net files them into a specific catagory in which it would only be found by people actually looking for ME/Halo Crossovers.
The thing about being a Crossover is that you'll always struggle to find readers.

[AgentStark]

anyone going to help me with my name problem?

[Sweawm]

AgentStark wrote...

anyone going to help me with my name problem?

Name problem? Whatever it is, I must be down four pages deep by now. Might want to ask again.

Modifié par Sweawm, 15 juin 2012 - 08:33 .

[Icyflare]

AgentStark wrote...

anyone going to help me with my name problem?

If it's about the name of a ship, there was a discussion about it some pages back.

[fluffywalrus]

Icyflare wrote...

On an unrelated note, how do you guys pick your titles? I get the theory it should represent a theme in your story, but I've always disliked the whole combing-through-all-the-words-I-know process to find a word that's apt and powerful without being overdramatic.

I generally try to think of something that encapsulates the characters I'm writing about, their life, their world. I mean, it's better than "Shepard and Garrus Friends Forever: Through the Fire and the Flames VII". If a single word doesn't come to mind, I generally allude to a character and a key plot point including said character.

My one (and only) fic is named "Flotsam", which I feel is apt.
Let's look at the definitions:
1: floating wreckage of a ship or its cargo; broadly : floating debris 2a : a floating population (as of emigrants or castaways) <human flotsam>
2b : miscellaneous or unimportant material <a notebook filled with flotsam and jetsam>

My origin story revolves around an Earthborn Shep who's been floating from orphanage to orphanage, watched over by uncaring staff, is ignored by most, isn't given support for her future, etc.
And then there's stuff in the future I can't allude to or it'll spoil it maybe. Perhaps.

But yeah, It's like, there's all these kids just floating around, broken away from any semblance of family, anything resembling lasting stability...they were discarded, unimportant. Excess.

So I generally try and find something to fit the themes of my writing, and voila! Flotsam fit oh so nicely

Modifié par fluffywalrus, 15 juin 2012 - 08:48 .

[AgentStark]

Its on the last page. well, the page before this one. I still need a name for my fic.

Modifié par AgentStark, 15 juin 2012 - 08:51 .

[Ursakar]

Sweawm wrote...

I think the idea is worth doing a pilot, just to check on how many readers, but there isn't many popular places to put Crossover Fan Fics on the Internet. Fan Fiction Net files them into a specific category in which it would only be found by people actually looking for ME/Halo Crossovers.
The thing about being a Crossover is that you'll always struggle to find readers.

I would not say that only people who specifically look for crossovers read the said crossovers. I have a lot of readers that are either fans of ME and know little about WH40k or the other way around.

It depends on how you present both Universes to your readers.

Modifié par Ursakar, 15 juin 2012 - 08:56 .

[lillitheris]

Glass-half-full: crossovers have double the potential pool of readers.

[Ursakar]

lillitheris wrote...

Glass-half-full: crossovers have double the potential pool of readers.

The only downside is that you have to work real hard to keep both sides satisfied.

[lillitheris]

Ursakar wrote...

lillitheris wrote...

Glass-half-full: crossovers have double the potential pool of readers.

The only downside is that you have to work real hard to keep both sides satisfied.

Glass-half-full: you have an excellent opportunity to hone your skills!

:happy:

[fainmaca]

Icyflare wrote...

On an unrelated note, how do you guys pick your titles? I get the theory it should represent a theme in your story, but I've always disliked the whole combing-through-all-the-words-I-know process to find a word that's apt and powerful without being overdramatic.

A single word to define it is better, IMO. You don't want to get too specific, but at the same time you want to give a taste of what you've done. When i wrote my Jack fic, I chose to focus on writing the stories behind the tattoos, so 'Ink' was a perfect fit (started with 'Inks', but the plural just didn't work).

Resistance was easy enough. Pretty much does what is says on the tin.

As for Into the Unknown... If I'm honest, I'm not 100% happy with it. I don't feel it truly exemplifies what the fic is about. When i started writing, I had no clue where I would end up, or how popular the idea of a reader-decided plot would be. In addition, the readers have no idea how their choices will affect the outcome of the overall story (let's just say that Omega and Meroxis have huge consequences I'm gonna love writing out simply because the readers are entirely responsible for). That said, I'm uncertain if ITU really does the story justice. Does anyone else have a better suggestion, or do you think I should stick with it now I'm halfway done?

