Arch9CivilReactor
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 24, 2021
- Messages
- 365
- Points
- 103
I thought it would be difficult planning a story with multiple arcs… then I saw a GoogleDoc I forgot about with a lot of backstory of places and events. Currently making a list of the places of where the protagonist will visit in each arc.
It looks like I’ll have to Kill the Darling on the five-man band idea and either make it a duo or trio story.
For those unfamiliar with this sentence it is writing advice to cut out parts of an idea that doesn’t fit the overall creative vision. A lot of people don’t do enough or do too much by completely trashing all their ideas at once.
I don’t think a five-man band would work because writing dark stories without being too tasteless will need me to spend more time on intended characters. If I split the perspective too much then I risk trivialising important stuff.
I know this isn’t a binary thing as many writers besides me might make it work, but I personally won’t be able to focus on several characters while keeping the dark undertones.
All that remains now is to continue what I was doing and decide what my main character’s personal growth will be about. I’m not a fan of protagonists being “a good person in a dark world” as that makes them seriously boring.
Characters that see injustice and think realistic stuff like “I should stay out of this or else there will be consequences I don’t like” don't really inspire me. They’re neither heroes or villain of their stories. Just people among the normals.
Personally, I like the idea of a main character accepting the consequences rather than avoiding them. It’s more aggressive that way towards their goal.
So how should I apply this to a female Power Ranger?
The first thing will be by taking away the plot armour that’s usually deeply woven into the genre. Similar to how the Dark Magical Girl Genre works. Making it so her power can cause harm to allies and enemies alike.
That means that transforming in itself risks danger of an explosion and actively damages the user after it is complete. Those transformation explosions that happen also harm civilians should they be nearby. Kaiju battles with megazords devastating cities and killing many.
One very hyper specific thing I’d like to add into her backstory would be “The consequences of trying to duplicate a Morpher”. With someone close to her having died because of an explosion that happened due to accessing the same colour Grid Energy (actually happens in these types of shows except downplayed because plot armour).
Other than that I’ll have to explore her beef with the main villain so I’ll be adjusting it in real time.
I’m happy about another productive day.
It looks like I’ll have to Kill the Darling on the five-man band idea and either make it a duo or trio story.
For those unfamiliar with this sentence it is writing advice to cut out parts of an idea that doesn’t fit the overall creative vision. A lot of people don’t do enough or do too much by completely trashing all their ideas at once.
I don’t think a five-man band would work because writing dark stories without being too tasteless will need me to spend more time on intended characters. If I split the perspective too much then I risk trivialising important stuff.
I know this isn’t a binary thing as many writers besides me might make it work, but I personally won’t be able to focus on several characters while keeping the dark undertones.
All that remains now is to continue what I was doing and decide what my main character’s personal growth will be about. I’m not a fan of protagonists being “a good person in a dark world” as that makes them seriously boring.
Characters that see injustice and think realistic stuff like “I should stay out of this or else there will be consequences I don’t like” don't really inspire me. They’re neither heroes or villain of their stories. Just people among the normals.
Personally, I like the idea of a main character accepting the consequences rather than avoiding them. It’s more aggressive that way towards their goal.
So how should I apply this to a female Power Ranger?
The first thing will be by taking away the plot armour that’s usually deeply woven into the genre. Similar to how the Dark Magical Girl Genre works. Making it so her power can cause harm to allies and enemies alike.
That means that transforming in itself risks danger of an explosion and actively damages the user after it is complete. Those transformation explosions that happen also harm civilians should they be nearby. Kaiju battles with megazords devastating cities and killing many.
One very hyper specific thing I’d like to add into her backstory would be “The consequences of trying to duplicate a Morpher”. With someone close to her having died because of an explosion that happened due to accessing the same colour Grid Energy (actually happens in these types of shows except downplayed because plot armour).
Other than that I’ll have to explore her beef with the main villain so I’ll be adjusting it in real time.
I’m happy about another productive day.