Need Help or Ideas? Come to the Think Tank and Idea Box!

[Rei the Wannabe Wizard]

Alright, so I recently started a story. It's weird in the sense that it's a fanfiction of my own work. yeah, I'm weird like that. XD But that's not important...

The story revolves around a girl and her boss. She was forced to get a job and she hates it. Her boss often leaves the shop for reasons he never says. In actuality, the shop he owns is just his day job; the one that lets him pay the bills. His real job is Death. He is one of many Grim Reapers throughout the world and it's a busy job-thus why he has to leave so much. Of course, his new employee doesn't know this so she hates his guts for it (and for working her to the bone). Somehow she needs to find out he's a Grim Reaper but I'm not sure how to go about it.

[Tom the evening Star]

White Kitsune Rei

Alright, so I recently started a story. It's weird in the sense that it's a fanfiction of my own work. yeah, I'm weird like that. XD But that's not important...

The story revolves around a girl and her boss. She was forced to get a job and she hates it. Her boss often leaves the shop for reasons he never says. In actuality, the shop he owns is just his day job; the one that lets him pay the bills. His real job is Death. He is one of many Grim Reapers throughout the world and it's a busy job-thus why he has to leave so much. Of course, his new employee doesn't know this so she hates his guts for it (and for working her to the bone). Somehow she needs to find out he's a Grim Reaper but I'm not sure how to go about it.

she could star to follow him or make scens so he could not leave thae plaace

[Eternal Complex]

i have a pretty good plot.

an average kid finds himself drifting through space and finding worlds that no one seems to inhabit. however, sign that there was life is quite obvious and as he finds a few friends in one single world that is civialized, he searches to find the answer to the dissaperences of the people. Anyone can use te idea if you want. if you don't i will cause i made it on the spot right now but i like the idea. ^^

[-TS- Alex]

I'm extremely stuck on what to name my major city. It's a story set in a highly realistic world, so the city name needs to reflect that.

A description of the city:

This large, crowded city beside the _________ river is best known as the birthplace of a famous hero. The majority of its inhabitants are industrial tycoons or factory workers, and it is considered noteworthy for its lush public gardens and high-brow city squares, as well as its military base located not far north across the river.

As a general fleshing out of the city, there is a major river that runs SW to NE slightly, with a fork in it running nearly straight south into the city. It has one major park and a few small parks littered throughout, as well as one main business square adorned by 3 major buildings, and two smaller business squares. The major factories are closer to the river fork, but the business section of the city isn't far, and is sprawled out eastward until there is more high industry. To the west of the river fork are houses and small business, much like boroughs. North of the main river is a Military base, where another portion of the story takes place. There is NO industry or high class business north here.

It's mostly an industrial wasteland, and the business area of the city is a run-down, dirty place. Everything has a dark overshadowing. It has a massive crime rate and a massive death rate. It seems as if the government has given up on it, and even the gangs don't want a claim on most areas anymore. Any city money goes into the upkeep of the downtown business district and the bridges that connect this area to the west side. Tourism is nearly non-existent.

I've been thinking all day, and recruited friends to help me come up with a name as well, but I have absolutely nothing. I've also hit generators, directories, naming hints and tips (including two on Gaia), and I've still come up with nothing. I'd greatly appreciate a nudge in some direction or other, because I feel like this is really putting me at a stand-still... XD

[ssenippah]

-TS- Alex

I'm extremely stuck on what to name my major city. It's a story set in a highly realistic world, so the city name needs to reflect that.

A description of the city:

This large, crowded city beside the _________ river is best known as the birthplace of a famous hero. The majority of its inhabitants are industrial tycoons or factory workers, and it is considered noteworthy for its lush public gardens and high-brow city squares, as well as its military base located not far north across the river.

As a general fleshing out of the city, there is a major river that runs SW to NE slightly, with a fork in it running nearly straight south into the city. It has one major park and a few small parks littered throughout, as well as one main business square adorned by 3 major buildings, and two smaller business squares. The major factories are closer to the river fork, but the business section of the city isn't far, and is sprawled out eastward until there is more high industry. To the west of the river fork are houses and small business, much like boroughs. North of the main river is a Military base, where another portion of the story takes place. There is NO industry or high class business north here.

It's mostly an industrial wasteland, and the business area of the city is a run-down, dirty place. Everything has a dark overshadowing. It has a massive crime rate and a massive death rate. It seems as if the government has given up on it, and even the gangs don't want a claim on most areas anymore. Any city money goes into the upkeep of the downtown business district and the bridges that connect this area to the west side. Tourism is nearly non-existent.

