Want more ideas to go with the ones you have? Are you trying to make a chain of events longer, or wondering what might be a fun addition to your tale?
See if your friends can hook a few more thoughts to yours. Post a plot point, characterization question, plothole, epic ethical dilemma, anything you’re brainstorming. Other wrimos can make suggestions, offer ideas, give you extra options about what you could do next. If you like any of them, hook them onto the chain of monkeys you’ve already got. :)
Hang out an idea of your own, or hook an idea onto someone else's. There is only one rule:
No critique allowed. Don’t ask for it; don’t give it. Begin by assuming your idea is great. :) If we start doubting ourselves, things can start to fall apart.
And, of course, remember that this is a game for all ages.
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43,493 / 50,000
Nov 2, 2009 - 10 41
I need some ghosts.
Correction: I need a whole lot of ghosts.
Correction of the correction: I need a whole lot of interesting ghosts.
----------Scorpio
71,617 / 50,000
Nov 2, 2009 - 16 21
I'm posting for somebody else.
What is the most realistic way for 10yo & 8yo siblings in a children's murder mystery to find their aunt dead (no obvious wounds or signs of illness or struggle)? How will the kids react?
They find her after a Thanksgiving family reunion, the only time of the year they get to stay over at her house. They were very close to her. There are 3 other cousins in the house (not hers; she's single).
----------poetT / Teri
ML in the black hat
12,451 / 50,000
Nov 2, 2009 - 16 40
What is the most realistic way for 10yo & 8yo siblings in a children's murder mystery to find their aunt dead (no obvious wounds or signs of illness or struggle)? How will the kids react?
In simple, it varies.
An semi-close example I know of: I think my dad may have been about that old when his youngest sister died. He was the oldest of the three children. From what I've gathered, he held it in for about a year, until he finally just broke down and finally cried.
So...I'd say have the oldest of them (this could extend past the siblings and into the cousins) try to hold it in, and eventually break down later on, either in private (if 13+) or to his/her parents (if 12--).
23,143 / 50,000
Nov 2, 2009 - 16 53
Yay, brainstorming.
Here are a few contributions/options, that I think could make interesting ghosts:
Charles Dickens.
a French (pastry?) chef
Sherlock Holmes
a famous (shakespearean?) actor
your favorite (dead) artist
Abraham Lincoln’s dog (Did he have a dog? I don’t know.)
John Wayne
a privateer
the ghost of someone who doesn’t speak English (and who doesn’t speak English with great frequency). even better if this is the ghost of someone very clever who sees the solution to a problem and tells everyone exactly how to fix it, while they can’t understand.
a random scientist (or someone else)---who still doesn’t believe in ghosts
88,888 / 50,000
Nov 2, 2009 - 17 12
Ghost of Unrequited Love
----------Ghost of Children's Cruelty (not cruelty to children)
Ghost of Hidden Paths
Ghost of Memories Unleashed
Ghost of Karmic Revenge
Ghost of Lost Innocence
Ghost of Infinite Rage
Ghost of Greatness Unseen
To victory!
5,200 / 50,000
Nov 2, 2009 - 17 21
Imagine a little meeting in the big void. Ghosts of people throughout history who changed a bit since they died. Life events have a way of doing that, and I guess so would death events.
* I was a political dictator who ran his country into the ground so I could rule. No one even listens to me now.
* I was king of the marketplace, and anyone who tried to push me off the mountain met my lawyers. Now look, I can't even wear a Rolex!
* I was a young girl who thought I could get away from it all with a few recreational chemicals. Guess I got too far away from it all, huh?
* Wow. I guess gravity doesn't care if you believe in it or not.
If characters become interesting because of changes, maybe death is just the catalyst for turn-arounds. On the other hand, what if death just proved a guy's point and he's going to have the last laugh by getting himself another body? Even better, what if a ghost could multitask and have a buncha bodies at one time? Could a ghost start to stress over fading slightly into even more incorporiality? Does the ghost get all Greeky and quest for answers from some ultimate Source? Could a used-car salesman's ghost figure out a way to be louder and more annoying? Would an IRS agent's ghost figure out how to audit the others ("Hey, death and taxes, right? One down, one to go!")?
David
----------Dream Walker % The Dreamlands
28,098 / 50,000
Nov 2, 2009 - 20 11
This isn’t exactly a brainstorming question, but does anyone know a good Algerian restaurant here in town (or within driving distance – Lawrence would be fine, for example)? I’ve never been to one or even tried Algerian food, for that matter, but my characters have just spent several thousand words over a traditional Algerian lunch which is probably horribly inaccurate, as I wrote it entirely based off the first random website I found. I’d really love to experience it for myself!
