The Writers' Lounge

[Freack]

Why are you still awake?

Also that is a great essay.

[Izzus]

Working on a turn-based/real-time hybrid strategy RPG. I'd like to get a skeleton for the first half of the game written, but I can't seem to decide on an acceptable segue from one section to another without it seeming like I just strung a series of ideas together. Since the story will be modular based on your character's personality, I just need main events which will influence the story no matter where your character is. If you're willing to help out with the writing, give me a PM and I'll show you what I'd like help with. As for the setting:

It takes place in the Disparity Web, which isn't really a world but a series of collected matter surrounded by limited space rather than an open vacuum. Simulations run by the inhabitants show with high accuracy that the universe is indeed shaped like an obscure web- this is a semi-observable phenomena and long standing theory in their academia. This is the closest approximation to what's in my mind's eye. There are nodes on the web which are the areas you can explore. The main area is called Tuft City and essentially serves as the main hub.
I'll set it straight right now, this is not primarily a medieval setting a la Tactics Ogre or FFT. Think more of a City of Lost Children type of deal with a splash of bizarro fiction, a bit of steampunk, and lots of techno-fodder for science fans.

[Fish]

It sounds really cool. Uhhh, sometimes segues aren't that important (if you're hopping between viewpoints), but you can always have one or two characters that are in a section and the one that follows it. And travel?

I'm kind of involved in a lot of projects right now, but if you need casual advice you're welcome to message me up.

[Triangle Man]

This may sound really stupid to you guys, but...
what is prose?

Not poetry. Sentences and paragraphs.

Basically this.

And the definition from Wikipedia...

Prose is the most typical form of language, applying ordinary grammatical structure and natural flow of speech rather than rhythmic structure (as in traditional poetry). While there are critical debates on the construction of prose, its simplicity and loosely defined structure has led to its adoption for the majority of spoken dialogue, factual discourse as well as topical and fictional writing. It is commonly used, for example, in literature, newspapers, magazines, encyclopedias, broadcasting, film, history, philosophy, law and many other forms of communication.

So it`s basically natural speech with grammatical rules as opposed to rhythmic speech.

Shazam.

[Izzus]

A seamless story is what I need though. I'd like events to blend together on multiple playthroughs, so when they play a certain personality and see only one half of the events which took place I'd like the second game to (potentially) show the other half. Plus, you only play as one character. Choosing different personality traits at the beginning will yield a different story, with the magnitude of difference in personality being the deciding factor in how differently the main story progresses. So while the story is modular, all the choices and branches you're presented with will be predetermined by how you design the character's brain.

Thanks for offering to help, though. It's just that I'm expecting a smidgen more than casual advice, you know?

[Ace of Dark-Hearts]

That sounds aaaaaaaawesomeeeeeeee, Izzus.

I am totally not involved in any projects and might be willing to do some writing if it isn't too overwhelming. I've been interesting in writing for awhile, but haven't really had the motivation; this sounds like a really cool thing.

Whoops this isn't a PM.

[Wacom Guy]

Maaaaan, it's really hard not to leak all of this plot information i just came up with, but I feel as if I am about to burst! If only I had a plot-toilet to leak all this shit into!

[Triangle Man]

Maaaaan, it's really hard not to leak all of this plot information i just came up with, but I feel as if I am about to burst! If only I had a plot-toilet to leak all this shit into!

Then don't talk about it too much. Talk about what you are writing too much and you won't get any done. Write something done and leave it in the thread/PM it to people who ask later.

That sounds cynical, but I also figure there is no substitute for action, right?

[Ace of Dark-Hearts]

Maaaaan, it's really hard not to leak all of this plot information i just came up with, but I feel as if I am about to burst! If only I had a plot-toilet to leak all this shit into!

Your plot-toilet is in the other room, which is currently locked. You are certain you left the key somewhere in the house.

[Quirk]

Hulllooooo writer's thread!

