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Writers and Novelists
I know this isn't exactly the right column, but this suits this one more than any of the others... but, some places online there are sites where there are lists of questions designed specifically to help authors make profiles for characters (age, gender, hair color, personality, etc.) and i was just wondering, if they have the same thing for your whole novel in general. Like lists of questions about the setting, characters, plot, etc.
like, "What is the name of your story?",
"What is the name of the World/continents/cities?",
"What kind of animals and plants live on this planet and do they differ from those of Earth? And if so, in what way?", etc.
Is there anywhere online i can find something like this? Because my plot keeps changing, I'm a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to my story. Oh, and if this helps its a fantasy.
Also, to go with the story, I am making a myth/legend to go with it. This myth/legend is based on the storyline. Any help or advice on making a great myth/legend would be helpful as well.
I would appreciate any help. Thank you very much to whoever try or do help.
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Want to answer more questions in the Hobbies category?
Maybe give some free advice about: Theater?
Oh... Creating myths and backstories for fantasy worlds is probably my favorite part of writing stories! My suggestion... Read myths from different cultures and religions. There are a lot of symbols that pop up in many stories from around the world. For example: the tree of life, angels, demons, snakes, dragons... And it's really interesting to see how different cultures portray the same idea. It's even more fun to play around with it yourself. Try www.sacred-texts.com.
Unfortunately... I don't know of any websites that would help with the other parts of writing that you were talking about. But I can suggest some books: '20 Master Plots and How to Build Them,' by Ronald B. Tobias, '45 Master Characters: Mythic Models for Creating Original Characters,' by Victoria Lynn Schmidt, 'Story Structure Architect,' also by Victoria Lynn Schmidt.
As for the questionaire... If you can't find one, why not make up one yourself? Make a template in notepad, and add questions as you think of them. Then create bios for each of the main characters that will answer each question. (I used to do this myself.) Have separate 'bios' for the 'world,' then 'major cities,' and perhaps for animals and plant life as well.
Don't get too hung up on the details though. (I know this is hard being a perfectionist and all. I have the same problem!) Remember that the most important part of writing the rough draft is just getting the basic story on paper. You're going to rewrite and revise, that's natural and expected. You can always go back and edit, change details later.
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To make an original story, avoid these web sites. I never use them. If you want an original world, it's better to make it up yourself. There is no right or wrong in fiction. As for your plot changing, this isn't a bad thing. It's just your story getting a life of it's own outside your influence. Let the plot change and go with the flow. Novels and stories develop over time. Authors don't decide the whole thing all at once. I would just keep writing and see what happens.
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