What is the most realistic way for 10yo & 8yo siblings in a children's murder mystery to find their aunt dead (no obvious wounds or signs of illness or struggle)? How will the kids react?
I'd say the kids won't all react the same way, just like not all adults would react the same way. Maybe one withdraws, becomes quieter or more reflective than usual, or cries (or maybe tries to hide the fact that he's crying?). The other one might go in the completely opposite direction and become defiant, acting out and causing trouble.
How could she die? Poison is always a good one for avoiding obvious wounds, and not all poisons will make you look ill either. Maybe something like she got pushed down the stairs and broke her neck? or would that count as an obvious wound?
----------Sexy is indeed a word. ~Luke
I have joined the livejounal world! http://profdumonde.livejournal.com/
71,617 / 50,000
Nov 3, 2009 - 05 47
Ooh, that's a tough one. Easier to look for Moroccan; they have many similar foods. (Couscous!)
Try a website like these and look at "African" or "Mediterranean" under cuisine, or under the search function enter "Moroccan" or "Algerian" or "African"
http://www.tastingspace.com/search/index.cfm
http://local.yahoo.com/MO/Kansas+City/Food+Dining/Restaurants/Restaurant...
http://restaurantkansascity.com/
Or get some recipes from the library or on-line and dive in! (One of my favorite cookbooks Flatbreads & Flavors by Jeffrey Alford and Naomi Duguid has some recipes for North Africa, Morocco to Tunisia.) I love ethnic cookery.
From time to time I think about looking for Ethiopian...
----------poetT / Teri
ML in the black hat
5,839 / 50,000
Nov 6, 2009 - 12 04
I need a way for a fearless and exciting older brother, destined for a military career, to somehow get injured in such a way that he isn't DEAD, but is no longer able to serve in the military. He is a daredevil and a show-off, the brutish kind of jock quarterback, spoiled rich kid, with a killer smile. I need him to have some sort of foolhardy or selfish incident that is totally unrelated to the military, just him goofing around.
Common' creative brains--give me some non-amputating injuries!
----------"If I didn't define myself for myself, I would be crunched into other people's fantasies for me and eaten alive." ~Audre Lorde
8,777 / 50,000
Nov 6, 2009 - 12 33
Skateboarding. My son (similar in description) broke his right wrist in five places, destroying the ball joint under his thumb (that alone was in so many pieces they couldn't reassemble it) and the ulnar bone was a few millimeters from being a severe compound fracture. He is healing well, considering, but will probably have to have extensive surgeries later and his entire hand is still totally numb from the nerves that were severed by the broken bones. Yeah, skateboarding is pretty dangerous. He had a friend a few years ago (no helmet of course) who died after hitting his head on a curb.
29,086 / 50,000
Nov 6, 2009 - 12 40
My brother-in-law has a messed up knee but is still in the Army. He doesn't run for PT anymore, but he still works out extensively. Aside from the aforementioned numb hands and amputation, I'm not sure what you could use.
Here, I just messaged him real quick - if you wanted a list. I'll let you know what he says.
23,143 / 50,000
Nov 7, 2009 - 11 58
What about vision? Isn't it possible to get a blind spot through a head injury, or eye injury? Would that be enough to get him passed over?
8,777 / 50,000
Nov 7, 2009 - 12 37
The military seems to be oddly selective in whom they choose or pass over for 'eye problems'. My exhusband, a Navy flier had to have absolutely perfect vision, but his brother, 11 months older was a Major in the Air Force and he was blinder than I. He wore glasses that looked like coke bottle bottoms, but he had specialized knowledge and education and taught at the Pentagon for years. So it depends on what they want you for, how lenient they are about various problems.
29,086 / 50,000
Nov 7, 2009 - 19 30
OK, here is what he says:
Severely torn muscle, knee surgery that precludes him passing a physical, minor in possession of alcohol. Tons of stuff that would work that might preclude him from service. Might sound silly, but you would be surprised. Even some prescription drugs are on a list that would prevent service.
My sister informs me that if my bro-in-law's knee problem (torn ACLs?) had happened before he entered the service, he wouldn't have been allowed in. If something happens to you while you're in, they'll put you somewhere, but they'll just keep you out otherwise.
12,744 / 50,000
Nov 7, 2009 - 20 26
I need Russian terms of endearment and possibly an opinion on whether to use them or not. I'm considering using 'devushka', which apparently means 'young lady' or 'girl' for one scene, but I may need more for later scenes.
Otherwise, I spent a long time on Google with nothing to show for it except ONE STINKING WORD. Any help will be much appreciated! I need it badly.