I've been thinking all day, and recruited friends to help me come up with a name as well, but I have absolutely nothing. I've also hit generators, directories, naming hints and tips (including two on Gaia), and I've still come up with nothing. I'd greatly appreciate a nudge in some direction or other, because I feel like this is really putting me at a stand-still... XD

Hmm. It's hard to know what kind of names you like, but one thing I like to do is think of street names I like. Like my grandparents live on a Ludlow Ave. (I think Ludlow actually is a town in a Stephen King novel, maybe in real life...) Another good one, this time in Pittsburgh, is Bellefield.

*tries to think of other streets*

[-TS- Alex]

I was hoping for a name that starts on a hard sound (and possibly ends on one, too?) and that preferably it doesn't need City at the end (like you don't say Chicago City or anything. Ew.). I feel like I'm being super picky, but this is the setting for a big story (for me) so I feel like I should take the liberty to be picky. smile

I've been wathcing street names. Ones at my college include Euclid and Irving, but I have yet to come up with any ideas form them. Still working though. x.x

[Endrogyne]

Can somebody please help me fine tune a character I've been working on? I think I've got most of the big things out of the way, but I'm having trouble making her seem real, as well as giving her some good traits. I've got many bad personality traits, but few redeeming ones. I'm trying to write a story that will follow a so called "bad" person and shows why she does what she does. I'm sick of antagonists being evil just for the hell of it. stare

[-TS- Alex]

That's a tough story idea, though if you can pull it off, more power to you.

As for redeeming qualities and whatnot, you could always take the horrible "dark past" path. It will probably end up being cliche unless well-executed, though.

I think antagonists being evil just for the heck of it are the rare ones, though, since revenge is usually the most common motive.

I think I kind of missed the point here. Could you give a little more information?

[Endrogyne]

-TS- Alex

That's a tough story idea, though if you can pull it off, more power to you.

As for redeeming qualities and whatnot, you could always take the horrible "dark past" path. It will probably end up being cliche unless well-executed, though.

I think antagonists being evil just for the heck of it are the rare ones, though, since revenge is usually the most common motive.

I think I kind of missed the point here. Could you give a little more information?

Sure, sorry about that. I think I forgot about the point of my question because I was trying not to make it too long. sweatdrop
I'm having a hard time thinking of good traits for my character that don't contradict her problems or habits.

Definite habits/downsides: (Ones she will definitely have in the story)
Physically weak, lazy, very little respect for others, steals money, lack of remorse for stealing, rarely takes responsibility for her actions, and antisocial.

Possible downsides:

Sloppy/dirty (I'm still thinking about this. I want her to be able to get away with some of the larger robberies she attempts later. I wanted to make her OCD clean, but I think that would contradict her laziness.)
Passive agressive or bipolar

Good traits;
She doesn't bother people unless they talk to her. (But if they do, she gets pissed.)
Book smart and intelligent (So she can pull of the robberies without strength.)

I think I have a pretty good idea about how she will react in certain situations, but I think I should build her up some more.
(Sorry that took so long.)

[-TS- Alex]

Pfft. Did you see the length of my post?

I think OCD clean would be a bit excessive... As for being book smart/intelligent, wouldn't street-smart make more sense? If she can steal and such, I mean. What's her background? Does she come from the poorhouse? A mansion? A suburb wit white picket fences? Row houses? That influences how people act a lot. Also,were her parents around? How old is she? If she's younger, are they dead? Useless? Know what she does, but don't care? DO care?

If you haven't figured this stuff out, I think it's easier to start there, then move into the positive traits to make sure they line up well.

but judging by the amount of bad qualities, this main character seems like she's going to be difficult to pass as a main character that readers will like. You'll need a positive trait that can essentially cancel out the negative ones karma-wise, or else your readers may end up hating your main character.

[Endrogyne]

-TS- Alex

Pfft. Did you see the length of my post?

I think OCD clean would be a bit excessive... As for being book smart/intelligent, wouldn't street-smart make more sense? If she can steal and such, I mean. What's her background? Does she come from the poorhouse? A mansion? A suburb wit white picket fences? Row houses? That influences how people act a lot. Also,were her parents around? How old is she? If she's younger, are they dead? Useless? Know what she does, but don't care? DO care?

If you haven't figured this stuff out, I think it's easier to start there, then move into the positive traits to make sure they line up well.

but judging by the amount of bad qualities, this main character seems like she's going to be difficult to pass as a main character that readers will like. You'll need a positive trait that can essentially cancel out the negative ones karma-wise, or else your readers may end up hating your main character.

