Adopt a Secret http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671 bronwynnre I know we've got one for family secrets, but what about other kinds? My plot this year is heavily based around personal secrets, and I still need a few more, so I thought I'd start this and see if anyone here in internet-land wants to share. If it's too close to the one already going, I apologise. To start things off: - Several characters are impersonating the same person, under different circumstances and to different people - A character is actually the opposite gender to the one they present themself as - A character goes to extreme lengths to keep others from finding out that they are involved in something completely legal and even laudable, like volunteering with underprivilaged kids, because it would ruin their 'tough guy' image - A character has an incurable illness that they haven't told anyone about Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:46:11 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_269658 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_269658 Penelope Shedrech Pretty much covered a lot of ground there. Let's see.... what are some more secrets that people hide in everyday life....hmmm, thinking about news reports recently.... -Murdering a family member and claiming they are only missing -A Priest/Minister while hiding that they are actually a pedophile -An agent for one country, when in fact they are an agent for another country/countries -An upstanding citizen serving in a position of great respect, but actually embezelling funds and such -An officer impersonating a high school student to do a drug bust and the list of reality could extend into infinity. Pen Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:56:28 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_269829 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_269829 Phoenix2010 Hm. I'm intrigued by your characters impersonating the same person. I too have a character who is posing as the opposite gender, because she knows she won't be able to work on a ship as a girl. Another one of my characters has a gift that he doesn't know about yet, but the wrong people know about (this is historical fantasy). Fri, 28 Oct 2011 17:09:57 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_270062 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_270062 Charlee West Maybe something with cheating? Like they cheated on a really important exam that affected their life in a big way, and no one knows. Sorry if that isn't very helpful- the ones you've got so far a quite good. Fri, 28 Oct 2011 17:13:06 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_270120 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_270120 Emileeeeee Well, one of my main characters has wings, so hows that for a secret? Fri, 28 Oct 2011 17:59:36 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_270796 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_270796 Netherworld_Inc Small Secrets: The character never quite learned how to fold a map. The character has a habit of setting things on fire. The character happens to be in love with someone they've never met. Fri, 28 Oct 2011 19:04:49 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_271661 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_271661 windsofwhimsy The character secretly resents a much-loved family member The character has nearly died before, but hasn't told anyone because... a) They don't want to cause alarm or be embarrassed by getting into a dumb situation b) they were involved in something that they could tell anyone about Fri, 28 Oct 2011 20:43:08 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_272990 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_272990 #nanowrimo [Content removed by moderator, wrong thread] Sun, 30 Oct 2011 09:58:21 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_296990 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_296990 Succorelle -the character knows what's going to happen in the future, and they can't do anything about it. Why upset your friends when you know exactly how and when they're going to die? -the character is in the midst of betraying their closest friends. (In one story I once wrote, the main character was the villain, working with the "heroes" in order to achieve a villainous goal - of course there was quite a lot of "I like these people but I'm still going to betray them" angst) -the furtive but unusually lucky character is keeping a wish-granting well/magic item/money tree/fairy in their basement -the character that seems to have a god-given talent has really sold their soul for that ability Mon, 31 Oct 2011 11:46:44 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_324429 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_324429 AniFay Adopting the second one for my character. Perfect for him, he is constantly angry at people 'cause he thinks they pity him, so this would suit perfectly xD Thank! :) Mon, 31 Oct 2011 17:19:21 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_333009 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_333009 MamaStrong character's sister has been living with and is married to her sisters husband.... Tue, 01 Nov 2011 00:28:49 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_342918 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_342918 ESPer out of Mind "I didn't get into that school; I was living with friends and working in a diner the entire time you thought I was at uni." "I spent my child's college fund so that they'd never be able to look down on me." "I knew he/she was taken when we met. I just didn't care." related to the above: "I still don't." "I told you I learned to swim, right? Well, that was wrong." "Those mysterious murders? I knew about them, but I'm not the killer." related to the above: "Actually, I _am_ the killer." "Anonymous gifts? Nope, don't know anything about them." [a lie] "So, you found out about the gifts? I admit it, I was too shy