Some questions about transformation scenes - Writers Forum

Glow_Chocolate · 05-31-2005, 02:31 PM

Okay, I'm writing a story about when a nineteen-year-old boy named Ari Vitera turns into a little boy. I have a few questions about the scene when he would turn into a child:

1. How should the transformation scene be like?
2.How old should Ari be so that the reader can understand that he is very weak (In terms of strength)
3. How should Ari react to his new self?

kintaris · 05-31-2005, 04:04 PM

6 or 7 i suppose

The transformation, if ur talking about children, shouldn't be too graphic (a la American Werewolf in London or Van Helsing). A basic shrinking might do - or you could just explain (if its first person) how a bright light and a strange feeling came over him of things shrinking

in that way you could have him not understand what has happened at first till he looks in the mirror or talks.

kintaris

Harlequin · 05-31-2005, 04:34 PM

Or you could do what the Tom HAnks move Big did and just have the transformation happen in his sleep.

kintaris · 05-31-2005, 04:40 PM

lol was going to say that but i didnt no whether to or not. Cos would that work so well in a book?

I spose it would - because u could have a long morning scene where theres obviously something wrong but he cant place his finger on it - till he realises he's too short to reach the cupboards...

kintaris

Kane · 05-31-2005, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glow_Chocolate

Okay, I'm writing a story about when a nineteen-year-old boy named Ari Vitera turns into a little boy. I have a few questions about the scene when he would turn into a child:

1. How should the transformation scene be like?
2.How old should Ari be so that the reader can understand that he is very weak (In terms of strength)
3. How should Ari react to his new self?

I think if you really want to be a writer you should seek within yourself and find yoru own answers to these questions. Set the scene, visualize what's happening. How would you react to finding out you were a small child? How do you think he should react, etc.

puglover · 06-01-2005, 03:57 AM

I hate to sound like a grandma..
but..
(no offence to grandmas and my grandmas

)
as a reader..
i'm sick of reading these transformation books..
they have been done already..
try to make something new of it..
try to do something nobody has done before :p
its boring to read the same sorta thing time and time again..
at first it was good but i think they are kinda out now

Saponification · 06-01-2005, 04:43 AM

If you're writing in first person have Ari talking normally. Nothing special, just going about his daily life. And then, in italics, put a line or two - his new self.

Ari continues.

Steadily this new voice takes over until you no longer need to put it in italics. The new voice speaks like a child - more simplistic language, more wonder at the things around him.

Glow_Chocolate · 06-01-2005, 09:36 AM

Ummm.....I have another set of questions:
1. Is it reasonable for Ari's clothes to be big on him after the transformation?
2. Should Ari's personality change?
3.What should cause the transformation?

DoobieKeebler · 06-01-2005, 11:21 AM

1. Absolutely. In most of those cases the clothes stay the same size.

2. & 3. Sorry. I've got to go with Kane here. Now, if you want my opinion as to whether something sounds plausible I'm more than happy to help.

Glow_Chocolate · 06-02-2005, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saponification

If you're writing in first person have Ari talking normally. Nothing special, just going about his daily life. And then, in italics, put a line or two - his new self.

Ari continues.

Steadily this new voice takes over until you no longer need to put it in italics. The new voice speaks like a child - more simplistic language, more wonder at the things around him.

How would I do this??? Meaning, how should I present this? Would Ari just be walking around with Melaney (his girlfriend) and he suddenly thinks like a child for a few minutes?

Saponification · 06-03-2005, 02:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glow_Chocolate

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saponification

If you're writing in first person have Ari talking normally. Nothing special, just going about his daily life. And then, in italics, put a line or two - his new self.

Ari continues.

Steadily this new voice takes over until you no longer need to put it in italics. The new voice speaks like a child - more simplistic language, more wonder at the things around him.

How would I do this??? Meaning, how should I present this? Would Ari just be walking around with Melaney (his girlfriend) and he suddenly thinks like a child for a few minutes?

Well, yeah. Pretty much.

He'll also speak and act like a child. Remember that as a child he'll regard his girlfriend in a different way. And other people.

I guess you could check out Suddenly 30 (the title in the US is different, I think it's something like 13 Going on 30). Notice how the lead character interacts with the people around her. It's a pretty terrible movie, but she acts like a thirteen year old, even in the way she dresses.