Camp NaNo

Atticus

Atticus · Mar 21, 2018

For all the planning/outlining details so I can hit the ground running and officially hit 50,000 words in 30 days, as well as updates on my progress throughout Camp NaNo.

Atticus

Atticus · Mar 21, 2018

*WARNING: SPOILERS ALERT. DO NOT PROCEED IF YOU DO NOT WANT THE FIRST BOOK IN THE SERIES TO BE SPOILED. WARNING: SEVERE SPOILERS. THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO TURN BACK*

To help me prepare for Camp NaNo, I'm going to do 10 challenges that I did in preparation for official NaNoWriMo last November from the PlanMo club. My goal in completing these challenges is to go into Camp NaNo prepared so I can be the most productive during April and not waste time trying to figure out where I want my story to go. Here's Challenge 1:

Spoiler

Worldbuilding. To elaborate on this idea, I have a question: What world do your characters live in? A fantasy world? A sci-fi world? The real world? A fantasy world where the magic is powered by giraffes? If in the real world--what place? If in the fantasy world with a giraffe-powered magic system--why giraffes and how does this magic work? How far does this magic extend?

At this point, we all know that worldbuilding at the core roots: Building the world. However, what does that extend to? Worldbuilding extends to what type of world the characters are living in, the history of said world, how said world deviates from our own if at all. There are even multiple ways to go about worldbuilding. Is the world fictional and built from scratch? Is the world what we know as the real world with new elements added in? If so, what elements? Or is this the real world and if so, what places need researched in order to accurately depict them in the novel? This all leads back to: What world do your characters live in?

Worldbuilding. The art of building a world at times, even making that world seem as feasible or immersing as our own. The purpose of the first challenge is to set the stage. Starting with the worldbuilding element of outlining starts us at the chronological beginning: The universe. Maybe your characters end up traveling to multiple different and unique places in the fantasy world you create or maybe the majority of the novel is spent in a village that's in the middle of nowhere in the real world and most of the worldbuilding is making that village detailed and in-depth with the worldbuilding.

Wherever your characters' stories take place, think about the function of the world and go from there in answering these questions and recording your answers in your journal. Optional challenge: Write about a place in the novel that serves purpose to an important plot point.

I've laid out most of the details about the world Skylar and Myra are living in already, but during the first book, Skylar and Myra traveled from their respective home planets via aircraft to a government-run labor camp. From there, they escape and travel to the planet Swervia, basically a hole filled with criminals, and they gather important information there. After that, they travel to the planet Novidia, where a blue mineral that powers all of the government's ships, a substance that is highly illegal. They persuade the natives to help them mine that mineral and give a rallying speech to persuade the Novidians to join them on their quest to overthrow the NUS.

The second book will be centered around Skylar and Myra as they move through several different planets, talking to influential people and anybody who might be able to help them to fashion a weapon that stands a chance against all the equipment the NUS has at their disposal. I'm relying on the subplot of the NUS, a powerful military organization, trying desperately to capture them to provide the driving drama and add some intensity to this book.

The third book (coming soon in all of its first-draft glory once I get through the second book) is tentatively scheduled to be about the actual battle between the forces that Skylar and Myra have assembled and the entire force of the NUS. I'm really hyped for this one because I'm hoping it will go down Star-Wars style—lots of epic space battles, a small Rebellion rising up against a corrupt government, and in truly dramatic fashion, the heroes that the reader has fallen in love with thanks to the phenomenal writing of yours truly (one of the iffiest parts of the series) *SPOILER* defeats the oppressive government. Confetti cannons. Fireworks. Sparklers. They did it. Hooray.

Obviously the central theme of the book revolves around defeating an oppressive government. It might come off as cliche, but I have full faith that I'll be able to pull it off with some notable twists.

Worldbuilding will become a bit more of a factor in book two because of their planet-jumping, so again I plan to include a variety of planets. I think it will be most convincing if they plan their trips to planets that have a reputation for housing people who have been oppressed by the government and are most likely to join a rebellion against them. There will obviously be an intricate thought process behind each settlement they campaign for, and throughout this I have my fingers crossed that the action doesn't become dull and all the dialogue stays interesting and captivating. That will most likely be my biggest pitfall. However, if I can incorporate the theme of a resourceful enemy hunting them down and correctly convey how desperate the NUS is to capture Skylar and Myra and the punishments if they got caught.

One thing I had a lot of fun playing with last time was weaving in a new culture. The culture added another layer of depth to their planet, and I had a lot of fun detailing the interactions between Skylar and Myra and the natives of this planet. I hope to be able to do that again in book 2 and through that include some important lessons about interracial and intercultural relationships and show how they are mutually beneficial.

A key place in this story will probably be the planet Novidia, where this special mineral is located. This will end up being a home base of sorts for Skylar and Myra. The government, of course, still frequently sends ships there to collect this mineral, and resources run low as Skylar and Myra try to collect this mineral as well. It will be an important place for them strategically, since it would be easiest if they only had to transport this (highly illegal) substance a relatively short distance, and they will most likely end up visiting it the most.

*WARNING: SPOILERS ALERT. DO NOT PROCEED IF YOU DO NOT WANT THE FIRST BOOK IN THE SERIES TO BE SPOILED. WARNING: SEVERE SPOILERS. THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO TURN BACK*

To help me prepare for Camp NaNo, I'm going to do 10 challenges that I did in preparation for official NaNoWriMo last November from the PlanMo club. My goal in completing these challenges is to go into Camp NaNo prepared so I can be the most productive during April and not waste time trying to figure out where I want my story to go. Here's Challenge 1:
[spoiler]Worldbuilding. To elaborate on this idea, I have a question: What world do your characters live in? A fantasy world? A sci-fi world? The real world? A fantasy world where the magic is powered by giraffes? If in the real world--what place? If in the fantasy world with a giraffe-powered magic system--why giraffes and how does this magic work? How far does this magic extend?

At this point, we all know that worldbuilding at the core roots: Building the world. However, what does that extend to? Worldbuilding extends to what type of world the characters are living in, the history of said world, how said world deviates from our own if at all. There are even multiple ways to go about worldbuilding. Is the world fictional and built from scratch? Is the world what we know as the real world with new elements added in? If so, what elements? Or is this the real world and if so, what places need researched in order to accurately depict them in the novel? This all leads back to: What world do your characters live in?

Worldbuilding. The art of building a world at times, even making that world seem as feasible or immersing as our own. The purpose of the first challenge is to set the stage. Starting with the worldbuilding element of outlining starts us at the chronological beginning: The universe. Maybe your characters end up traveling to multiple different and unique places in the fantasy world you create or maybe the majority of the novel is spent in a village that's in the middle of nowhere in the real world and most of the worldbuilding is making that village detailed and in-depth with the worldbuilding.

Wherever your characters' stories take place, think about the function of the world and go from there in answering these questions and recording your answers in your journal. Optional challenge: Write about a place in the novel that serves purpose to an important plot point.[/spoiler]

I've laid out most of the details about the world Skylar and Myra are living in already, but during the first book, Skylar and Myra traveled from their respective home planets via aircraft to a government-run labor camp. From there, they escape and travel to the planet Swervia, basically a hole filled with criminals, and they gather important information there. After that, they travel to the planet Novidia, where a blue mineral that powers all of the government's ships, a substance that is highly illegal. They persuade the natives to help them mine that mineral and give a rallying speech to persuade the Novidians to join them on their quest to overthrow the NUS.

The second book will be centered around Skylar and Myra as they move through several different planets, talking to influential people and anybody who might be able to help them to fashion a weapon that stands a chance against all the equipment the NUS has at their disposal. I'm relying on the subplot of the NUS, a powerful military organization, trying desperately to capture them to provide the driving drama and add some intensity to this book.

The third book (coming soon in all of its first-draft glory once I get through the second book) is tentatively scheduled to be about the actual battle between the forces that Skylar and Myra have assembled and the entire force of the NUS. I'm really hyped for this one because I'm hoping it will go down Star-Wars style—lots of epic space battles, a small Rebellion rising up against a corrupt government, and in truly dramatic fashion, the heroes that the reader has fallen in love with thanks to the phenomenal writing of yours truly (one of the iffiest parts of the series) *SPOILER* defeats the oppressive government. Confetti cannons. Fireworks. Sparklers. They did it. Hooray.

Obviously the central theme of the book revolves around defeating an oppressive government. It might come off as cliche, but I have full faith that I'll be able to pull it off with some notable twists.

Worldbuilding will become a bit more of a factor in book two because of their planet-jumping, so again I plan to include a variety of planets. I think it will be most convincing if they plan their trips to planets that have a reputation for housing people who have been oppressed by the government and are most likely to join a rebellion against them. There will obviously be an intricate thought process behind each settlement they campaign for, and throughout this I have my fingers crossed that the action doesn't become dull and all the dialogue stays interesting and captivating. That will most likely be my biggest pitfall. However, if I can incorporate the theme of a resourceful enemy hunting them down and correctly convey how desperate the NUS is to capture Skylar and Myra and the punishments if they got caught.

