Unsure of which direction to take this story in.

I'm still mostly in the planning stage in this story, but here goes:

Plot summary: a coalition of mercs, soldiers, and insurgents fight the Axis on a large island off Europe during an alternate history World War Two (read: World War Two with modern technology).

The problem is, even with realistic situations and characters (at least, the best I can make them), they're still paired alongside anime character types and futuristic tech and weaponry. There's a lot of Mood Whiplash, but I'm pretty sure a blue-haired Japanese girl trying to comfort what is more or less a Gears Of War Lancer, armor and all, as he chokes to death on his blood can come off as ridiculous to some readers. I'm constantly conflicting if I should make the story dead-on realistic, with no power armor, anime and video game and comic Captain Ersatzes, or mechs, but this would ruin a lot of scenes I've planned and gut some of the climax.

In addition, on the story, I've no idea on if I should drop the Alternate History viewpoint and use Russians (it makes sense in the plot) as the enemy, but once again, I'll lose some characters written up for the Axis and lose some chances at Historical In Jokes and a deconstruction of "oh, they're Nazis/Imperialists, they're totally okay to slaughter wantonly because they're subhuman evil fucks".

In addition, I'm unsure of whether to make this a script (no, not Script Fic, an actual script) for an episodic anime or whatever, or write in straight on prose. However, writing it in prose would make the events I've planned out too long (several battles take place here, some lasting a while), and the dialogue and action may work better "visually" (since a lot of the characters wear visually unique armor that would take a long time/be awkward to describe in prose.

Any advice?

I personally think you should go with the Alternate History and keep all the "unrealistic" tropes. I know I like High Fantasy, but that's me personally. Plus, why would you want to gut the climax or ruin your planned story? There's nothing wrong with fantasy in my opinion.

Also, I suggest using script format. If you believe it would drag out on prose, do what you think is best and I'm getting the feeling you want to script. Correct me if I'm wrong.

edited 12th Dec '10 6:50:15 PM by darkclaw