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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

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
#19301: Apr 25th 2021 at 10:50:56 PM

Excessive self-defense sounds good enough already, but if you want crimes that can be grave in nature but not necessarily villainous, well, how about trespassing? Maybe your hero had to wander into a nobleman's forest to look for some lost person or property.

Some noblemen/royalties actually went as far as to execute trespassers to their territory...

Continuously reading, studying, and (hopefully) growing.
PresidentStalkeyes Eats moldy bread and flies into windows from United Kingdom of England-land Since: Feb, 2016 Relationship Status: Do you like me? (Yes ⎕ Definitely ⎕ Absolutely!!! ⎕)
Eats moldy bread and flies into windows
#19302: Apr 25th 2021 at 10:55:34 PM

Bit of a long shot with this question, but does anyone here know about school culture in Russia? I've read the useful notes page on the subject but that mostly deals with the way it's structured - although one line I found interesting was "most American high school tropes don't work here, because the students are broken in relatively small groups that have limited interaction between themselves, and often have inter-class rivalry to boot" - though that deals with the Russian equivalent of high school, where I'm thinking more of middle school.

I had this idea involving two preteen Russian kids visiting America, and I figure 'how our schools are different from your schools' would be a natural conversation starter with the locals - but obviously for the students, the structure isn't as interesting as the experience. I've seen some comments elsewhere suggesting that the 'ethos' is different, in that American schools are (in theory, anyway) focused on enabling students to figure out what path they want to follow later in life by offering a diverse set of subjects, while their Russian equivalents are more concerned with ensuring students have a set amount of 'general' knowledge in multiple areas. Dunno how true this is, though (and again, this was mostly concerned with high school).

Those sell-by-dates won't stop me because I can't read!
Altris from the Vortex Since: Aug, 2019 Relationship Status: Not caught up in your love affair
#19303: Apr 25th 2021 at 11:06:03 PM

[up][up] Thanks.

[up] I'm afraid that all I can provide you with is this Wikipedia page about education in Russia, I'm not very knowledgable on the subject at all.

So, let's hang an anchor from the sun... also my Tumblr
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)
#19304: Apr 25th 2021 at 11:07:00 PM

Random question, but it's important to the scene I'm on, so here goes.

How easy is it to put a piano in an apartment? For context, the crazy mother of two of the characters decides that no, her daughter can't make her own decision to stop practicing the piano, not even now that she's out of highschool and living in her own place. So she shows up out of the blue and has people bring a piano into the apartment, deciding that the only reason her daughter stopped was because she couldn't afford a new piano.

Obviously, this whole scenario is meant to be absurd, because the other characters react with the appropriate amount of "WTF?". But I don't want to be too unrealistic here. How would she be able to actually get the piano into the apartment? Would it have to be a smaller piano, like a keyboard? Or are there pianos light enough and small enough to make this...possible, even if still insane?

Working on: Author Appeal | Sandbox | Troper Wall
eagleoftheninth Shop all day, greed is free from a dreamed portrait, imperfect Since: May, 2013 Relationship Status: With my statistically significant other
Shop all day, greed is free
#19305: Apr 25th 2021 at 11:54:45 PM

Disclaimer: not a regular piano player, though I have a cheap Casio keyboard that I bought in uni and mess around with once in a blue moon. But having been involved in a few stage performances/productions, I can think of a few important points from experience:

  • When moving very large, fragile objects, do not ask your friends for help. Always hire professional movers. Unless you plan to go viral on YouTube, that is.

  • Upright pianos can be carried as-is by a team of movers, though it'd be wise to bring a rolling piano dolly. Grand pianos would need to have their legs taken off first to get through doorways and stairways.

  • If you can, use cargo lifts/elevators, not stairs.

  • Try to wrap it in protective foam first, to avoid damage. Keep everything tied down and secured throughout the move.

  • Last but not least: do your measurements beforehand. Nothing screams Epic Fail like trying to get a grand piano through a doorway that won't fit it; though if your character's family can afford a grand and an apartment big enough for it, then they're probably quite loaded.

One day, we will read his name in the news and cheer.
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)
#19306: Apr 26th 2021 at 12:02:28 AM

Admittedly, the family is pretty decently wealthy, though the daughter herself doesn't have much money...or at least not after she bought this big ass apartment. Her sister and her sister's boyfriend had to move in with her to help her pay rent on it.

So considering the fact that the apartment is actually pretty big, maybe about the size of Monica's apartment from Friends, it's plausible that the piano could get into the room. And with how insane the mom is, I can see her getting a big piano just to help guilt trip her into using it, because that's the sort of person she is. (As you can probably guess, there's some emotional abuse going on here.)

And yeah, the key is to make sure it'd actually fit through the door, but I can also see her being the sort of person who'd call the apartment landlord in advance just to get the dimensions, so that she could make sure the piano fit.

