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[Icyflare]

Hello, Ren. Honesty is always welcomed

I actually hate using my Shepard's first name, because it just feels weird and wrong. I prefer to avoid it if possible, but given that I've started writing an origin story, unsurprisingly, it's been...hard.

I'm just happy with my Word processor, since I taught it to stop changing Shepard to Shepherd.

[lillitheris]

MidnightRaith wrote...

Do any of you feel nerdy at the thought of someone looking at the dictionary (if that's even possible) of your Word processor and seeing that you've taught it works like krogan, quarians, asari, T'Soni and all kinds of other terms unique to Mass Effect? This thought just came to me as I'm typing Chapter 2 for my fic and it made me laugh....

Not in the least. Automate everything.

[lillitheris]

Names…tricky. For humans, I find it is a little easier as I can fall on picking names from regions (i.e., look at 200 Most Popular Indian Surnames or whatever). The aliens are a little trickier, because I try not to use a uniform theme…I mean, it might seem a little weird for a turian to be called Bubbles Mcwubbles, but who’s to say that couldn’t be the case?

…

Had a really hard time putting a Meld into minimal-enough words tonight…it kept trying to run away and become this elaborate fantasy world, but that’s not really the spirit I’m looking for…a Joining is more toward that in some ways. And in others, not. On the upside, I managed to induce a really vivid scene in my head for it, moreso than usual. Hopefully a reader or two will have a similar experience if they try to think about it rather than just read through…

[hot_heart]

lillitheris wrote...
I mean, it might seem a little weird for a turian to be called Bubbles Mcwubbles, but who’s to say that couldn’t be the case?

Plagiarist!

[fainmaca]

Bubbles McWubbles for Squadmate/LI in ME4!

[dpMeggers]

Icyflare wrote...

Hello, Ren. Honesty is always welcomed

I actually hate using my Shepard's first name, because it just feels weird and wrong. I prefer to avoid it if possible, but given that I've started writing an origin story, unsurprisingly, it's been...hard.

I'm just happy with my Word processor, since I taught it to stop changing Shepard to Shepherd.

I actually headcanoned a justification for each of my Shepards not to ever use their first name so it didn't seem odd when LI's called them 'Shepard'. I couldn't bring myself to name any of them Shepard Shepard.

[lillitheris]

Mwhahahahaaa

…

I’m pondering on retconning a Galactic language that people speak, some poorly, some well. Usually not principally, but in time-critical circumstances. This is in addition to the translators. My techno-faith is a little shaken trying to believe in fast enough NLP.

…But at the same time, I’m listening to a foreign-language program and interpreting it in my head with no noticeable delay. So maybe they can get close enough at microsecond resolutions. The translators would have existed for at least two millennia, that’s lots of time for product development.

[MidnightRaith]

Icyflare wrote...

Hello, Ren. Honesty is always welcomed

I actually hate using my Shepard's first name, because it just feels weird and wrong. I prefer to avoid it if possible, but given that I've started writing an origin story, unsurprisingly, it's been...hard.

I'm just happy with my Word processor, since I taught it to stop changing Shepard to Shepherd.

Don't get me wrong, I believe that 95% of the time or so, Shepard should be called Shepard. Shepard is Shepard's identity that the readers and characters in the actual story have grown to associate with. However, I believe that adding that first name in their fic not only stakes that Shepard as the author's own, but it also adds another facet to the character that we do not get to see in the games. Shepard is Shepard's present, but that first name is indicative of Shepard's past, that Shepard was not always the soldier we know him or her to be. Shepard's past is very important to the character when writing a fic that heavily focuses on him/her and I believe that the past is just as important to the character as their present. It also allows the LI to get closer to Shepard on a level that is not allowed to the rest of the crew. Shepard is the name everyone in the galaxy knows the character as. By letting the LI call Shepard by their first names implies a heavier intimacy and can be used effectively in emotional scenes between Shepard and the LI.

