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Hello, fellow writers! Got any question that you can't find answer from Google or Wikipedia, but you don't think it needs a separate thread for? You came to the right place!

Don't be shy, and just ask away. The nice folks here, writers and non-writers, experts and non-experts, will do their best to help you.

The folder below contains links for special interest threads, mostly at OTC, but also from Yack Fest and Troper Coven.

    Special Interest Threads 

Also take a look at Useful Notes on various topics. They can be pretty useful.

Now, bring on the questions, baby!

edited 11th Apr '18 6:31:51 PM by dRoy

Swordofknowledge Spreading literacy with book and blade from I like it here... Since: Aug, 2012 Relationship Status: [TOP SECRET]
Spreading literacy with book and blade
#19201: Apr 20th 2021 at 9:47:17 AM

[up] @ Nukeli:

I'm not really sure. I guess if you look up poetry writing sites or poetry helper or something along that line, something should come up. I'm not really a writer of poetry so I've never really tried that sort of thing, I just figured that your question seemed the kind that required "outside" help, as it were.

Fear is a tyrant and a despot, more terrible than the rack, more potent than the snake. — Edgar Walllace
WarJay77 It's NaNo, Bay-beeee! (10,238/50,000) from My Writing Cave (Troper Knight) Relationship Status: Armed with the Power of Love
It's NaNo, Bay-beeee! (10,238/50,000)
#19202: Apr 20th 2021 at 10:31:24 AM

@Septimus: Well, it's a forest fire next to a house that's surrounded on all sides by trees and plants. So the embers are being carried in through his open bedroom window, same with the smoke. By the time he manages to close said window, it's too late because there's already fire in his room.

When he finally gets out of the bedroom, he discovers a smashed window with fire coming through the hole, which is also another way the smoke and embers get into his house.

Edited by WarJay77 on Apr 20th 2021 at 1:32:45 PM

Working on: Author Appeal | Sandbox | Troper Wall
TitanJump Since: Sep, 2013 Relationship Status: Singularity
#19203: Apr 20th 2021 at 10:33:18 AM

If there is anything of wool (especially knitted wool) in that room when the ember comes in, then the house is doomed and degraded to cinders already...

WarJay77 It's NaNo, Bay-beeee! (10,238/50,000) from My Writing Cave (Troper Knight) Relationship Status: Armed with the Power of Love
It's NaNo, Bay-beeee! (10,238/50,000)
#19204: Apr 20th 2021 at 10:41:19 AM

Luckily, this character barely has any possessions at this point in the story (the house was just sort of handed to him, pre-furnished), and since wool seems to be a bit more expensive, he probably doesn't have any of it.

Obviously his house does catch fire, but the worst result of it is that he's rushed to the hospital for smoke inhalation and some burns on his skin; the house itself doesn't get destroyed (especially since it's pretty old and made of brick), and he survives, but only because the fire department got there in the nick of time.

Working on: Author Appeal | Sandbox | Troper Wall
Merseyuser1 Since: Sep, 2011
#19205: Apr 20th 2021 at 11:03:17 AM

I've been giving my writing a full Continuity Reboot as previous ideas didn't work out as I'd hoped; nothing wrong with that.

[[spoiler:I cut down the Loads And Loads Of Characters down to just eight important characters.

The setting for this is the 2000s (possibly 2003-2004 or 2004-2005, but not worked out yet) in a setting that so far has No Antagonist; there's no central villain unless you count a disaster locally, and my protagonist, Beth (not decided fully on name yet) is about to have a problem.

Beth is 28/29 at the time (she'd be 46 or 47 now) and is a mixed-race character; half-Samoan-American and half-English (born in the UK) with dark hair, and she's pale-skinned.

In terms of personality, she's a Nice Girl (but being nice isn't her defining trait), a Girly Girl Waif-Fu Action Fashionista.

She'll face a conflict in a sort of White-and-Grey Morality situation, but the villains aren't really aware they're doing anything wrong (they're not evil really, but from this story's POV, the antagonist); but working out the conflict is a major issue.

In general, my setting is a Like Reality, Unless Noted one, set in a fictional Californian city with 8,800 people (we'll call it 9,000 for convenience), but severe Artistic License – History is in play in some of this.

What I'm looking for is advice on developing the conflict, although this one isn't an action-scene oriented, fighting-type one, but a slower-burn conflict that's a sort of Story Arc.]]

Edited by Merseyuser1 on Apr 22nd 2021 at 12:41:40 PM

Nukeli Since: Aug, 2018
#19206: Apr 20th 2021 at 12:55:44 PM

In one of my series drafts, there's a communist uprising and violent civil war in a fictional Scandinavian country.

