Thread: General Writing Questions

By clip show, I mean a group of flashbacks to events in the past, that usually, but not always, have some kind of theme.

So when is it too early for a clip show, you ask? If it was a journey fic, I'd say it's way too early after the main character has won his or her first badge, contest or something similar. Maybe around the fourth badge would be more appropriate. The best moment to have a clip show, in my opinion, would be where a character reflects back on everything that has happened so far as part of a character development.

Now, I had an idea of a supporting character of the fic I'm currently writing, and I would like to hear your opinion. You see, he's a Pokémon trainer but he's also a poker player and as such, I got the idea of implementing his battle style from the said poker, bluffing and perceiving his opponent throughout the battle, both the human opponent and the Pokémon. I'm not certain if he should say some poker terms during battles like "Go all in with Hyper Beam!", or "Check with Protect", as it sounds a bit too cheesy to me.

@LightningTopaz; Never too early, I had a flash back in my very first chapter in my own fic and people seemed to like it. Though I do think that we should have a firm grasp of what the character is like in the present before we do any kind of flash back. Flashbacks are more 'supplementary' or 'informative' so they shouldn't do the work for you in terms of describing the character's personality and such to the audience. So if you think what you've written so far gives us a good picture of who the character is, then sure, flashback away.
@Tophat Dragoneye; Awesome idea. And dude, it's pokemon, I would be disappointing if he didn't use cheesy phrases like that! I say go for it. You can always lampshade the fact by having someone else point out how ridiculous he sounds doing that.

Another question: I'm a bit stuck with the plotline with the current episode of "Pokemon: The Song of Jewels"--I established in the last episode that Wendy's Vaporeon Mizuchi is afraid of Brock's Sandshrew, Terra. (after a noodle incident involving a Sandslash) That said, I want this episode to be the one where Mizuchi has to rescue Terra or save Terra from something as a sign that she is beginning to tolerate Terra (after a few controlled meetings that go very well) In my notes, I do the classic Beedrill swarm, but I'm wondering what other types of hairy situations Terra could get into that Mizuchi could save her from.

Getting washed down a river seems like a good situation to me. Ground pokemon probably don't know how to swim, and a Vaporeon, as a water type, would be ideal to save it. I think this has the advantage of not making the Sandshrew look weak, since its perfectly reasonable that a sandshrew couldn't swim but be otherwise good at battling.

I like that idea--maybe while running from the Beedrills she falls in a river

Maybe this is a weird question, but what sound should a Beedrill make? (Coincidentally, a beedrill appears in my next chapter as well, LT, though there's no attacking Beedrill storm, its being used in a battle.) I can't remember what sound it made in the anime and for some reason I can't imagine a Beedril making a straight "Beedrill~!" sound. O_O What do you guys think it should say?

Originally Posted by NoirGrimoir

Maybe this is a weird question, but what sound should a Beedrill make? (Coincidentally, a beedrill appears in my next chapter as well, LT, though there's no attacking Beedrill storm, its being used in a battle.) I can't remember what sound it made in the anime and for some reason I can't imagine a Beedril making a straight "Beedrill~!" sound. O_O What do you guys think it should say?

I imagine it would buzz. I agree, it would be odd if Beedrill was one of those "say your name" Pokemon.

Beedrill buzz in the anime. It's one of those Pokemon that don't say their name. It makes sense though, not like a screaming plant.

Good to know, thanks guys. I think I'll just go with the generic Bzz! as suggested.

Right now i have already got some advice but I want a whole lot of advice, so can anyone give me some advice to writing a fanfic cause mine sucks at the moment

I can give a hand if you want? What exactly do you think you are struggling with?

Originally Posted by some colour no doubt

I can give a hand if you want? What exactly do you think you are struggling with?

Yea i can use a hand, i am struggling with making my story flow like it dont make sense

Could you be more specific, like give me an example of where you think you're going wrong?

It might be helpful if you write out ideas of what you want to do for a few Chapters. Try keeping a notebook and write ideas down that come to you through out the day. Don't forget to read, reread and reread even more. You might think they suck but that's okay. Right now I'm working on Version 3 of one of my stories and going back and reading Version 1 of the same story yeah I was like damn what the hell was I thinking. But I learned to just slow down and not jump around when I write.