One thing I had a lot of fun playing with last time was weaving in a new culture. The culture added another layer of depth to their planet, and I had a lot of fun detailing the interactions between Skylar and Myra and the natives of this planet. I hope to be able to do that again in book 2 and through that include some important lessons about interracial and intercultural relationships and show how they are mutually beneficial.

A key place in this story will probably be the planet Novidia, where this special mineral is located. This will end up being a home base of sorts for Skylar and Myra. The government, of course, still frequently sends ships there to collect this mineral, and resources run low as Skylar and Myra try to collect this mineral as well. It will be an important place for them strategically, since it would be easiest if they only had to transport this (highly illegal) substance a relatively short distance, and they will most likely end up visiting it the most.

Atticus

Atticus · Mar 22, 2018

Challenge 2: Opening Scene

Spoiler

For the second challenge, we want you to tell us about what your opening scene is going to be like.

There are probably a couple of things to keep in mind. The most important is this: what key plot point is going to take place? Your plan may be loose at this stage and details may change, but what is the one thing that has to happen in that first scene no matter what? (It would also be reasonable to consider this as "first important scene".)

You maybe also want to think about how you can introduce your setting in a non info-dump-y way. The best way I can see to do this is to plan your character's actions to include interactions with the setting. Especially if your setting description is hidden in plot advancement, this can help it to feel nice and subtle. For example:

"You don't understand, Uncle, I have to catch the Avatar!" Zuko snarled.

Uncle Iroh flinched and turned his head away. He hated the way Zuko's face twisted up like that, all too much like his father's. Iroh could tell from the heavy breathing that Zuko had not relaxed so he continued to stare out across the southern ocean. But after a moment the longing for the warmer climes of the Fire Nation got too much and he had to return to the conversation at hand.

And yes, if anyone is wondering, imma be using A:TLA for all my examples this month. What I've tried to do here is introduce where they are - the ocean near the southern water tribe - as well as where they come from - the fire nation - and what it's like there - warm. But I've tried to merge them into Iroh's sorrow about the present situation so that it doesn't feel like I'm just listing facts at the reader.

Lastly, you gotta give your reader some characters they can get on board with. They don't have to be likeable; they just have to have a hook. Here Zuko is not likeable, but Iroh's sorrow suggests that maybe he was at some point, which was interesting for me at least and resulted in me watching all three seasons in very quick succession

The key plot point in my story is when Skylar and Myra discover a way to manufacture a weapon that has the capability of destroying the NUS, the antagonist of the story. There is also an important subplot of dramatic escapes from the NUS, who is vigorously pursuing the heroines and a campaign headed by Skylar and Myra to gather supporters for their cause. Basically, they're escaping from a massive government with almost unlimited funding, making a weapon, and rallying a massive army. All at the same time. Pretty bad-ass.

The story is a continuation of the first book, so it will pick up in the town hall of Novidia, directly after Skylar and Myra have given a riveting speech and have gathered a handful of followers who are willing to fight against the government and join their movement to resist. They gather together in the town hall and plan when, where, and how they will persuade enough people to join their army to pose a substantial threat to the NUS.

As to introducing my idea in a non-info-dumpy way, I'm planning on just including a lot of details (ex. Myra said "XYZ" as she examined the [insert details about the building here], or Skylar and one of the other characters, Swarock, discuss the history of this planet as a side conversation)

All of these opening scenes will lead to the ultimate pinnacle of the story, when Skylar and Myra, after many visits to accomplished scientists, discover a way to use a mineral called Blue Powder (name is a work in progress) as a weapon against the NUS so they can overthrow the oppressive government and establish a system of justice.

[b]Challenge 2: Opening Scene[/b]
[spoiler]For the second challenge, we want you to tell us about what your opening scene is going to be like.

There are probably a couple of things to keep in mind. The most important is this: what key plot point is going to take place? Your plan may be loose at this stage and details may change, but what is the one thing that has to happen in that first scene no matter what? (It would also be reasonable to consider this as "first important scene".)

You maybe also want to think about how you can introduce your setting in a non info-dump-y way. The best way I can see to do this is to plan your character's actions to include interactions with the setting. Especially if your setting description is hidden in plot advancement, this can help it to feel nice and subtle. For example:

"You don't understand, Uncle, I have to catch the Avatar!" Zuko snarled.

Uncle Iroh flinched and turned his head away. He hated the way Zuko's face twisted up like that, all too much like his father's. Iroh could tell from the heavy breathing that Zuko had not relaxed so he continued to stare out across the southern ocean. But after a moment the longing for the warmer climes of the Fire Nation got too much and he had to return to the conversation at hand.

And yes, if anyone is wondering, imma be using A:TLA for all my examples this month. What I've tried to do here is introduce where they are - the ocean near the southern water tribe - as well as where they come from - the fire nation - and what it's like there - warm. But I've tried to merge them into Iroh's sorrow about the present situation so that it doesn't feel like I'm just listing facts at the reader.

Lastly, you gotta give your reader some characters they can get on board with. They don't have to be likeable; they just have to have a hook. Here Zuko is not likeable, but Iroh's sorrow suggests that maybe he was at some point, which was interesting for me at least and resulted in me watching all three seasons in very quick succession[/spoiler]

The key plot point in my story is when Skylar and Myra discover a way to manufacture a weapon that has the capability of destroying the NUS, the antagonist of the story. There is also an important subplot of dramatic escapes from the NUS, who is vigorously pursuing the heroines and a campaign headed by Skylar and Myra to gather supporters for their cause. Basically, they're escaping from a massive government with almost unlimited funding, making a weapon, and rallying a massive army. All at the same time. Pretty bad-ass.

The story is a continuation of the first book, so it will pick up in the town hall of Novidia, directly after Skylar and Myra have given a riveting speech and have gathered a handful of followers who are willing to fight against the government and join their movement to resist. They gather together in the town hall and plan when, where, and how they will persuade enough people to join their army to pose a substantial threat to the NUS.

As to introducing my idea in a non-info-dumpy way, I'm planning on just including a lot of details (ex. Myra said "XYZ" as she examined the [insert details about the building here], or Skylar and one of the other characters, Swarock, discuss the history of this planet as a side conversation)

All of these opening scenes will lead to the ultimate pinnacle of the story, when Skylar and Myra, after many visits to accomplished scientists, discover a way to use a mineral called Blue Powder (name is a work in progress) as a weapon against the NUS so they can overthrow the oppressive government and establish a system of justice.

Atticus

Atticus · Mar 23, 2018

Challenge 3: The Villain

Spoiler

I would say that your antagonist is your second most important character at least. It would even be possible to argue that they are the most important because typically it is the villain that is the driving force behind the plot tension, the reason why your hero can't succeed in their aims. Therefore, I think it's really important to put a lot of work into building up your villian.

There are two sides to any story, so in order to make your villian a person rather than an obstinate brick wall, I want you to write about their aims, characteristics, flaws and fears from their POV, preferable in first person. Of course, if you get into a good flow, you're welcome to write more, but those are the basics I think everyone needs to get down. Stories are so much more compelling when the reader's loyalties are conflicted.

For example...

Hi, my name is Princess Azula and I'm going to win this war for the Fire Nation. My father is my hero and it is my life's ambition to prove my worth to him. I always get the feeling that the rest of my family is a disappointment to him: my brother can't even catch that goddam Avatar and my mother... My mother is the biggest disappointment.

I would describe myself as an ambitious person, as I've discussed, but I also do care about my friends. Ty Lee and Mai have been my friends since childhood and though I don't always understand them I know we'll always be a team.

Well, my mother claims that my biggest flaw is that I'm a "monster". I prefer to think of myself as a victor, of course, but maybe I do get somewhat narrow focus at times.

God, really? Well, if I had to pick a fear I guess I'm afraid that the little Avatar kid will beat us and we won't be able to bring in the great age of the Fire Nation. He's determined, him and his little friends, determined to stand in the way of the world's progress.

I also think it would be fun to write this as a lament if you're feeling poetic/lyrical, but that's just something for fun.

Hope this helps

EDIT: Forgot to mention, if your villain is an abstract antagonist eg the protagonist's inner self-doubt, here are some challenges for that.

What is it about this abstract concept that is in direct conflict with your character's goals?
How does this conflict affect your character?
If it's an external thing eg capitalism, how does it affect the world of the story?
How do other characters see the concept? Do they also feel opposed to it or are there varying opinions?

Introduction to my Villain:
My villain is a large government organization called the NUS, standing for New Unitay State. It's not very creative, I know, and I'm open to changing it, but I'm going to work with this for the time being. I'm going to fill out some characteristics of this system as a whole so I can understand a bit better what my characters are up against.