Once the monarchists have won, the queennote  commissions a War Memorial (think the ones from Avengers: Endgame) which is supposed to list the name of every citizen -soldier or civilian, regardless of what side they fought for- who died in battle, as collateral damage, in prison camps, murdered by the communist State Sec or by the royalist agents, and other causes. This also causes unpopularity because the communists are ostrazised and widely hated by the winning monarchists, who don't think that the enemy deserves a memorial.

It seems like the kind of a thing that would have a bible quote, but i don't know any fitting verses and i also don't know how to search for one without actually reading the whole thing, which i'm not planning to do.

Do you know any bible verses that would fit the context?

Also, any ideas about the memorial's name?note 

Edited by Nukeli on Apr 20th 2021 at 11:11:25 AM

~*bleh*~
SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#19207: Apr 20th 2021 at 1:32:51 PM

Something reconciliation themed, certainly, but I don't know the Bible well enough to propose anything.

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
Tarlonniel Since: Apr, 2012 Relationship Status: Tweaking my holographic boyfriend
#19208: Apr 21st 2021 at 5:58:33 AM

[up][up] Here are some suggestions. There are lots of different translations available, of course, so if you want more/less formal wording, it's easy to find:

Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being. (1 Corinthians 10:24)

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13)

Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. (Revelation 2:10)

Well done, good and faithful servant. (Matthew 25:21)

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. (Corinthians 16:13)

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (2 Timothy 4:7)

Swordofknowledge Spreading literacy with book and blade from I like it here... Since: Aug, 2012 Relationship Status: [TOP SECRET]
Spreading literacy with book and blade
#19209: Apr 21st 2021 at 7:42:15 AM

I'm a little concerned about the following scenario making one of my characters seem like a Jerkass and I really don't want that, although I am trying to convey how cranky and irritated he is at this point.

Two of my protagonists Character A and Character B are trying to escape a mansion that is a large base of operations for a powerful vampire group. This means there are armed vampire Mooks prowling around everywhere looking for them. To avoid this, the two heroes are navigating a network of underground passages to escape the place.

The two of them come across a set of large doors that impede their progress. Character B walks up to the doors and throws them open so they can proceed but sustains bad second-degree burns on her hands since the handles are plated with silver and she is a werewolf.

The pain of the burns is severe due to the purity of the silver used on the door and Character B is adamant that they stop so she can tend to her injuries. Character A isn't having it since the vampires can intercept them at any moment. He also expresses irritation at her action and unsympathetically berates her for her stupidity, since they have encountered silver-plated doors in the mansion before and he snaps that maybe this will be a lesson since she has a bad habit of charging into situations without thinking.

I'm worried that this will make him appear like an abusive jerk, especially because there is a pretty unequal power-dynamic between the two of them slanted in his favor, even disregarding her ability to turn into a 1,000 pound whirlwind of fur, teeth and claws at will.

Edited by Swordofknowledge on Apr 21st 2021 at 3:23:09 PM

Fear is a tyrant and a despot, more terrible than the rack, more potent than the snake. — Edgar Walllace
TitanJump Since: Sep, 2013 Relationship Status: Singularity
#19210: Apr 21st 2021 at 7:47:52 AM

[up] There is no need to say anything in that situation, really.

Just have him glare at her whenever she tries to insist on tending to his wounds and keep glaring until she relents and he can keep doing what he does until they are in a much safer condition.

All in complete silence from his side.

That would say a lot more than a thousand words would.

Edited by TitanJump on Apr 21st 2021 at 4:48:07 PM

Swordofknowledge Spreading literacy with book and blade from I like it here... Since: Aug, 2012 Relationship Status: [TOP SECRET]
Spreading literacy with book and blade
#19211: Apr 21st 2021 at 7:54:11 AM

[up] @ Titan Jump: I suppose that does make it a little better while still conveying what I want. Although I am a fan of dialogue [lol].

Er...something I just wanted to clarify.

have him glare at her whenever she tries to insist on tending to his wounds and keep glaring until she relents and he can keep doing what he does until they are in a much safer condition.

I just wanted to say that it is her who is injured and wants to stop so she can treat her own injuries and he who is unharmed and wants to keep going. I'm not sure if that was just a typo or something so I am sorry for bringing it up. I just wondered if it would change your perspective if it was actually a mistake. Again, my apologies.

Edited by Swordofknowledge on Apr 21st 2021 at 10:54:56 AM

Fear is a tyrant and a despot, more terrible than the rack, more potent than the snake. — Edgar Walllace
TitanJump Since: Sep, 2013 Relationship Status: Singularity
#19212: Apr 21st 2021 at 8:15:12 AM

[up] Ah, I see.

No, it wouldn't actually change anything, but it would make the point that he is dead serious about his wish to tend to her wounds that she actually might start consider it internally and reluctantly accept it if he asks "and what about next silver gate?"

Wounded hands are no good if they can't grip the handles after all...

