The Anti-Guide

How do you try to improve your writing?

I try to avoid old, stupid things.	17.5%	[ 2253 ]
I add new things.	14.9%	[ 1923 ]
A combination of both (if one more than the other, pick it).	67.6%	[ 8707 ]
Total Votes:			[ 12883 ]

[avearia]

Albireo of the Sky

Always maximize your use of hammerspace. There can never be enough hammerspace for your heroes to take advantage of.

For example:

1.) Travelling or moving, in any age, requires little more than a backpack or a shoulder bag. All of one's necessities (i.e., everything Character X owns; their wardrobe, money, food and cooking supplies, favorite books, computer, their pet cat...) can fit in this small space without really weighing anything. Say goodbye to heavy packs, donkeys, pack horses, carriages, trucks, or moving vans. Such things exist only for show.

2.) Large weapons can be carried hammerspace-style. In fact this is what the hammerspace was originally invented for.... so you don't end up carrying that 6-foot-sword/triple-barrelled-machine-gun/2000-pound-hammer-used-for-whacking-idiots everywhere. Not that these weapons weigh anything, but we tend to humor the universe, in that big, seemingly unweildly weapons ought to disappear when not in use.

3.) Characters. You know, those guys that travel around with the MC? the ones that you don't want to write about? That's okay. Stick 'em in the hammerspace until there is a dire need for them; they pop out of nowhere to aid the other, more interesting characters. Their only use is to aid the MC, so why write about them if you don't have to?

[The Phoenix Rises Again]

avearia

Albireo of the Sky

Always maximize your use of hammerspace. There can never be enough hammerspace for your heroes to take advantage of.

For example:

1.) Travelling or moving, in any age, requires little more than a backpack or a shoulder bag. All of one's necessities (i.e., everything Character X owns; their wardrobe, money, food and cooking supplies, favorite books, computer, their pet cat...) can fit in this small space without really weighing anything. Say goodbye to heavy packs, donkeys, pack horses, carriages, trucks, or moving vans. Such things exist only for show.

2.) Large weapons can be carried hammerspace-style. In fact this is what the hammerspace was originally invented for.... so you don't end up carrying that 6-foot-sword/triple-barrelled-machine-gun/2000-pound-hammer-used-for-whacking-idiots everywhere. Not that these weapons weigh anything, but we tend to humor the universe, in that big, seemingly unweildly weapons ought to disappear when not in use.

3.) Characters. You know, those guys that travel around with the MC? the ones that you don't want to write about? That's okay. Stick 'em in the hammerspace until there is a dire need for them; they pop out of nowhere to aid the other, more interesting characters. Their only use is to aid the MC, so why write about them if you don't have to?

((Reminds me of a joke about FFVII I had where Cloud would pull his pants form his hips and yell 'Pipe down in there!'))

[Raincrow]

The Phoenix Rises Again

((Reminds me of a joke about FFVII I had where Cloud would pull his pants form his hips and yell 'Pipe down in there!'))

((Reminds me of a scene from Vampire Hunter D (which is so bad it's hilarious):

...a taunting voice could be heard from around his waist. "No matter how you hate it, you can't fight your blood. That's your destiny--and you know it deep in your bones."

In a split second came the response. "Silence! I don't remember telling you to come out! Get back in there!"

Naturally, my first thought was, "Did his p***s just talk?" ))

[The Phoenix Rises Again]

It only takes the need for revenge for someone to become badass. The more s**t they go through more revenge they want, the more badass.

[Alias Scout]

The Phoenix Rises Again

It only takes the need for revenge for someone to become badass. The more s**t they go through more revenge they want, the more badass.

((*cough hack wheeze*Naruto*cough cough*))

[The Phoenix Rises Again]

Alias Onyx RAIDEN

The Phoenix Rises Again

It only takes the need for revenge for someone to become badass. The more s**t they go through more revenge they want, the more badass.

((*cough hack wheeze*Naruto*cough cough*))

((Never seen it enough to know. I just finished watching Machine Girl))

[Alias Scout]

The Phoenix Rises Again

Alias Onyx RAIDEN

The Phoenix Rises Again

It only takes the need for revenge for someone to become badass. The more s**t they go through more revenge they want, the more badass.

((*cough hack wheeze*Naruto*cough cough*))

((Never seen it enough to know. I just finished watching Machine Girl))

((Well, I'll just tell you this:

Itachi kills everybody but his little brother.

Said little brother wants to kill Itachi now.))

[FanFantasy]

Alias Onyx RAIDEN

The Phoenix Rises Again

Alias Onyx RAIDEN

The Phoenix Rises Again

It only takes the need for revenge for someone to become badass. The more s**t they go through more revenge they want, the more badass.

((*cough hack wheeze*Naruto*cough cough*))

((Never seen it enough to know. I just finished watching Machine Girl))

((Well, I'll just tell you this:

Itachi kills everybody but his little brother.

Said little brother wants to kill Itachi now.))

((This might spoil some if you ever want to read it.


When little brother finds Itachi and kills him, he still goes after revenge.

It's a never-ending and a more and more irritating circle of REVENGE.))

[Firlodge_the_second]

The Phoenix Rises Again

If you have a group of heroes, one must be yelled at by the leader each episode/issue/chapter. No, there does not need to be a reason.

