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@devastate-lasting @emilysf @augustinaii @elishavet-pidyon @koshka
Thanks for the inputs! 😀
I think the right theme would emerge once you have a general idea of the characters and how the plot should go. For a short story, perhaps you might want to avoid some of the bigger themes which would require an entire novel to do justice (pun intended).
Since your story is to be a mystery/thriller, one idea that came to me is to do a psychological thriller that explores the theme of Doubt. So there can be doubt as to who the criminal is, doubt as to the events that transpired, doubt in the criminal justice system, doubts as characters struggle in their faith… If you want to be mean you can even have an open-ended ending where it’s not even certain whether the person punished at the end is the true criminal or really deserves their punishment, to show doubt in man’s idea of justice.
Oh yes I love it when the antagonist and protagonist mirror each other thematically.
I like unexpected villains (e.g. killer being a child or sweet old lady). I’m also fascinated by villains that have unique and interesting motivations because the power-hungry, petty-jealous-rivalry, sympathetic-because-I’m-doing-this-for-my-family and for-the-greater-good types can get old fast. I prefer villains that are more grounded and relatable, villains that are intimidating and frightening in a this-could-be-you way.
I also enjoy villains that actually enjoy their villainy instead of moping and angsting, the kind that does terrible things but with so much glee and charisma it’s infectious. These usually don’t need any sympathetic backstory or reasons shoved in so they’re fun to read and write about.
Ooh I think I have a self-aware character like that who does bad things even though he’s also the character mentally closest to the thematic truth in the story. He’s aware the world around him sucks but uses his knowledge and advantages for selfish purposes. Whenever anyone tries to challenge him, he’s able to rip them apart because he can see right through them and point out their own failings. He’s a joy to write, though he’s probably more of an anti-villain. 😀
Welcome back! I’ve not been very active here myself, but if you’re hanging around again, that’s more motivation for me too 😀
I’m drowning. It’s been more stressful lately since I’m being scheduled for a transfer (where to is not known yet). There’s no end to work, but hopefully things will look up after that.
I’m continuing to write QOD after a very long and dry period where I could not muster any focus. Starting out I just wanted to write a cute and funny story but it’s frightening me now. There are some rather dark and mature topics I’m wrestling to write from a place of faith.
How about you? I would hope you’re having a better time in your marriage than Myeongwol, but that’s a low bar. 😛
Name: valtmy
Tag: @valtmy
Experience: Somewhat experienced
Style: Dark Chocolate
Brainstorming-ness: 6-9, depends on how much I get into the story
Time: Depends. Perhaps a week for shorter pieces, at least a month for a novel
Word count: Depends on how busy I am
Genre: Historical, Fantasy, Romance, Mystery, Comedy
Rating: I have a high threshold, so long as it’s not gratuitous and portrayed with the reality and weight of sin in mind
Preference: Either
Hello just to inform that I’ve read through your short story again and added more comments 😉
Ok I’ve requested access! Should I leave comments in the doc itself?
I’m at GMT+8. Now it’s around 10.30 am 6 Feb.
Yep, it’s Queen of Drama. I shared the first 3 chapters with you and several others on this site before.
Ooh a short story. I don’t mind taking a look should time permit. What’s it about?
I’m here! It’s been sooo long since I’ve managed to catch anyone here because of the time zones!
What are you working on? I’m finally plodding through QOD again after being stuck forever. 😀
Sorry I missed you 🙁 I was caught up writing QOD!
Hi are you still around?
@jenwriter17 @alia @rochellaine @seekjustice @gracie-j
Anyone around? I’ll be here today.
@jenwriter17 @alia @rochellaine @seekjustice @gracie-j
Anyone around? I’ll be here a bit.
I got the idea for my story while I was touring London’s West End, specifically while I was watching the musical 42nd Street which is about a small town girl becoming a Broadway star. Since I love humour and parody, the idea was that writing a story set in a theatre would be a good excuse to have very self-aware characters and make fun of all sorts of tropes and cliches. That coupled with my old liking for Korean dramas got me thinking about the psychology of actors and celebrities and the obsession with appearances and plastic surgery in modern Korea… and that’s how QOD was born. 😀
Hello! What musicals?
@gracie-j
Thanks! Tell Me No Lies sounds very interesting! 😀 I love murder mysteries and I’ve always wanted to try my hand at one, but I don’t think I have a good enough understanding yet. 🙁 I think the genre is one of if not the hardest to write.
Haha I’m only writing the kind of stories I wish someone else has already written, if you get the drift. I love comedy, romance, reading about history and making fun of politics, so those are major influences.
I got the idea for my WIP three years back when I was introduced to London theatre proper. I’ve started the writing two years ago though it’s been very intermittent.
A Beginner’s Guide to Villainy sounds like something I would really, really like to read 😀
Funnily enough, I think my rat emperor story is one which I’ve also shown you before (though only the beginning before any crazy stuff happens). Unfortunately, the plot concept I had for that is even more convoluted than QOD’s so it would need a major overhaul before I can bear to touch it again.
Haha yes I know you are looking forward to reading QOD so that gives me motivation even whilst being strangled by plot threads. 😛 This is a story I am writing for my sister as well so it’s not being abandoned.