nanowrimo_lj | Now the plot bunnies proliferate...

NaNo'ing Progress—I have a plot idea! It's generally crappy, but at least it's THERE. It's not like I have one brilliant idea that I've just been dying to write: I wish. No, it's more like I'm desperately scrounging around for an idea—ANY idea—to write about. My strength is the writing, not the plotting. I can develop characters and write an interesting piece like nobody's business, but the preparation beforehand? The making of the plot and the outline? Heh... not so much. Character development alone makes a crappy novel. But that's originally what was in my mind: I had this wonderful character that just sprung out, Athena-like, but I have no idea what to do with her.

So now I'm trying to decide what's worse: no plot at all, or a plot that you're not entirely behind? I don't know. Here's a bit of what I'm thinking:

Motherless Girl (as yet unnamed) has a brilliant scientist father working for the government. When he’s suddenly kidnapped trying to develop the ability to harness time and travel through it and the kidnappers go after her next (maybe they kidnap her as incentive to make him give up his knowledge and then she escapes?), she’s sent off on a journey to find her father, destroy the device, and preserve her own life. Eventually, she has to decide whether to destroy the device or travel back in time to prevent her mother’s death.

What think you? I seriously need feedback. Is it entirely cliche? Been done too many times before? Above all, does it sound like something a Suethor would write? That's one of my biggest fears—turning into one of those that I despise. Please drop me a short line with your initial reaction. I could really use it.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Sounds good to me. It does have familiar elements, but then, doesn't everything?

I'm also not much of a planner. Usually what I find works best is to go ahead and get a starting plot in mind, but focus mostly on the characters and let them do what they will. When it comes down to the plot I had thought out vs. what the characters would do, I always go with the characters. It's more fun that way...an incentive to keep writing so I can find out what happens.

Sounds like a plan. It's so easy to fall out of interest with your plot—I, like you, often stick around just to see what the characters do. They never fail to surprise me.

okay here's what i think, i like it. especially where your MC has to make her choice. i won't try to tell you that i haven't seen a father daughter relationship like that before. because it's a classic. i said classic, not cliche. the difference between classic and cliche is how many classic pieces make it into your story. classic is good, there are a few classics being utilized in my own NaNoFic.

That goes for Mary Sue-ness too. There are a few good tricks you can use to avoid creating one, first, there should be a major obstacle for this character to overcome, as in personal obstacle, as in one that makes her quest of sorts that much more difficult, she can overcome it or learn to work around it, but if she overcomes it she can't then have no flaws at all. flawed characters are always more appreciated than flawless ones. same goes for appearance, don't make her gorgeous, and don't, especially if anyone who knows you will read it, make her look like you. people will always relate better to a character who deals with issues that they deal with, self esteem is a big one with teenagers, but it's also getting rather over done. I think one of the reasons Harry Potter has taken the world by storm is because the author inserts the little wizard into a lot of contemporary issues that normal people deal with along with those messed up magical ones.

i'm sorry if i haven't made much sense. if you want to ask me anything or ask me to clarify i'm happy to help.

It did make sense, lol. I'm sorry I don't have the time to type out a properly eloquent and lengthy response to that comment, but can I just say that I appreciate the time you obviously spent constructing it? Your MS tips will be taken into account, and I daresay I'll refer to them often. And the words of encouragement on the plot premise were nice. Thanks. :)

Heh. I don't plot either, but I can do really good characters, so I can totally relate.

Also, if you're worried about writing Mary Sues, you probably don't have anything to worry about.

As for the plot, yes, there are familliar elements, but you've obviously put your own twist on them, at least from what I've seen so far, so I think you're fine. :)

Heh—kindred spirits, no?

Your MS words of comfort were... well... comforting. I'd hope that, after being exposed to so many and burning them at the stake, I'd known not to do them. Hopefully.

And I'm still toying with the plot. I came up with a few more ideas, and I might kind of merge them to make it more interesting and creative.

Now the plot bunnies proliferate...

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