Swordofknowledge Spreading literacy with book and blade from I like it here... Since: Aug, 2012 Relationship Status: [TOP SECRET]
Spreading literacy with book and blade
#19213: Apr 21st 2021 at 8:22:01 AM

[up]@ Titan Jump:

Well it isn't quite that, but you made a very good point I hadn't considered in this situation. The way my scenario goes is this:

  • Character B hurt her hands recklessly gripping a silver-plated door she should have examined first. It fits her history of charging in recklessly.

  • She wants them to stop and treat her burns since they are quite painful and are both apart from being miserable, hider her ability to use her hands.

  • Character A really doesn't want to take this course of action since treating her hands will obviously slow them down and put them in danger. He also has no problem telling Character B that her wounded hands are her own fault, and that he's really tired of hearing her continued requests to stop.

The point you made about pragmatism and Character B's injuries hindering their escape makes a good point that I could have her use to persuade Character A to "let" them stop and give her first aid, since silver wounds aren't covered by the werewolf Healing Factor.

Edited by Swordofknowledge on Apr 21st 2021 at 12:46:41 PM

Fear is a tyrant and a despot, more terrible than the rack, more potent than the snake. — Edgar Walllace
Swordofknowledge Spreading literacy with book and blade from I like it here... Since: Aug, 2012 Relationship Status: [TOP SECRET]
Spreading literacy with book and blade
#19214: Apr 21st 2021 at 12:05:26 PM

Does anyone else have any thoughts about [up] x5

Fear is a tyrant and a despot, more terrible than the rack, more potent than the snake. — Edgar Walllace
ArsThaumaturgis Since: Nov, 2011 Relationship Status: I've been dreaming of True Love's Kiss
#19215: Apr 21st 2021 at 1:16:13 PM

I think that this is another matter in which reactions are likely to vary from person to person.

One reader might find A to be acting in a perfectly reasonable manner, given the danger, and quite justified in being angry. Another might find them to be heartless towards someone who's just hurt themselves seriously. Still another might see them as foolish, arguing that having B in good condition to act is more important than a (presumedly) short delay. And other reactions aside!

My Games and Asset Packs
Swordofknowledge Spreading literacy with book and blade from I like it here... Since: Aug, 2012 Relationship Status: [TOP SECRET]
Spreading literacy with book and blade
#19216: Apr 21st 2021 at 2:21:35 PM

[up] @ Ars Thaumaturgis:

think that this is another matter in which reactions are likely to vary from person to person.

Yes, I seem to be fond of those, don't I?tongue But I understand what you mean; people have different outlooks on life and what can be tolerable or understandable through one set of eyes can be unforgivably abusive to another. In fairness, it really isn't supposed to show Character A in the best light, but at that point he's physically and emotionally exhausted, afraid and at the end of his rope where everything is concerned. Plus, there's finally a chance to escape the place after weeks of captivity so...he's not interested in any obstacles that can slow down that escape. Plus he's actually pretty worried about Character B since he knows that if they are caught, she'll be killed while he'll just be recaptured and face a beating.

Fear is a tyrant and a despot, more terrible than the rack, more potent than the snake. — Edgar Walllace
Altris from the Vortex Since: Aug, 2019 Relationship Status: Not caught up in your love affair
#19217: Apr 21st 2021 at 2:30:22 PM

> I'm worried that this will make him appear like an abusive jerk, especially because there is a pretty unequal power-dynamic between the two of them slanted in his favor, even disregarding her ability to turn into a 1,000 pound whirlwind of fur, teeth and claws at will.

What exactly is this power dynamic? Is he her surrogate father figure/actual father figure/boyfriend/other position of authority in what I assume to be a largely patriarchal culture? Is he her boss in the resistance movement?

So, let's hang an anchor from the sun... also my Tumblr
Swordofknowledge Spreading literacy with book and blade from I like it here... Since: Aug, 2012 Relationship Status: [TOP SECRET]
Spreading literacy with book and blade
#19218: Apr 21st 2021 at 2:59:20 PM

[up] @ Altris:

What exactly is this power dynamic? Is he her surrogate father figure/actual father figure/boyfriend/other position of authority in what I assume to be a largely patriarchal culture? Is he her boss in the resistance movement?

So...slight warning since this is going to be a little creepy. I'm aware of it and it's intended in-story to be, but well alright then.

So in this story, the way that werewolves romantically partner with one another is to form a mental "bond" with each other. An effect of the bond is that they will never stop loving the other person, no matter what, like a compulsion. Now normally this a mutual thing, so they each work hard to make one another as happy as possible. In the case of Character A and B, Character A is not a werewolf so the bond is one-sided. This means he can theoretically rain down all sorts of abuse on Character B and while she'll be angry/hurt/etc her feelings of love won't ever diminish or change. It's one of the reasons her parents go absolutely berserk when they find out about this.