Another snag is making sure it'd fit in the elevator...but I'm looking into it now and if the elevator is big enough it could work. Or this woman will just force the poor crew to haul it up several flights of stairs. Again, that's not too OOC for her.

Working on: Author Appeal | Sandbox | Troper Wall
ArsThaumaturgis Since: Nov, 2011 Relationship Status: I've been dreaming of True Love's Kiss
#19307: Apr 26th 2021 at 12:54:41 AM

I need her to commit a crime that would be severe enough to make it clear that there would be consequences like jail time if she weren't so protected by her status, but not so severe that it makes her irredeemable or impossible to sympathize with.

Sympathy and perceived redeemability will vary significantly from person to person, I daresay; I can imagine someone who might lose sympathy the moment she commits a crime, and someone who never loses sympathy or hope for redemption.

That said, and in addition to the previously-mentioned crimes, I might suggest theft.

Indeed, "theft for a good cause" is a classic choice of crime that's considered serious enough to be given jail time, but that can have reasons behind it that are widely found sympathetic. Indeed, some such reasons might even be enough to encourage the judge/other sentencing agent to give a lighter sentence (especially if there is additional pressure due to the character's status).

Another might be assault in the defence of another.

My Games and Asset Packs
DeMarquis (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#19309: Apr 26th 2021 at 5:26:08 AM

It would depend almost entirely on how popular the club is. Income can vary anywhere from "being driven bankrupt" to independently wealthy.

I'm done trying to sound smart. "Clear" is the new smart.
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
#19310: Apr 26th 2021 at 6:25:51 AM

Would it be better to "hide" an act of cannibalism with a hallucination or a complete blackout?

TLDR: Character A instinctively eats Character E in order to survive a devastating injury and does not remember it until some time later. I'm trying to choose between him losing consciousness and waking up some distance away, completely healed with no memory of how he got there, or him having an elaborate hallucination and then regaining his sense of reality some distance away without understanding what happened, again completely healed.

Fear is a tyrant and a despot, more terrible than the rack, more potent than the snake. — Edgar Walllace
C105 Too old for this from France Since: Jan, 2012 Relationship Status: Yes, I'm alone, but I'm alone and free
Too old for this
#19311: Apr 26th 2021 at 6:30:48 AM

If your character knows something like this can happen to them, then they may suspect that something like this must have happened if they wake up fully healed. Conversely, if they experienced the feeding as an elaborate hallucination they may not question it until far later (or when evidence of what really happens begins turning up). So if you want your character to remain legitimately unaware of what happened for some time, I'd say a realistic hallucination (for instance character E tending to their wounds before leaving them without a word) is the way to go.

Whatever your favourite work is, there is a Vocal Minority that considers it the Worst. Whatever. Ever!.
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
#19312: Apr 26th 2021 at 6:41:14 AM

[up] @ C105:

Thanks for the input. My character definitely isn't aware that something like this could happen to him or that's he's even capable of doing this (he's gone most of his life thinking he's an ordinary teenage boy and is only now discovering he's a supernatural being, and is feeling his way along in terms of how his powers/body works).

So I guess the hallucination angle is the way to go, since it would completely eclipse any suspicion or sign of the truth. The situation (hallucination or blackout) is supposed to be surreal and a temporary but long-lasting Mind Screw anyway, since it will make no sense to the reader at this point as to how he got from one place to another fully healed and no longer suffering from hypothermia.

Fear is a tyrant and a despot, more terrible than the rack, more potent than the snake. — Edgar Walllace
Nukeli Since: Aug, 2018
#19313: Apr 26th 2021 at 12:54:35 PM

[up]x4

It's fairly popular.

I'm trying to figure out if the character would be well-off. Not specific numbers, but what sort of lifestyle he would propably get from owning a successful nightclub.

~*bleh*~
ChicoTheParakeet Since: Oct, 2019 Relationship Status: [TOP SECRET]
#19314: Apr 26th 2021 at 3:59:18 PM

Last question and I'll stop (for a while). Naming stuff after songs (in this case, Flogging Molly's "What's Left of the Flag"), what consequences should I be aware of? I know Viz Media changed all of the names in Jojo's Bizarre Adventure (much to fans' jargon) for the sake of not getting involved with other companies. I don't want to be in the same boat so why should I care or not?

Edited by ChicoTheParakeet on Apr 26th 2021 at 11:00:53 AM

TitanJump Since: Sep, 2013 Relationship Status: Singularity
#19315: Apr 26th 2021 at 8:31:56 PM

[up] Yes.

Yes, you should care.

You do not want to be sued by the owners of those songs for using their titles without paying for it first.

ChicoTheParakeet Since: Oct, 2019 Relationship Status: [TOP SECRET]
#19316: Apr 26th 2021 at 9:45:28 PM

[up]I should have known better. Now if that were only true for Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure fans...

Now to come up with a better name for a World War mecha story.

