Are You Writing Serious Fantasy? II - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Sirithheruwen · 06-01-2004, 06:43 AM

Well, as you know, my story has four protags. The bulk of the story will be in one of the protag's POV (N.). The rest of the story, though, will be alternating chapters between the other three protags (V., E., and F.)

Well, Ms. Skywalker (too tired to type the whole thing), you say that if you get into the character's heads, you destroy plotlines. Well, that's true, you could destroy the plotlines you were thinking of, but you could also open up new plotlines as well. I could tell you an example from my story, but that would be telling.

Well, that's all folks...
(Well, don't blame me, Ms. Skywalker took the good ending!

)

Imladris · 06-01-2004, 08:46 AM

Usually when you're inside a character's head, it's only one person usually. There are exceptions, of course, for stories with more than one character.

Edit: Yeah mark12_30 *points to mark's post below*, that's what I mean.

mark12_30 · 06-01-2004, 09:20 AM

Immy, I think you mean stories with more than one POV character.

Consider LOTR: POV is Frodo for quite a while til the breaking of the fellowship; Pippin carries POV in Fangorn etc; POV for Paths of the dead etc is Gimli. Also at Breaking of the Fellowship, Frodo's POV lessens, and begins to slowly shift over to Sam, til Sam carries most of it by Cirith Ungol forward.

So we are really "inside" a few minds, not everyone's mind. We never get inside Gandalf's mind that I am aware. Nor Elrond, nor Galadriel... for those people we see and hear, but do not mind-read.

Firefoot · 06-01-2004, 03:07 PM

From my standpoint, it depends on the story whether you should show character's thoughts and feelings. For some stories, like Eowyn Skywalker pointed out, it destroys the plotline. For other stories it is very beneficial and sometimes even necessary so that the reader can understand what is going on.

Something I always have trouble with as a writer is coming up with names for my characters. I have a great plot in mind but I can't start writing because I can't think of names for the characters and as a result the story either a. doesn't get written or b. has names for characters that I'm not satisfied with. Any suggestions on this?

Sirithheruwen · 06-01-2004, 04:21 PM

I'm sorry, Firefoot, but I don't know what to say to you. My names come naturally to me, without any trouble at all. I could be sitting in the middle of chemestry or taking a shower, and a name will come to me. I'll scribble it down in my notebook or just say it over and over so I don't forget it. (Once I even wrote a couple names on the back of my algebra test.

) Usually when I think of one or two names, a lot more come after that. That's all I can really say. Sorry.

Eowyn Skywalker · 06-01-2004, 10:55 PM

(Ms. Skywalker is an ok nickname, do not worry)

Okay, about names... well, it depends on the character. With 'Earthling' characters, I usually give them real names, such as Ann-Marie... but, with fantasy characters, they usually just come to me. There's no trick to finding names, just pull out a name generator, or a name book, or something. For future type names, use the BD name gererator, and the Dwarven last names sometimes work... sometimes. For first names, something short, and zippy sounding works... like Zoe, or Luke... or a plant, or bird sometimes, as in Willow, or Raven... those also work nice for past names. With say Elf names, come up with something that sounds cool, as in Arawyn Telessa, and make up a meaning. Names have always been easy for me, I just make something up, and give it some cool meaning.

That's the best I can give on that idea, is those for tips. Hope I made sense, though I'd rather make dollars...

-Eowyn Skywalker

Maeggaladiel · 06-02-2004, 09:44 AM

Wow, I wish I could come up with character names as easy as you guys. It takes me forever to think up a good name, and even after I find a name I have to make sure that I really DID make it up. I've had problems with making up character names, only to find that they already exist.

However, I have a list of about thirty five names for pirate ships scribbled on a paper. I was writing a story about pirates, and I needed some ship names. Suddenly, ship names were flying out of my head. I would be doing something completely different, and BAM! A new ship name! If only I needed thirty five ship names. I ended up only using "The Tempest" and "Warhammer" out of the entire list. I'm trying to create new characters so I can use some other names. I've got some cool ones.

06-01-2004, 06:43 AM	#1
Sirithheruwen Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: May 2003 Location: Wind's Road Posts: 467	Well, as you know, my story has four protags. The bulk of the story will be in one of the protag's POV (N.). The rest of the story, though, will be alternating chapters between the other three protags (V., E., and F.) Well, Ms. Skywalker (too tired to type the whole thing), you say that if you get into the character's heads, you destroy plotlines. Well, that's true, you could destroy the plotlines you were thinking of, but you could also open up new plotlines as well. I could tell you an example from my story, but that would be telling. Well, that's all folks... (Well, don't blame me, Ms. Skywalker took the good ending! ) __________________ "My name is Mallard, but you can call me Duck." ~Random Saying, compliments of Sirith and her best friend, concerning a book.