[MrStoob]

Titles eh? Yea, I hate 'em. I try to think of something a bit elusive, try and create a little intrigue like. But coming up with that isn't easy. Not saying I'm successful at it, but that's what I try to do. Sometimes much harder with my music, as that's more abstract. Hmm, it tastes of... mmm... lol.

[noxiuniversitas1]

So yeah... I hate titles. I usually think back to phrases I know or mottos of institutions I've been to. For example, Nova et Vetera is the motto of the college where I went for uni (the same one with the pretty garden I posted a few pages back). It's Latin for "the new and the old"... given the fic is about Shep's back story and her finding herself / someone to trust in, I thought it was pretty apt.

For other chapter titles, I've just used book titles / phrases / words which capture the main scene / essence of the chapter. Well... I've only used a book title(ish) once, so kudos if you got the reference

[noxiuniversitas1]

Oh and, on a bit of a tangent... anyone have trouble writing strong characters of the opposite sex? I struggle with male characters (for semi-obvious reasons...). So far, the two with the most screen time have been Kaidan and Joker (still trying to get my head round bigger scenes from Garrus' / Wrex's perspective), and (sadly), they've mainly been used for comic relief (except for a couple of scenes with Kaidan). I'm definitely trying to make them likeable and in-character, but somehow... they just always end up the butt of Shep's / Ashley's / each others' jokes.

I've tried to ask my other half for some pointers, but all I get out of him is more inspiration for more comic relief (like man flu...)

[MrStoob]

noxiuniversitas1 wrote...

Oh and, on a bit of a tangent... anyone have trouble writing strong characters of the opposite sex? I struggle with male characters (for semi-obvious reasons...). So far, the two with the most screen time have been Kaidan and Joker (still trying to get my head round bigger scenes from Garrus' / Wrex's perspective), and (sadly), they've mainly been used for comic relief (except for a couple of scenes with Kaidan). I'm definitely trying to make them likeable and in-character, but somehow... they just always end up the butt of Shep's / Ashley's / each others' jokes.

I've tried to ask my other half for some pointers, but all I get out of him is more inspiration for more comic relief (like man flu...)

I suppose decide on the personality you've always envisaged for them in your head-canon, then try to work that into their motivations/reactions/interactions?

[noxiuniversitas1]

MrStoob wrote...
I suppose decide on the personality you've always envisaged for them in your head-canon, then try to work that into their motivations/reactions/interactions?

That's kind of the trouble... those two have always been Shep/Ash's little to bond over. Joker's just asking for it and Kaidan... well... he's Kaidan! I like them both, but they're like the little brothers you can't help but tease. And... I'm enjoying it a bit too much, methinks. Every single "one shot" type scene (which I try and include every 3-4 chapters to lighten the tone of the story) revolves around either one of those two...

[lillitheris]

noxiuniversitas1 wrote...

MrStoob wrote...
I suppose decide on the personality you've always envisaged for them in your head-canon, then try to work that into their motivations/reactions/interactions?

That's kind of the trouble... those two have always been Shep/Ash's little to bond over. Joker's just asking for it and Kaidan... well... he's Kaidan! I like them both, but they're like the little brothers you can't help but tease. And... I'm enjoying it a bit too much, methinks. Every single "one shot" type scene (which I try and include every 3-4 chapters to lighten the tone of the story) revolves around either one of those two...

I’m not sure whether it’s easier to start with an alien or a human…the latter is of course more familiar, but on the other hand, an alien could be simpler to work through some stereotypes with. A turian could be introduced as the classic taciturn silent/strong type, but you can reveal more complex characteristics as you progress (Garrus), or the classic boisterous troubleseeker type who turns out to be/changes into a more thoughtful person (Wrex).

Other than that, I’d just advise to try to draw from personal experience…father, brother, husband, boyfriend, friend, friend’s husband etc. if any apply and adding the template onto either an as-yet-undefined character or even an OC.

