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#plot devices
em-dash-press · 2 years
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Plot Devices to Complicate Your Story
You're excited to write an upcoming story, but the plot seems pretty simple from start to finish.
How can you make it more complicated to deepen your themes, lengthen the story, or leave your readers with plot twists that make their jaws drop?
Try a few of these devices 👀
Add motivation to your instigating action
When the princess gets kidnapped at the start of your story, your hero will rescue her, but what's the antagonist's motivation for kidnapping her? If they're in love with the hero and take their jealousy to the extreme or secretly know that the princess asked them for an escape plan to avoid marrying your hero, the plot is much more compelling.
You could add this detail anywhere in your plot, even in the first chapter.
Layer a second motivation underneath an action
After the princess is kidnapped, the hero starts their journey to rescue her. The reader finds out in the second chapter that the hero is being blackmailed to retrieve the princess and return her to their kingdom's biggest rival to start a war.
Amplify the original problem
Your protagonist rescues the princess and brings her home, only to find out that she's had a twin brother all this time who has been taken hostage by the antagonist in retaliation for the princess' escape.
Introduce a second, more evil villain
The antagonist has kidnapped the princess for their own motivation, but the reader discovers in the middle of your story that they serve a more evil villain who holds a personal grudge against the princess' father and wants his whole kingdom to suffer as revenge.
Create conflict that brings your protagonist to their rock bottom
The protagonist rescues the princess, almost reaches their home kingdom, but she escapes. The king sends the protagonist to prison for their failure and sentences them to death in three days. The reader will feel the hopelessness along with your protagonist, which is where you can create something that injects new hope into your plot (like a dramatic jailbreak thanks to the protagonist's best friend).
Make a character betray another
The protagonist reaches the princess with the help of their best friend, but the princess stabs the protagonist in the back by trading their best friend for herself through an unbreakable vow
Reveal an unreliable narrator
Your protagonist agrees to rescue the princess for the sake of the kingdom, but the second or third chapter reveals that they are really on a mission to kill the princess for personal revenge against the king.
Reveal that the villain has known everything the whole time
Your protagonist and princess escape, but the villain factored that into their plan to start a war and have their forces waiting outside of her castle when they arrive home
Introduce sudden regret that changes a character's arc
The protagonist has to leave their best friend behind to ensure the princess' escape, but in leaving them, the protagonist realizes they've been in love with their best friend the entire time. Regret motivates them to head back for their best friend and risk their life twice as soon as the princess is home safe.
Temporarily kill a character
The princess kills the villain with some help from your protagonist, so they think they're safe. On their way back home, the villain sets a trap for them in the woods because they actually survived the attack.
Try using Chekov's gun
Before leaving for the princess, your protagonist gets a potion made by a family member. The directions? "Use it in your moment of greatest need." The protagonist uses it later when they're facing the villain or after hitting rock bottom, so the potion becomes a plot device that instigates your second or third act.
Accelerate the plot
Your reader thinks the plot is all about rescuing the princess, but she returns home in the first 100 pages. The real plot begins by choices or actions made during her rescue, which unravel into a much larger story/world event.
You likely won't be able to use all of these plot devices in a single story. You may not even have the first plot for more than one.
Consider what you're writing and what dynamics your characters/plot present to decide if any of these tricks could enhance your writing.
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plotandelegy · 1 year
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Accidental Transformations in Fiction: Pros and Cons to Consider
If you're considering including a supernatural transformation in your story, it can happen in several ways. One way is for your character to accidentally transform. Here are some positives and negatives to think about before you decide:
Positives: 
Adds unpredictability: Accidental transformation can add an element of surprise to your fiction. Readers may be more likely to wonder what happens next.
Creates chaos: A sudden transformation would likely throw your character's life into disarray, which can make things interesting. They might need to learn their new powers and adjust to life with new rules, disadvantages, or advantages. As a writer, you can explore how this upends your hero's life.
Feels natural: Sometimes accidental transformations feel natural and less contrived way of gaining supernatural abilities. It might make things a little more believable. 
Negatives:
Can feel contrived: In the same breath, accidental transformations can also give a coincidental tone. It can feel like an easy way out for the writer when giving characters supernatural powers. You might leave readers wondering if you're trying to move the story too quickly.
