Current Events > Writing General V2

(+) Yeah! (+)

I guess the old one expired.

Anyway, I will post updates to my novel here.

I'm in the process of turning each sentence in the initial 1 paragraph summary into its own paragraph. I'm 2 paragraphs in, and when I'm done I will have a pretty good barebones outline of the story.


---

What's your novel about?

---

unknownhombre posted...

What's your novel about?

It's about the exploratory journey of a young lgbt individual who, as they discover their identity in the world, they lose the people who are closest to them. Along the way, they learn that it's only their own self acceptance that matters.

---

Tagging again, ruminating on a new story

I just had an online writing...thingy.session? With my friends. I missed this so much!!

---

Yeah I totally should not have started a fantasy novel without reading more than like...three fantasy novels in my lifetime.

---

ApherosyLove posted...

Yeah I totally should not have started a fantasy novel without reading more than like...three fantasy novels in my lifetime.

Aw I don't know. I feel like if you have an idea you feel good about and/or inspired by that's all you need really; something like a hero's journey has been told and retold countless times, but can still be really enjoyable even when it adheres closely to that structure

Not to say that reading a lot isn't valuable for other reasons, like inspiring new and novel ideas/pushing conventions, or understanding the market etc.

---

I just hope my magic system makes sense in the world's context. Maybe I can post a rundown here and see what y'all think.

---

I leaned towards not having a magic system at all, or at least none of my main characters having access to it. But then I decided to go with "magic exists but it's pretty mundane for regular folk."
I shall post it when I get back to a keyboard! Hate writing important stuff on my phone.

---

Tag. That's a good system to have.

---

Alright, not at a keyboard yet but I got excited so excuse my shitty typos. I'll try to be as straightforward as possible because the backstory is very long.

So in my world, Gods and Goddesses exist, but it's been long enough that one has really done anything that people are either forgetting them or doubting their existence. One of the only proofs that remain are the fact that people with Spirit can use magic.

There are three races: humans being the least inclinated towards magic, and having the least amount of its population blessed with Spirit.

Magic itself is the borrowing of power from a God or Goddess, which is why humans suck at it. It was created for the other two races and not meant for humans, they kinda "stole" it or were "given" it, depending on who you ask.

The magic system comes in two parts: the language itself to summon it, and the actual magic that happens. To use magic, you must say, in the magic language, what God(ess) you're borrowing the magic from, and what you want it to do. "By the God [blank], X this Y."

Since you're borrowing the power, it's a two way system: the God has to reciprocate. Which is why it's very mundane, the "good" or at least "neutral" gods don't want their magic being used for evil, or being too OP, for lack of a better term. Which makes it very fickle, and the people using it chalk that up to skill (when in reality it's not. There's some skill involved, but it mostly depends on the God granting permission, and the person's innate Spirit).

The language itself is also very esoteric. Most people don't know any because it doesn't affect their lives, and people who do use magic in day to day only know enough to get by.

To help those without Spirit, there also exists these neutral stones that can be imbued with magic. Things like emitting light, starting fires, rudimentary radios, etc.

The main character of the story is a blacksmith's apprentice. So aside from using magic to heat metal, become resistant to heat/pain, and turning neutral stones into firestarters, he doesn't know much.

That's about all I've developed somewhat thoroughly. I'm also trying to develop a related system of dance magic, but it's hard to implement via following the rules I've created.

---

DuranOfForcena posted...

the other dominant inspiration for my setting comes from the ancient Greek city states and Plato's vision of the ideal society Kallipolis as described in The Republic. but tbh i haven't really found much in the way of contemporary fantasy that has such inspirations, so i've mostly drawn from what i know of ancient Greek history itself and Plato's works.

She's not fantasy per se, but have you read any of Mary Renault's works? If not, The Mask of Apollo might be of particular interest here

---

Joker98 posted...

It's about the exploratory journey of a young lgbt individual who, as they discover their identity in the world, they lose the people who are closest to them. Along the way, they learn that it's only their own self acceptance that matters.

Gotcha. Sounds interesting. Thanks for sharing.

---

I just wrote a key scene in the book called, "Praying to a God that I don't believe in"

It's captivating, guys. Can't share it tho :<

---

Then why bring it up?

---

Says there's 22 posts, but I only see 21

Oh well, I guess someone posted who I *can't see their posts*
HAHAH

---

Cool.


---

Joker98 posted...

Says there's 22 posts, but I only see 21

Oh well, I guess someone posted who I *can't see their posts*
HAHAH

It's vicious_dios.

You're not missing anything of value.

---

3PiesAndAFork posted...

It's vicious_dios.

You're not missing anything of value.

Figured as much XD

---

I'm gonna keep writing... Despite having no real goal in mind.

---

MedeaLysistrata posted...

I'm gonna keep writing... Despite having no real goal in mind.

Not a bad idea

I wrote a couple paragraphs last night that were really emotional and impactful. I'm feeling confident about writing this book now, since it will probably create some representation for this particular genre

---

ApherosyLove posted...

I just hope my magic system makes sense in the world's context. Maybe I can post a rundown here and see what y'all think.

@ApherosyLove Where's your magic system on the spectrum from hard to soft?

---

Ugh, every time I think I'm done editing this stupid manuscript more problems pop up.

---

So I'm notoriously bad at finishing projects that I start because I burn myself out or don't get motivated enough to finish.
With this project, I'm taking it slow because I want to finish and my motivation is that I want to expand the library of LGBT / transgender fiction.

I wrote a few sentences a couple days ago and posted it to reddit and they were like "omg this is so good I'm crying" and "when is this coming out? do you have a name yet?" which felt good to know they're responding to only a short paragraph. I wish I could post it here but it's far too personal =3 =3 =3 =3 =3

---

The story I'm writing takes place in a world where one night everyone outside of America disappeared. Now people colonizing the old areas of the world are developing strange powers. A team set up by the government is sent to investigate what exactly is going on.

---