#Story Building

[individualentityinverydeepburrow]

I think the original comment is trying to refer to "shock content" in stories. Many readers don't like it when characters have crazy morbid things happen to them, seemingly only to cause the reader to go "Oh wow that was awful!" Of course, if the whole point of your story is "well that was messed up, wasn't it? The End." morbidity is usually more palatable. It's the balance between showing the audience something they won't expect to engage them, and causing the audience to lose attachment to the story, because most or all of what the viewer/reader etc valued in the content was lost in the telling of that story.

In the end, to make the most quality, do what is best for the story to work. Not what you think will cause the most reaction (Positive or negative) in the audience. You will get that when people say "wow that story fit together so well!"

im starting to think you guys dont like it when stories make you feel things

[bigassmoonchild]

Lost

Pairing: Logan Howlett x Reader

Word Count: 1.4k

Summary: It's not the first time you've plummeted into another timeline. It is the first time in years that you've met a Deadpool still doing the anti-hero (vigilante?) thing. And unfortunately for you, you're stuck with him.

Content Tags: DEADPOOL AND WOLVERINE SPOILERS! I'm being so serious, this entire series is going to be stock-full of spoilers for that movie. Some mentions of blood, lots of cursing (as expected). No use of Y/N

A/N: I promise I'm working on stuff, work just has had me super busy the last few weeks (months if I'm being more honest) and school is coming up soon for me :(. Anyways. I wanna lick Logans abs. This is hopefully gonna be a slow burn ;)

(p.s. lmk if you wanna be added to a tag list in the future)

(p.p.s. this is mostly story building with a tad bit of plot)

(p.p.p.s. i'm trying to write in a less past tense style, forgive if that changes throughout the story, im so fuckin delirious)

It’s jarring. Every single time it happens is so jarring. It’s almost like getting whiplashed with how hard you are pulled backwards and then your stomach drops; it feels as though you’re falling. The same sensation you get right before you fall asleep, like your body can’t tell if you’re still alive.  

You’ve never been thrown so forcefully out of it. Usually you land, stumbling on your feet. This time, though, you’re thrown onto your back. Your skull cracks against the pavement underneath you and it feels like all the air has been forced out of your body.  

“Fuuuuck,” it feels pushed out of your body, your chest heaving in short gasps. Rolling onto your side, all you can see in front of you is the street. Whatever Earth you’ve landed on, it doesn’t seem like it’s good.  

There’s blood splattered everywhere, cars and buses are on their sides or flipped over. Glass is scattered on the streets. Maybe you just arrived right after the battle of New York, maybe this world has been abandoned.  

You struggle to your feet, stumbling and catching yourself before standing fully upright. You can feel the warmth of some blood on your back before the skin reconnects, leaving behind the burn of cement rash.  

Behind you, there’s panting. It’s heavy and sounds almost wet. Turning, you look at two men who were behind you. 

“Oh, you’ve got to be fucking kidding me,”  

... 

You tried walking away. Removing yourself from the situation like the adult you were, but no. It wasn’t working. You never got more than a few feet away from the two before being teleported back within their range.  

The two men, Deadpool and the poor Wolverine stuck with him, just watched for some time. Deadpool was oddly quiet through most of it, although you can almost hear the monologue in his thoughts, his head following as you walked in different directions before snapping to where you appeared. Dogpool, the ugly thing, sat in the arms of its alternate person just panting heavily. It never stopped panting.  

You huff angrily, throwing your back against the wall right next to Wade. Crossing your arms, you look down at Mary Puppins sitting in his arms. She went cross eyed while looking up at you, staring blankly at the wall next to you and yourself.  

“Who shit in your biscuit this morning?” Wade asks you, head tilting slightly. You have to brace yourself and breathe deeply to make sure you don’t roll your eyes. You never realized how thankful you were that your home Earths Deadpool ended up in the void before you even knew what abilities you had.  

Glancing down at him with just your eyes, you find that he still hasn’t looked away. “Whoever the hell sent me here, that’s who,” you respond. There’s pain in your voice, you can hear up, but also the utter annoyance that most Deadpool's just bring. “Didn’t know the Wolverine on this world was still alive,” you nod your head towards Logan like you’re gesturing to him.  

It’s quiet. You’ve somehow silenced Wade Wilson, the merc with a mouth. You watch his chest expand in a deep inhale and it caves back in as he exhales deeply.  