Lack of agency: The character didn't choose this. They have no control over it. Sometimes giving your character a choice to get themselves into trouble is a great way to create conflict. They got themselves into this mess now they need to get out. Accidental transformations can make it seem more like a character is a pawn in the story instead of a participant. 
Limits exploration: Random transformations limit the ability to explore themes like fate and destiny. 
Accidental supernatural transformations can be a great way to add unpredictability to a story. It can make it seem like a character is falling into a magical world, and the reader could too. Consider if it is a natural fit for your story and allows you to expand and express your story's plot. Happy writing!
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irtifuck · 1 month
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Dear Tumblrers, do you like writing flashbacks in your stories?
There's this story I'm working on, and I've written it with a serious flashback to 3 years ago, but I've come to regret it. I think it's a poor plot device - personally. What's your take on it?
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former-ly-darth · 2 months
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Pet peeve of the day
There is a large population of people online who don’t seem to actually know what a love triangle is and it grinds my goat every time I hear them talking about it!!
THIS ↓ is not a love triangle
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A love triangle is called a triangle because it has three sides to it. This situation could just as easily be flattened out into a straight line. It’s not a love triangle, it’s just a choice a character has to make between two love interests
THIS ↓ is not a love triangle
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It’s a polycule/OT3/polyamorous relationship. Yes, there is a triangle shape involved, so we are getting closer to what we are looking for, but the idea of a love triangle is that there is some sort of inherent dilemma to the arrangement.
THIS ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓
THIS IS A LOVE TRIANGLE
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The point of a love triangle is that there are no reciprocating emotions involved. Each person is in love with someone else who is in love with another person. It is a cycle of unrequited emotions. That’s what makes a love triangle INTERESTING!!!
I’m sorry, I just needed to get that out there. Carry on with your day
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rabidhiss · 11 months
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Fell into a movie hole and read a pretty humorous review of 00’s “The Watcher,” a serial killer movie that has Keanu Reeves playing against type. Here’s the ending quote from Roger Ebert’s review that I found hilarious:
“It goes without saying, I guess, that the scene features hundreds of candles. Just once in a pervert killer movie, I wish they'd show a scene where he's pushing a cart through the Hallmark store, actually buying all those candles ("Do you have any that are unscented and aren't shaped, like, uh, little Hummel figures?").”
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calaisreno · 2 years
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Plot Devices
Going on a Mofftiss rant this morning made me think of this story:
@raina-at @totallysilvergirl @copperplatebeech @ohmrshudsontookmyskull @sarahthecoat
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millennial-ring · 1 year
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some of the ppl i (now used to) follow on twitter are so funny cause they’ll be posting screenshots of their fave characters going through it as if the creators are intentionally putting the characters through painful situations just to hurt them on an individual level and there is not a single drop of irony about it. like they legit seem genuinely angry that the main character of their action cartoon has been Put Into Another Situation while fighting against the forces of evil. i know i’m not the only one who actually likes it when my faves are given even more trauma, right? i like conflict!! i like characters being pushed to their limits!! i like characters having the “i can’t do it anymore” moments as well as the “i have to persevere!” moments. my d&d character has had something Fucked Up happen to them almost every session and I’m LIVING for it!!! what even is the point of telling a story in a setting with magic and monsters and demons and evil where two forces are perpetually fighting for control of the world and lives are on the line if u want the characters to be happy all the time......turn the tv off and go read some slice of life fanfiction 
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noodlenoises · 3 months
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Personality Quiz: Which Common Plot Device Are You?
Have you ever wondered which common plot device you happen to be? Of course you have. My latest personality quiz is out, weeeeee! Clicky here to take it, and find out which plot device fits you best.
See below to find out which common plot device you are! If the quiz is not loading or you only see a blank page, click here. Plot Device Results: Plot Device: Deus ex Machina Traits: helpful, skillful, benevolent The Deux ex Machina is a sudden plot convenience that saves the protagonists when all hope seems lost. There’s usually nothing established that would imply something like this would…
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superreader30 · 3 months
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Groin Attack - TV Tropes
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stevefeythewriter · 3 months
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Barbie for Example
No controversial rants here. This is about the story.
