The Anti-Guide

How do you try to improve your writing?

I try to avoid old, stupid things.	17.5%	[ 2370 ]
I add new things.	14.7%	[ 1993 ]
A combination of both (if one more than the other, pick it).	67.8%	[ 9169 ]
Total Votes:			[ 13532 ]

[marshmallowcreampie]

avearia

I am The Compendium

Magic should not be consistent, nor should characters.

Magic = Deus Ex Machina.
Whenever your character needs to do something, there will be a spell that exactly fits their needs, and said spell will always be in the wizard's ability level. There are no limits on magic power or spell type, ever, except to create dramatic tension. (These 'limits' disappear when your character actually decides to DO something, of course.)

Magic never has to be explained, because it's magic, even when you base your whole story around it.

Magic and universe rules don't have to be consistent when it comes to your MC. Did your Lvl. 1 wizard MC shapeshift into a dragon, despite having earlier established that transforming into a dragon is an ability only a Lvl. 100 wizard can do? Well, you don't have to acknowledge it, your reader will never question it or see it as a plot hole.

If your MC is in a notoriously strict school or military area, they don't have to follow those silly uniform or conduct rules. No, while everyone else must wear the same thing every day, they can wear their stylish outfits and no one, neither the authorities nor their peers, will care! They can also stay up late and sleep in during mornings despite the strict sleeping scheduels. Why? It helps establish to the reader that your MC is special. The fact that your MC has unique powers few others possess, or is the only one to face the Dark Lord and make it out alive, or that they're the prince/ss of a kingdom won't be enough for the reader to get the message.

[I am The Compendium]

Misuki Marishima

Navean

DarknessofHeavenandDreams

Characters should not change in a story. They should remain dumb and flat. We liked them int he beginning and that was interesting so don't change them halfway through.

But if you are going to change them, make sure it's just in that "breaking character" sort of way. Character growth is stupid.

And the only reason they can change, of course, is for the sake of true love.

Or awesomeness that eventually results in truelove and saving the world.

[marshmallowcreampie]

Characters don't just change FOR true love, they change BECAUSE of true love. Your hard-a** action girl who kicks a** and doesn't need a man? Well, once she finds the perfect guy, marries him, and has a baby, she'll be totally changed into a loving, docile woman. It's not like you can be a wife+mother AND an a**-kicker at once. That's too contradicting! Everyone fits into a mold, you can't have people with different traits from different types of people. Got a fashionista, feminine gay guy who also loves mechanics and fixing cars? Well, can't have that, it contradicts the feminine-gay part of him! Got a black girl who grew up in the ghetto and talks with ebonics, but loves cutesy things, anime, and Hello Kitty? Can't have that! Remember, guys, stereotypes exist for a reason!

[I am The Compendium]

People should complain about, fight, and embrace destiny all at the same time without any transition explaining the change form one to the other.

[Misuki Marishima]

I am The Compendium

People should complain about, fight, and embrace destiny all at the same time without any transition explaining the change form one to the other.

Preferably in the same sentence, if you can manage it.

Also, the Destiny must be determined hundreds and hundreds of years ago, otherwise it's not real destiny.

[Mysterin]

Kings are always old, with beards. They're even more awesome if they're name is close to sounding like an animal. Here's a Do and Do Not:

Ex.: Leon Lionheart. 3nodding
Ex.: Richard Hemingway III scream

Queens never rule monarchy....EVER. That s**t just sounds preposterous.

[DarknessofHeavenandDreams]

Misuki Marishima

I am The Compendium

People should complain about, fight, and embrace destiny all at the same time without any transition explaining the change form one to the other.

Preferably in the same sentence, if you can manage it.

Also, the Destiny must be determined hundreds and hundreds of years ago, otherwise it's not real destiny.

And yet only random people know about it.

[Misuki Marishima]

DarknessofHeavenandDreams

Misuki Marishima

I am The Compendium

People should complain about, fight, and embrace destiny all at the same time without any transition explaining the change form one to the other.

Preferably in the same sentence, if you can manage it.

Also, the Destiny must be determined hundreds and hundreds of years ago, otherwise it's not real destiny.

And yet only random people know about it.

And these random people are going to randomly save the world, and somehow be modest about it too.

[I am The Compendium]

Misuki Marishima

DarknessofHeavenandDreams

Misuki Marishima

I am The Compendium

People should complain about, fight, and embrace destiny all at the same time without any transition explaining the change form one to the other.

Preferably in the same sentence, if you can manage it.

Also, the Destiny must be determined hundreds and hundreds of years ago, otherwise it's not real destiny.

And yet only random people know about it.

And these random people are going to randomly save the world, and somehow be modest about it too.

But they won't do anything until the Destined One shows up. They'll sit around and let the planet go bad and not prevent destruction, because then they wouldn't need the Destined One.

[theredfox8]

When the heroes must go out to the four corners of the Earth collecting the Eighteen Mystical Jewels of Mr. Spanky, they must collect them ALL to even have a remote chance of defeating the main villian. You can't be even one short.

[I am The Compendium]

TheRedFox8

When the heroes must go out to the four corners of the Earth collecting the Eighteen Mystical Jewels of Mr. Spanky, they must collect them ALL to even have a remote chance of defeating the main villian. You can't be even one short.

Nor should the think up a contingency plan.

[Misuki Marishima]

I am The Compendium

TheRedFox8

When the heroes must go out to the four corners of the Earth collecting the Eighteen Mystical Jewels of Mr. Spanky, they must collect them ALL to even have a remote chance of defeating the main villian. You can't be even one short.

Nor should the think up a contingency plan.

And they must have All Their Powers Combined to make the Rainbow Jewel of Purenes.

[I am The Compendium]

Misuki Marishima

I am The Compendium

TheRedFox8

When the heroes must go out to the four corners of the Earth collecting the Eighteen Mystical Jewels of Mr. Spanky, they must collect them ALL to even have a remote chance of defeating the main villian. You can't be even one short.

Nor should the think up a contingency plan.

And they must have All Their Powers Combined to make the Rainbow Jewel of Purenes.

Because its not like the jewels could break or get lost or stolen in the centuries they've been hidden. And yet, the party of Random Coolness has not trouble finding or getting them.

[marshmallowcreampie]

There's never a bad time to worry about romance, relationships, or getting a boyfriend/girlfriend! In the middle of an epic battle with the Dark Lord? Trying to hide from people who want to kill you? Living in a postapocalyptic, barren wasteland where you're not too far from starving to death? All perfect times to worry about relationships! It totally makes sense to be upset about not having a boyfriend or girlfriend when you're living in an extremely poor area where starvation is the number one cause of death!

[Doctor Pips]

Remember the characters should always follow the prophecy to a 'T'. There is no such thing as maybe attacking the big bad on year four instead of year seven. Despite the fact that your characters probably would've had a better chance at winning they must wait until the special year.

Also there is no chance that the prophecy isn't about your character even if it is vague, there is totally no one else it can be about.