Sequels are both trickier and easier than the original, because I now have to continue my train of thought in a new plot line, which might prove to be difficult. On the other hand, I don't have to dream up an entirely new antagonist in my story. Here are some of the basics:

Aims:The NUS seeks to have ultimate control over several galaxies and every person, corporation, and government of every planet. They micromanage every detail, and it that sounds extreme, that's because it is. They have an annual "Inspection" where taskforces of government agents, armed to the teeth, examine every single business, no matter how big or small, and make sure it passes an exam. If it doesn't pass, it gets shut down, and there's nothing anyone can do to stop it.

While it might be an admirable idea in principle to weed out the corrupted businesses, it's a flawed principle, and it isn't enforced very well. It's disintegrated into soldiers picking out the businesses they like and allowing them to operate and accepting bribes and other means of persuasion. It's fallen apart, but the NUS is too stubborn to admit it and clings to its fallen system.
Characteristics: General tyranny, indifference to the struggles of the common man, greedy, made up of only the elite who care only for the elite, illegitimacy, corruption, and did I mention tyranny? There aren't very many redeeming factors here. There might be some legitimate effort to restore the NUS to a fair and impartial government, but they're not very big, well-known, or influential.
Flaws: See above, as well as self-centeredness. Everyone who works with the NUS cares only for themselves and making sure they secure a comfortable life, from the heads of the board to the commons soldiers.
Fears:Exactly what has happened in book 1. Their labor camps go directly against many things they have fought against, and if they were ever exposed, it could lead to a rebellion. They fear any attempts to overthrow them, because even though they could almost certainly extinguish any sort of coup, it would be costly, both monetarily and financially. Skylar and Myra have successfully put them in a position where they are desperate to catch them and thwart their plans, and would do anything to stop them.

[b]Challenge 3: The Villain[/b]
[spoiler]I would say that your antagonist is your second most important character at least. It would even be possible to argue that they are the most important because typically it is the villain that is the driving force behind the plot tension, the reason why your hero can't succeed in their aims. Therefore, I think it's really important to put a lot of work into building up your villian.

There are two sides to any story, so in order to make your villian a person rather than an obstinate brick wall, I want you to write about their aims, characteristics, flaws and fears from their POV, preferable in first person. Of course, if you get into a good flow, you're welcome to write more, but those are the basics I think everyone needs to get down. Stories are so much more compelling when the reader's loyalties are conflicted.

For example...

Hi, my name is Princess Azula and I'm going to win this war for the Fire Nation. My father is my hero and it is my life's ambition to prove my worth to him. I always get the feeling that the rest of my family is a disappointment to him: my brother can't even catch that goddam Avatar and my mother... My mother is the biggest disappointment.

I would describe myself as an ambitious person, as I've discussed, but I also do care about my friends. Ty Lee and Mai have been my friends since childhood and though I don't always understand them I know we'll always be a team.

Well, my mother claims that my biggest flaw is that I'm a "monster". I prefer to think of myself as a victor, of course, but maybe I do get somewhat narrow focus at times.

God, really? Well, if I had to pick a fear I guess I'm afraid that the little Avatar kid will beat us and we won't be able to bring in the great age of the Fire Nation. He's determined, him and his little friends, determined to stand in the way of the world's progress.

I also think it would be fun to write this as a lament if you're feeling poetic/lyrical, but that's just something for fun.

Hope this helps :)

EDIT: Forgot to mention, if your villain is an abstract antagonist eg the protagonist's inner self-doubt, here are some challenges for that.

What is it about this abstract concept that is in direct conflict with your character's goals?
How does this conflict affect your character?
If it's an external thing eg capitalism, how does it affect the world of the story?
How do other characters see the concept? Do they also feel opposed to it or are there varying opinions?[/spoiler]

Introduction to my Villain:
My villain is a large government organization called the NUS, standing for New Unitay State. It's not very creative, I know, and I'm open to changing it, but I'm going to work with this for the time being. I'm going to fill out some characteristics of this system as a whole so I can understand a bit better what my characters are up against.

Sequels are both trickier and easier than the original, because I now have to continue my train of thought in a new plot line, which might prove to be difficult. On the other hand, I don't have to dream up an entirely new antagonist in my story. Here are some of the basics:

Aims:The NUS seeks to have ultimate control over several galaxies and every person, corporation, and government of every planet. They micromanage every detail, and it that sounds extreme, that's because it is. They have an annual "Inspection" where taskforces of government agents, armed to the teeth, examine every single business, no matter how big or small, and make sure it passes an exam. If it doesn't pass, it gets shut down, and there's nothing anyone can do to stop it.

While it might be an admirable idea in principle to weed out the corrupted businesses, it's a flawed principle, and it isn't enforced very well. It's disintegrated into soldiers picking out the businesses they like and allowing them to operate and accepting bribes and other means of persuasion. It's fallen apart, but the NUS is too stubborn to admit it and clings to its fallen system. 
Characteristics: General tyranny, indifference to the struggles of the common man, greedy, made up of only the elite who care only for the elite, illegitimacy, corruption, and did I mention tyranny? There aren't very many redeeming factors here. There might be some legitimate effort to restore the NUS to a fair and impartial government, but they're not very big, well-known, or influential. 
Flaws: See above, as well as self-centeredness. Everyone who works with the NUS cares only for themselves and making sure they secure a comfortable life, from the heads of the board to the commons soldiers.
Fears:Exactly what has happened in book 1. Their labor camps go directly against many things they have fought against, and if they were ever exposed, it could lead to a rebellion. They fear any attempts to overthrow them, because even though they could almost certainly extinguish any sort of coup, it would be costly, both monetarily and financially. Skylar and Myra have successfully put them in a position where they are desperate to catch them and thwart their plans, and would do [i]anything[/i] to stop them.

Atticus

Atticus · Mar 24, 2018

Challenge 4: Character DesName:
Age:
Height:
Eye colour:
Physical appearance:
Strange or unique physical attributes:
Favourite clothing style/outfit:
Where does he/she live? What is it like there? --
Defining gestures/movements:
Things about his/her appearance he/she would most like to change:
Speaking style:
Pet peeves:
Fondest memory:
Hobbies/interests:
Special skills/abilities:
Insecurities:
Quirks/eccentricities:
Temperament:
Negative traits:
Things that upset him.
Things that embarrass him:
This character is highly opinionated about:
Any phobias? --
Things that make him/her happy:
Family (describe):
Deepest, darkest secret:
Reason he/she has kept this secret for so long:
Other people's opinions of this character:
Favourite bands/songs/types of music:
Favourite movies:
Favourite TV shows:
Favourite books:
Favourite foods:
Favourite sports/sports teams:
Political views:
Religion/philosophy of life:
Physical health:
Dream holiday:
Description of his/her house:
Description of his/her room:
Any pets? --
Best thing that has ever happened to this character:
Worst thing that has ever happened to this character:
Superstitions:
Three words to describe this character:
If a song played every time this character walked into a room, what song would it be?
[/spoiler]