So, in a nutshell, I think the first name of Shepard should be used when writing about the character's past, or in a heavy scene with the LI. Or, with Hannah Shepard if you're a Spacer. If she didn't use your Shepard's first name, I'd think that would come off as a little weird.

Modifié par MidnightRaith, 02 juillet 2012 - 10:22 .

[Icyflare]

dpMeggers wrote...

Icyflare wrote...

Hello, Ren. Honesty is always welcomed

I actually hate using my Shepard's first name, because it just feels weird and wrong. I prefer to avoid it if possible, but given that I've started writing an origin story, unsurprisingly, it's been...hard.

I'm just happy with my Word processor, since I taught it to stop changing Shepard to Shepherd.

I actually headcanoned a justification for each of my Shepards not to ever use their first name so it didn't seem odd when LI's called them 'Shepard'. I couldn't bring myself to name any of them Shepard Shepard.

Yeah, I can't really write a good reason for my Shepard not to use her first name as a kid other than she hates it and prefers nicknames/her last name to it.

[lillitheris]

MidnightRaith wrote...

So, in a nutshell, I think the first name of Shepard should be used when writing about the character's past, or in a heavy scene with the LI. Or, with Hannah Shepard if you're a Spacer. If she didn't use your Shepard's first name, I'd think that would come off as a little weird.

I tend to agree with this. Since Hannah exists in “Unity” — and is actually around — pretty much all characters (who actually know what her name is) decide to go with ‘Eevy’ rather than ‘Shepard’ to avoid confusion between the two, or when speaking to Hannah.

Liara follows the same rule for the most part, and in addition to that, she’s got a few particular contexts in which she thinks in terms of the first name. Actually, I suppose that’s more the point there…it’s the aspect, if you will, of the person that she’s thinking about. I don’t mean Jekyll/Hyde…but, well, you know how you think about someone — sometimes you actually think the name, and sometimes you just have that person in your head? That’s the angle I’m going for, whenever Liara’s narration has ‘Eevy’ in it.

Wonder if that’s actually clear to the reader since I hadn’t really articulated it to myself.

[dpMeggers]

Icyflare wrote...

dpMeggers wrote...

Icyflare wrote...

Hello, Ren. Honesty is always welcomed

I actually hate using my Shepard's first name, because it just feels weird and wrong. I prefer to avoid it if possible, but given that I've started writing an origin story, unsurprisingly, it's been...hard.

I'm just happy with my Word processor, since I taught it to stop changing Shepard to Shepherd.

I actually headcanoned a justification for each of my Shepards not to ever use their first name so it didn't seem odd when LI's called them 'Shepard'. I couldn't bring myself to name any of them Shepard Shepard.

Yeah, I can't really write a good reason for my Shepard not to use her first name as a kid other than she hates it and prefers nicknames/her last name to it.

If it helps:

Kara (Colonist): Started going by Shepard in memory of her family.
Eponine (Colonist): Her first name is Eponine. Can you really blame her.
John (Spacer): Spent his childhood being referred to as "that Shepard kid" or "Hannah/Jack Shepard's kid". It just sort of became Shepard
Damon (Earthborn): Didn't have a first name until he was about 10. Just went by Shepard after out of habit.

I have a minor problem. I'm trying to finish editing/writing Conversations in a Bar atm, and it's still only about 2177. I keep having scenes I'd like to see from ME3 pop into my head, which is another 10 years and two games away. Does this happen to anyone else where you're at point A in the timeline and suddenly you know what you want to happen ten years down the line but there are something like 20 thousand chapters which need to come between now and then?

The other problem I'm having is that I'm trying to rewrite chapter 4 from first person perspective into third to fit with the rest of the story. It's a pain in the butt. But that's a different focus issue.

[fluffywalrus]

dpMeggers wrote...