If you're familiar with the Twilight Saga (which this story was originally inspired by way back in the day) it's like the Imprinting instinct but mutual between two werewolves. Only in this case it's Gone Horribly Wrong.

Edited by Swordofknowledge on Apr 21st 2021 at 6:02:20 AM

Fear is a tyrant and a despot, more terrible than the rack, more potent than the snake. — Edgar Walllace
Nukeli Since: Aug, 2018
#19219: Apr 21st 2021 at 3:32:35 PM

[up]x11

I'm not really sure about those specific ones.

~*bleh*~
TitanJump Since: Sep, 2013 Relationship Status: Singularity
#19220: Apr 21st 2021 at 8:10:47 PM

[up]

"Forgive one another, just as the Heavenly Father will forgive you."

And for the name,

"The Babel Stone"

Altris from the Vortex Since: Aug, 2019 Relationship Status: Not caught up in your love affair
#19221: Apr 21st 2021 at 8:26:32 PM

x3 [up] Hmmm. I am not sure that I can help you. If she's "imprinted" on him like in the Twilight Saga, as you say, then it's doubtful that anything in their relationship post-imprinting (or even pre-imprinting if he coerced her into it somehow) could be considered consensual at all. You say you don't want character A to come off as an abusive jerk in this scenario - my perception of him currently is that he is telling someone "well maybe this will be a lesson" to someone who explicitly cannot be in her right mind regarding him. If I were reading this, I would wonder if her throwing open the doors was in some way related to the "imprint".

So, let's hang an anchor from the sun... also my Tumblr
Swordofknowledge Spreading literacy with book and blade from I like it here... Since: Aug, 2012 Relationship Status: [TOP SECRET]
Spreading literacy with book and blade
#19222: Apr 21st 2021 at 8:56:47 PM

[up] @ Altris:

Ah I can understand your feelings. If it makes it a little better, I can clarify that throwing open the doors was just a function of her natural tendency to go Leeroy Jenkins in a lot of situations due to confidence bordering on arrogance from her relatively newfound ability to become a furry killing machine. Like I mentioned, I'm trying to imply anger on Character A's part both because escape from their situation is within sight and he's furious that she risked it due to her rash actions and also because he knows the vampires will kill her when they find them while all he'll get is a beating and far less freedom than the Gilded Cage he previously "enjoyed".

You are right about the power dynamic/consent part stuff though—-it's mentioned in-story by both villains and heroes alike that their unique situation is unbalanced and slightly disturbing due to the one-sided nature of the "imprinting". Character A actually does love Character B (they're childhood friends who slowly grow closer to one another, which initiates the imprinting in the first place) but his love is normal affection that is tempered by situations and actions. Hers is...again, unnaturally undying love and loyalty. Which again would be fine if it was a mutual thing but it's not.

Then again...the two of them are teenagers and they are not even close to thinking about this kind of stuff in the chaotic mess they're in, especially Character B due to her mind being addled by the bond.

Edited by Swordofknowledge on Apr 21st 2021 at 11:59:30 AM

Fear is a tyrant and a despot, more terrible than the rack, more potent than the snake. — Edgar Walllace
Altris from the Vortex Since: Aug, 2019 Relationship Status: Not caught up in your love affair
#19223: Apr 21st 2021 at 10:08:39 PM

I think that that clarification is all I can suggest at that point :p

So, let's hang an anchor from the sun... also my Tumblr
dRoy Professional Writer & Amateur Scholar from Most likely from my study Since: May, 2010 Relationship Status: I'm just high on the world
Professional Writer & Amateur Scholar
#19224: Apr 21st 2021 at 11:22:35 PM

Question for a historical fiction.

The very first arc of the story involves the main character, an Asian-American at aged 14 living in Chinatown from 1899 to 1902, assuming control of one of the prominent Chinese-American society/criminal organizations in a violent takeover.

After he becomes the leader of a decently sized Chinese gang, the fire-police commissioner of San Francisco, whose son is a friend to the MC, invites him to a dinner. Once he arrives, he is shocked to see in addition to the commissioner, the chief of San Francisco police and the mayor present as well.

The question is, is a teenager taking over a criminal gang kind of a news that warrants personal attention of both a chief of police and a city's mayor?

Edited by dRoy on Apr 22nd 2021 at 3:22:51 AM

Continuously reading, studying, and (hopefully) growing.
TitanJump Since: Sep, 2013 Relationship Status: Singularity
#19225: Apr 22nd 2021 at 1:18:31 AM

[up] It might be enough news to warrant that meeting for the sake of allowing the mayor and the police chief to see and judge his character for themselves and not solely through reports or second hand accounts, in order to determine their opinion of him.

Edited by TitanJump on Apr 22nd 2021 at 10:18:52 AM


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