“He isn’t,” and your brows furrow. Other than the TVA, you don’t know any other casual dimension jumper. Even they were a stretch, you know, they didn’t deserve to be able to do that.  Somehow, they were able to master it. You think he can see the confusion on your face as your eyes flit back and forth between them. Logan’s still eating whatever it is he had in his hand. “The TVA,” he takes a breath, and you have to interrupt. 

“Why did they bring him here?” You shake your head, brows furrowing further.  

Wade shifts his head side to side. “They didn’t bring him here, sunshine,” his voice perks up. “I did,” and he has the widest smile on his face that doesn’t quite reach his eyes.  

“I don’t,” you pause and rub your face, looking down at the ground. “I don’t even wanna know why or how,”  

“’Cause I'm Marvel Jesus,” is his quick quip back. He stands suddenly, his back popping and cracking as he stretches himself. “Alrighty, Peanut, let’s get going home,” he says to Logan (maybe it was to Mary Puppins, you’ve got no idea), and there’s a little pep in his step. “C’mon puppy!” Wade calls and you get yanked again and appear just a few feet ahead of him.  

With a roll of his eyes, Logan stands and tosses his food off to the side. “I’m going to go figure things out on my own,” he says. Turning away, you watch as Logan walks off from the two of you and you hope to whatever being is out there that you get pulled along with him, but he isn’t able to make it more than a few steps before Wade starts talking again. 

“Oh no you don’t! I’ve waited far too long for this meetup!” Wade calls out, and you see Logan stop in his tracks. His shoulders slump, almost like he’s struggling with a decision he’s about to make. “Blind Al isn’t all she’s cocained up to be, we need a third in our little house of horrors,” he snickers a little. 

You’re really hoping it doesn’t last forever, but when you finally make the trek to Wades apartment that feeling almost vanishes (almost). It’s homey, although the apartment itself is small and cramped with two people already there. You’ve met a few Als before, but only a small number of them weren’t blind. 

It was only in passing though. You could recognize that woman anywhere. Her eyes were always a striking feature, and the few who weren’t blind always carried this sort of knowledge within them as they followed you when you walked by them.  

This Al seemed sweet, although listening to Wade tell you about her was a little odd. You couldn’t fully tell if he was joking about her being able to see cocaine, but there’s been worse you’ve interacted with.  

Speaking of worse, Logan would not let you out of his sight at all thus far. You could feel his eyes boring down on your back the entire walk to the apartment, and even when you got inside and completely ignored everything Wade was saying (a lot of it was just telling you and Logan about the apartment and what to not touch, oddly enough) he would not let you leave his sight.  

Even just checking out what type of T.V this world had to offer left you with his stare. You begin to browse their small selection of DVD’s when you finally speak up. 

“Might wanna take a picture,” it was quiet, but you knew he could hear you. “It’ll last you longer,” but there was no response. Usually, it was the Bucky Barnes of the Earth that had the staring problem, it had never been the Wolverines.  

They always made their problems with you obvious. They’d never pulled this type of behavior, and it was strange. For the first time in years, you had someone act strange and you couldn’t figure out how to go about confronting it.  

“Who’re you?” Logan finally spoke up, quieting Wade in the middle of his rant.  

You swallow thickly. “I’m not the person you think I am,” and you cringe internally. It always sounded dumb when you said it, but you never knew what else to say. Who knows if there’s another you in this world, or maybe even Logans. “Whoever I am, or was, to you? That’s not who I am,” but you’d never met another one of you.  

There’s the thud of glass on wood, it's thick and there’s no way that it isn’t a beer bottle.  “I’ve never met you in my life. Have you?” Assuming he was talking to Wade, you turn as best as you can while still crouched in front of the TV to look at him.  

He’s shrugging, opening his mouth for a response before Logan beats him to it. “What the hell is it that you can do, anyways? Are you a mutant? Or just another fucked up creation by a government?” You bark a laugh.  

“I’m just one of God’s fucked up mistakes, that’s what,” and you look down with a sigh, shaking your head. “I really don’t know. My world didn’t have mutants, not like others do. It was always some botched work done by doctors in basements,” Wade looks appalled.  

His eyes find some spot on the wall, and he smiles at it. “It’s like looking into a mirror. Although a lot less ballsackey and not as interesting,” you have to shake your head.  