I've already done this for Myra in my old thread, so I'm going to mix it up and do this for Skylar. Let's get started:
[b]Name: Skylar Rennedon
Age: 15-ish
Height: 5'8
Eye colour: Green
Physical appearance: Fairly tall and muscular, weighs about 120 pounds, fairly attractive but not stunning. She has long brown-ish hair that she likes to keep pulled back from her face.
Strange or unique physical attributes:
Favourite clothing style/outfit: Cargo pants, or something very similar. Her favorite clothes are those that allow her to move easily and give her plenty of storage space, especially because she's a mechanic.
Where does he/she live? What is it like there? Skylar is originally from a planet strikingly similar to earth, where they live in relative security and have similar seasons and grow similar crops.
Defining gestures/movements: Nothing in particular, but she is known for using broad hand gestures when addressing an audience.
Things about his/her appearance he/she would most like to change: Skylar is aware of the fact that she isn't drop-dead gorgeous, and while that in and of itself doesn't bother her, she would sometimes like to be seen as "beautiful" and have a more feminine shape and curves.
Speaking style: Very reasonable, controlled, and calm; she is very good at calming people down and persuading them to do what she wants, although she is careful not to abuse this gift.
Pet peeves: Sexism and being taken advantage of. She hates when she is powerless and when somebody uses that as an opportunity to strip her of things important to her.
Fondest memory: Helping her dad in the garage since she was a little girl and any experience she's had to experiment with the planes her dad repairs with her.
Hobbies/interests: She adores playing with her younger brother, but her true passion is in repairing and building massive machines.
Special skills/abilities: Very rational and persuasive, as well as handy in a time of emergency. She's generally very collected, and that allows her to make necessary repairs quickly to a ship.
Insecurities: Skylar has a notable lack of skills traditionally considered feminine, and she has often been belittled for it by her mother. Because of that, sometimes she can see herself as unable to be "normal" and do what is expected of her because of her gender.
Quirks/eccentricities: Very tomboy-ish and dislikes behavior that would traditionally be assigned to the female sex (i.e. dancing, dresses, tea parties, socializing, gossiping, etc.)
Temperament: Calm but passionate. She is very fiercely opinionated, but does not usually channel that passion into anger directed at somebody or something, and is able to control her disagreements (most of the time, at least).
Negative traits: She can be very hard on herself and holds herself to a high standard, which leads to massive amounts of stress and a lack of release for all that cooped-up frustration that can be reflected in her life. She can be very uptight, which sometimes leads to problems in her relationships.
Things that upset him/her: When she can't control something or when something happens to someone or something that she cares deeply about.
Things that embarrass him: Shortcomings that are revealed and failures, for the most part, because of her high standards for herself.
This character is highly opinionated about:Equality, both for genders and for financial classes. She goes about this by defying gender roles and by fighting against governments that give undue power to the wealthy and the elite, namely, the NUS.
Any phobias? Failure, especially to protect those who are closest to her, as well as losing the ones she loves (the biggest one being her younger brother Daniel).
Things that make him/her happy: Success and the people she loves the most (again, the biggest one being Daniel, but as she grows in her friendship with Myra, she treasures time with her as well), and completing tasks, especially tasks regarding mechanics.
Family (describe): Skylar's father is one of her biggest role models and her closest friends. They work side-by-side in his shop repairing government ships, and they have a very close and special bond. Her relationship with her mother is rockier, however. Her mother is disappointed in Skylar's lack of "feminine" skills like cooking and cleaning and her lean towards "masculine" ideals. Because of this, they have a more tense relationship, and their bond is not as close, although they ultimately love each other. She loves her little brother Daniel with all her heart and soul and would give the world for his safety and security.
Deepest, darkest secret: Her desire to overthrow the government is pretty high up there, although that's come out by this point in time.
Reason he/she has kept this secret for so long: Because admitting this would mean death for her, at least, if not death to her family and friends as well.
Other people's opinions of this character: General respect, whether for her opinions, leadership skills, speaking skills, or guts. Even the NUS respects her courage slightly, even though they want to catch her and kill her.
Favourite bands/songs/types of music: I like to think she'd be more of a rock/indie rock type of person, since that aligns best with her personality.
Favourite movies: Not one in particular, although her favorite genre would probably be action-type movies (but not ones like James Bond that have stereotypical female roles).
Favourite TV shows:N/A, although Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is a possibility.
Favourite books: Blue Powder Book 2: Rise Up

Favourite foods: Again, none in particular.
Favourite sports/sports teams:N/A
Political views:Wants to establish a new, fair government that will bring equality to all and not just to the few elites that govern it.
Religion/philosophy of life:Similar to Myra, she would fall closest to agnostic, although atheist is also a possibility. She isn't strongly religious, but she doesn't regard a specific higher power.
Physical health: Strong and sturdy, a BMI of approximately 18.2, not huge by any means but noticeably toned from her work in the mechanics shop.
Dream holiday: This one's tough. I'm going to say a peaceful beach where she could play with Daniel and have time to relax in the sun.
Description of his/her house: Fairly small and cozy, but with enough space for her to move about comfortably. The rooms are small enough that she has to cleverly weave around strategically placed old furniture that her mother adores for some strange reason. It looks almost exactly like all the others, and she does not particularly dislike its small size considering that's all she's ever really been exposed to.
Description of his/her room: About the size of a walk-in closet, with barely enough space to accommodate a bed and a small dresser. She doesn't dread it, but sometimes she can become bitter about its small size when her house could allow for something larger.
Any pets? A brother
Best thing that has ever happened to this character: She managed to be the first person in history to escape from a labor camp and start a rebellion against the government.
Worst thing that has ever happened to this character: She was sentenced to several years in a labor camp, far away from her family and everything she ever knew.
Superstitions: None specifically
Three words to describe this character: Independent, strong, and brave.
If a song played every time this character walked into a room, what song would it be?Maybe Victorious by Panic! at the Disco?

This is Myra's sheet, here for reference:

Spoiler

Name: Myra
Age: 15
Height:5'6
Eye colour:Green
Physical appearance:Slender but wiry, calloused, long shoulder-length brown hair tied back in a braid most of the time, narrow shoulders, slim, disheveled
Strange or unique physical attributes: Only how she seems to have some shape even though she is basically skin and bones. And blood.
Favourite clothing style/outfit: Loose cargo pants and a button-up khaki shirt with plenty of pockets for her gizmos
Where does he/she live? What is it like there? Same place as Skylar, but from a mechanical village, so she has experience fixing things and working in all sorts of conditions and temperatures
Defining gestures/movements:None
Things about his/her appearance he/she would most like to change: Myra wishes that she had a bit more body mass and just had a bit more shape. She's unhealthily thin, but this is mostly due to the poor conditions at the work camp. Her cheekbones are gaunt and her face is sunken, and she has permanent bags under her eyes that make her look older than she really is.
Speaking style: Myra speaks slowly most of the time unless she is excited, in which case she rambles on and on about all sorts of topics, mostly techy mechanical stuff. She uses a lot of jargon and doesn't usually like to work with noise, preferring the silence and grinding of gears to social conversations
Pet peeves: Myra is very irritable and particular when it comes to people helping her on projects and modifying the things she is working on, especially without her permission, or when she gets the thumbs-down for a plan.
Fondest memory: Working with her father on the many different vehicles in the shop
Hobbies/interests: If possible, she would spend all day in a mechanical shop, alone, working diligently and almost without rest so she could earn money.
Special skills/abilities: Unusually handy and innovative. If there is a problem, Myra needs only a quiet space to think, sometimes for just moments, to come up with a brilliant solution
Insecurities:Her thinness and her obsession with working. She also doesn't like small spaces, people, and loud noises unless they're from a machine
Quirks/eccentricities:Not very many notable ones. Again, she prefers machines to humans, but that's not super strange
Temperament:Very irritable when it comes to certain things, but generally patient when she needs to solve a problem. She likes to try out different solutions even after she found one that works so she can find the one that works the best, which proves her determination, perseverance, and dedication.
Negative traits: Irritability and social awkwardness that can lead her to snap or lash out at somebody for no obvious reason other than because she is overwhelmed
Things that upset him: Insensitive people, particularly about her anxiety and those who doubt her abilities. Although she likes to prove people wrong, she hates it when people either underestimate her or try and help her fix something unless she specifically asks
Things that embarrass him: Being the center of attention, or having to ask for help.
This character is highly opinionated about: Getting consent for anything, sexual activities and even basic things like help, and people who don't take her social anxiety seriously and intentionally worsen it
Any phobias? -- Being in small spaces and being surrounded by people
Things that make him/her happy: Machines, solving problems, people who understand her and go out of their way for her
Family (describe):She comes from a long line of mechanics, her father being a prized worker at a very reputable company. Her mother was more meek and shy, and this is where she gets her quietness. She has two older brothers, an older sister, and a younger sister, but she doesn't talk to them very much
Deepest, darkest secret: None, really.
Reason he/she has kept this secret for so long: N/A
Other people's opinions of this character: Until people get to know her, she is thought of as slightly insane, definitely insecure, shy, humble, and too passive. People don't realize how passionate she actually is about certain things because of her quiet demeanor, and very few people approach her because she tends to avoid strangers
Favourite bands/songs/types of music: None. She hates music
Favourite movies:N/A
Favourite TV shows:N/A
Favourite books: Manuals on repairs, but other than that, she enjoys realistic fiction and books that encourage and motivate her
Favourite foods:Simple dinners like mashed potatoes & chicken, homemade and warm meals
Favourite sports/sports teams:N/A
Political views:Despises the government, just like everyone else, but is brave enough to consider challenging it
Religion/philosophy of life: She just tries to survive because of the few pleasures she can find. She doesn't think much about gods or other things because there are so many worries she has in the real world right now, but if she had to form a theory, she would be something of an agnostic
Physical health: Skinny and underweight/underfed, enough to be medically concerning. She can be sickly because of this weight loss, but she is pretty active
Dream holiday: No holidays, because that's a chance for stress to accumulate. If she finishes her work, she likes to make a little nook out of blankets and sit there to contemplate life or read
Description of his/her house: Tidy but small, because she doesn't like to spend a lot of money on something that could be wiped out in an instant. She has very few possessions for the same reason, and looks after herself
Description of his/her room: The same
Any pets? None, although she does find comfort in spending time with certain animals.
Best thing that has ever happened to this character: Praise for her mechanical abilities from people she cares about. No specific incidences, but this is what she lives for, in a way
Worst thing that has ever happened to this character: Separated from her parents forcibly and stuck in a small space with others strangers on her way to the prison camp.
Superstitions: None.
Three words to describe this character:Meek, passionate, anxious
If a song played every time this character walked into a room, what song would it be? I kinda want to say "Let You Down" by NF, but that applies to everyone who feels some sort of anxiety, so that might not be the most accurate. I don't listen to a lot of music, so I really don't know.