I have a minor problem. I'm trying to finish editing/writing Conversations in a Bar atm, and it's still only about 2177. I keep having scenes I'd like to see from ME3 pop into my head, which is another 10 years and two games away. Does this happen to anyone else where you're at point A in the timeline and suddenly you know what you want to happen ten years down the line but there are something like 20 thousand chapters which need to come between now and then?

The other problem I'm having is that I'm trying to rewrite chapter 4 from first person perspective into third to fit with the rest of the story. It's a pain in the butt. But that's a different focus issue.

I have the same issue regarding future events I want to write now. But I can't. SO I've been thinking of quickly skimming over the military service portion of my Shep's life, because I figure if I can cement what/who Shepard is by the end of the non-alliance chapters, then it's less necessary.
But more than that, I'm just growing impatient because I want to write Tali and Liara and Wrex and Garrus and everyone :\\

It kind of sucks knowing you have to wait...because I know if I wrote something in the future, it either wouldn't mesh with what I write up to that point, or I would keep writing about the future and stop writing my backstory.

[MrStoob]

On Shepard VS first name:

In narrative I use 'Verity' a lot and usually only 'Shepard' so as not to repeat myself too much. If it's combat or official duty, I'll more likely use Shepard. But no-one ever calls her Verity, except close OCs, never the squad, not even LI(ara) except in really exceptional circumstances. Only once so far I think. The first three chapters of Blue, Shepard is really young, starting at around 8 years old so it made sense for her to be called by her first name and stuck throughout I suppose.

I've got used to the new Shepard first name in fan fics quick enough, so it's probably not a big issue.

Modifié par MrStoob, 02 juillet 2012 - 11:07 .

[hot_heart]

dpMeggers wrote...
Does this happen to anyone else where you're at point A in the timeline and suddenly you know what you want to happen ten years down the line but there are something like 20 thousand chapters which need to come between now and then?

I'm having the same issue but on a smaller scale. Since I've set mine during ME3 and used some of the scenes, I kinda want to get to some of the later stuff but I also have to keep my story on track as well as try and explain the game's own 'inconsistencies'.

Don't know what to suggest though...

[MrStoob]

dpMeggers wrote...
I have a minor problem. I'm trying to finish editing/writing Conversations in a Bar atm, and it's still only about 2177. I keep having scenes I'd like to see from ME3 pop into my head, which is another 10 years and two games away. Does this happen to anyone else where you're at point A in the timeline and suddenly you know what you want to happen ten years down the line but there are something like 20 thousand chapters which need to come between now and then?

Indeed.  I have some chapters half or completely written that I intend to include if I ever get that far down the line.

I jumped ahead once then removed the chapter coz it just didn't work, was too jarring against the flow I'd set.

Modifié par MrStoob, 02 juillet 2012 - 11:10 .

[FahRENheit06]

dpMeggers wrote...

Does this happen to anyone else where you're at point A in the timeline and suddenly you know what you want to happen ten years down the line but there are something like 20 thousand chapters which need to come between now and then?

The other problem I'm having is that I'm trying to rewrite chapter 4 from first person perspective into third to fit with the rest of the story. It's a pain in the butt. But that's a different focus issue.

Oh sweet zombie Jesus! I have this problem ALL. THE. TIME. Not on the scale you mention, because I can't write a story longer than about 10-15 chapter without my head exploding, but I can always see the beginning of the fic and the end, and a handful of details in between. So I'll have the main scenes for 3 chapters written except for the one I NEED to have RIGHT NOW to actually continue.

I rewrote two chapters for my Shepley fic Officially Unofficial out of first person into third, so I feel you. It depends on the flow, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Mine was just a little off, plus it was affecting my later chapters because I kept having to correct myself for the perspective. That much extra work to overcome something I wasn't committed to in the first place wasn't worth it.

- Ren

[MidnightRaith]

Probably the only things I'm really looking forward to in my fic is Liara's reaction to Benezia's death, what the heck I'm going to do for a love scene and the point where Liara can finally drop the formality in regard to addressing other characters. Geez, all the titles I have to write out because Liara was raised properly. Curse you, Benezia....