Logan clears his throat. “What do you mean, your world didn’t have mutants,” you smile at him.  

“My timeline doesn’t exist anymore,”  

[creation-help]

Getting to know your character better

Here's some (hopefully) less basic things to think about when deepening your character.

- What would they be embarrassed to admit about themself? What would they deny about themself?

- Opposite to the above: What would they proudly admit, and what would they like to claim about themself?

- If caught in an inconsistency or a hypocrisy, how do they react? How would they go about fixing it, or alternatively, how would they go about denying and deconstructing it?

- How much, and how deeply do they think about other characters' opinions that aren't about them specifically? For example if they knew one of their friends liked or disliked another person, how much thought do they give it?

- Are they able to perform something 'Quick'? Do they prefer to sacrifice time over quality, or vice versa? How do they dispense effort per task?

- How patient are they with themself vs. Others? Why, and how so?

- How seriously do they carry other people's worries? How much does this impact their actions?

- What would make them focus on themself more?

- What would they Not want to change about themself? What parts of their self do they cling to, desperately? Even when those things would be already gone?

- Do they think of something as "Their thing", even though other people would disagree? Why so? Are they just not as open or upfront about it as they think? Or do they have gaps in self perception?

- Opposite of the above: Are there some things that others would consider "Their thing" in relation to your character, but they disagree? Why?

- How do they tread around controversial opinions? Is it case by case, or depending on company? In what way? Are they assured in their worldview or unsure? Are they open minded?

- How easily do they relate with other characters?

[cyborgknight]

GUYS NEW AU ALERT HELP ME I LOVE MEGOP MEGOP IS WHAT KEEPS ME ALIVE I LOVE THEM

Y'all can ask any questions about this au in the ask box lmao I think I'm gonna stick to this au more on this account ;)

This is an au after the war!

The decepticons were a group of mostly lower class bots that started a revolution against the higher classes, demanding equality and better treatment. The autobots were a group of higher class bots that supported the decepticon cause but believed in peaceful protest instead of violence. Both factions fought against Cybertron's leaders, the original primes.

After the conflict ended, the autobots and decepticons joined to rebuild Cybertron and Megatron ended the decepticons and Optimus passed the matrix down. And they decided to raise a kid :D

(in my au, sparklings are created when both partners donate a piece of their spark and forge it together, creating a new and small spark. The sparkling's body is either created with spare parts or the spark (don't ask how lmao idk) "scans" both the parents and creates a body based on both the parents' features)

Optimus became the "stay at home dad" while Megs got a job at an office (which he says is absolute t0rture), quite the opposite of his former jobs lmao 💀

[bluebiscuitraine]

Visen

another CHARACTER time this is Visen she/her dragon shorty who now that I think about it should probably be classified as a kobold but OH WELL

[hyunpic]

[l-michalska-writer]

Villain prompts

You won't save her.

They won't see what's coming for them.

You won't survive this.

There's no one to save you.

You're only a mortal.

You save everyone, but who saves you?

You really think you can defeat ME?

I won't stop until it's done and they're six feet under.

Don't worry, I already despise you.

Kill them.

Open the fire.

Execute them.

When I kill someone I expect them to stay dead.

If you ever need me, just call my name.

The dark side awaits you.

I'm here to end what I started.

Say your goodbyes while you still have time.

She'll die, unaware of your love.

You call yourself a HERO?

Oh, how I love that you're trying so hard to defeat me.

I wonder when you'll realise I already won.

Even your undying love couldn't save her.

I'm here to kill me.

I'm getting tired of trying to kill you, human.

Fire at will.

You're just a child. You don't stand a chance.

[i-smoke-chapstick]

What advice or tips do you have for a writer wanting to write the characters from Succession for the first time (Shiv, Kendall, Roman, Tom, Greg etc)

Not sure if this was meant for me, since I haven't yet written for Succession, but I can still try my best to help out! Here are some tips <3 Sorry for the long post.

Whenever I'm writing for a character, I really try to incorporate their canon dialect and dialogues here and there. For instance, Roman stutters on his words quite a bit erratically, and Greg has a lots of "uh"s and "oh"s and awkward, bumbling uncertainty. It's all about the characters voice, because I find fanfics with lots of dialogue to be the most enjoyable! If I was writing for succession, I'd typically try to follow these tips for each character,

Shiv: Shiv sometimes speaks with an underlying tone of superiority, and a lot of her interactions also have fraught tension. When writing a character, you need to look at their insecurities and desires to get a feel for what they want vs. how they express it. Shiv struggles with a desire to prove herself, but wants power. Because of this, she's blunt in all the wrong ways.