[b]Challenge 4: Character DesName:
Age:
Height:
Eye colour:
Physical appearance:
Strange or unique physical attributes:
Favourite clothing style/outfit:
Where does he/she live? What is it like there? --
Defining gestures/movements:
Things about his/her appearance he/she would most like to change:
Speaking style:
Pet peeves:
Fondest memory:
Hobbies/interests:
Special skills/abilities:
Insecurities:
Quirks/eccentricities:
Temperament:
Negative traits:
Things that upset him.
Things that embarrass him:
This character is highly opinionated about:
Any phobias? --
Things that make him/her happy:
Family (describe):
Deepest, darkest secret:
Reason he/she has kept this secret for so long:
Other people's opinions of this character:
Favourite bands/songs/types of music:
Favourite movies:
Favourite TV shows:
Favourite books:
Favourite foods:
Favourite sports/sports teams:
Political views:
Religion/philosophy of life:
Physical health:
Dream holiday:
Description of his/her house:
Description of his/her room:
Any pets? --
Best thing that has ever happened to this character:
Worst thing that has ever happened to this character:
Superstitions:
Three words to describe this character:
If a song played every time this character walked into a room, what song would it be?
[/spoiler]

I've already done this for Myra in my old thread, so I'm going to mix it up and do this for Skylar. Let's get started:
[b]Name[/b]: Skylar Rennedon
[b]Age[/b]: 15-ish
[b]Height[/b]: 5'8
[b]Eye colour[/b]: Green
[b]Physical appearance[/b]: Fairly tall and muscular, weighs about 120 pounds, fairly attractive but not stunning. She has long brown-ish hair that she likes to keep pulled back from her face.
Strange or unique physical attributes:
[b]Favourite clothing style/outfit[/b]: Cargo pants, or something very similar. Her favorite clothes are those that allow her to move easily and give her plenty of storage space, especially because she's a mechanic. 
[b]Where does he/she live? What is it like there?[/b] Skylar is originally from a planet strikingly similar to earth, where they live in relative security and have similar seasons and grow similar crops. 
[b]Defining gestures/movements[/b]: Nothing in particular, but she is known for using broad hand gestures when addressing an audience.
[b]Things about his/her appearance he/she would most like to change[/b]: Skylar is aware of the fact that she isn't drop-dead gorgeous, and while that in and of itself doesn't bother her, she would sometimes like to be seen as "beautiful" and have a more feminine shape and curves.
[b]Speaking style[/b]: Very reasonable, controlled, and calm; she is very good at calming people down and persuading them to do what she wants, although she is careful not to abuse this gift.
[b]Pet peeves[/b]: Sexism and being taken advantage of. She hates when she is powerless and when somebody uses that as an opportunity to strip her of things important to her.
[b]Fondest memory[/b]: Helping her dad in the garage since she was a little girl and any experience she's had to experiment with the planes her dad repairs with her.
[b]Hobbies/interests[/b]: She adores playing with her younger brother, but her true passion is in repairing and building massive machines.
[b]Special skills/abilities[/b]: Very rational and persuasive, as well as handy in a time of emergency. She's generally very collected, and that allows her to make necessary repairs quickly to a ship.
[b]Insecurities[/b]: Skylar has a notable lack of skills traditionally considered feminine, and she has often been belittled for it by her mother. Because of that, sometimes she can see herself as unable to be "normal" and do what is expected of her because of her gender.
[b]Quirks/eccentricities[/b]: Very tomboy-ish and dislikes behavior that would traditionally be assigned to the female sex (i.e. dancing, dresses, tea parties, socializing, gossiping, etc.)
[b]Temperament[/b]: Calm but passionate. She is very fiercely opinionated, but does not usually channel that passion into anger directed at somebody or something, and is able to control her disagreements (most of the time, at least).
[b]Negative traits[/b]: She can be very hard on herself and holds herself to a high standard, which leads to massive amounts of stress and a lack of release for all that cooped-up frustration that can be reflected in her life. She can be very uptight, which sometimes leads to problems in her relationships.
[b]Things that upset him/her[/b]: When she can't control something or when something happens to someone or something that she cares deeply about.
[b]Things that embarrass him[/b]: Shortcomings that are revealed and failures, for the most part, because of her high standards for herself.
[b]This character is highly opinionated about[/b]:Equality, both for genders and for financial classes. She goes about this by defying gender roles and by fighting against governments that give undue power to the wealthy and the elite, namely, the NUS.
[b]Any phobias?[/b] Failure, especially to protect those who are closest to her, as well as losing the ones she loves (the biggest one being her younger brother Daniel).
[b]Things that make him/her happy[/b]: Success and the people she loves the most (again, the biggest one being Daniel, but as she grows in her friendship with Myra, she treasures time with her as well), and completing tasks, especially tasks regarding mechanics.
[b]Family (describe)[/b]: Skylar's father is one of her biggest role models and her closest friends. They work side-by-side in his shop repairing government ships, and they have a very close and special bond. Her relationship with her mother is rockier, however. Her mother is disappointed in Skylar's lack of "feminine" skills like cooking and cleaning and her lean towards "masculine" ideals. Because of this, they have a more tense relationship, and their bond is not as close, although they ultimately love each other. She loves her little brother Daniel with all her heart and soul and would give the world for his safety and security.
[b]Deepest, darkest secret[/b]: Her desire to overthrow the government is pretty high up there, although that's come out by this point in time. 
[b]Reason he/she has kept this secret for so long[/b]: Because admitting this would mean death for her, at least, if not death to her family and friends as well. 
[b]Other people's opinions of this character[/b]: General respect, whether for her opinions, leadership skills, speaking skills, or guts. Even the NUS respects her courage slightly, even though they want to catch her and kill her.
[b]Favourite bands/songs/types of music[/b]: I like to think she'd be more of a rock/indie rock type of person, since that aligns best with her personality.
[b]Favourite movies[/b]: Not one in particular, although her favorite genre would probably be action-type movies (but not ones like James Bond that have stereotypical female roles).
[b]Favourite TV shows[/b]:N/A, although Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is a possibility. 
[b]Favourite books[/b]: Blue Powder Book 2: Rise Up ;)
[b]Favourite foods[/b]: Again, none in particular.
[b]Favourite sports/sports teams[/b]:N/A
[b]Political views[/b]:Wants to establish a new, fair government that will bring equality to all and not just to the few elites that govern it. 
[b]Religion/philosophy of life[/b]:Similar to Myra, she would fall closest to agnostic, although atheist is also a possibility. She isn't strongly religious, but she doesn't regard a specific higher power.
[b]Physical health[/b]: Strong and sturdy, a BMI of approximately 18.2, not huge by any means but noticeably toned from her work in the mechanics shop.
[b]Dream holiday[/b]: This one's tough. I'm going to say a peaceful beach where she could play with Daniel and have time to relax in the sun.
[b]Description of his/her house[/b]: Fairly small and cozy, but with enough space for her to move about comfortably. The rooms are small enough that she has to cleverly weave around strategically placed old furniture that her mother adores for some strange reason. It looks almost exactly like all the others, and she does not particularly dislike its small size considering that's all she's ever really been exposed to.
[b]Description of his/her room[/b]: About the size of a walk-in closet, with barely enough space to accommodate a bed and a small dresser. She doesn't dread it, but sometimes she can become bitter about its small size when her house could allow for something larger. 
[b]Any pets?[/b] A brother
[b]Best thing that has ever happened to this character[/b]: She managed to be the first person in history to escape from a labor camp and start a rebellion against the government. 
[b]Worst thing that has ever happened to this character[/b]: She was sentenced to several years in a labor camp, far away from her family and everything she ever knew. 
[b]Superstitions[/b]: None specifically
[b]Three words to describe this character[/b]: Independent, strong, and brave.
[b]If a song played every time this character walked into a room, what song would it be?[/b]Maybe [i]Victorious[/i] by Panic! at the Disco?

