The Crash City/Nutmeg Thread

[DeeCrowSeer]

Thought I may as well start a new thread, in case I need to post parts of the story and such.

You ought to think of the "Nutmeg" stories, with their highly traditional "Dent"-inspired structures, as a framework.

That's an interesting idea, and it is one I've considered. Partly by accident, and partly by inclination, the current story if far less "noir detective" so far, although I've plotted a turn back towards that style for the next section. At the moment my fondness for the Bridget Jones books is showing, as the poor girl is dragged out on a "hen night". It's all about the banter and the "hilarious" misunderstandings at the moment, whereas the first story was more of a solo trial. I'll see how this one turns out, and then hopefully I'll be over my "sequel" fears. After that I'd certainly like to experiment more, perhaps amplifying the "sci-fi" elements for one story, or a pseudo-supernatural piece as we've also discussed. Thankfully I've created a character who's pretty desperate for work, so if she has to cross genres to pick up a pay-check, then that's what she'll do! :)

I'm not feeling too ambitious as yet, but perhaps as my confidence grows, I can dabble a little more. There are other characters in other corners of the city I'd like to follow too, so there's pelnty of scope (IMHO).

We could discuss how the Dent structure can be modified to accommodate the needs of a novella, if that is something you think you'd want to do.

I was wondering about that actually. I do still feel that I would need some sort of structure to follow, because my imagination seems to work best when it's backed in to a corner... but I don't really have any ideas for a longer piece at this point, so I'll stick with the 6000 worders for now. Once I've built up a stock of characters and locations, then perhaps I'll have something that's worth exploring in greater depth.

You should regard any discussion here as simply brainstorming, of course; you are under no obligation to use something any of us suggest. It's mostly for your convenience, or to help if you encounter a technical problem that seems intractable.

Absolutely, and I really do appreciate it. I know I didn't stop to ask for much guidance the last time, but it was still good to know that it was there, If I needed it.

As I say, the story I'm writing is about to change gears (hopefully) so if something snaps under the bonnet, I'll be hoisting it up here for everyone to take a look at...

[A_Non_Ymous]

I'm glad to hear that there's a possibility of another story in the series.

Don't let the noir angle get you side-tracked. You don't need detective-business stuff to propel your plot, unless it fits into your conception. Go on and explore the hypothetical city, focus on a different character with a different set of problems or issues -- if you want to keep the "Nutmeg" connection, have her as a peripheral character in some of the stories. (Be careful she doesn't steal the show. )

The length of one of these things arises (as I'm sure you know) from the level of complication. If you want to make a nouvelle version of one of these stories, here's one fundamental attack: think of two separate stories according to the Dent formula and interweave them. You follow the same structure, just alternate 1500 word sections. You could also do it envelope-style, with one story bracketing another, and the resolution of one has an unexpected effect on the resolution of the other.

Just an idea. Please write the next story. You're a good artist, and should continue to work on it, but I think fiction might be your real metier.

LSN

[DeeCrowSeer]

I'm glad to hear that there's a possibility of another story in the series.

Me too! So far all of my story ideas seem to spring from wanting to bring in a a character I think is "cool", and then figure out what they're up to in the city. I'm not sure that's the best way to do it, but there is no "correct" way, so off I go!

Don't let the noir angle get you side-tracked. You don't need detective-business stuff to propel your plot, unless it fits into your conception.

For some reason I was stuck in the mindset that it had to be another detective story, but Dent is pretty clear that the formula works for any genre, or sub-genre. But somehow the current story has turned in to a sort "chick-lit-with-pirates" thing. I'm not sure it even has a genre.

Go on and explore the hypothetical city, focus on a different character with a different set of problems or issues -- if you want to keep the "Nutmeg" connection, have her as a peripheral character in some of the stories. (Be careful she doesn't steal the show. )

Well, I pretty much love any character I've gone to the trouble of naming after a celebrity, so I'd be happy to switch between them. The beauty of Nutmeg is that she's pretty clueless about what's going on around her, so I don't have to put too much thought in to how things actually run. But Mike isn't much of a "world builder" either, and I never have any complaints about his stories! :)

I'm terrible at those computer games where you have to run an entire city or Roman town, but I love naming things. I love having an entire city to play with, even though I've deliberately created a city which magnifies everything I dislike about my home town.

Sorry, my megalomania is showing! :)

The length of one of these things arises (as I'm sure you know) from the level of complication. If you want to make a nouvelle version of one of these stories, here's one fundamental attack...

Very good idea. It still bothers me that so many loose ends were left by the first story, so that might even be worth revisiting. It certainly didn't begin and end with Nutmeg's involvement.

You're a good artist, and should continue to work on it, but I think fiction might be your real metier.

Well, it was one of the things I went to study at university, so my parents will be very happy to hear that!

I went to bed thinking about the story, and woke up thinking about the story! Shocking. I need to go back and tweak the second 1500 words, but after that I think I've got a clear, and logical run to the The End.

Coming soon: Dastardly Diana, The Nurse and Scone-Burgers galore!

[manmiles]

Okay...who/what is Nutmeg?

[A_Non_Ymous]

She's the protagonist of a story that Duncan wrote for Prototype X. Several of us have found the story entertaining. Duncan may write a series of stories against the common background, too.

LSN

[DeeCrowSeer]

Okay...who/what is Nutmeg?

In a way, I think we're all Nutmeg...

No, not really. Nathalie-Margaret "Nutmeg" Rodriguez is the main character of a story I wrote for Protoype-X 1, and a new story I'm writing to submit for the next proposed issue.

Now 3/4 done. Hurrah! It's taken a much darker turn, and there's even some "ripped from the headlines" moralising about young girls binge drinking... plus a (female) character in a PVC nurse's outfit! Fun for all the family. :)

[A_Non_Ymous]

She adds a bit of "spice" to the mix that is Prototype X.

LSN

[manmiles]

plus a (female) character in a PVC nurse's outfit! Fun for all the family. :)

Yum... more of that, please!

[DeeCrowSeer]

Yum... more of that, please!

Only when it's absolutely integral to the plot.

Oh dear... what have I done? :oops:

[manmiles]

Yum... more of that, please!

Only when it's absolutely integral to the plot.

Oh dear... what have I done? :oops:

Awakened my deepest, darkest fantasies. :twisted:

[PsychicWarVeteran]

...plus a (female) character in a PVC nurse's outfit!

Yay! I haven't even read the first Nutmeg story and already I drool for the sequel! [image moved]

<homer_simpson_voice> Mmmmmmmm, polyvinylchroide! </homer_simpson_voice>

[mordenkainen]

...plus a (female) character in a PVC nurse's outfit!

Yay! I haven't even read the first Nutmeg story and already I drool for the sequel!

I hope you make an illo for that one

[PsychicWarVeteran]

...plus a (female) character in a PVC nurse's outfit!

Yay! I haven't even read the first Nutmeg story and already I drool for the sequel!

I hope you make an illo for that one

Yes, Mord, you of all people know that's right up my alley. :twisted:

Apologies for the blatant self-promotion in your thread, Dee...

[manmiles]

...plus a (female) character in a PVC nurse's outfit!

Yay! I haven't even read the first Nutmeg story and already I drool for the sequel!

I hope you make an illo for that one

I'm not alone?

OH THANK YOU GOD....I'M NOT ALONE!

[A_Non_Ymous]

Did something happen to merge this thread (quite inadvertently I'm sure) with the thread on the Perdix's projected pornographic novella?

You guys are going to make Dee blush!

Perhaps one should write "erotica" in place of "pornography." Both Dee and Perdix have only the most high-minded literary intentions. Right? :lol:

LSN