This sounds dumb, but I always do a short writing exercise beforehand and I really encourage it! One of my favorite things to do is just imagine the conversation I'm trying to write. For instance, if Y/N were ask Shiv what her favorite color was. She might say something like,

"My favorite color? Seriously, Y/N, that's the question you come up with? Well, if we're going to play this game, I guess I'll indulge you. Let's see... I don't know, maybe the color of money? Honestly, I'm more concerned with the color of success, and right now, it's looking pretty green to me."

Kendall: Similarly stutters like Roman, and can switch between being aggressive and vulnerable.

Here again with the favorite color theory:

"Uh, favorite color? That's a... good question. You know, it's, uh, probably something classic. Black. Yeah, black. It's, uh, timeless, powerful. Like, I don't know, it's just... it's a strong color. Represents, like, the intensity and, uh, the seriousness of, you know, life and business." (Long example, but I'll dive into this!)

Succession characters are very human. The pauses in their words, their overuse of "like" and "uh" (especially for Kendall). I try to use Kendall's "media trained" upbringing as a way for him to spin the question into something flattering for himself. Like if he was in an interview.

While as If we were writing for Roman, he might say something like,

"My favorite color? Seriously? Okay, um, let's go with... I don't know, red? Yeah, red. It's bold, it's sexy. Plus, it's the color of blood, and blood is, like, life or whatever. Or maybe it's just 'cause I look good in it. Either way, red. Final answer."

Roman has a lot more vulgarity in his dialogue, as well as pop-culture references and anything completely outlandish. Sometimes I like piecing together canon dialogue from the show to form answers as well, because the reader can more affectively imagine the character saying it!

Tom: When you're writing a character like Tom, his interactions really depend on whoever he's talking too, and how stressed he is about a situation. If he's speaking to a reader whose a Roy, or more powerful than him in a way, he's fumbling; not trying to impress them per se, but trying to fit in. Also, if in this universe you're writing, Shiv is apart of, Shiv is just a major part of his character in general, he'll probably mention her now and again. Once again, the favourite color theory!

"Oh, my favorite color? Well, I'd have to say blue. It's calming, you know? Reliable. Like a good, steady stock that just keeps going up. Plus, it’s a color that commands a certain... respect. Not too flashy, but still, quite distinguished. And, well, Shiv looks great in blue, so there's that too."

Now, if you're writing for someone like Greg who asks the question, someone who he doesn't view as a threat, Tom is much more assertive and aggressive. He'd be more sarcastic, less enthused, and simply wouldn't care. Might not even answer the question. He has the same loose, condescending tone as Shiv would.

"Oh, my favorite color? You know, Y/N, of all the things you could ask me—my thoughts on the latest market trends, insights on corporate strategy, or even just what I had for breakfast—you went with favorite color. Remarkable. Adorable, really. Y/N, what is this? Preschool? Do I look like someone who has time to contemplate the nuances of the color spectrum?"

Greg: Poor Greg.

"Ah, favorite color, huh? Well, that's a tough one. I reckon I'd have to go with a good ol' forest green. Reminds me of these long hikes through the woods back home. Plus, it's just got this calming vibe to it, you know? Like being surrounded by nature's...embrace." Que the awkward cough, realizing he's ranting or saying things that don't quite sound right.

Greg is more compassionate, more air-headed then the Roy's. He's probably the only one on this list to add a subtle,

"What about you?" To make more semi-awkward conversation.

Okay, Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk. I really don't think this was meant for my blog, but regardless, I love questions like these <3

[redhoodscorvid]

I'm suddenly imagining a 15 year-old Bruce bringing an 8 year-old Dick home from a tragedy at the circus. Alfred realizes that he's going to have to file for guardianship of a second kid.

This time it's Dick dragging Bruce into crime fighting? Imagine Bruce becoming Batman specifically to help Dick achieve justice / stop Dick from killing the perpetrator. Imagine Alfred realizing he's going to have to figure out how to train these two kids somehow so they don't get themselves murdered in the organized crime capital of DC Comics.