I'm guessing only the bad guy is allowed to whip people though, right?

[the hidden ghost]

The Phoenix Rises Again

((I just finished watching Machine Girl))

((Ooo, I've been meaning to get that. Any good?))

All crimes get solved. There is no such thing as an unsolved crime. Cold cases are easily solved by some tiny little thing overlooked by people all those years ago, that is oh-so-obvious to your character.

Crime = murder.

[Peace N Love 4Ever]

ninja

[DarknessofHeavenandDreams]

Firlodge_the_second

The Phoenix Rises Again

If you have a group of heroes, one must be yelled at by the leader each episode/issue/chapter. No, there does not need to be a reason.

I'm guessing only the bad guy is allowed to whip people though, right?

Yes. And as much of a self-centered jerk the hero is, he doesn't get to be called one unless it's by a villain or token crabby guy

[twilek_jedi]

avearia

Albireo of the Sky

Always maximize your use of hammerspace. There can never be enough hammerspace for your heroes to take advantage of.

For example:

1.) Travelling or moving, in any age, requires little more than a backpack or a shoulder bag. All of one's necessities (i.e., everything Character X owns; their wardrobe, money, food and cooking supplies, favorite books, computer, their pet cat...) can fit in this small space without really weighing anything. Say goodbye to heavy packs, donkeys, pack horses, carriages, trucks, or moving vans. Such things exist only for show.

2.) Large weapons can be carried hammerspace-style. In fact this is what the hammerspace was originally invented for.... so you don't end up carrying that 6-foot-sword/triple-barrelled-machine-gun/2000-pound-hammer-used-for-whacking-idiots everywhere. Not that these weapons weigh anything, but we tend to humor the universe, in that big, seemingly unweildly weapons ought to disappear when not in use.

3.) Characters. You know, those guys that travel around with the MC? the ones that you don't want to write about? That's okay. Stick 'em in the hammerspace until there is a dire need for them; they pop out of nowhere to aid the other, more interesting characters. Their only use is to aid the MC, so why write about them if you don't have to?

((I've solved this problem!
Using the wagon of awesome.
I just stuff everything not in use in a wagon with a character who's only purpose is to be the guy with the wagon.
Okay, not as sad and lonely as it sounds... Wagon-guy used to be a stalker of sorts. Now he's been upgraded to official packmule.
Oi. I need to be nicer to these characters...))

Only the pretty and powerful characters get to be onscreen for more than one line at a time.

Even though the MC is like, 16, angsty, and nobody likes him, he can still gather together an awesome team of people stronger than him. Mind control charisma aside, he usually commands this team like a total jerk, not taking their suggestions/getting them into bad situations. Said team will never go behind his back to do the right thing, and if they try they'll make things even worse.

[DarknessofHeavenandDreams]

avearia

For example:

1.) Travelling or moving, in any age, requires little more than a backpack or a shoulder bag. All of one's necessities (i.e., everything Character X owns; their wardrobe, money, food and cooking supplies, favorite books, computer, their pet cat...) can fit in this small space without really weighing anything. Say goodbye to heavy packs, donkeys, pack horses, carriages, trucks, or moving vans. Such things exist only for show.

Horses are very low maintenance, easy to raise, and can go anywhere. Other animals are only located in small, remote areas of the world.

[FanFantasy]

twilek_jedi

avearia

Albireo of the Sky

Always maximize your use of hammerspace. There can never be enough hammerspace for your heroes to take advantage of.

For example:

1.) Travelling or moving, in any age, requires little more than a backpack or a shoulder bag. All of one's necessities (i.e., everything Character X owns; their wardrobe, money, food and cooking supplies, favorite books, computer, their pet cat...) can fit in this small space without really weighing anything. Say goodbye to heavy packs, donkeys, pack horses, carriages, trucks, or moving vans. Such things exist only for show.

2.) Large weapons can be carried hammerspace-style. In fact this is what the hammerspace was originally invented for.... so you don't end up carrying that 6-foot-sword/triple-barrelled-machine-gun/2000-pound-hammer-used-for-whacking-idiots everywhere. Not that these weapons weigh anything, but we tend to humor the universe, in that big, seemingly unweildly weapons ought to disappear when not in use.

3.) Characters. You know, those guys that travel around with the MC? the ones that you don't want to write about? That's okay. Stick 'em in the hammerspace until there is a dire need for them; they pop out of nowhere to aid the other, more interesting characters. Their only use is to aid the MC, so why write about them if you don't have to?

((I've solved this problem!
Using the wagon of awesome.
I just stuff everything not in use in a wagon with a character who's only purpose is to be the guy with the wagon.
Okay, not as sad and lonely as it sounds... Wagon-guy used to be a stalker of sorts. Now he's been upgraded to official packmule.
Oi. I need to be nicer to these characters...))

Only the pretty and powerful characters get to be onscreen for more than one line at a time.

Even though the MC is like, 16, angsty, and nobody likes him, he can still gather together an awesome team of people stronger than him. Mind control charisma aside, he usually commands this team like a total jerk, not taking their suggestions/getting them into bad situations. Said team will never go behind his back to do the right thing, and if they try they'll make things even worse.

In fact, they will follow him more loyally because of his bad decision making and angst. Screw logic.