Built universe, have characters, but what next? http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/plot-doctoring/threads/50476 Theresa Hart Hi! I'm new to NaNoWriMo *officially*, though I've lurked for years. There's a story in my head that I can't get to come together properly, and I'm hoping that you all can help. There's a desert city, in the middle of an actual "ocean" of sand, complete with lizard-whales with blowholes all down their backs and ports which assist the merchant ships which are traveling to and from. Sunrises are spectacular. Sand has weird magnetic properties. City is the only one of its kind in the desert-ocean, ruled by a chief monarch and an oligarchy-council. My main character is an opinionated servant girl who somehow manages to tag along on an expedition to rid the area of a monster--a mother chimera has nested and is wreaking havoc on the neighborhood. The eggs are about to be smashed, and she saves one newborn. She wants to save it, so she has to leave the desert city. (Or live in hiding?) She's eventually joined by a potential heir for the monarch's position--guy full on his own accomplishments--and she has to try to raise the baby chimera. ...But where's the plot?? I can't find it! I know it's there! I'm going to KILL this thing if it doesn't torture me first! AHHHHHHHHHH!! Any help would be REALLY appreciated. Thanks! :) ~Reesy Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:37:55 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/plot-doctoring/threads/50476?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1159385 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/plot-doctoring/threads/50476?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1159385 The_Halla First, cool setting! I like it already. Next, some questions for your characters: If chimeras are these monstrous things that terrorize cities, why would anyone in their right mind want to save one? And why would the heir to the throne, who basically has everything he could want handed to him on a plate at the palace, run off into the monster-infested wasteland on his own? I'd also suggest thinking about the practical aspects of living in a desert environment. I assume there's a source of water somewhere that makes life possible--which would, naturally, be the single most important resource in the community. Still, it sounds like your city has to import most things, so you should figure out what the city's economy is based on. Is it a trade chokepoint? Does it have lots of farms, mines, or something like that? Is it a religious center? If you can figure out some more about how your setting functions and about how people live their lives (and why), that can help you learn a lot more about your characters and their motivations. (It helps to study real places that are similar, like Timbuktu for a trading center or Kush for a farming kingdom.) Last, it sounds like you could use a good subplot or background story. There has to be something else interesting going on at the time: rumors of war with a neighbor? A rivalry for succession to the throne? A drought, plague, or other natural disaster? An omen or religious vision has everyone abuzz? Traders have brought in some new item (e.g. guns, drugs, controversial literature, etc.) that has quickly and dramatically changed society? So, in short: flesh out your setting, figure out your characters, turn up the heat, and let them loose. Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:16:47 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/plot-doctoring/threads/50476?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1159603 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/plot-doctoring/threads/50476?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1159603 TommehBell Yeah I have to wonder why she saves a terrible creature who is terrorizing her city? And where does she go into hiding if this is the only city in this desert world? I have to agree with Halla you need to flesh out some things first and maybe during the fleshing out period your plot will come to you. Maybe chimera's a magical animal, like its the source of the desert magic and the man trying to overthrow the king is trying to kill them off to throw the world into turmoil or to take the magic for himself something and she saves one and goes into hiding. The baby chimera doesn't have its full magic so she in the prince protect it while its growing up....ok thats all I got lol Hope it helps Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:59:24 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/plot-doctoring/threads/50476?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1161501 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/plot-doctoring/threads/50476?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1161501 Theresa Hart Hi, Halla and TommehBell! Thanks for responding. Halla, I'm glad you like the setting! Honestly, it was the only salvageable thing from a dream I'd had and continued morphing. [quote=The_Halla] Next, some questions for your characters: If chimeras are these monstrous things that terrorize cities, why would anyone in their right mind want to save one? And why would the heir to the throne, who basically has everything he could want handed to him on a plate at the palace, run off into the monster-infested wasteland on his own? [/quote] I was having the same question, and I think I'll make the heir a sympathetic scholarly type who thinks the creatures are simply misunderstood. He has to hide it, and conscripts my FMC to raise it for him. [quote=The_Halla] ...you should figure out what the city's economy is based on. [/quote] Definitely doing this, as well. It's a trade chokepoint, but I hadn't even *considered* making it a religious center! Oh my goodness, I'm gonna have fun with this... [quote=The_Halla] Last, it sounds like you could use a good subplot or background story. [/quote] Agreed, and I'm a sucker for the romantic subplot, but I don't think I want to do that in this case. Drought might be a good one, even though they've springs. Thirsty people do desperate things... [quote=TommehBell] ...the man trying to overthrow the king is trying to kill them off to throw the world into turmoil... [/quote] ...This might be pivotal. Thank you! This is great. :D Thanks again, guys! I really appreciate the feedback. Anybody else have ideas? Fri, 24 Feb 2012 12:59:46 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/plot-doctoring/threads/50476?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1167178 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/plot-doctoring/threads/50476?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1167178