[mysticdragoni]

Character story building - Samura Jade & Mystake details

[helpful-writing-tips]

The Back Story haunts the central character.

The Catalyst gets the character moving. It's part of the story's setup.

The Big Event changes the character's life.

The Midpoint is the point of no return or a moment of deep motivation.

The Crisis is the low point, or an event that forces the key decision that leads to your story's end.

The Climax or Showdown is the final face-off between your central character and the opposition.

The Realization occurs when your character and/or the audience sees that the character has changed or have realized something.

[bonezaw]

I've noticed that I enjoy fleshing out my stories as I draw, so here are some:

Story/Character Building Art Prompts

- A childhood memory (Optional: Include a pet, warm colors, or your character's room growing up.)

- Noir time! (Optional: What's your character's cruel underbelly? What are they most ashamed of? Go all out with sharp lines, and heavy contrast.)

- Sea, stars, or sky? Why? (Optional: Cool colors and surrealism would look lovely on this one.)

- Species/Gender/Theme/Outfit Swap! (Optional: What makes your character who they are? What can you remove with them still being recognizable? What's their core?)

- A dream (Optional: Surrealism, streaky lines, and perhaps repressed guilt?)

- How does your character see the world?

- What happens when your character dies? (Optional: What happens to their body? What's on their tombstone? How does everyone react?)

- Skeletal system or anatomy! Do they have any weird traits, or genetic conditions? How does it affect them?

- Someone just threw a banana over your character's head. How do they react? (Optional: Push that expression as much as possible! Make it silly!)

- What occupies your character's mind? (Optional: Draw one of those cross sections of their head with different things labeled.)

- Tragedy strikes! What happens? (Optional: Use muted colors, have fun with blood!)

- Your characters main outfit(s) are in the wash! What's some clothing items they own, but rarely wear? (Optional: Draw them in something way too tight, or way too loose.)

- A close up of your character's eyes, or of am object they cherish. (Optional: Add lots of shine, and vibrant colors!)

- Make a cardboard figure of your character, maybe pose them around your room? ( Optional: What would they do first if they found themselves suddenly very small and in your house?)

- Draw how a song that reminds you of your character or story feels. (Optional: Choose a color that fits the song's tone, but use as many shades of that color as you'd like!)

- RUN! (Optional: Attempt some fluid poses! What is your character scared of? What would they run from, and are they happy about it?)

- Draw some minor characters! Does anyone not get as much love or attention compared to the others? (Optional: Draw them as cool/badass possible, or draw their 'moment'.)

- Draw your character's coolest moment. Is it a triumph? A gory display? Sort of pathetic actually?

- Make a tarot card for your character. What would they represent? (Optional: What would they be the god/ruler/saint of?)

Feel free to use these in any way you'd like, but please tag me in anything you make using them (I'd love to see)!

[creation-help]

"Wah this section of worldbuilding I'm doing is so minute and kinda pointless to the larger scheme of things, hurr durr I'm just focusing on some whatever part when I have actual story and plot to figure out-" WHO CARES. YOU ARE THE GOD OF YOUR UNIVERSE. HAVE FUN CREATING IT.

[cyborgknight]

Something I'm working on. While I'm doing summer assignments and working on my tf aus, I added another project, it's about time traveling robots from the future and WW1 soldiers, it sounds pretty cool in my head, and the story too lmao, feel free to ask about it if you want, I'm happy to talk about it, the characters, or the story lmao :)

[kokohaku]

Agnes and Moriarty Keyframes

for a story I'm building!

The red ribbons calmly unfurl like tentacles, their scarlet hue glowing with an ethereal light in the scarcely lit depths. Rain pummels down creating mesmerising distortions on the seemingly groundless void beneath Agnes' feet. They writhe and twist. One approaches her. Agnes reached with a cautious hand, her arm feeling electric as she closed the distance. The smell of the sea was palpable.

[fshstick]

More dragons from me and my sister's story :D

Olenaeda is the nature one with moss growing on her back, she and Cian used to hate one another and fought before. But now they are romantic interests for each other. After all they are thousands of years old.

The dark dragon is also the first one in this world. His name is War Ender/ The Black Mountain. When the story takes place, he is only a myth; it is said that the large mountain that is the color of charcoal from below and surrounds an old village, is a dragon who has vowed to protect the village/oasis. Most of the other dragons know of his existence, besides the rainbow noodle one who is very young.