This logo is copyright by Mattel Inc. Mattel has nothing whatsoever to do with this post. If they want me to take it down, they have only to ask. This post is not going to discuss feminism, or whether the director should have been nominated for an Oscar, or the virtues of the things that many people on Facebook and other social media are vehemently discussing. This post is about the story told…
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em-dash-press · 10 months
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Everything Writers Should Know About Chekhov's Gun
We’ve all heard someone mention the idea of Chekhov’s gun. Sometimes it’s not even related to a weapon. “Oh, the protagonist just left an email open on their computer. That’ll be a Chekhov’s gun later.”
What is this literary tool and what does it mean? This is everything you need to know, plus a few tips to help you use it in a story.
It Started With a Playwright
Anton Chekhov was a playwright who created plays in Russia in the late 1800s. People loved his work because he didn’t use recycled plot formulas. Instead, he always knew how to surprise those who watched his plays.
In one of his letters, he famously wrote, “If in the first act, you have hung a pistol on the wall, then in the following one it should be fired. Otherwise don't put it there.”
It was a lesson in wielding tension as a storytelling device and it’s lasted through creative writing classes to this day.
Remember Your Most Important Details
One of the points Chekhov makes comes back to the idea of promising your viewers or readers that everything they learn is essential to your plot. Every character, scene change, and object affects how your story plays out.
Sleuth readers will try to solve your plot like a puzzle while they read. Others will want the enjoyment of getting surprised by clever writing.
The lesson is simple and important—ensure that your plot always has a purpose, no matter which page or scene you’re writing. If it’s worth your reader’s time, it will be vital to your story.
Create Effective Tension
A forgotten, loaded gun adds tension because it’s a threat. Chekhov’s advice is universal, so many readers will literally expect it to fire at some point later in your story. Readers who have never heard this advice will only recognize the essential threat that is a weapon ready to fire. Either way, they’ll become concerned for their favorite characters and get anxious to continue reading.
You can do this with objects or story elements that aren’t guns. Character A might learn that Character B betrayed them, but they don’t reveal that right away. Tension builds as your reader waits to see how far the betrayal will go and how Character A gets revenge or breaks the news.
Let tension linger. There’s a specific strength in controlling your plot’s tension. It gives readers moments to breathe or anxiously turn the page, which makes their experience much more enjoyable.
Use It as an Escape Pod
We’ve all written ourselves into a corner at some point. Instead of throwing the entire story away, that’s a great moment to return to any of your plot’s Chekhov’s guns. 
Your character might remember that thing they learned earlier in the story and use it to jumpstart a change in their life. Maybe they grab hold of a Chekhov’s gun meant for another character and use it for themselves.
It depends on where you’re stuck, what you’re writing and which type of writer’s block you might be dealing with. Going back to something that added tension to your plot and giving it purpose could help propel your story to its conclusion in a way that makes readers think you’re a mastermind.
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Keep your plot promises. If something adds tension, it has to either fulfill its purpose or get solved before it can. Readers will trust that you know what you’re doing on the way to an epic conclusion, which is why Chekhov’s gun is a fundamental plot device any writer should know how to use.
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madame-vera · 9 months
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Q&A - Build Your Own Story Week
This time on the writers discord server, the question of the day was set-up as a 5 part response over the week. The moderators spent the week asking us questions about our preferences, storytelling, characters writing and worldbuilding in the hopes it would give us a better understanding of our writing and maybe even give us some potential new WIPS to work on. Some days were simple, others were a bit more complicated or had multiple parts to it.
Instead of posting my responses separately I decided to compile them all here in one post. No messy searching for me XD. Enjoy!
what is your favorite (or least favorite) genre to write, and why? do most of your WIPs fall in the same genre?
I like hopeful fantasy, fix-its, what-ifs, supernatural/mythic fantasy, steampunk and slice-of life.
I like reading romance (but am very fussy) but don't like writing it. Definitely not a fan of crime/horror.
I guess I don't like the dreary, but I do like questionable endings, non-perfect endings, vague endings (so long as the story itself is solid enough). I mean, one my fave stories sever is Harmony by Project ITOH. I also the 'for-want-of-a-nail' trope so the speculative what if this did(n't) happen stories or plots where things line up just so are great.
Most of my WIPS are what ifs, fix-its or continuations. they tend to have a funny/serious or happy/peaceful tone.
if you were to take two of your favorite plot devices and one of your least favorite, what sort of plot could you make from that? (within the bounds of what you’re willing to write!)