Modifié par lillitheris, 15 juin 2012 - 11:58 .

[dpMeggers]

noxiuniversitas1 wrote...

MrStoob wrote...
I suppose decide on the personality you've always envisaged for them in your head-canon, then try to work that into their motivations/reactions/interactions?

That's kind of the trouble... those two have always been Shep/Ash's little to bond over. Joker's just asking for it and Kaidan... well... he's Kaidan! I like them both, but they're like the little brothers you can't help but tease. And... I'm enjoying it a bit too much, methinks. Every single "one shot" type scene (which I try and include every 3-4 chapters to lighten the tone of the story) revolves around either one of those two...

It might help to try youtube? People have recorded entire playthroughs of ME, so if you go digging you can no doubt find a whole lot of their dialogue which might help you get the characterization down. Or TVTropes? (It has like 14 pages of characters from the Mass Effect Universe)? Now I wouldn't say that you create some horrible stereotype out of them, but it might help to see what other traits people have generally agreed that they have?

[gearseffect]

@lillitheris sorry bout the confusion the other day.

I'm back with a teaser of some of the reworked content to chapter 1 of Breaking Points. Link to it wow did I delete lots of great content with Ashley, Thane, Garrus, Hackett, Cerberus, Akuze, and Liara, Along with some really great flashback convo's with Thane. All of which took place during ME2 and were flashbacks to help provide insightful views on Jake Shep and Thane's friendship. All just in the very first chapter. Also the Thane flashbacks were also gonna be used to sort of well hell, let's just say the name for the Samara fanfic was a direct result of one of these convos.

2nd chapter had great content about Jack, Samara, Miranda, Jacob Taylor, Cerberus again.

Chapter 3 had stuff from Mindoir cut, some more Anderson cut, Jack cuts, and more Miranda, Cerberus content cut, ohh also did I mention chapter 4 had more Jack content cut too. I looove writing Jack, and apparently I'm good at writing her too, at least that's what many people say when giving me feedback. She's so much fun I looooove writing Jack.

Modifié par gearseffect, 15 juin 2012 - 03:00 .

[Drussius]

Just wanted to weigh in on the titles suggestions/debate, although by now I'm sure the person who asked has chosen. I think titles should be simple, should reflect the overall theme of your story, but don't need to be a single word. While a single word is neat if it's representative enough of your subject matter, it's too limiting. I mean "War & Peace" for anyone who's ever read it... That's simple and fits very well, IMO. And many of the varied fanfic titles from authors in this thread fit quite well, given my perusal of the overall summary for different stories (I plan to read many of them eventually, but I can only read one at a time if I want to avoid mixing them up, and my time for reading is limited).

Some titles for short stories and novellas I've written in the past, but sadly never had the courage to publish anywhere, include "Shattered Land: Nexiron," "Howls in the Night," "Bedeviled," and "In Service to the Cause."

[fluffywalrus]

noxiuniversitas1 wrote...

MrStoob wrote...
I suppose decide on the personality you've always envisaged for them in your head-canon, then try to work that into their motivations/reactions/interactions?

That's kind of the trouble... those two have always been Shep/Ash's little to bond over. Joker's just asking for it and Kaidan... well... he's Kaidan! I like them both, but they're like the little brothers you can't help but tease. And... I'm enjoying it a bit too much, methinks. Every single "one shot" type scene (which I try and include every 3-4 chapters to lighten the tone of the story) revolves around either one of those two...

I think somewhere along the line, if you want either of them to be taken more seriously (which is difficult because, you know, Joker being Joker and all), and not just as comic relief, then it will be important for them to start having their own motivation and agency built into the story in some form. Right now, like you said, they're included to kind of the the butt of the joke that others bond over, so their scenes aren't really theirs, and their actions are limited because of that. It's not that he needs to be the main focus or anything, but he's eventually going to have to need his own scene or two, exploring his character.

I'm not too big on Kaidan, so I'm not sure what could be done to really do that, but look at ME2 for a quick idea of what has worked in the past. The formula of Shepard fixes someone's personal crap, learns more about them in the process, character overcomes adversity in some form, becaomes stronger character in the end and is more firmly linked to the story.

*shrug*