----------"What are you doing here? I thought I killed you yesterday!" grumbled Albi quite racistly.
"No, Albi. You didn't kill me with your dragon flames. I crawled to safety, but you did leave me very badly disfigured," laughed the boy.
-Flight of the Conchords
29,086 / 50,000
Nov 7, 2009 - 21 06
From what I understand, many Russian names have nicknames and are considered endearing and common. Sasha for Alexander, for example.
43,063 / 50,000
Nov 9, 2009 - 08 00
Okay, so my criminal family has a facade of being a respectable, well-to-do family. They've got a secret criminal organization called the Black Raven that they're trying to make seem like anarchists who are just trying to get rid of the entire government. But the chief of police is starting to crack down on the investigation, and the family's getting worried because he's starting to interrogate noble families, which hasn't happened before.
So the family has decided they need to make the first move and stage something to make it seem like the Black Raven has done something against them, turning them into victims and taking the suspicion off them. But I'm not sure what the Black Raven should "do". There'd have to be a pretty good reason for the Black Raven to apparently target this family when they've mostly been targeting governmental people. Any ideas for what they could do?
----------All writing begins life as a first draft, and first drafts are never any good. They're not supposed to be.
- Patricia T. O'Conner
46,275 / 50,000
Nov 9, 2009 - 10 06
Start a rumor that one of the family members was thinking of running for office. The "attack" could be seen as a warning to stay out of politics.
As for what they do, it would depend on how much of a sacrifice your characters are willing to make, and/or how close they think the police are to closing in. They could stage something very minor that doesn't really result in any damage or harm to anyone - truly just a warning. Or they could do something that cause significant financial or property loss like burning down their own house. If they're really evil, maybe they could get rid of that black sheep in the family that isn't involved in the illegal activities.
----------Adjectives on the typewriter
He moves his words like a prize fighter
The frenzied pace of the mind inside the cell
-Cake
46,275 / 50,000
Nov 9, 2009 - 10 15
My main character receives something that could be a supernatural prediction of his untimely demise, a death threat, both, or none of the above. At first, he of course dismisses it as nothing more than a mistake of some sort, or a sick joke. But eventually he comes to bellieve that he is actually going to die as predicted (he's not, but that's beside the point). I've got a couple of ideas so far, but I can certainly use some additional help with things that push him in the direction of believing the prediction. Thanks.
----------Adjectives on the typewriter
He moves his words like a prize fighter
The frenzied pace of the mind inside the cell
-Cake
43,063 / 50,000
Nov 9, 2009 - 12 13
Well, it's a bit hard to figure something out unless we know exactly what form this prediction takes. If it's fairly detailed and there are several steps leading up to his death, then if those steps start actually happening, it would warrant him starting to believe it's true. These would be things that could happen anyway, which would probably also keep him guessing and doubting.
That's just some general ideas, but if you gave some more specific info, more ideas might be forthcoming.
----------All writing begins life as a first draft, and first drafts are never any good. They're not supposed to be.
- Patricia T. O'Conner
34,869 / 50,000
Nov 9, 2009 - 20 31
I'm basically having trouble coming up with dialogue. The two main characters of my novel, Aleksander and Vera (the protagonist) have a very antagonistic relationship throughout most of the novel, with several arguments of some sort. They're pretty verbally abusive concerning the other, but it's not like they cuss each other out. So, basically, I need some ideas of insults or whatnot. (Extra credit for those who are familiar with the Canadian sitcom "Life With Derek" and could help me achieve a Darek/Casey sort of relationship.)
-VM
----------http://madelinebemel.livejournal.com
46,275 / 50,000
Nov 9, 2009 - 20 49
You can read the excerpt on my profile for the exact wording, but it's basically provided by a web site and of the form You-Will-Die-On-This-Day... which happens to be a month away instead of decades down the road like the predictions received by all of his friends.That is of course such a ridiculous idea that he first thinks it was a mistake on his part (garbage in, garbage out), and tries his luck again, with the same results. At that point he dismisses it as some sort of glitch in the system unique to his situation. However, something needs to start to change his mind.
At various times, he will be searching for a potential medical reason, and/or a hidden threat to his life from an outside source. And I know what's going to push him all the way over the edge (the death of a friend that may have been correctly predicted by the same web site), but in order to keep the story moving, I need to get that downhill slide started.