Two plot devices I like are non-perfect happy endings that came with some sort of change/loss and for-want-of-a-nail, what-if type situations. Or maybe fond family. That's good stuff.
One I don't like but could maybe possibly write is love triangles or typical hero object quest things.
One I don't like and definitely could not write is those goddamn annoying misunderstandings that could be easily avoided if the characters just stopped, took a breath, and waited for just one damn moment.
Worldbuilding Questions
Does your world have magic? How is it used?
What historical era does it take place in? (OR, if it's your own fantasy world, what important events have happened before this point?)
Is there running water?
What does the difference between the classes look like? (Is there significant class division?)
freebie! pick a random element that you'd like to include and consider how that informs the rest of your world! (for example, the existence of ghosts!)
Magic
I'm undecided on whether or not I have magic. Probably not. But if I do go with it it'll be used in conjunction with science so they'll support each other.
Historical Era
Some undecided millennium after a global apocalypse in a fantasy world. I.E era. There's been loads of technological advancements so i guess it's semi-modern?
Running Water
Some places yes, other places no. Haven't worked out the technology of it yet.
Classism
There are class differences, to varying degrees. There are a lot of displaced people and new nations thanks to the societal and ecological changes from the apocalypse so people are still kind working it out. Some have managed something close to equality or democracy, some haven't.
Quirks
I'll have to pick a few faves, I think.
The Apocalypse: It wasn't anything grizzly like a meteor or disease or something. It's just that there was a difference in space causing the planet to be exposed to a greater degree of light and heat. That fractional amount was just enough to completely through the ecosystem out of wack, which then messes with society.
Leyakist/Manteia: Really cool continents. Solarpunk meets afrofutirism meets fantasy. The continents themselves are made not of your typical land, but one really freaking huge lotus pad shaped fungis. It's one fungi but it has to pad growths so there are two continents. The people can travel to each other through the deep sea stems. No one knows about this. The continents are also completely isolated from the rest of the world because the fungi messes with the wind and ocean patterns.
MaiRycia: A ginormous bow shaped continent often thought of as two because the centre area is under the control of two allied nations. The lower nation is willfully isolated so no one can go through them. Instead they have to go through the top nation which is super wealthy because of all the trade. The right of MaiRycia is entirely a religious empire and the left is a bunch of indivual nations of various governances. People like the centre being cut off for this reason.
Aurora River: The planet has rings that change colours seasonally (which actually makes it a useful annual calander). The shadow it casts is called the Aurora River and is a common travel route.
Kalreem: A continent full of lakes and fault line hotsprings. The aesthetic is a mix of Venice, SE Asia and art nouveau.
Wicklser: Gourd shaped continent with mountains, lakes, rivers and waterfalls. Split by a river that runs along it's length that has a ginormous boat train running on it. The train is also a nation with underground cities.
Belryde: Almost always winter here. Shaped like a penguin.
Main Cast Questions
first and foremost, do you have multiple POVs, or only one? are you writing this in 1st, 2nd, or 3rd?
next, think a little bit about your story so far… what kind of role would your main characters have in this world? do the main events happen to them, or do they go out and seek change?
and, perhaps most importantly… what are some flaws you might give them?
I usually focus on just one characters POV, but sometimes I'll do 2 or even 3 if I'm feeling particularly brave.
I almost always write in 3rd person.
Right now I just have a world, but the stories would probably be on a smaller scale, people living their lives, going through relationships, exploring the world around them, going on their own adventures. The worlds events would affect them but wouldn't be the focus.
Flaws are tricky, depends which characters and story I choose.
so far, we’ve looked at genre, plot, worldbuilding, and most recently, our main cast! now that we have some main foundations, we’re going to look at something a bit more nuanced… antagonists. depending on your story, this role could be fulfilled by a lot of people or things. it might be nature itself, the MC’s flaws, or an external “villain.” so! who’s the villain of this story?
Antagonists! oh no……um……….
This one's difficult to answer since I don't have a set story and only a handful of OCs. I'm still focused on setting up the foundations of the setting. As such I'll answer this in three parts: ideas for my OCs, ideas for planned fanfic wips and the sorts of antagonists i find i tend to like or write.