06-01-2004, 08:46 AM	#2
Imladris Tears of the Phoenix Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Putting dimes in the jukebox baby. Posts: 1,453	Usually when you're inside a character's head, it's only one person usually. There are exceptions, of course, for stories with more than one character. Edit: Yeah mark12_30 points to mark's post below, that's what I mean. __________________ I'm sorry it wasn't a unicorn. It would have been nice to have unicorns. I'm your huckleberry. Last edited by Imladris; 06-01-2004 at 09:26 AM.

06-01-2004, 09:20 AM	#3
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	Immy, I think you mean stories with more than one POV character. Consider LOTR: POV is Frodo for quite a while til the breaking of the fellowship; Pippin carries POV in Fangorn etc; POV for Paths of the dead etc is Gimli. Also at Breaking of the Fellowship, Frodo's POV lessens, and begins to slowly shift over to Sam, til Sam carries most of it by Cirith Ungol forward. So we are really "inside" a few minds, not everyone's mind. We never get inside Gandalf's mind that I am aware. Nor Elrond, nor Galadriel... for those people we see and hear, but do not mind-read. __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.

06-01-2004, 04:21 PM	#5
Sirithheruwen Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: May 2003 Location: Wind's Road Posts: 467	On names... I'm sorry, Firefoot, but I don't know what to say to you. My names come naturally to me, without any trouble at all. I could be sitting in the middle of chemestry or taking a shower, and a name will come to me. I'll scribble it down in my notebook or just say it over and over so I don't forget it. (Once I even wrote a couple names on the back of my algebra test. ) Usually when I think of one or two names, a lot more come after that. That's all I can really say. Sorry. __________________ "My name is Mallard, but you can call me Duck." ~Random Saying, compliments of Sirith and her best friend, concerning a book.

06-01-2004, 10:55 PM	#6
Eowyn Skywalker Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Somewhere far, far away. Eh. Posts: 402	(Ms. Skywalker is an ok nickname, do not worry) Okay, about names... well, it depends on the character. With 'Earthling' characters, I usually give them real names, such as Ann-Marie... but, with fantasy characters, they usually just come to me. There's no trick to finding names, just pull out a name generator, or a name book, or something. For future type names, use the BD name gererator, and the Dwarven last names sometimes work... sometimes. For first names, something short, and zippy sounding works... like Zoe, or Luke... or a plant, or bird sometimes, as in Willow, or Raven... those also work nice for past names. With say Elf names, come up with something that sounds cool, as in Arawyn Telessa, and make up a meaning. Names have always been easy for me, I just make something up, and give it some cool meaning. That's the best I can give on that idea, is those for tips. Hope I made sense, though I'd rather make dollars... -Eowyn Skywalker __________________ Sometimes worlds collide. This time, they got their own webpage. Join Middle-earth: Insanity forums today.

06-01-2004, 03:07 PM	#4
Firefoot Illusionary Holbytla Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 7,547	From my standpoint, it depends on the story whether you should show character's thoughts and feelings. For some stories, like Eowyn Skywalker pointed out, it destroys the plotline. For other stories it is very beneficial and sometimes even necessary so that the reader can understand what is going on. Something I always have trouble with as a writer is coming up with names for my characters. I have a great plot in mind but I can't start writing because I can't think of names for the characters and as a result the story either a. doesn't get written or b. has names for characters that I'm not satisfied with. Any suggestions on this?

06-02-2004, 09:44 AM	#7
Maeggaladiel Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: The end of the world as we know it. I feel fine, incidentally. Posts: 500	Wow, I wish I could come up with character names as easy as you guys. It takes me forever to think up a good name, and even after I find a name I have to make sure that I really DID make it up. I've had problems with making up character names, only to find that they already exist. However, I have a list of about thirty five names for pirate ships scribbled on a paper. I was writing a story about pirates, and I needed some ship names. Suddenly, ship names were flying out of my head. I would be doing something completely different, and BAM! A new ship name! If only I needed thirty five ship names. I ended up only using "The Tempest" and "Warhammer" out of the entire list. I'm trying to create new characters so I can use some other names. I've got some cool ones. __________________ "Wide ne bith wel," cwaeth se the geheirde on helle hriman.