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Posted By: Greg Jan 02, 2003 - 07:30 am

I am currently working on the background for what MIGHT be a popular sell. It's a Sci-Fi/adventure story with a stong sense of surrealistic fantasy and spiritialism. I guess it's a strange fantasy set in a Sci-Fi context. I can't say specifically what it's about (no offence intended, but you never know when someone might just come by and snatch up a good idea (even though it wasn't my idea, it was given to me!)

I have my central characters, and their star ship partially designed. It's all so exciting! The problem is, I'm having trouble getting it started. They're kind of space pirots, some more moral than others (some have desperate reasons for their involvement.) The captain of this independent vessel meets my central character and his loyal friends (the central character in desperate need for the money for ethical reasons.) The characters are exciting and are becoming well developed in my mind, but I'm having trouble with early plotting! Why does this sleazeball captain welcome aboard and trust my young hero (who is not corrupt like the captain)? And what ARE they after ANYWAY?

I'm in a hard bind here. I welcome and appreciate any suggestions! PLOTTING has always been a problem for me in SCI-FI novels! Any help what soever are welcome.

-Greg Cybertiger

Posted By: nael Jan 02, 2003 - 09:03 am

well, you seem to be excited about the ship you are designing, the pirates could be intrested in the ship, or a specific piece of the ship (waponry, drive component, etc.). Obviously, the captain lies about this and just says they need extra workers/pirates.
Maybe the hero's ship is capable of some feat that will allow the pirates to get to a long sought after planet/facility/etc.

Posted By: Opera Ghost Jan 02, 2003 - 11:17 am

It sounds very interesting! Obviously you are very excited about this story you are creating. I guess I know how you feel in that you can't tell the whole story; even if there was no danger at all in having my own idea stolen I still wouldn't tell anyone about it! I guess five years sitting on it has kind of made it a haven for me.

Anyway, you might try thinking about what the captain's reason for being a space-pirate is also (greed? revenge?) and working it from there. Perhaps your hero looks fit for hard labor and can help the captain get what he wants, OR the captain ends up forcing the hero to spy for him, whereas the moral dilemma kicks in...

But whatever you end up doing, have fun with it!

Posted By: Ding_man Jan 02, 2003 - 11:35 am

I agree with Nael. Make the hero have some ability needed to help0 the space pirates. Such as fixing some part of the ship etc. I also have trouble starting out my plot. Right now I have an idea for a novel more characxter wise. Now I have to make a story to go around him. I almost got it worked out though. Then I can start writing.

Posted By: Neurolanis Jan 03, 2003 - 06:12 am

Hi, this is Greg, 'though I go by NEUROLANIS now!
Anyway, thanks for your suggestions, however all these things have long been considered. How to get them all together is EASY. The HARD part is how to make it an INNOVATIVE plot line. I know what to do before and after they're together, and have many thoughts and ideas on how they all get together. But it can't be as BORING as that! Any suggestions on how to SPICE things up?

-Neuroboy

Posted By: Gringoleader Jan 09, 2003 - 12:03 am

Perhaps make the sleazeball captain either gay or a woman and have he/she pick up the main character because they fall for them. Could be a twist on the old idea of the love that dare not speak its name to have a grim old space captain take an inexplicable shine to the new guy on his ship.

Posted By: Holyoak Jan 09, 2003 - 07:45 pm

Would really give new meaning to "swab the poop deck"

Posted By: nael Jan 10, 2003 - 04:20 am

"time to walk the plank"

"pirate bootie"

Posted By: Tobias Mar 29, 2004 - 03:16 pm

A thing that works for an innovative plotline, is to give a short prologue. Don't make it actually under the title "Prologue," but include it at the beginning of the book. Pretend to explain things a bit, while creating new mysteries. Give the hero a dark side, a purpose that makes him join the pirates. I don't know what, (not knowing the plot,) but give the pirates a twist. Foreshadow about it a lot, but not enough to have people flipping to the last page to figure it out.

Another thing that helps is to have an original setting. If it's just your typical spaceship, you get yawns. If you HAVE to have that certain setting, make the characters really explode out at you in the beginning. Action sequences at the beginning are starting to get boring, so either twist that or try to begin with something else. (Note that these are only suggestions, after all.)

Posted By: Aldan Mar 30, 2004 - 09:55 am

One suggestion that I'd have is to have the ship being used be a scrap heap of mismatched parts and lots of patches. I know that Han Solo's ship was supposed to be one, but in this book, you'll be able to use the problems as a plot device and a reason to be doing what they do.
Perhaps the ship was the cap'n's first one, or maybe it was his/her father's ship, or one that the cap'n just found after crashing on an asteroid. Who knows? That's what writing's all about!

Posted By: cleasterwood Jun 21, 2004 - 03:33 am

I'm sorry that I won't make any suggestions on how to bring your characters together but I will give you some suggestions on what might help you grasp what you're trying to do. Plotting is something I love to do. I had a story plotted out for years before I started writing it and here are some things that helped me. Since you know where the story is supposed to go then write an outline of what you have already and then look for things in the plot that stand out which might be relevant. Beginnings are oftentimes difficult. There must be a catalyst that sets everything in motion. Take some index cards and write down each different idea on its own card. Then start asking yourself questions about each scenario. It may aid you. I'm working on my second book now, having just completed the first one and these things helped me in devising a solid plot before I wrote a single word on paper. Having a strong plot is extremely important. Also having a strong beginning is important as most publishers will only read the first few paragraphs or pages and if you don't hook them immediately, you lose their interest and that's something you don't want.

Posted By: Neurolanis Jun 23, 2004 - 12:21 pm

Wow, my first post. Who dug up this old fossil?

Posted By: Robohare Jun 26, 2004 - 07:42 pm

writing a plot is like figuring out a woman. it seems a lot simpler before yah get started. euphuism is no-way as it just gets more complex the more ya think about it, it makes less sense and theres just 2 many freakin angles ta work out. so, keep it simple i say. go with what works based on what works for others. keep it simple, try to please, be possitive and pray ta god there's a light at the end of this poop hole.

Posted By: Neurolanis Jul 01, 2004 - 02:44 pm

You seem familiar, Robohare. Wasn't there someone like you here called...Technorabbit, or something?