First things first, the OCs.
Lale, Silvaiarin and Silvaiarins sister (really need a name for her) are all from the same story. Their story is a complicated one so I'll focus on their individual antagonists. For Silvaiarin and his sister their antagonists are their conflicting desires and the people/politics at home. Silvaiarin wants to leave to marry Lale. His sister wants to be the next ruler. But traditions are getting in the way of their goals so they have to not only defy tradition but break it and remake it anew entirely. Lale has to face the uncertainty of Vaias' family when gaining their approval and Vaias' own personal issues. Worse, they're all preparing for a massive war, so the opposing leaders are also major antagonists.
Verita is survivor of a conflict zone, human trafficking and institutional/systemic violence. Her story is about her surviving it, growing through it and taking her place in the world. Her antagonists are the powers that be, the ignorance and prejudice of the common people, the systemic abuse and discrimination and most horribly, herself. No one comes out of that in one piece. She puts herself through the wringer trying to make it out as mentally intact as possible, then she must learn to heal, even if it means discarding the methods that kept her safe and sane in the first place. Her choices themselves are the antagonists.
Myras' story is about her achieving her dream of becoming a prosthetist. I'm not sure what that would make her antagonist? Her lacking skills? A character flaw? Maybe I could make contradicting goals or values. I'm really not sure yet 😅
Next are the antagonists in my favourite fanfic wips and ideas.
The one I'm most looking forward to is a modern au MDZS one where Jiang Yanli leaves her household with her siblings to live in a safe home instead. It's about her no longer just surviving, but living. The antagonists are her parents, conflicting internal goals and values (in particular the importance she places on her siblings and her role as the one who raised them, and her needing to learn to live as herself rather than only perceiving herself through her role as a caregiver), the issues her siblings are dealing with, conflicting wants/needs & values/goals.
Another MDZS fic, I'm going to have Madam Jin overthrow her husband and take over the Lanling Jin Sect by allying herself with his victims, especially his bastards and their mothers. Her antagonists will be her husband, much of the Jin Sect, the cultivations worlds traditional values and her own traditional values and prejudices.
There are a couple of Pet Shop of Horrors fanfics where Leon tries to find D. I'm not sure what this makes the antagonist. Their relationship issues? Communication issues? Distance?
There are others but those are the ones I know best off the top of my head.
Lastly, antagonist types I tend to write or favour.
When it comes to antagonist characters I definitely prefer some flavour, an interesting motive, complicated relationships, depths. Characters that aren't cookie cutter baddy of the day types.
Concept type antagonists are fun when they involve the internal conflicts and growth of the characters, like the conflict between needs and wants or goals and values. The sorts that come with difficult non-perfect choices, especially if there's not clear cut right or wrong and the consequences aren't ideal but work well. You win some you lose some, that sort of thing. Societal/Cultural based conflicts, especially those that provoke thoughts of 'what if' are also fun but I tend to prefer reading them to writing them.
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ephemeris-dreams · 9 months
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tag list
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fluffyartbl0g · 1 year
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Holy crap this is like world record breaking pace guys
Speedrun/Time Travel AU masterlist
#speedrun au#one piece#time travel au#op fanart#sabo#monkey d. luffy#portgas d. ace#asl brothers#time travel aus are my favourite trope for any fandom's fanfic#but this especially is why i want it for one piece#because I needed ace to die in canon. luffy NEEDED to get that wake up call and his whole crew NEEDED badly to get stronger#but ace is so much more than just a plot device for luffy... he was a person who was loved by so many people because#he made so many people happy#if luffy and his crew travelled back in time... they wouldn't need to worry anymore about their strength#Ace could live you know....#He could meet sabo while he was an adult#sabo could meet ACE while he was an adult#ALSO SIDE NOTE BUT SABO ALSO REMEMBERS THE TIME TRAVEL SHENANIGANS!!! but def not as well as any of the strawhats#i think the thing he remembers most is what he felt when he regained his memories in the first timeline#u guys... this comic was so vivid in my mind i HAD to draw it out... like i was planning on doin other time travel au comics before#but like I HAD to draw this because i had such intense ASL feelings#I tried to think if Ace would just start cussing sabo out cause like WHY DID YOU LET US THING U WERE DEAD ; - ;??? WHY DIDNT U CONTACT US??#but i think ace is really tired... like he's been worrying about luffy... and suddenly his brother starts uncharacteristically start#full out bawling in his arms... and he's really confused right now but both of his brothers are here and they're both crying#so there's really only one thing he can do#anyways i hope u enjoyed the comic#op spoilers#<- oops forgot to add that my b
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deception-united · 20 days
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Let's talk about killing off characters.
