Blogs
 


  Oddworld Forums > Blogs > Re re ro ro re ro


Rate this Entry

What makes a good story?

Posted 01-12-2011 at 01:34 PM by STM
Ok,
So basically I'm writing a novelette/short story that might be submitted in a series of unrelated books by an independent publisher, the book will be released probably on kindle but paperback copies may also become available. All this is free for me to do and the intention is that a few amateur writers will gain a little fame (if you can call it that) and perhaps a little bit of income for a while.

So I am entering the competition with a dystopian story about a man living in this vast radiated super city named the Under-Hive. I was wondering though if you could give any pointers as to what should feature in this story? Because surely the best way of getting selected is to get opinions from other readers???
Total Comments 14

Comments

Ridg3's Avatar
Erotica/woman porn.
Posted 01-12-2011 at 01:38 PM by Ridg3

Mr. Bungle's Avatar
^ that's what I came here to say

Explosions
Posted 01-12-2011 at 01:39 PM by Mr. Bungle

OANST's Avatar
I recommend throwing the occasional apostrophe in there.
Posted 01-12-2011 at 01:54 PM by OANST

Phylum's Avatar
I was going to say grammar, coherency and spelling.

With the above in mind I wish you heartfelt luck.
Posted 01-12-2011 at 01:55 PM by Phylum

Wil's Avatar
If you're an artist, Fuck what the readers want and produce what it is you want to express.

If you're not an artist, just make it as pornographic as possible.
Posted 01-12-2011 at 02:41 PM by Wil

Bullet Magnet's Avatar
Get some world building in there. Make a diary of your week, paying close attention to the most mundane activities, the source of your food and water, toilet usage, income etc. How do these things work in this Under-Hive? How would your day be different as a result? Research.

The little things make fictional worlds believable, and are also the seeds for new locations, characters, plots and sub-plots. You don't even have to mention them all, just know how it works in your head.
Posted 01-12-2011 at 03:17 PM by Bullet Magnet

ziggy's Avatar
You should make it as realistic as you possibly can make a fake world, so I agree with Bullet Magnet that you should include little activities of life if it is a Science Fiction story. My personal opinion however, is that over explaining minute details gets really monotonous and will bore the average reader. Especially if it's a short story. I've talked about the creative process of making stories or what have you with a couple of people before, and although it sounds cliche, it all comes down to you. No matter what people give you advice on, you'll mostly make it how you want. Just allow yourself to revise things a little, but don't doubt yourself too much. Making good art can be a struggle, but the creative process is kind of inevitable. Plus when the deadline comes around you'll have to turn in whatever you've got anyway. So just do it, and don't think about it too much.
Posted 01-12-2011 at 06:57 PM by ziggy

Daxter King's Avatar
Revise, a lot. Some of my friends say they never revise, but whenever I do, I change a fuck ton of things for the better.

Also, on the subject of believable things, I'm finding it harder and harder to create a plausible universe for my zombie bikers story.
Posted 01-12-2011 at 09:10 PM by Daxter King

Mac Sirloin's Avatar
Talent.
Posted 01-12-2011 at 10:20 PM by Mac Sirloin

Phylum's Avatar
Fear, surprise and ruthless efficiency.
Posted 01-13-2011 at 01:47 AM by Phylum

Oddey's Avatar
And an almost fanatical devotion to the pope.

I think if you have some good characters, and avoid moments that are just plain silly, like two guys cracking jokes when in mortal peril for no good reason, you've got yourself something fairly good.
Posted 01-13-2011 at 06:32 AM by Oddey

MeechMunchie's Avatar
Less obvious plagarism from Necromunda.
Posted 01-13-2011 at 08:29 AM by MeechMunchie

Elmatto753's Avatar
Make it interesting. Stuff has to happen. When you're done write out a short list of events that happen in your story. If they sound shit there, they're probably shit in the story.
Posted 01-13-2011 at 09:09 AM by Elmatto753

STM's Avatar
Hey, sorry I totally got banned for a week and didn't get to reply so I forgot this! I'm submitting the book to the publishers in a week. Thanks for the tips!

@MM - Hey I actually realised this half way through...I'm terrified GW will think I'm copying them but I only realised what an underhive or a necromunda was was when I googled 'underhive.'
Posted 01-23-2011 at 11:22 AM by STM

 






 
 
- Oddworld Forums - -