There's so much you can learn about writing good fiction from reading bad fiction

[seriousfic]

So you know how in every sci-fi story ever, the hero doesn't have all the information but there's a wise mentor figure or someone who knows everything? And mentor dude doesn't reveal anything but bits and pieces to generate fake suspense because "there isn't time to explain" or "you're not ready to understand."?

I think it says something about me that in the two stories I'm working on...

1. "You're not ready to understand" translates to "You're not yet onboard with our villainous plan."

2. The protag keys to the fact that the others need him in specific for something, so he says "Listen, D-bags, either you tell me the whole story right now or I'ma gonna go to the authorities or maybe just chillax at Starbucks while you guys suck it." And he gets the background, but the Cliff's Notes version of it, and one told to him by an unreliable narrator so that there's still room for surprises. You know, "Hi, I'm Joe," not "Hi, I'm Joe and I'm sleeping with my best friend's wife and my neighbor is a terrorist." Finding out about his best friend's wife and terror-neighbor comes later.

Instead of "Hi, I'm... YOU ARE NOT READY TO DISCOVER THIS INFORMATION! QUICKLY, WE MUST JOURNEY TO DOOM HILL AND NOT MAKE ANY CONVERSATION ALONG THE WAY!"

Comments

[destiny-happens.livejournal.com]

not to sure what ur talking about but, haha!!