I might as well postificate this little project I've been working on for the SCP Foundation:The Classical Revival.

[Fish]

this is cool I will probably read more of it later

the cadence/rhythm/syntax/sentence length/choppiness is intriguing

[Quirk]

this is cool I will probably read more of it later

the cadence/rhythm/syntax/sentence length/choppiness is intriguing

How so? Now I'm intrigued.

[Fish]

It appears it was only the opening sequence of the first part. Still, it is interesting.

Anyway Qmark I like how this thingy is going with the semirobot guy and stuff. Did you write all of this or are other people involved?

[Savlonic]

Really? It's not his best work. I thought he usually does WAY better.

(he followed me to this site....He doesn't even know what homestuck is)
Hi pirate...

[Fish]

He had a good run. (Actually I've seen better flamers on forums for 40-year-olds but they say you should be respectful to the dead.)

In other news uh writing??? I always try and fail to capture a Mood or an Atmosphere. Maybe because I don't care as much about plot and themes?

[Freack]

Well, without Plot and Theme, what are you writing about?

[Fish]

Feels, but not the emotion kind. The kind you get when you are remembering a cool book and its style and voice and plot and setting.

I should probably just keep writing?

[Quirk]

It appears it was only the opening sequence of the first part. Still, it is interesting.

Anyway Qmark I like how this thingy is going with the semirobot guy and stuff. Did you write all of this or are other people involved?

Other people will be involved, but for now it is just me. The characters though are all part of the site mythos, and have been since before I was there.

Also, did we have a troll in here?

Also also, that last post confuses me. What you described is mood and atmosphere. Are you writing about characters sitting around and feeling feels about books they've read?

[Izzus]

That's some good stuff, I remember the first SPC creepypasta about the statue which moves when you're not looking at it. Have you heard of The Holders? It's somewhat similar, but it has more fantastic than down-to-Earth aspects.

I should probably just keep writing?

Never stop writing. It's a canvas to paint your world on, you have free reign to play God how and when you want.

[Fish]

Also also, that last post confuses me. What you described is mood and atmosphere. Are you writing about characters sitting around and feeling feels about books they've read?

No see I am trying to get a certain mood and atmosphere without actually figuring out how to achieve it. I want to write atmospheres without all the things that cause them and it's dumb.

And yes we had a flamer in here I would not call them a troll because no sensible person would have responded angrily to such a hilariously bad post.

[Triangle Man]

No see I am trying to get a certain mood and atmosphere without actually figuring out how to achieve it. I want to write atmospheres without all the things that cause them and it's dumb.

And yes we had a flamer in here I would not call them a troll because no sensible person would have responded angrily to such a hilariously bad post.

To be honest, what you are describing is likely impossible. Atmosphere is caused by things happening; description, imagery, etc. You need to have some sort of cause to get any sort of atmosphere, and trying to skip the causes is like trying to imagine a colour that has no basis in the light spectrum.

In other words, it's probably a bad idea.

Never stop writing. It's a canvas to paint your world on, you have free reign to play God how and when you want.

And that's why it's so enjoyable!

I AM GOD, FOOLS!!!

[Wacom Guy]

I'm going to have to hold in all this plot shit for another two weeks! Does anyone know a safe, spoiler-free way to take a plot-dump when your designated plot-toilet is away at camp?

[Triangle Man]

I'm going to have to hold in all this plot shit for another two weeks! Does anyone know a safe, spoiler-free way to take a plot-dump when your designated plot-toilet is away at camp?

What do you mean by plot-dump?

If we're talking about the plot of the story, just write down as much of it as you can and leave a rough draft somewhere on the internet for people to look at, right?

[Wacom Guy]

BUT I CAN'T HAVE ANY SpOILERS!

[Freack]

Then just write it in a regular word document and save it.

I have an entire folder of random notes and stuff.

Holding onto it for a while without showing anyone might be a good idea actually.