story writing...some thoughts on preparation

[MythicalMino]

I am wanting to start a story on my next game...but...I have never written a story based on a game before. I was thinking that it would be easier to play a game as terrans, seems easier to write....Also, I think i need to play a bit more....how long did it take you other story tellers to write your first fan fiction? i am looking for tips and pointers....like how did you prepare your opening story??? things like that...

Thanks

[dogscoff]

I didn't prepare mine at all. I just had the idea and started writing. Plot wise, this was a bit tricky, since I had to keep going back to re-write previous chapters to reverse engineer plot devices=-)

If you're following a game, however, this won't be so much of a problem for you. I'm no expert, but I can give you this advice:

-The personal touch. SEIV is about empires, not individuals, so to make it interesting on a personal level (and stop it sounding like a history book=-) make sure you have an individual angle in there. In other words, have good characters. Also, think about having some kind of plot or story to compliment the recounting of your empire's military exploits.

-review and re-write each section of story before you post it. If possible, have 2 or 3 chapters written but unposted, that way you can go back and alter them if the latest chapter requires it.

-Get everyone's interest, then stop writing for 2 or 3 months. Lol! Actually I don't recommend that, do what I say and not what I do! Once you post and ppl start to get into your story, it does become a serious commitment.

[geoschmo]

Originally posted by dogscoff:
-Get everyone's interest, then stop writing for 2 or 3 months. Lol! Actually I don't recommend that, do what I say and not what I do! Once you post and ppl start to get into your story, it does become a serious commitment.

It's a good thing you put that in there D, cause I was going to ask you about it if you didn't.

[sachmo]

Have fun. If it starts to become a chore, then you will avoid it. I only write when I'm curious about what is going to happen next. That happens a lot.

[Jmenschenfresser]

I think there are two ways to go about it.

-Either write the story while you play.
-Or play and then come up with a story to suit.

The first choice I think makes better stories. However sometimes when real life rears its ugly head, the second choice takes over. Happened to me a lot in the History Story. I'd play five or ten turns without thinking about the story and then I'd have to make up reasons why they happened later. Takes the fun out of it.

If it's a single player. Play the game slowly. A few turns and then write. Develop a mess of characters you can keep coming back to.

[capnq]

The first pieces I wrote were just short vignettes inspired by gameplay; they're in the Game Stories {link} thread.

Later, I had a solo game with an interesting starting position, so I started writing a history of events. That .txt file is up to 11K now, but it's coming out really dry, so I'll need to edit it a bit before I put it on public display.

I've got another one planned, where I've already written a scene after the First Contact, with placeholders for the race involved and alternate Versions for friendly or hostile contact. I've also got a separate file for that one with a list of all the characters I've used, to keep track of who they are as the story develops.