Killing off characters is a dramatic device often used to advance the plot, create tension, or evoke emotional responses from readers or viewers. We love doing it. The initial shock, the mourning after. The effects of it on the other characters. It's fun.
Nevertheless, you can still achieve the desired impact on your plot and characters without necessarily resorting to fictional murder.
Here are some alternatives to drive the plot forward:
Character Transformation: Instead of killing off a character, you can have them undergo significant personal growth or change. This could involve overcoming challenges, facing moral dilemmas, or undergoing a shift in beliefs or values. Their transformation can still drive the plot forward and impact other characters. (I especially love it when the transformation is negative—like when a traumatic experience of some sort completely strips a character of their soul. But that's a sentiment for another day.)
Betrayal or Conflict: Introduce betrayal or conflict between characters that challenges relationships and creates tension. This can lead to significant plot developments and character arcs without resorting to death. And it can be cause for quite a lot of angst.
Separation or Estrangement: Have characters physically or emotionally separated from each other, causing tension and driving the plot forward as they strive to reconnect or deal with the consequences of their estrangement.
Sacrifice without Death: Characters can make significant sacrifices that don't necessarily involve their death. This could be sacrificing personal goals, relationships, or values for the greater good or to achieve a specific objective.
Injury or Disability: Instead of killing off a character, you can incapacitate them through injury or disability. This will create challenges for the character and those around them, leading to character development and plot progression as they're forced to adapt to their new circumstances.
Redemption Arcs: Characters who have committed wrongdoings can undergo redemption arcs where they seek forgiveness, make amends, or strive to become better individuals. This can drive the plot forward while also adding depth to the character. Keep in mind that this may not be a suitable alternative to death for some characters—for instance, the protagonist forgiving their abusive parent despite all they were forced to go through may evoke a sense of indignation rather than admiration for their supposed selflessness.
Revelations or Secrets: Introduce revelations or uncover secrets that have significant impacts on characters and their relationships. This can lead to conflict, tension, and plot twists without the need for death.
Forced Alliances or Unexpected Partnerships: Characters can be forced into alliances or partnerships with unlikely allies, leading to interesting dynamics and plot developments as they navigate these new relationships.
Loss of Power or Status: Characters can experience a loss of power, status, or reputation, which can drive the plot forward as they strive to regain what they've lost, seek revenge on those responsible, or adapt to their new circumstances.
Time Constraints or Pressure: Introduce time constraints or pressure situations that force characters to act quickly and make difficult, split-second decisions that may end up being quite regrettable later on. This can raise conflicts of who's to blame, or what should have been done.
I feel like I strayed off a little, but there you have it. Hope this was helpful! ❤
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orjustori · 8 days
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i love when artists explicitly write/draw eddie and steve with very noticeable, maybe even deforming scars. i love when they dont fail to mention the repercussions the things they've been through have left on their bodies. because yes, we talk a lot about ptsd and horrible nightmares and all the psychoemotional issues, but we should totally talk more about the physical side of it.
eddie with a scar on his jaw that tugs when he smiles and aches after a long effusive rant. having to use mobility aides like a crutch or a walking stick because the muscles on his leg never fully recovered and the scars on his abdomen hurt if he tries to tighten his core too hard.
steve with awful migranes and early onset hearing loss and complex vision problems and slight trouble breathing because his head/face got fucked up one too many times. the scars on his back that got infected because no one gave them notice, that are now scars that twinge when he moves his arms and hurt after a day of running around with the kids. the scars on his abdomen that restrict his range of motion. that raspiness in his voice that never went away after a bat tried to crush his windpipe.
i don't know where i'm going with this i just... we constantly recognize their heroic deeds, but i think it's also important to remember that they are not heroes. they are just teenagers who were in the wrong place at the wrong time. they were doomed by the narrative, literally cannon fodder, and their bodies tell the history of that, and of how they're still here despite it all.
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