(Thanks for the help!)
Ah, you're right! Street smart makes more sense. I have a vague idea about what her background was like. Something along the lines of growing up in a middle class suburb, her parents worked almost every day of their lives and tried to raise her to be a hard worker. She grew up hating how her parents worked their entire lives without being able to relax or retire, which is why she steals. It seems to her like an easier, faster way to get money. Basically she just wants to be happy, and she thinks money is the way to achieve that.

I was kind of trying to re-create (not re-create... Damn, I can't think of the right word right now. >.< )a character like Hannibal Lecter who was basically "bad" but still strangely attracting. (As in interesting, you want to know more about him.) I'm still pretty amateur at character developing, so I'm having a hard time.

[-TS- Alex]

A lot of character development is not necessarily what it is - though that's obviously important - but how it's given to the reader. You're obviously not going to reveal her entire story in one shot, if you don't start at the beginning.

For instance:

I'm not sure if you're a comic book reader or not, but take Wolverine for instance. When he made his first appearance readers knew absolutely NOTHING about him. (I think it was in an old Hulk issue that he appeared, actually) As he earned his own series and such, they still knew nothing, and it stayed that way for quite some time. Finally, maybe 2 years ago they released his origins. People stayed hooked on him that long, and the still are as more of his apst is revealed. He's beena live for almost 200 years (I estimate). That's a lot of history to present, and spreading it out is the way to do so.

Granted, his history is EXTREMELY fascinating, but it goes along the same lines. As long as you can convince your reader that her motivations are not pure, she has a reason for it.

Since you're relatively new at developing developing characters, as you said, the more questions you can ask yourself, the better off you are. It might seem like a pain at first, but it's useful in development, and also if you happen to hit a snag in the storyline it can be great fuel. Consider these as well, if it helps:

Who are her friends? Who were her friends? What caused them to no longer be her friends?

If she were to go out to relax on a Friday night, where would she go, and who with? What would they do?

Where would she go on vacation?

Who is her role model?

What kind of books does she read?

Is she into drugs? If not, why?

This might also help with the positive traits. Plus, by fleshing her out in this sense, readers might be able to relate to her more easily.

[Endrogyne]

-TS- Alex

A lot of character development is not necessarily what it is - though that's obviously important - but how it's given to the reader. You're obviously not going to reveal her entire story in one shot, if you don't start at the beginning.

For instance:

I'm not sure if you're a comic book reader or not, but take Wolverine for instance. When he made his first appearance readers knew absolutely NOTHING about him. (I think it was in an old Hulk issue that he appeared, actually) As he earned his own series and such, they still knew nothing, and it stayed that way for quite some time. Finally, maybe 2 years ago they released his origins. People stayed hooked on him that long, and the still are as more of his apst is revealed. He's beena live for almost 200 years (I estimate). That's a lot of history to present, and spreading it out is the way to do so.

Granted, his history is EXTREMELY fascinating, but it goes along the same lines. As long as you can convince your reader that her motivations are not pure, she has a reason for it.

Since you're relatively new at developing developing characters, as you said, the more questions you can ask yourself, the better off you are. It might seem like a pain at first, but it's useful in development, and also if you happen to hit a snag in the storyline it can be great fuel. Consider these as well, if it helps:

Who are her friends? Who were her friends? What caused them to no longer be her friends?

If she were to go out to relax on a Friday night, where would she go, and who with? What would they do?

Where would she go on vacation?

Who is her role model?

What kind of books does she read?

Is she into drugs? If not, why?

This might also help with the positive traits. Plus, by fleshing her out in this sense, readers might be able to relate to her more easily.

I think I know what you mean. Show, not tell, right? The only comic book I've read all the way through was Wet Moon, but I understand what you're getting at.
I have to get to bed now, but thank you very, very much for the help. 3nodding I think I just need to tone down the bad traits a bit and even her out with some good things. I just realized today that she was pretty flat when I tried filling out that mega character sheet floating around this forum and on almost every question I was thinking, "I don't really know... I'll skip it and come back later." xD
I figured if I couldn't answer her good personality traits or things she finds fun, I'd better dig deeper.
(I also think I need to research more about the causes of her traits. >.< )

Thanks again! The help is much appreciated. 3nodding

[-TS- Alex]

No problem at all! I'm interested to see how she turns out. I hope you can achieve your goal of telling the other side of the story. biggrin

[Half Baked SF]

We commonly use "Bang!" to describe the sound of a gunshot. How can I describe an automatic weapon going off?