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Story idea help... • Young Writers Society

Story idea help...

5 posts

How should readers be informed of the news events?

  • The news 33%
  • Newspaper cuttings here and there 33%
  • Word of Mouth 33%
  • Other/none of the above (Please post and specify) No votes

Total votes: 3

User avatar
Gender Male
Points 10840
Reviews 202
In my novel, there are lots of events that I want the reader to find out. Because my novel features terrorists, it needs news about terrorist attacks. My problem is that I don't want it to always seem as if the characters are constantly flicking on the news, but I want to inform them about the attacks (They become more and more significant as the story goes on). How should I do it? Any suggestions?

Thank you!




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Gender Other
Points 89625
Reviews 1272
All of the above plus social networks like Twitter and Facebook. (If the story is set in modern times, which I believe it is?)

Information travels fast lately. You can find out practically anything from any source, because people start spreading information. What order they find this out is up to you, but I can say my news stories are almost exclusively gotten from facebook status updates, going to an online/paper newspaper and if it's big enough, tv.

Also, do keep in mind these characters will probably purposely seek out news the more often terrorist attacks hit. Especially if the attacks are nearby. Primarily, it'd be out of fear that the next attack is closer, or trying to figure out if they are a target in their area. After a certain point, you can probably justify constantly going to the news often.

But if online communication is prevalent, then seriously consider that as a major news source for anybody under 25.
A writer is a world trapped in a person— Victor Hugo

Ink is blood. Paper is bandages. The wounded press books to their heart to know they're not alone.




User avatar
Gender Female
Points 3888
Reviews 763
Text messages, if the friends are new-savvy. :P
Or... a feed stream on his phone.
~
Pretending in words was too tentative, too vulnerable, too embarrassing to let anyone know.
- Ian McEwan in Atonement

sachi: influencing others since GOD KNOWS WHEN.





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Gender Male
Points 1890
Reviews 56
What about those scrolly news things on the sides of buildings?
Like someone could look up and "the important landmark of X has been destroyed."
Just, you know, if they're out on the streets.
“It is the tale, not he who tells it.”
― Stephen King

“If you don't have time to read, you don't have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.”
― Stephen King

Formerly BadlyDrawnLightning




User avatar
Gender Male
Points 10840
Reviews 202
Never seen one, but I HAVE seen something similar above a road where it's like a digital billboard round the corner from my house.

Thanks BDL!



We are great at fearing the wrong things.
— Hank Green