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
#19317: Apr 27th 2021 at 12:53:30 AM

Question for The Abominable Admiral (I mentioned this story enough times already, apologies in advance).

The main character is the first Asian-American to enter the United States Naval Academy in 1902. On the very first day (Induction Day), the moment he enters the dorms (Bancroft Halls) literally everyone in the room stares at him in a mixture of curiosity and shock.

Now, while the main character is a Deadpan Snarker by nature, he also is aware of the fact that smartass comments from a minority can get one in serious trouble, even a lynching. Initially he thinks of just nodding and move to his spot, he just couldn't help it and at least say something.

What are some very subtly cheeky responses you can say to everyone suddenly staring at you?

Here're some of the things the MC wanted to say but held back:

  • "What, anybody wants an autograph?"
  • "Yes, I know I'm handsome, it's almost a curse."
  • "Well, thank you all for your hospitality."
  • "Why, none of you ever seen an Asian man?"

Continuously reading, studying, and (hopefully) growing.
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
#19318: Apr 27th 2021 at 6:54:26 AM

[up] @ deRoy:

I had to think about this a lot. To be honest, I don't have any exact phrases, but I would center any potential words from him around the concept of a neutral greeting. What I mean, is that if he notices people staring, he could simply give them an overly cordial greeting or acknowledgement of their presence. Such as "Wonderful day we're having, eh?" or other such things. It calls the staring person out in a way that makes them aware that they have been noticed gawping and embarrasses them while allowing him to maintain "plausible deniability".

You actually seem to have a lot of this in the potential comebacks listed here, although in the spirit of this particular idea of mine, I'd scrap the last one as it's far too on-the-nose.

Fear is a tyrant and a despot, more terrible than the rack, more potent than the snake. — Edgar Walllace
C105 Too old for this from France Since: Jan, 2012 Relationship Status: Yes, I'm alone, but I'm alone and free
Too old for this
#19319: Apr 27th 2021 at 7:02:33 AM

[up][up] He could also say something on the lines of "What, do I have something stuck between my teeth?" or "Is there something scary right behind me?"

Whatever your favourite work is, there is a Vocal Minority that considers it the Worst. Whatever. Ever!.
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
#19320: Apr 27th 2021 at 7:14:01 AM

Hah, I like both of you guys' suggestions! I might mix those up a bit. Thanks![tup]

Continuously reading, studying, and (hopefully) growing.
TitanJump Since: Sep, 2013 Relationship Status: Singularity
#19321: Apr 27th 2021 at 7:15:41 AM

Or "American. Born and raised. Nice to meet ya."

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
#19322: Apr 27th 2021 at 7:40:25 AM

[up] x 3 @ deRoy: Glad that my suggestions helped!


It's subjective of course, but I'm curious as to whether or not the following would be considered a Fate Worse than Death?

There is a very rare type of werewolf in my story that is a truly unfortunate creature. These werewolves are unable to turn back into human form at all and so are forever stuck as giant wolves. Their minds are filled with feral rage, like something out of a stereotypical werewolf horror movie. They will attack anything that crosses their paths and often tear their prey to pieces as much for the sake of killing as for food.

This aggression is so overwhelming that they will continue to attack even if it hurts them (an example being smashing into a tree over and over again if a target has climbed it, even if it breaks their bones. The moment the wounds regenerate, they'll go right back at it). Worst of all, they do recognize somewhat that they were once people.

They're stuck in a cycle—-they know they were once something else, something better and feel like if they could just calm down for a minute, they could remember what that "something better" was. But they can't, and that just frustrates them more, feeding their already high levels of aggression.

Edited by Swordofknowledge on Apr 27th 2021 at 10:56:46 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
#19323: Apr 27th 2021 at 7:44:56 AM

You know how to set the mood for the day as always

I have to confess, I skimmed that because it's really depressing/horrifying and I don't need that in my life right now, but it sure sounds like a Fate Worse than Death to me.

So, let's hang an anchor from the sun... also my Tumblr
Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
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
#19325: Apr 27th 2021 at 7:53:21 AM

[up]@ Altris and Fighteer:

Well, it seems my job is done then. In all seriousness, my apologies for the disturbing image. In-story these creatures are supposed to be victims stuck in a truly horrific situation. The werewolf packs both fear and pity them since they pose a massive threat not only to The Masquerade but, you know, their actual lives as well. It's considered a living nightmare to encounter one and a Mercy Kill to put them down. I just wanted to ensure the "hype" wasn't being overblow.

I didn't really consider them an example of And I Must Scream to be honest, since I always took that as being unable to move for eternity or in constant pain again forever. Granted these guys are immortal since werewolves in wolf form don't age or get sick but still.

Edited by Swordofknowledge on Apr 27th 2021 at 10:54:25 AM

Fear is a tyrant and a despot, more terrible than the rack, more potent than the snake. — Edgar Walllace

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