----------Adjectives on the typewriter
He moves his words like a prize fighter
The frenzied pace of the mind inside the cell
-Cake
43,063 / 50,000
Nov 10, 2009 - 10 05
@jmedward: By the way, thanks for your earlier suggestion for my story; it led to a brainstorming session with my brother where we thought up tons of complications that led to further complications but somehow managed to fix them all, and now I get to write some really exciting stuff! Basically, the criminal family is going to stage an "attack" on the patriarch, saying it was an attempt on his life but really just wounding his leg. This leads to a substitute getting put on the city council, which will lead to a scene I'd planned long ago but didn't know how to reach.
As for your problem, I just had a random thought: What if there was some kind of newspaper article or something of the kind where someone found out what day the website said he was going to die, and then he died? The character might start feeling nervous, or start to wonder whether it's real.
----------All writing begins life as a first draft, and first drafts are never any good. They're not supposed to be.
- Patricia T. O'Conner
46,275 / 50,000
Nov 11, 2009 - 21 34
Thanks for the suggestion, I'll have to consider something like that. I've already got plans for him to see his obituary in the morning paper - it might be too much to use the newspaper twice in such a fashion. But your suggestion has given me a couple of other ideas as well. I think with some additional detail, some of the other deaths that are going on in the novel could re-emphasize just how narrowly he has avoided death. Getting zapped by a faulty toaster is only a little scary in and of itself, but when he finds out that's what killed his elderly neighbor...
*runs off to cause more death and destruction*
----------Adjectives on the typewriter
He moves his words like a prize fighter
The frenzied pace of the mind inside the cell
-Cake
43,063 / 50,000
Nov 15, 2009 - 21 17
Okay, I need everybody's ideas for assassination attempts (none of which will actually be successful). My criminal family's going to be pulling off a few of those in quick succession, so I need some good varied ideas. This includes anything from the weapons used, to how they get into the victim's house (all the victims are wealthy men on the city council), to how the criminals could intentionally not kill the victim while making it seem like him not being dead is a mistake. Any ideas will be appreciated.
Oh, and just to clarify: My story's in a fantasy setting basically with technology like 1600s-1700s, so there's swords and cannons and stuff but guns aren't really sophisticated or useful for precision work like this. (So...no CD shurikens. Drat. >_>) There's also no magic.
----------All writing begins life as a first draft, and first drafts are never any good. They're not supposed to be.
- Patricia T. O'Conner
12,744 / 50,000
Nov 16, 2009 - 05 44
Have someone shoot the cannon at a councilman standing on a balcony. See, there you have epic cannon fire, a collapsing balcony, SHOCK, AWE, and an excuse to use epic weaponry. And it's long-distance, so they've got time to run before anyone finds where the cannon was fired from.
----------"What are you doing here? I thought I killed you yesterday!" grumbled Albi quite racistly.
"No, Albi. You didn't kill me with your dragon flames. I crawled to safety, but you did leave me very badly disfigured," laughed the boy.
-Flight of the Conchords
100,001 / 50,000
Nov 16, 2009 - 06 52
if the "mafia" for lack of the correct term has lots o connections and dough:
-imported ninjas from the Far East
poisoned darts from afar
those pointy baby scythe thingys that you can harvest souls with
-pirates from the high seas
-traveling bands of gypsies employed for food and lodging
onto the property as entertainers sent by a supporter of the council
women hiding daggers in thigh sheathes
men with simple cudgels to brain the rich white men dallying with their wives and daughters
- mailed forged love letters from mistresses that are laced with poison
- ground glass in the pudding - even Bill Cosby (born in the 1700s) loves pudding
- accost a carriage in the streets after a party
- highwaymen at a bridge crossing
- act of god - purchased with the souls of virgins and very small dogs
I'd go for lightning - hard to trace
- demon influence
do demons count as magic? I don't think they would say so.
- lace their pouches of gold with a heavy metal
- change out their snuff
snuffed by snuff - you don't see that on those english mystery covers
- simple kidnapping that went a little rougher than scripted.
- they did a paper cut on House - maybe you could go that way
- a corset too tight
- bow and arrows are always welcome at a dance
- tainted pork
- stampede!
- jmedward sometimes throws cars at people. perhaps a time-travelling shovel of death?
gravediggers on strike happen to lash out at the hated council
uh, you want more?
mike
45,760 / 50,000
Nov 16, 2009 - 22 19
Need Halloween costumes for a gay couple at a Halloween party!! One of the men is a percussionist in the symphony, the other is an ad man/copywriter. The costumes don't have to be related to their jobs. What would they wear to a Halloween party? Thank you! : )
----------You, uh been working on that novel? You know, the one you've been working on for about five years now? You got a, got a big stack of papers there? Got a, got a plot-line working? Friends become enemies? Enemies become friends? (Stewie to Brian--The F