[dpMeggers]

hot_heart wrote...

dpMeggers wrote...
Does this happen to anyone else where you're at point A in the timeline and suddenly you know what you want to happen ten years down the line but there are something like 20 thousand chapters which need to come between now and then?

I'm having the same issue but on a smaller scale. Since I've set mine during ME3 and used some of the scenes, I kinda want to get to some of the later stuff but I also have to keep my story on track as well as try and explain the game's own 'inconsistencies'.

Don't know what to suggest though...

So far all I've come up with has been 'write faster' and 'focus more'. I'll let you know how it works out. 

[LanceSolous13]

Oh wow. Loads of pages since I left......Ugh. Too lazy to go read them.

Anyways, This is a question I posted to the Mirimancers and I suppose I could post it here as well.

Basically, I'm laying the groundwork for later Chapters and Shepard had a boyfriend back on Mindoir (who was killed by the Batarian Slavers. Yay...) and I feel like, as Shepard's Girlfriend, Miri should say something in aknowledgement of this fact, but I really can't figure out what she'd say. Keep drawing a blank.

[Caligno]

I don't think I'd be able to help at all without the context of what was happening and their conversation up to that point.

[LanceSolous13]

Shepard is barely breathing in the Hospital and everyone is waiting and, basically, looking at pictures and articles of Shepard's life that Liara/EDI (haven't decided which) have found (Possibly for a Memorial or Article or something on Shepard. Haven't decided).

For awhile, my story is going to be Shepard's pre-ME1 life, showing how much he's changed from a Colonist on Mindoir to a Ruthless Alliance Soldier to the Diplomatic Commander in ME. Then we continue with Shepard's recovery.

[Drussius]

hot_heart wrote...

dpMeggers wrote...
Does this happen to anyone else where you're at point A in the timeline and suddenly you know what you want to happen ten years down the line but there are something like 20 thousand chapters which need to come between now and then?

I'm having the same issue but on a smaller scale. Since I've set mine during ME3 and used some of the scenes, I kinda want to get to some of the later stuff but I also have to keep my story on track as well as try and explain the game's own 'inconsistencies'.

Don't know what to suggest though...

When I have this problem, as long as it's something that would eventually be used in the same story, I usually just go ahead and write it (I refuse to switch stories while writing though because that usually means the one I'm switching away from is doomed never to be finished). But writing a future scene can sometimes be useful, because then you know what you are doing later and can include some foreshadowing if you want. There are times when you eventually get to it and reread it and it just doesn't work anymore, or it needs to be rewritten heavily, but I find it's usually worth it just to get it out of my head at the time.

[MidnightRaith]

Whew! Finally done with the type up. I still have to proofread over it, though, so I'm not ready to post yet.... Do any you hand write your chapters? I find that I'm constantly adding more material in the type up than what I originally wrote. If I ever lost the actual Word document, then I'd be up the river without a paddle because my notebook never matches up with the typed draft and the typed draft is always better than my hand written stuff.

[dpMeggers]

MidnightRaith wrote...

Whew! Finally done with the type up. I still have to proofread over it, though, so I'm not ready to post yet.... Do any you hand write your chapters? I find that I'm constantly adding more material in the type up than what I originally wrote. If I ever lost the actual Word document, then I'd be up the river without a paddle because my notebook never matches up with the typed draft and the typed draft is always better than my hand written stuff.

I handwrite my plans/plotlines and occasionally handwrite drafts. Ultimately I'm lazy and it takes too long to write by hand and then retype everything. I always backup my files to an external hardrive in case of critical computer failure though.

[LanceSolous13]

Oh goddess why?

I have no idea why but I can't get myself writing this damnable chapter. I keep thinking about so many later chapters rather than the one infront of me.

*slaming head into keyboard* Bosh'tet! *slam* Bosh'tet! *slam* Bosh'tet! *slam*