This is Myra's sheet, here for reference:
[spoiler]Name: Myra
Age: 15
Height:5'6
Eye colour:Green
Physical appearance:Slender but wiry, calloused, long shoulder-length brown hair tied back in a braid most of the time, narrow shoulders, slim, disheveled
Strange or unique physical attributes: Only how she seems to have some shape even though she is basically skin and bones. And blood.
Favourite clothing style/outfit: Loose cargo pants and a button-up khaki shirt with plenty of pockets for her gizmos
Where does he/she live? What is it like there? Same place as Skylar, but from a mechanical village, so she has experience fixing things and working in all sorts of conditions and temperatures
Defining gestures/movements:None
Things about his/her appearance he/she would most like to change: Myra wishes that she had a bit more body mass and just had a bit more shape. She's unhealthily thin, but this is mostly due to the poor conditions at the work camp. Her cheekbones are gaunt and her face is sunken, and she has permanent bags under her eyes that make her look older than she really is. 
Speaking style: Myra speaks slowly most of the time unless she is excited, in which case she rambles on and on about all sorts of topics, mostly techy mechanical stuff. She uses a lot of jargon and doesn't usually like to work with noise, preferring the silence and grinding of gears to social conversations
Pet peeves: Myra is very irritable and particular when it comes to people helping her on projects and modifying the things she is working on, especially without her permission, or when she gets the thumbs-down for a plan. 
Fondest memory: Working with her father on the many different vehicles in the shop
Hobbies/interests: If possible, she would spend all day in a mechanical shop, alone, working diligently and almost without rest so she could earn money. 
Special skills/abilities: Unusually handy and innovative. If there is a problem, Myra needs only a quiet space to think, sometimes for just moments, to come up with a brilliant solution
Insecurities:Her thinness and her obsession with working. She also doesn't like small spaces, people, and loud noises unless they're from a machine
Quirks/eccentricities:Not very many notable ones. Again, she prefers machines to humans, but that's not super strange
Temperament:Very irritable when it comes to certain things, but generally patient when she needs to solve a problem. She likes to try out different solutions even after she found one that works so she can find the one that works the best, which proves her determination, perseverance, and dedication. 
Negative traits: Irritability and social awkwardness that can lead her to snap or lash out at somebody for no obvious reason other than because she is overwhelmed
Things that upset him: Insensitive people, particularly about her anxiety and those who doubt her abilities. Although she likes to prove people wrong, she hates it when people either underestimate her or try and help her fix something unless she specifically asks
Things that embarrass him: Being the center of attention, or having to ask for help.
This character is highly opinionated about: Getting consent for anything, sexual activities and even basic things like help, and people who don't take her social anxiety seriously and intentionally worsen it
Any phobias? -- Being in small spaces and being surrounded by people
Things that make him/her happy: Machines, solving problems, people who understand her and go out of their way for her
Family (describe):She comes from a long line of mechanics, her father being a prized worker at a very reputable company. Her mother was more meek and shy, and this is where she gets her quietness. She has two older brothers, an older sister, and a younger sister, but she doesn't talk to them very much 
Deepest, darkest secret: None, really.
Reason he/she has kept this secret for so long: N/A
Other people's opinions of this character: Until people get to know her, she is thought of as slightly insane, definitely insecure, shy, humble, and too passive. People don't realize how passionate she actually is about certain things because of her quiet demeanor, and very few people approach her because she tends to avoid strangers
Favourite bands/songs/types of music: None. She hates music
Favourite movies:N/A
Favourite TV shows:N/A
Favourite books: Manuals on repairs, but other than that, she enjoys realistic fiction and books that encourage and motivate her
Favourite foods:Simple dinners like mashed potatoes & chicken, homemade and warm meals 
Favourite sports/sports teams:N/A
Political views:Despises the government, just like everyone else, but is brave enough to consider challenging it
Religion/philosophy of life: She just tries to survive because of the few pleasures she can find. She doesn't think much about gods or other things because there are so many worries she has in the real world right now, but if she had to form a theory, she would be something of an agnostic
Physical health: Skinny and underweight/underfed, enough to be medically concerning. She can be sickly because of this weight loss, but she is pretty active
Dream holiday: No holidays, because that's a chance for stress to accumulate. If she finishes her work, she likes to make a little nook out of blankets and sit there to contemplate life or read
Description of his/her house: Tidy but small, because she doesn't like to spend a lot of money on something that could be wiped out in an instant. She has very few possessions for the same reason, and looks after herself
Description of his/her room: The same
Any pets? None, although she does find comfort in spending time with certain animals. 
Best thing that has ever happened to this character: Praise for her mechanical abilities from people she cares about. No specific incidences, but this is what she lives for, in a way
Worst thing that has ever happened to this character: Separated from her parents forcibly and stuck in a small space with others strangers on her way to the prison camp. 
Superstitions: None. 
Three words to describe this character:Meek, passionate, anxious
If a song played every time this character walked into a room, what song would it be? I kinda want to say "Let You Down" by NF, but that applies to everyone who feels some sort of anxiety, so that might not be the most accurate. I don't listen to a lot of music, so I really don't know.[/spoiler]

Atticus

Atticus · Mar 24, 2018

^don't know what happened at the beginning there. If an admin could unbold everything up until the first [/spoiler], finish the word "Description" at the very top, and put everything from name down to the first [/spoiler] in a spoiler, that would be very much appreciated, but if it's too complicated don't sweat it.

Atticus

Atticus · Mar 25, 2018

Challenge 6: Structure
(I'm skipping Challenge 5 (The Outline) because it's a more detailed task, and I'll finish that up after I get these next five challenges completed so that I have plenty of time to work on it and can start writing as soon as it's finished)

Spoiler

Challenge 6 - Structure

A lot of the stuff I cover from now on will have been looked at in the Spark to Story workshop I ran, this is one of those. But since I live in a very inconvenient time zone and not too many people were able to attend, I'm hoping this won't matter over much.

A lot of my favourite stories have extremely interesting structure. Recently, I read The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss, which has a present-time character telling the story of his past, but with occasional interludes from the present (I'm not sure they're quite enough to merit a hundred pages of present-time at the start, but that's by the by). There's also another two of my favourite novels Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke, who uses a historian-like narrator figure to make you feel like you're reading this in the world of the story, as well as The Dispossessed by Ursula Le Guin, which alternates between the main character's present and past and brings the past up to where the present started right at the end. All of these stories would have had the same essential meaning had they not included these techniques, but who knows if the latter two (especially Strange and Norrell) would have ended up on my list of favourite books.

What these things do is add another layer to the story that doesn't take away from the plot. It occurs at the same time as character development, often in fact contributing to it. I therefore think it is a really really important thing to explore.

Obviously you don't have to have interesting structure, since stories can happily exist without it (eg Harry Potter), so even if you just want to think about what you could do but not actually do it, I'd consider this task complete.

I don't have an ATLA example because a discussion of structure would have to be so holistic, so here are a couple of techniques I think it would be worth exploring:

- Anonymous narrators whose character is important to how you view the story
- Flashbacks and flashforwards
- Changes in perspective
- Are you writing in first or third person? Why that choice?

My story is written so that there are two separate plots going on at the same time; different from a plot and subplot in that the main plot and the subplot have near-equal importance. The more main plot is the plot of Skylar and Myra attempting to build a weapon and gather an army to fight with them, and the subplot centers around the NUS' attempts to hunt them down and kill them to stop this uprising.

Besides that, there might be some underlying subplots like personal growth and relationships between characters, but those will be the three central themes, and everything else will revolve around that.

I would also like to use some foreshadowing, but most of that is inserted after the first draft has been completed, so I don't know if I'll be able to incorporate it into the first draft.

Flashbacks are another option that I wanted to use, but didn't use, in my first novel, but it could be a powerful tool to show the reader just what Skylar and Myra are fighting against. I don't know if chronological consistency will allow me to do flashforwards, so I think I'm going to stick going backwards in time, at least for the rough draft.

And finally, I decided to write this story in 3rd person for a number of reasons: 1) To be consistent with the first book in the series, 2) so that I could get into the heads of both Skylar and Myra and reflect them more deeply, and 3) so that I can continue the narrative through one of their eyes and leave the other behind somewhere and switch back and forth like that. Because of this, I won't have any switches in perspective, and I will keep the story in 3rd person omniscient for the entirety.

[b]Challenge 6: Structure[/b]
(I'm skipping Challenge 5 (The Outline) because it's a more detailed task, and I'll finish that up after I get these next five challenges completed so that I have plenty of time to work on it and can start writing as soon as it's finished)
[spoiler]Challenge 6 - Structure

A lot of the stuff I cover from now on will have been looked at in the Spark to Story workshop I ran, this is one of those. But since I live in a very inconvenient time zone and not too many people were able to attend, I'm hoping this won't matter over much.

A lot of my favourite stories have extremely interesting structure. Recently, I read The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss, which has a present-time character telling the story of his past, but with occasional interludes from the present (I'm not sure they're quite enough to merit a hundred pages of present-time at the start, but that's by the by). There's also another two of my favourite novels Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke, who uses a historian-like narrator figure to make you feel like you're reading this in the world of the story, as well as The Dispossessed by Ursula Le Guin, which alternates between the main character's present and past and brings the past up to where the present started right at the end. All of these stories would have had the same essential meaning had they not included these techniques, but who knows if the latter two (especially Strange and Norrell) would have ended up on my list of favourite books.

