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Thread: Idea for a novel/short story | |
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mvassilev
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
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posted May 30, 2009 12:35 AM |
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Idea for a novel/short story
This is what happens when: 1) you read TVtropes; 2) it's almost midnight; 3) you're coming back from a party; and 4) you've just had a conversation about how kids don't respect their parents - you have ideas like this.
Setting: Feudal Japan
Plot: Young man (let's call him "A") is respectful towards his elders and is very honourable. His younger siblings and their peers, on the other hand, do not respect authority and are rude to their elders. One day, A finally snaps after a kid insults A's father. A realises that he can't do anything about the worthless younger generation, so he decides to do the next-best thing - kill his parents. And so he does. Then he's on the run.
Thoughts? It's rudimentary, and I came up with in 5 seconds. But I think it's an interesting idea.
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Eccentric Opinion
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DagothGares
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
No gods or kings
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posted May 30, 2009 12:45 AM |
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What does he hope to achieve and what does he have with him to survive?
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TheDeath
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
with serious business
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posted May 30, 2009 12:53 AM |
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Is he a psycho or what?
Because that doesn't make any sense, he killed his parents (who he respects) when he hates the younger generation? It's like the opposite of what should have happened!
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The above post is subject to SIRIOUSness.
No jokes were harmed during the making of this signature.
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mvassilev
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
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posted May 30, 2009 01:13 AM |
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He realises that there is nothing he can do to change the younger generation, but wants to protect his parents' honour - so he kills them to prevent them from being insulted and disrespected. He is a bit of a psycho - a Knight Templar.
To survive - he has a dagger, a katana, and hunting skills.
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Eccentric Opinion
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xerdux
Bad-mannered
Famous Hero
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posted May 30, 2009 01:16 AM |
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Pfft my fantasy novel trilogy idea is much better. It has everything and all books ends with cliffhangers! mvahhahaha
I love those.
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DagothGares
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
No gods or kings
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posted May 30, 2009 01:29 AM |
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Cool idea. Ignore xerox for the time being and I'll try to help as much as possible tommorrow when my mid is clear.
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If you have any more questions, go to Dagoth Cares.
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Rarensu
Known Hero
Formerly known as RTI
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posted May 30, 2009 08:26 AM |
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Edited by Rarensu at 08:26, 30 May 2009.
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He's an interesting main character. He would make an acceptable narrator. However, he could never, ever be protagonist. You need another character in this story for the audience to identify with. Probably this other character is also the narrator.
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Sincerely,
A Proponent of Spelling, Grammar, Punctuation, and Courtesy.
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Lord_Woock
Honorable
Undefeatable Hero
Daddy Cool with a $90 smile
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posted May 30, 2009 11:39 AM |
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Why does a story need a protagonist to begin with?
I say go for it
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Yolk and God bless.
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My buddy's doing a webcomic and would certainly appreciate it if you checked it out!
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Celfious
Promising
Legendary Hero
From earth
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posted May 30, 2009 11:52 AM |
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Edited by Celfious at 11:53, 30 May 2009.
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I have copyrighted this idea so if you write it for me thanks.. You might just want to cut me out a check instead of drawing this out in court.
Better yet, I can just sell you the rights now.. Up to you
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mvassilev
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
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posted May 30, 2009 04:54 PM |
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Presumably, the story would have two parts - one focusing on A, and one on the guy who kills him. Of course, then I'd have to develop the other guy (call him "B"). He'd be a representative of modernity.
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Eccentric Opinion
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TheDeath
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
with serious business
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posted May 30, 2009 05:06 PM |
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Quote: Why does a story need a protagonist to begin with?
Are you joking? If you want to make a documentary go ahead but don't expect the audience to remember much and care for the characters, which is another way of saying "boring" (unless it is informative, like a documentary, which is isn't since it's a story...).
Quote: He'd be a representative of modernity.
Yeah. Killing A.
No I mean seriously, you mean wild west style justice? Is it even justice? (since A wouldn't probably kill more anyway)
In modern times we have expensive lawyers, trials etc... that's not what's happening there
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The above post is subject to SIRIOUSness.
No jokes were harmed during the making of this signature.
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mvassilev
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
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posted May 30, 2009 05:57 PM |
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A becomes crazier as the story continues, and starts to murder people more and more often.
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Eccentric Opinion
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Cepheus
Honorable
Legendary Hero
Far-flung Keeper
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posted May 30, 2009 08:18 PM |
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Quote: Are you joking? If you want to make a documentary go ahead but don't expect the audience to remember much and care for the characters, which is another way of saying "boring" (unless it is informative, like a documentary, which is isn't since it's a story...).
Offhand example but have you never played Final Fantasy VI? Fine storyline, memorable characters and no clear protagonist.
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del_diablo
Legendary Hero
Manifest
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posted May 30, 2009 08:33 PM |
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You could always have that the Templar is the main character all trough the book, but have the viewpoint of some random bounty hunter who kills him quite in a bloody way in the last chapter.
Make sure that the viewpoint of the Templar makes him the good guy after his view and thoughts. Also character B must pull a Hannibal on the Templar on the last bit of the last chapter explaining his entire blindness of his almenlight and way.
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Rarensu
Known Hero
Formerly known as RTI
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posted May 31, 2009 06:16 AM |
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Edited by Rarensu at 06:24, 31 May 2009.
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Quote: Offhand example but have you never played Final Fantasy VI? Fine storyline, memorable characters and no clear protagonist.
There doesn't have to exactly one protagonist. There can easily be multiple. Star Wars 4-5-6 has three (Luke, Han, Leia). Final Fantasy VI has a long, long list of protagonists. What's important is not that there's a single most sympathetic character; what's important is that the reader can sympathize with at least one of them. More is better, because even if your reader is apathetic towards one, he can still love another.
Please note that there exists a distinction between Main Character and Protagonist. A protagonist is someone with whom the reader sympathizes and hopes will achieve his goal. The Main Character is the one whose choice of action at the climax determines the outcome. These are usually the same character, but it doesn't have to be that way. For example, the Main Character of Return of the Jedi is actually Darth Vader, who is clearly not a protagonist. The most critical moment in the plot is the one when Darth Vader throws the emperor into one of the Death Star's reactor shafts. While Luke's choice to spare his father's life is an important one, it is for character development only; his choice does not change the direction of the plot.
In mvassilev's story, the protagonist is clearly the character who is following the murderer. However, it may be that mvassilev decides that the murderer is the one who will make the plot-defining choice. In that case the murderer will be the Main Character, despite not being a protagonist.
Quote: I have copyrighted this idea so if you write it for me thanks..
Are you sure? Mvassilev's idea may be similar to yours so far, but he hasn't even decided what the plot-defining moment is yet. How can you possibility tell him he's in violation of copyright? Furthermore, if his overall style of writing is significantly different than yours, you'll never be able to catch him even if he uses the exact same plot.
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Sincerely,
A Proponent of Spelling, Grammar, Punctuation, and Courtesy.
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Celfious
Promising
Legendary Hero
From earth
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posted May 31, 2009 09:48 AM |
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Quote: A becomes crazier as the story continues, and starts to murder people more and more often.
ya let me guess the reasoning is actually a multitude of things going on within himself and also around him.. People start to steal his book ideas and he goes stark raving mad..
I know this story, all to well
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What are you up to
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Celfious
Promising
Legendary Hero
From earth
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posted June 01, 2009 07:47 AM |
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lol I hope no one takes me seriously.. Sorry Rarensu if you did too.. I was joking..
I had a good time doing it too
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