Drastic Environment Changes... - Writers Forum

Verago · 07-05-2005, 01:24 PM

In my story, some people destroy these leylines, which keep the world in balance. When some of them are destroyed, the world starts falling apart, literally. The oceans and stuff start evaporating...the trees start dying, stuff like that.

I'm thinking that I might have a problem reminding the reader about the drastically changed world. Of course, I'll give details about it when it happens, but I don't want the reader to remember that the world is in shambles only for a second, and then have to be reminded...I think this would break the suspension of disbelief.

How would you go about reminding the reader of the environment indirectly?

Dan101 · 07-05-2005, 01:35 PM

Perhaps if you make a deep enough impression when first describing how the earth has been torn apart, it would really help to sustain their memory of such a detail. Also, have your characters remind themselves how much they miss the old world, or somthing like that.

"This air stinks..." Jake exclaimed, his hand covering his mouth. He missed the way it used to be; the way the air was crisp and clean, and the way the water was crystal clear and filled with fish.

Somthing like that every now and then, just to re-spark their memories a bit ^_^

PsychoticallySaneWriter · 07-05-2005, 01:36 PM

Try being descriptive of the environment along the way. Like when a character is wondering, make a description of the environment while making some interactions between the character and the collapsing world. Make it a topic that's there, but try not to be overly obvious about things.

I know what you mean about that though. I've been there with the general concept, trying to staple something into the reader's mind without having them forget.

I think though, if the event of the leylines being corrupted is significant enough, it'll stick with the reader. But it depends on the magnitude of the events when it happens.

Verago · 07-05-2005, 01:53 PM

Good advice. Will do.
Anyone else got anything?

Ilan Bouchard · 07-05-2005, 02:46 PM

If it's falling apart as the story progresses, perhaps show the changes as they occur. Have a character go to sleep in the shade of a tree and wake in sunlight, the leaves having wilted overnight, or something of the sort.

Verago · 07-05-2005, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ilan Bouchard

If it's falling apart as the story progresses, perhaps show the changes as they occur. Have a character go to sleep in the shade of a tree and wake in sunlight, the leaves having wilted overnight, or something of the sort.

I like that idea! Mind if I use that?

Ilan Bouchard · 07-05-2005, 03:13 PM

Certainly.*
For some reason, I find coming up with ideas for other plots as pleasing as writing, so if it's put to any use, all the better.
For that same reason, I desperately want to try and write a script, short story, or novel with someone, but I have yet to do so.

*By using this idea, you sign 55% of story ownership over to Ilan Bouchard, as well as 40% of any profit made by this story in the future.

Verago · 07-05-2005, 03:17 PM

Why, thank you, Ilan.
But are you sure?*

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ilan Bouchard

Certainly.*
For some reason, I find coming up with ideas for other plots as pleasing as writing, so if it's put to any use, all the better.
For that same reason, I desperately want to try and write a script, short story, or novel with someone, but I have yet to do so.

Me too, except for the writing a novel with someone thing.

*By giving expressed or implied permission to use aforementioned idea, you disclaim all rights to the idea and forfeit them to Verago and his real-life alter ego for his own selfish purposes.

Shawn · 07-05-2005, 03:23 PM

Since the plants are being destroyed it would be much harder breathing, so having the character taking notice that they cant run as far or they have other medical symptoms like lack of apatite or coughing.

Verago · 07-05-2005, 03:34 PM

Interesting...

Ilan Bouchard · 07-05-2005, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawn

Since the plants are being destroyed it would be much harder breathing, so having the character taking notice that they cant run as far or they have other medical symptoms like lack of apatite or coughing.

I'm not sure that's true. It might be, but I'm a little skeptical.

Dan101 · 07-05-2005, 03:50 PM

A tremendous amount of plantlife would have to be destroyed for that to be the case, I would assume.

How bad is the damage suppsoed to be? Do enormous amounts of people die as a result?

Verago · 07-05-2005, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan101

A tremendous amount of plantlife would have to be destroyed for that to be the case, I would assume.

How bad is the damage suppsoed to be? Do enormous amounts of people die as a result?

Demons, wildfires, the ocean's going away, the air burns when you breath it...No crops will grow...And there's a war starting.
The world is coming to a very violent end.

Lots and lots of people die.

Dan101 · 07-05-2005, 04:31 PM

well then....o_O

lol with all that happening, just have your characters suffering because it really sounds like they would be...unless ofcourse there is a demon int he group, then he would probably be ok ^_-

Verago · 07-05-2005, 05:05 PM

Actually one of main characters is a demon...but he doesn't find out until the end. The characters are going to get to suffer quite a bit before it's over...But since it's a trilogy, the world only begins to collapse in this one. Things get worse in two, and it finally happens (Or does it?) in three.