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- Rank: Wise Jester
- Total Posts: 96
So I have this story I’m working on. It’s probably going to end up novella like length. Basically, it’s the story of a dictator who’s dying and wants to make sure his son can rule after him. I’ll put an outline below.
Outline –
Dictator wants to make sure his dynasty will continue much longer
Dictator finds out he’s dying
Decides to make sure that his son will rule for a long time
Has plan
Starts being super nice to peoples
Assassinates himself (gun to self-destruct into fire)
Son sees plan
Cycle continues – maybe (this could change)Meanwhile (and this is twist one)
Son is head of the bioterrorism department
Son gives dad cancer
Dad figures it out on deathbedThe thing is, though, that I want to add in one or two more twists or side plots. If any of you could help, I’d appreciate it.
@daeus @that_writer_girl_99 @graciegirl @dragon-snapper @daughteroftheking @seekjustice @everyone@josiahdeboer
Okay, first: what do you mean by “cycle continues”? Are you saying this cycle of the dictator assassinating himself and the son finding out keeps happening over multiple generations? Or am I confused?A dreamer who believes in the impossible...and dragons. (INFJ-T)
I’m thinking maybe you could do something with the dictator faking his death at some point…maybe? 😉
A dreamer who believes in the impossible...and dragons. (INFJ-T)
- Rank: Wise Jester
- Total Posts: 96
Yes @Ingrid – I just meant that the son becomes a cruel dictator like his father. I’m not sure on that plot point yet and probably won’t be until I get to know my characters better.
@JosiahDeBoer Oo, this is a cool idea! So much potential! So, I have a few questions. *grabs a microphone and uses best interviewer voice*
– What is the dictator’s character arc? What will change him from who he is in the beginning to who he is in the end? How about his son?
– What’s the theme? What are you trying to say with this story?
– What does the son think of his father? What does the dictator think of his son?
– What world does this take place in?
– How did the dictator become a dictator?
– Are there rebels who want to depose the dictator?
Ok, I think I’ve interrogated you enough. 😛Blog: https://weridasusual.home.blog/
- Rank: Wise Jester
- Total Posts: 96
*grabs back the mic and uses best interviewee voice*
– Dictator’s character arc doesn’t change much – its part of the irony. The son goes through stages where he tries to grab power and is basically evil and stages where he feels super guilty. One of the main character arcs is found in the mistress of the dictator.
– The theme – I have a few that show up – man is basically evil, – the length’s people will go to to grab power – the pointlessness of what man can accomplish – I’m still looking for more, and my writing tends to find some and add more in as I write. I’m only about 12 pages into this one, so I’ll probably double or triple this list 🙂
– The dictator loves his son and thinks of him as the future of his country. The son goes through stages where he’s horrified of his dad and parts where he idolizes him and tries to become like him
– This takes place in Russia (so basically Earth) It’s obviously an alternate timeline but I don’t address that because I feel like it’ll distract from the story. It’s kinda a cold war throwback with some modern tech.
– I have the start of an idea for how the dictator became the dictator but I’m not set in it. Ideas will be processed and taken seriously
– There is no major rebellion group because people are too scared/brainwashed. A few people operate to take him down, but they’re basically alone.
Does that help?
@JosiahDeBoer I’m gonna be 100% honest here that I am drawing a blank. XD I honestly am not sure how you can get more plot-twisty than what you already have because, um, wow. That is a big twist there at the end. One thing to consider is that since it’s only about the length of a novella there is a bit of a tighter limit on how many plot twists you can feasibly pull off. Too many and your suspension disbelief will plummet. Just something to keep in mind. 🙂
*is probably geeking out about something*
- Rank: Wise Jester
- Total Posts: 96
@graciegirl I didn’t necessarily want a big one. I just kind of wanted something we could follow when we need a down chapter in the book. Sort of like the interludes in the Stormlight Archives by @bsanderson
I’ll try not to have to many plot twists, although that isn’t normally a problem for me. 🙂 Normally I have a really hard time adding them so this story I’m focusing on trying to a good job with that.
@josiah-deboer Perhaps… *rubs hands together* The ‘son’ *finger quotes* isn’t actually related to the dictator? *grins* Instead the head of bioterrorism (push the ‘son’ down one little notch. He could be second) is the dad of the ‘son’. He swapped his son and the dictator’s son (sometime… At birth or later if they look almost alike) so he could gain power or something. The real son could also be at the bioterrorism place, but be lower ranking or something (like he died in an ‘accident’) because Head of Bioterrorism doesn’t like the dictator and takes it out on the real son? Maybe.
Is that a good plot twist?IMMA KAPEEFER! Til we're old and gray!
@josiahdeboer Oh. Well there we go.
IMMA KAPEEFER! Til we're old and gray!
- Rank: Wise Jester
- Total Posts: 96
@Catwing – I really like that idea but I’m not sure if I’d be able to pull it off. It leaves me with some questions of motive and its a major plot twist. As I mentioned to @graciegirl I don’t want another big plot twist right now. My story’s going to be confusing enough as it is. Mostly I just want another side plot or something of that sort. I’m sorry if I’m being confusing 🙂
Confusing? Nah I understand. Maybe because I’m confusing or confused. Or I write confusing riddles confusingly. Side-plot.
Why does the son give his dad cancer? Maybe the reason could branch into a side-plot?
Why does he work with bioterrorism?
Maybe there’s hidden passageways in their palace (or home). the story of the passages?
More than one son? Or is that too confusing?
A mysterious figure who wears glasses and a mustache is the father. I’m grasping at everything here. *cough* It would be funny. *cough*
My brain went blank, except for the word Kapeefer… *attempts to glare brain into serious-ness, but only succeeds in looking at the ground and pretending she is glaring at her brain*
Meep.
Potatoe-squash.
Reach for the sky.
Goo.
Five jelly beans.
The Call.
Wait! That’s another story idea. *cough* Oh, bother.
Hippo!
My job is done. *flies out window carrying official looking bag*IMMA KAPEEFER! Til we're old and gray!
Anndddd… I didn’t tag you. @josiahdeboer
IMMA KAPEEFER! Til we're old and gray!
When in doubt, use Kapeefer. 😀
@delightinlife Kapeefer. *nods*
IMMA KAPEEFER! Til we're old and gray!
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