to give them in person, but it was me." [another lie] "I love you, so much." [they don't] "I never loved you." [it's true] Tue, 01 Nov 2011 01:42:50 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_344484 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_344484 Adreago I love these. May just have to take one later on... Sat, 05 Nov 2011 00:47:33 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_483924 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_483924 WriterRunAway I also need some secrets, more like confessions since my novel is *about* a girl confessing secrets for a whole month, one secret each day. And I still can't find the secrets that would... fit with me MC. Help? Anyone? Sat, 05 Nov 2011 12:48:08 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_494264 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_494264 bronwynnre A few more from the list I've been keeping for a while: Can't fall asleep without drugs Adopted a child without telling their family Fought on the "wrong" side of a recent (or even current) war Secretly harbouring illegal aliens (or extraterrestrial ones) Is actually a double agent working for the good guys Really does know where the bodies are burried Is a criminal. Alternately, is not a criminal, and chooses not to correct everyone's assumption that s/he is Sat, 05 Nov 2011 14:48:25 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_497325 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_497325 Moonstone Selkie Maybe a secret pregnancy? Or they have some incurable disease? Or they're depressed and cut/drink/do some other self-destructive thing? Or they have some type of addiction? (Can be a normal drug/alcohol addiction, or something like an internet or candy/caffine addiction) As for smaller secret: They're a nudist, or have attempted being a nudist in the past (I see this as a small secret, though others may not...) Went skinny dipping in the river Just went swimming in the river in general (My mother would kill me if I ever did this) Stole something Owns someone a large amount of money They crossdress They're homo/bi-sexual They have some weird phobia They claimed to be an expert on something, when they're not I hope this is helpful to somebody. ;) Sat, 05 Nov 2011 15:08:30 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_497833 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_497833 RogueToken -The character has problem with analog clock and time. Digital works just fine, but converting is also a problem (Saying "half past five" doesn't tell this character anything. Saying 06:30 makes sense) Yes, this one is based on myself... - Is actually a ninja - Isn't really a ninja - Used to be a pirate, but is now a ninja - Used to be a ninja, but is now a pirate - A character knows about the stairs down to the centre of Earth - A character is actually the sacred protector of the stairs down to the centre of the Earth - Is actually mute, it was the parrot on the shoulder that was speaking all along Sun, 06 Nov 2011 14:47:48 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_528911 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_528911 troutrd2011 I don't think some of the above ideas count as family secrets. LOL The family is riddled with incestuous relations and the children from these unions are not quite "Normal" The entire family are jewel thieves or cat burglars. Certain members of the family have a taste for cannibalism. The men are hunters and the prey are humans. Certain family members are terrorists. The family are immortals. The family are vampires, werewolves, or whatever paranormal entity you can think of, The family are ghost hunters. Ancestral home is full of ghosts which interact with the family and so do not invite people over and are very private and unsociable. Thu, 17 Nov 2011 09:43:30 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_740057 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_740057 premiumcider They secretly help out at the soup kitchen Thu, 24 Nov 2011 09:01:38 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_829853 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_829853 bronwynnre And a bunch more, because this thread needs some love: Has a tattoo that is terribly out of keeping with the kind of person they are. Examples might include a vocal athiest with a tattoo of a religious symbol, or a big tough biker with a tattoo of a fluffy kitten. Isn't actually a criminal, but choses to let everyone believe they are. Alternately, really wants to be a criminal, but their attempts at committing crimes never work out they way they want. Secretly harbouring illegal aliens... or extra terrestrial ones. Won a big jackpot in another state and never told anyone about it. Fri, 09 Dec 2011 04:36:47 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_954824 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_954824 Isis kid Genius, but likes to fail classes Likes children (not in a pedo way, but a motherly way) They're blind Pregnant Gay unheard religion? Has a gland problem so they keep growing in height hates something their friends gives them all the time Demon! Under fed so low nutrition really dirt thoughts ;) and their teens. HA, HA HA! They're racist or a family member is Fri, 09 Dec 2011 19:06:13 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_957121 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_957121 Sayaren This thread is for more personal secrets, not family secrets, that's why. Fri, 09 Dec 2011 23:47:40 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_958099 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_958099 Sayaren molested by a cousin as a child is a clean freak, but their home is messy (figure that out) had sex when they were 13 with an older, more experienced teen because they looked older than they were secretly loves anime dating someone, but hasn't told anyone beyond a few close friends likes to dress up nicely in the privacy of their own room/apartment/house (is otherwise a casual dresser who is never seen in dressy clothes in public) has a compulsion that makes them buy flashdrives/calendars they like when they see them and so has a large collection cut their own hair and blamed it on a classmate to get a haircut is harboring several kittens/puppies in their room that they found on the street and pets aren't allowed where they live scared to death of frogs can't concentrate unless music is playing or, is deaf, but 'listens' to their music loudly to hide it they're actually homeless they're telekinetic (can move things with their mind) how are these? Fri, 09 Dec 2011 23:57:30 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_958137 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_958137 Nasokoukaii My chara has weird secrets... At least to me. :/ Um... 1- He was born a psychic. 