What these things do is add another layer to the story that doesn't take away from the plot. It occurs at the same time as character development, often in fact contributing to it. I therefore think it is a really really important thing to explore.

Obviously you don't have to have interesting structure, since stories can happily exist without it (eg Harry Potter), so even if you just want to think about what you could do but not actually do it, I'd consider this task complete.

I don't have an ATLA example because a discussion of structure would have to be so holistic, so here are a couple of techniques I think it would be worth exploring:

- Anonymous narrators whose character is important to how you view the story
- Flashbacks and flashforwards
- Changes in perspective
- Are you writing in first or third person? Why that choice?[/spoiler]

My story is written so that there are two separate plots going on at the same time; different from a plot and subplot in that the main plot and the subplot have near-equal importance. The more main plot is the plot of Skylar and Myra attempting to build a weapon and gather an army to fight with them, and the subplot centers around the NUS' attempts to hunt them down and kill them to stop this uprising.

Besides that, there might be some underlying subplots like personal growth and relationships between characters, but those will be the three central themes, and everything else will revolve around that.

I would also like to use some foreshadowing, but most of that is inserted after the first draft has been completed, so I don't know if I'll be able to incorporate it into the first draft.

Flashbacks are another option that I wanted to use, but didn't use, in my first novel, but it could be a powerful tool to show the reader just what Skylar and Myra are fighting against. I don't know if chronological consistency will allow me to do flashforwards, so I think I'm going to stick going backwards in time, at least for the rough draft.

And finally, I decided to write this story in 3rd person for a number of reasons: 1) To be consistent with the first book in the series, 2) so that I could get into the heads of both Skylar and Myra and reflect them more deeply, and 3) so that I can continue the narrative through one of their eyes and leave the other behind somewhere and switch back and forth like that. Because of this, I won't have any switches in perspective, and I will keep the story in 3rd person omniscient for the entirety.

Atticus

Atticus · Mar 28, 2018

Challenge 8: Key Moment

Spoiler

8 - Key Moment

This is one of the bits that comes easiest to me, so if anyone wants a hand please do just say. When I write a story, usually a scene imagines itself in my head and I build the rest of my story around that. Who are the characters in it, how did they get there? etc. However, if this is something you haven't necessarily thought about yet, I think it's really important to get it down now.

So, what is the BIG THING that happens in your story? What characters are in it? Where is it set? What point of the novel does it occur at? What are you trying to get across to the reader in this scene? Are there any random details you want to stick in there for no other reason than they're already in your head? (I once ended up basing a whole character around the fact that when I imagined the climax scene he was wearing knuckledusters xD)

I think this is a really important thing to plan for a couple of reasons. 1) NaNo is hard. This gives you something to aim at. Extra motivation is always useful. 2) This is the most tense moment in your story; it will help the reader if you are excited to write it, 3) If you figure out the central conflict of that scene now it means you're able to write on that theme the whole way through and not flip-flop between things.

My big "key moment" is the epiphany where Skylar and Myra figure out how they can make a weapon that will defeat the government. This will take place close to the middle of the novel, maybe towards the end a little, but the idea is that Skylar and Myra are in some sort of gathering, a makeshift science lab, with a brilliant scientist, and they've somehow done the final test and whatnot to prove that they could actually mass-produce a weapon that the NUS does not have access to and does not have the materials to fund them.

Once this happens, the rest of the book will be Skylar and Myra assembling a force that will be able to wield these weapons and take them into battle. I'm hoping to end this story on a note of hopefulness— Skylar and Myra leading a massive battalion of trained soldiers towards the NUS, where they will have epic space battles, naval battles, air battles, land battles, all sorts of battles, and it's going to be so amazing I can't wait to write the third book.

But for now, I want to focus on making it to this point. There will be a lot of character growth, a lot of emphasis on building a movement out of literally nothing, and overcoming obstacles. With those important themes in mind, Skylar and Myra are going to face a lot of obstacles along the way, and I need to document those in a "bridge" between the two. This one will be the slowest, and it will probably need the most editing, although I can't say for sure considering how rough the first one is or how rough the second one will be.

But anyway, that's the key moment from the main plot, and of course there will be other important plotlines to track. My goal in doing that is to add another layer to this story and build the excitement and anticipation with a couple strategically interspersed dramatic moments. I'm already excited to write it

[b]Challenge 8: Key Moment[/b]
[spoiler]8 - Key Moment

This is one of the bits that comes easiest to me, so if anyone wants a hand please do just say. When I write a story, usually a scene imagines itself in my head and I build the rest of my story around that. Who are the characters in it, how did they get there? etc. However, if this is something you haven't necessarily thought about yet, I think it's really important to get it down now.

So, what is the BIG THING that happens in your story? What characters are in it? Where is it set? What point of the novel does it occur at? What are you trying to get across to the reader in this scene? Are there any random details you want to stick in there for no other reason than they're already in your head? (I once ended up basing a whole character around the fact that when I imagined the climax scene he was wearing knuckledusters xD)

I think this is a really important thing to plan for a couple of reasons. 1) NaNo is hard. This gives you something to aim at. Extra motivation is always useful. 2) This is the most tense moment in your story; it will help the reader if you are excited to write it, 3) If you figure out the central conflict of that scene now it means you're able to write on that theme the whole way through and not flip-flop between things.[/spoiler]

My big "key moment" is the epiphany where Skylar and Myra figure out how they can make a weapon that will defeat the government. This will take place close to the middle of the novel, maybe towards the end a little, but the idea is that Skylar and Myra are in some sort of gathering, a makeshift science lab, with a brilliant scientist, and they've somehow done the final test and whatnot to prove that they could actually mass-produce a weapon that the NUS does not have access to and does not have the materials to fund them.

Once this happens, the rest of the book will be Skylar and Myra assembling a force that will be able to wield these weapons and take them into battle. I'm hoping to end this story on a note of hopefulness— Skylar and Myra leading a massive battalion of trained soldiers towards the NUS, where they will have epic space battles, naval battles, air battles, land battles, all sorts of battles, and it's going to be so amazing I can't wait to write the third book.

But for now, I want to focus on making it to this point. There will be a lot of character growth, a lot of emphasis on building a movement out of literally nothing, and overcoming obstacles. With those important themes in mind, Skylar and Myra are going to face a lot of obstacles along the way, and I need to document those in a "bridge" between the two. This one will be the slowest, and it will probably need the most editing, although I can't say for sure considering how rough the first one is or how rough the second one will be.

But anyway, that's the key moment from the main plot, and of course there will be other important plotlines to track. My goal in doing that is to add another layer to this story and build the excitement and anticipation with a couple strategically interspersed dramatic moments. I'm already excited to write it :)

Atticus

Atticus · Mar 29, 2018

Challenge 9: Main Character

Spoiler

Challenge 9 - Main Character

I can't remember if there was a reason we left this for near the end or not, but I think this might be an okay place to have it.

So, by this point, you probably know your main character pretty well. Or well, you should. It's been over three weeks c'mon guys

Given that, when I say "dig right in" to your main character, I mean it. Write as much as you possibly can even if that's just you writing out in full paragraphs some of the answers to the character questionnaire I got yous to use for the side characters in like challenge 4 or something. You can write about absolute nonsense, but the more you write, the more you get into that character's mindset. And the more into their mindset you are, the easier to know what their reactions to situations would be, how they feel, how to write them with truth.

Bottom line, I want you to try to write at least 1000 words about your main character.

I'm actually going to be doing this with Myra and not Skylar since I already wrote one of these for Skylar last time around. This will be my final step in planning, and I'll dedicate the rest of the time until April to perfect my outline.

Here goes:
Myra comes from a relatively upper-middle-class family. She has been provided with a good education about the rough history of the NUS and classical topics like rhetoric. I included this part of her backstory to explain how she is able to craft such wonderful speeches and brief Skylar on a lot of art of public speaking. I might modify it so it's a little less formal and less in-depth and make it more of a public speaking or theater class, but it's crucial to the plot that there is some sort of backgrouond in a class where she would have learned tips and tricks for persuading groups of people.

Besides that aptitude for learning, Myra is best described as shy and anxious. She meshes very well with Skylar's personality because she is unconfident about her own abilities and needs somebody to support her. Ironically, she is in the "supporting" position, but she personality-wise is supported by Skylar. They are a "team", and although Myra takes leadership of their team, Myra is still not just somebody that Skylar controls. This will come up to be a slight issue in their relationship, as they try to strike that balance between leadership and dominion. That's something I hope to flesh out more in the first book and then polish that relationship in the second and third books. By the third book, my goal is to have the characters and world well enough defined that the reader can just focus on all the AWESOME STUFF happening (I'm so hyped for the third book already if you can't tell xD).

