I'm about to burst with frustration. Seriously. - Writers Forum

Gauda · 01-04-2006, 09:34 PM

Honestly,

I think of all these good plots and they start off so clear in my mind. But when you develop a sci-fi/fantasy world there are so many things you have to consider. It's a whole new world...you must discuss the ways the government functions, what type of world there is, what type of people live in the world, what is possible at the time...it's so frustrating! Any suggestions?

My other H U G E problem: I started off with a simple, clean, crisp, plot. But then I started asking myself so many questions it blew out of proportion into a giant air balloon and tonight it just popped. I ended up with a really really lame plot and I can't even remember what I first began with. The characters got all messed up and everything's just a tangled mess right now. Nothing makes sense anymore and whenever I try to come up with a solution it just crops up more problems and more questions: (for example: if event A occurs than event B becomes invalid...if character A discovers this then plot C becomes messed up...etc etc. get the idea?) I don't know how to prevent this but it's driving me insane! Could it be writer's block?

*sigh* I'm VERY open to suggestions right now and I give out my many thanks to all of you who contribute.

Dresdor · 01-04-2006, 10:05 PM

*shrug* I develop my characters and plot within the environment...you could say I start with the setting them write the story from there, so I don't come accross this problem very often. Maybe think of a good plot that could happen in the world you created, then expand that into the main players of the plot.

Gauda · 01-04-2006, 10:13 PM

Hmm. Thank you for that, I guess I could try it. I always find myself over-complicating things though and I don't know how to stop it.

character1_Caitlin · 01-04-2006, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gauda

Honestly,

I think of all these good plots and they start off so clear in my mind. But when you develop a sci-fi/fantasy world there are so many things you have to consider. It's a whole new world...you must discuss the ways the government functions, what type of world there is, what type of people live in the world, what is possible at the time...it's so frustrating! Any suggestions?

I thougth with fantasy - what is possible is anything? you decide if its possible at the time don't you?

I actually come from a programming background and there is something called a flowchart. - don't laugh because it may help you. Take a piece of paper and I guess put your main plot in a square box then draw a line and another important part of the plot-- when you have an event that affects this you have a logical choice of A or B -- if A you flowchart another direction and B you go another. A flowchart maps processes and the way an application can flow. More a visual aid to perhaps help you over a rough patch.
Actually in writing terminology maybe its a story board.

You are overwhelming yourself with all the possiblitlies you can have.

Hope I have helped you a little at least. It was the first thing that came to me when I read your problem.

Oracle · 01-05-2006, 12:04 AM

I know exactly what you mean. I've encountered that type of problem before. Sometimes you just need to sit back and return to your original plot idea. If the plot is the most important to you, then shape the world to fit the plot. Depending on how intricate the world is, plenty of problems can come up. If an element of your world isn't working, get rid of it or change it.

I try to create a world first, so the plot automatically fits the world. I create a world with some history, and then make plots out of pivotal points in that history, such as a big war or revolution. It can make a great starting point.

Dookie · 01-05-2006, 08:21 AM

Your world, perhaps, needn't be as complicated as you are making it. Remember to try and keep your story down to just what the reader needs to know. Is it imperative that the reader must know about your fantasy worlds government? Interesting maybe, but probably not needed.

Just little things like that could possibly be cut down on. Make the story a story and not a factual log. It doesn't matter if things in the background aren't too pristine, concentrate on your main story.

Mike C · 01-05-2006, 08:53 AM

You are over complicating, and forgetting what drives a story.

Unless your story is about the workings of government, don't write about government.

Good stories aren't about governments, planets, atmospheres, technology, etc. They are just incidentals. Good stories are about people. Whether set in your home town or a planet a billion light years from here, people will still fall in love, fight, make money, take chances, have hopes, dreams and fears. Write about the people, not the background.

Sand · 01-05-2006, 12:08 PM

All good advice. I particularly like the flowchart idea.

You could also try writing just a short story, rather than tackling a full novel concept. A short story will force you to decide what the critical elements of the story are, then focus just on them. If you have a problem with overly complex plots, this kind of exercise might help you. View it as developing and practicing a particular skill.

You can practice a number of writing skills with a short story, such as plot development, character development, dialogue, etc. and then go to your novel with those skills in place.

FWIW.

Gauda · 01-05-2006, 05:35 PM

Thank you for all of the advice.

I think I'll try mapping out a flowchart - just sitting down at starbucks with a frap and sipping while thinking. I really do think I need to start from the original plot again because I'm just confusing my self more and more with everything I do. It's really annoying! :[

One problem - the people and the government are intertwined in my book. It's basically about a girl who's discovers she isn't real [this is where things get complicated....I won't go into detail here

] and how the government can be corrupt. So it's difficult to sort things out and make them plausible when both topics are highly involved in the story.

But thanks again.