Help PC write an awesome novel

[Lyoko Wario offline]

So I'm writing a sci-fi novel when I'm not writing fanfics. It's an adventure / comedy thing with tons of science-fictiony elements (think of it more or less as Indiana Jones meets The X-Files, set in modern times and with a good emphasis on humor). The thing is, I'm unsure of how to write an action scene. Right now, I'm doing a big fight between three characters (two against one) in the kitchen at a fast-food restaurant. Since fighting is such a visual thing, I'm not sure how to describe what's happening without it being boring. I can't just say, "Character A tried to punch Character B, but Character B moved out of the way, while Character C snuck up from behind holding a stool over their head..." It'd sound weird and go on forever.

Therefore, the Writing Advice Thread is born.

And you can also tell me what kinds of things you like in sci-fi stories so maybe I can incorporate some.

EDIT: Crap, accidentally posted in BKO. Someone please haul this sucker to General Discussion.

[ccbtimewiz offline]

Add something about moose.

[Lyoko Wario offline]

Add something about moose.

No thanks, I already have Bigfoot and the Creature from the Black Lagoon.

A moose would be overkill at this point.

[DL offline]

Simplicity is the best way to go. You don't want to be too out there, I'd suggest taking a look at some of the more famous Science fiction writers, they are mostly normal stories except for the one strange bit. The first thing you need to do is come up with an idea and a conflict. It doesn't necessarily need to be a fight, it could be an emotional thing. Look at Jurassic Park, the idea was man did something he shouldn't have and now they just try not to die. It's not all Star Wars.

As far as your action scene goes the best way to learn to write it is by reading it, find a fast paced thriller and read it. Also keep in mind, the best tension doesn't always come from a fight. I mean after all, who is gonna stand there and fight a dinosaur when they can just run away, it build tension and is a bit more realistic.

[Lyoko Wario offline]

Simplicity is the best way to go. You don't want to be too out there, I'd suggest taking a look at some of the more famous Science fiction writers, they are mostly normal stories except for the one strange bit. The first thing you need to do is come up with an idea and a conflict. It doesn't necessarily need to be a fight, it could be an emotional thing. Look at Jurassic Park, the idea was man did something he shouldn't have and now they just try not to die. It's not all Star Wars.

I understand what you're saying, and I agree; the best SF stories are usually the ones that change, add, or alter a single element from the real world.

But keep in mind that I'm writing this as an out-and-out comedy, inspired mostly by the work of Jasper Fforde (in theme and mood if not in content).

As far as your action scene goes the best way to learn to write it is by reading it, find a fast paced thriller and read it. Also keep in mind, the best tension doesn't always come from a fight. I mean after all, who is gonna stand there and fight a dinosaur when they can just run away, it build tension and is a bit more realistic.

Well, the fight does end with someone running away, but I absolutely need some kind of violent conflict at this particular point.

[JesusFreak offline]

Hadokens.

[Lyoko Wario offline]

OK, something I'm doing is adding subtle nodds to things I like in the story. For example, I have a brief X-Files reference that no one but the most die-hard X-philes will catch. I want to have a nod to Code Lyoko but I can't think of a good way to do it, so if you guys have any suggestions as to how I could honor this show and my love for it in my novel, I'd be happy to hear it. I need something that's not very obvious, but that someone familiar with the show would be able to spot...

[knifey offline]

put it on fictionpress

[Lyoko Wario offline]

put it on fictionpress

It's a novel, and I want it published in book form.

I don't know how fictionpress works (kind of like ff.net, I believe), but I like it too much to turn it into out-and-out Internet fodder.

[Andy Waltfeld offline]

I want to have a nod to Code Lyoko but I can't think of a good way to do it, so if you guys have any suggestions as to how I could honor this show and my love for it in my novel, I'd be happy to hear it. I need something that's not very obvious, but that someone familiar with the show would be able to spot...

Have 6694 be somebody's PIN number or something. If the confines of the story will allow it, give it the Bad Wolf treatment.

[Lyoko Wario offline]

I want to have a nod to Code Lyoko but I can't think of a good way to do it, so if you guys have any suggestions as to how I could honor this show and my love for it in my novel, I'd be happy to hear it. I need something that's not very obvious, but that someone familiar with the show would be able to spot...

Have 6694 be somebody's PIN number or something. If the confines of the story will allow it, give it the Bad Wolf treatment.

Is that the number to the train station locker where Franz Hopper's stuff was hidden?

God, I feel ashamed for not remembering...

[Stonecreek]

Give it to me to edit/proofread/beta/whatever. And have snappy, realistic dialogue and fully realized characters that aren't walking cliches (unless you are totally going the parody route). And, because it's SF/fantasy, try not to be cheesy (and that is hard to do).

[Lyoko Wario offline]

Give it to me to edit/proofread/beta/whatever. And have snappy, realistic dialogue and fully realized characters that aren't walking cliches (unless you are totally going the parody route). And, because it's SF/fantasy, try not to be cheesy (and that is hard to do).

Don't worry, Stonecreek, I'm keeping the dialogue very fresh, snappy, and as realistic as possible (well, given the circumstances). I hate SF / Fantasy stories where everything has to be OMG ÃœBER-EPIC, so I'm making a genuine effort to make all my characters relatively down-to-earth and believable as real people (even if some of them aren't technically "people"). It is very cheesy, though, but I fully embrace the cheesiness, and make no effort to disguise it as anything other than the pulpy silliness it should be. In case you're interested, here are a few more details: the story is set in present day and does not feature a teenager as a protagonist. Think of it as The X-Files meets The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen meets Who Framed Roger Rabbit meets Adventures of Tintin.

In mood and themes, if not in content.

[Andy Waltfeld offline]

I want to have a nod to Code Lyoko but I can't think of a good way to do it, so if you guys have any suggestions as to how I could honor this show and my love for it in my novel, I'd be happy to hear it. I need something that's not very obvious, but that someone familiar with the show would be able to spot...

Have 6694 be somebody's PIN number or something. If the confines of the story will allow it, give it the Bad Wolf treatment.

Is that the number to the train station locker where Franz Hopper's stuff was hidden?

God, I feel ashamed for not remembering...

Close. 6/6/94 is the day Franz repeated over 2,000 times to create Lyoko and XANA as we know them.

[Lyoko Wario offline]

Close. 6/6/94 is the day Franz repeated over 2,000 times to create Lyoko and XANA as we know them.

Ah! I'm sure I can squeeze the number in there somewhere... I'm thinking that may be a bit too obscure, though, regardless of whether or not I end up using it (which is probably).