Physically, I would say she's very thin and wiry. She stands about 5'6 and weighs 105 pounds roughly-ish. I haven't set a definite weight for her, but I want it to be clear that she is underweight and small for her age. If 105 seems unreasonably skinny (which I don't think it is since I know people who are about that height and weigh about that much and don't seem super scrawny), then change the weight and not her appearance, but I think that's approximately right. She has blue eyes that are set very widely in her pale skin. Her black hair is thin and fine and falls about to her shoulders. She is constantly fidgeting in her seat and has a look of anxiety about her, but she has so many ideas bubbling around in her head that it is hard for her to focus. She is very innovative and creative, and she is determined and passionate enough to confront the government when not very many people would.

This is huge for her, especially since she has social anxiety. She hates being the center of attention and even just talking to people she's uncomfortable around, and so for her to step up to the plate and be a speaker is more significant for her than it would be for an extroverted personality. This is an extra challenge she has to overcome throughout her journey, and it really speaks to her passion against oppression and willingness to sacrifice for the greater good.

Her innovation and problem-solving skills are perhaps her greatest strength. She requires an uncluttered workspace and a supportive and considerate team only, and then she can function in any type of stressful environment and solve virtually any predicament. She isn't necessarily fast, but she can become slowed down if she feels like she is underprepared to tackle this challenge. For this reason, she breaks if she is surrounded by people who aren't respecting her wishes and don't do what she asks them to do. This will be best displayed when Skylar and Myra are in predicaments and Skylar has to calm herself and Myra at the same time so that Myra can dream up a magical solution.

She's not particularly religious or irreligious. I would classify her as an agnostic or an atheist just because of her lack of interest in supernatural beings. She doesn't feel strongly one way or another, but doesn't see the need to look for answers to a question she doesn't see as important. She is more focused on making the best out of her life on earth, an admirable goal, but one that puts a lot of pressure on her to be "perfect". That pressure builds up and can cause her to crumble, and when that happens, she needs someone who provides just the right mix of empathy, reassurance, and support to help her get back on her feet.

These meltdowns are something that really shows her humanity, and hopefully makes her seem more human. She is a brilliant innovator, but she does have her pitfalls, and she isn't able to keep it all professional and pulled together all the time.

Her self-esteem can sometimes be low, but most of the time she doesn't spend time worrying so much about what others think about her. She prefers to make her own path in life and defies steretypes about traditional gender roles, just like Skylar. I want to add some feminine attributes to her, like perhaps an enjoyment of flowers and frills, just to prove that somebody can be feminine and powerful at the same time. One of my reviewers pointed out to me that by making my female characters more masculine I can make femininity seem inferior, so I want to actively. counteract that interpretation.

So at the end of all this I'm hoping Myra will come across as bold but timid, passionate but nervous, innovative but shy. I want the reader to be able to see the struggles she faces that can inhibit her talents so that they can see her work through them and be inspired to do that in their own lives. It's a high order for sure, but I'm confident I can do it. In Myra there are a lot of apparent contradictions, but I think they are all resolvable and compatible if they are expressed right, which will obviously be mostly on me to make sure I've clearly defined Myra's values, beliefs, and motivations to the reader through her words and actions
(total 1,019 words)

[b]Challenge 9: Main Character[/b]
[spoiler]Challenge 9 - Main Character

I can't remember if there was a reason we left this for near the end or not, but I think this might be an okay place to have it.

So, by this point, you probably know your main character pretty well. Or well, you should. It's been over three weeks c'mon guys :P Given that, when I say "dig right in" to your main character, I mean it. Write as much as you possibly can even if that's just you writing out in full paragraphs some of the answers to the character questionnaire I got yous to use for the side characters in like challenge 4 or something. You can write about absolute nonsense, but the more you write, the more you get into that character's mindset. And the more into their mindset you are, the easier to know what their reactions to situations would be, how they feel, how to write them with truth.

Bottom line, I want you to try to write at least 1000 words about your main character.[/spoiler]

I'm actually going to be doing this with Myra and not Skylar since I already wrote one of these for Skylar last time around. This will be my final step in planning, and I'll dedicate the rest of the time until April to perfect my outline.

Here goes:
Myra comes from a relatively upper-middle-class family. She has been provided with a good education about the rough history of the NUS and classical topics like rhetoric. I included this part of her backstory to explain how she is able to craft such wonderful speeches and brief Skylar on a lot of art of public speaking. I might modify it so it's a little less formal and less in-depth and make it more of a public speaking or theater class, but it's crucial to the plot that there is some sort of backgrouond in a class where she would have learned tips and tricks for persuading groups of people.

Besides that aptitude for learning, Myra is best described as shy and anxious. She meshes very well with Skylar's personality because she is unconfident about her own abilities and needs somebody to support her. Ironically, she is in the "supporting" position, but she personality-wise is supported by Skylar. They are a "team", and although Myra takes leadership of their team, Myra is still not just somebody that Skylar controls. This will come up to be a slight issue in their relationship, as they try to strike that balance between leadership and dominion. That's something I hope to flesh out more in the first book and then polish that relationship in the second and third books. By the third book, my goal is to have the characters and world well enough defined that the reader can just focus on all the AWESOME STUFF happening (I'm so hyped for the third book already if you can't tell xD).

Physically, I would say she's very thin and wiry. She stands about 5'6 and weighs 105 pounds roughly-ish. I haven't set a definite weight for her, but I want it to be clear that she is underweight and small for her age. If 105 seems unreasonably skinny (which I don't think it is since I know people who are about that height and weigh about that much and don't seem super scrawny), then change the weight and not her appearance, but I think that's approximately right. She has blue eyes that are set very widely in her pale skin. Her black hair is thin and fine and falls about to her shoulders. She is constantly fidgeting in her seat and has a look of anxiety about her, but she has so many ideas bubbling around in her head that it is hard for her to focus. She is very innovative and creative, and she is determined and passionate enough to confront the government when not very many people would.

This is huge for her, especially since she has social anxiety. She hates being the center of attention and even just talking to people she's uncomfortable around, and so for her to step up to the plate and be a speaker is more significant for her than it would be for an extroverted personality. This is an extra challenge she has to overcome throughout her journey, and it really speaks to her passion against oppression and willingness to sacrifice for the greater good.

Her innovation and problem-solving skills are perhaps her greatest strength. She requires an uncluttered workspace and a supportive and considerate team only, and then she can function in any type of stressful environment and solve virtually any predicament. She isn't necessarily fast, but she can become slowed down if she feels like she is underprepared to tackle this challenge. For this reason, she breaks if she is surrounded by people who aren't respecting her wishes and don't do what she asks them to do. This will be best displayed when Skylar and Myra are in predicaments and Skylar has to calm herself and Myra at the same time so that Myra can dream up a magical solution.

She's not particularly religious or irreligious. I would classify her as an agnostic or an atheist just because of her lack of interest in supernatural beings. She doesn't feel strongly one way or another, but doesn't see the need to look for answers to a question she doesn't see as important. She is more focused on making the best out of her life on earth, an admirable goal, but one that puts a lot of pressure on her to be "perfect". That pressure builds up and can cause her to crumble, and when that happens, she needs someone who provides just the right mix of empathy, reassurance, and support to help her get back on her feet.

These meltdowns are something that really shows her humanity, and hopefully makes her seem more human. She is a brilliant innovator, but she does have her pitfalls, and she isn't able to keep it all professional and pulled together all the time.

Her self-esteem can sometimes be low, but most of the time she doesn't spend time worrying so much about what others think about her. She prefers to make her own path in life and defies steretypes about traditional gender roles, just like Skylar. I want to add some feminine attributes to her, like perhaps an enjoyment of flowers and frills, just to prove that somebody can be feminine and powerful at the same time. One of my reviewers pointed out to me that by making my female characters more masculine I can make femininity seem inferior, so I want to actively.  counteract that interpretation.

So at the end of all this I'm hoping Myra will come across as bold but timid, passionate but nervous, innovative but shy. I want the reader to be able to see the struggles she faces that can inhibit her talents so that they can see her work through them and be inspired to do that in their own lives. It's a high order for sure, but I'm confident I can do it. In Myra there are a lot of apparent contradictions, but I think they are all resolvable and compatible if they are expressed right, which will obviously be mostly on me to make sure I've clearly defined Myra's values, beliefs, and motivations to the reader through her words and actions
(total 1,019 words)

Atticus

Atticus · Apr 29, 2018

All of that prepping 'twas not in vain, for at long last, after many a mighty battle with the infamous foe, the Word Count, I have completed 50,000 words of my novel, the second in a dramatic science-fiction series soon to sweep bookstores near you! After 29 painstaking days of tap-tap-tapping on the keyboard, stroke after stroke, 50,002 words have been written, and my goal has been accomplished! On now I charge, to Round Two: Editing!

MJ's April Camp 2018 (Sequel to Blue Powder)

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