2- He's an orphan. 3- He cries every night for his parents secretly (he was very close to them, never quite got over watching his mother die or recieving the telegram that his father was beheaded in war.) and hates for anyone to see him crying. 4- He saw his future...He would go insane (like killing people randomly, smiling like a madman, strait-jacket insane) when he turned 17 (he's 16 now), gradually, and commit suicide at 18. 5- He beleives he (indirectly) killed his parents and will kill anyone close to him. That's about all I can remember now... :3 Sun, 11 Dec 2011 09:37:38 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=2#forum_thread_comment_962141 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=2#forum_thread_comment_962141 imsosofia If it's supposed to be dark/wrong/frowned upon by society, how about: ... ... Got her very young sister addicted to drugs, quite by accident. Her husband is a criminal, but she faked an alibi and helped him out. Now she's afraid of him. Went for plastic surgery, and did her entire face. Is still doing it. Once witnessed a raping/murder, but was too afraid to help the victim. Is now haunted by it. Helped her broke and lousy boyfriend by stealing her grandfather's life savings. Grandfather later does something irreparable to himself. Likes to cut herself. Is ashamed, but still does it. Committed incest? When they were both drunk? Got pregnant secretly, underwent abortion secretly. Was the one responsible for a divorce between her sister and brother-in-law. But her sister doesn't know. Hates child because it was the product of a rape / man whom she now hates / man whom she loved but left her. And was thus responsible for child turning into a delinquent. etc etc. Can't think of anymore, keke. Hope this helps! Tue, 27 Dec 2011 13:01:28 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1004061 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1004061 NejisMate Adopting "the character is in the midst of betraying their closest friends"! It's perfect for Ian... Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:14:40 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1156215 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1156215 NejisMate Haha, I accidently read 'scared of the death of frogs'... Anyway, I'm adopting "is harboring several kittens/puppies in their room that they found on the street and pets aren't allowed where they live"! Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:20:56 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1156223 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1156223 Sayaren Ha, frog dissection day would be a nightmare for them then XD Glad you like the kittens/puppies one! Tue, 21 Feb 2012 22:31:18 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1161114 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1161114 Steampunk avi8or Oooh adopting the Priest pedophile one! This will be perfect for my holier-than-thou annoying pastor character. Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:41:31 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1162044 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1162044 Birdy Edwards They slept in their parent's bed until they were 16. Fri, 24 Feb 2012 13:33:03 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1167413 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1167413 lionhuntermo Let's think of my character's secrets... -Terrified to date because either (a) their last relationship ended in the bf/gf turning into a stalker, breaking into his/her house, and then being shipped off to the nut house, or (b) they are afraid of being used because they are hot in the eyes of the world. -Has tattoos and doesn't know where from -Thinks they're crazy -Has a long lost twin or gave up a child (who was used in time travel experiments and killed his/her mother) -Can travel between worlds -Is a wizard from another world -Is an angel -Is a zombie -Is the devil -Hates her boyfriend's mustache -Is cheating (and is about to have one love kill the other) -Is a serial killer -Is a pyromaniac -Isn't real -Says she volunteers at a mental hospital when she is actually a patient -Can kill a person with a touch -Is the killer his/her partner has been tracking -Isn't actually dead (but faking so he/she could move to Hollywood and become a big star) Not all from the same story... Yikes. Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:53:07 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1167962 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1167962 MrZiggles Leaving: Got a good grade by sleeping with the professor / got a promotion by sleeping with the boss. Lied on a job application. Likes pop culture that doesn't fit his or her demo: i.e. man likes Sex and the City or adult likes Justin Bieber music. Has been banned from somewhere due to 'an incident'. Forged a painting / plagiarized a book. Sat, 25 Feb 2012 18:44:39 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1170389 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/adoption-society/threads/13671?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1170389