This may at first appear like a spam-section game, but I decided to post this here because I think this can be useful for RPing and even for your own personal writing.
Once, there was a discussion (more like an argument) between a certain bestselling author and members of a writing forum. The conversation touched on something I know we've all thought about at one point in our lives. I fall back on this thought a lot before I remember this little story. Some of you probably might have heard of this, but for those that haven't: Here we go!
Jim Butcher, the author of the bestselling Dresden Files series, was arguing with other writers about the craft-specifically how important a good or original idea for the central premise of a novel is. One side of the argument claimed that a good enough central premise would make a great book, even if you were a lousy writer. The other side contended that the central concept was far less important than the execution of the story and that the most overused central concept in the world could have life breathed into it by a skilled writer.
The argument got heated, and Mr. Butcher made a bet. He told them to give him the two lamest ideas and he'd publish a novel with it. They chose Lost Roman Legion and Pokemon. He wrote Codex Alera, a 6-book series and all of them bestsellers. That goes to show you don't have to have a groundbreaking idea or concept. You can make something awesome with just basic ideas.
So how about a posting game? Come up with a quick premise from the two boring ideas suggested from the poster above, then leave two lame ideas for the next person. They can be tropes, like Dragon kidnaps princess or more general ideas (like 'revenge', or 'western'). Who knows, one of these might be the inspiration you need! I'll get the ball rolling.
Magic the Gathering and Romeo and Juliet
Once, there was a discussion (more like an argument) between a certain bestselling author and members of a writing forum. The conversation touched on something I know we've all thought about at one point in our lives. I fall back on this thought a lot before I remember this little story. Some of you probably might have heard of this, but for those that haven't: Here we go!
Jim Butcher, the author of the bestselling Dresden Files series, was arguing with other writers about the craft-specifically how important a good or original idea for the central premise of a novel is. One side of the argument claimed that a good enough central premise would make a great book, even if you were a lousy writer. The other side contended that the central concept was far less important than the execution of the story and that the most overused central concept in the world could have life breathed into it by a skilled writer.
The argument got heated, and Mr. Butcher made a bet. He told them to give him the two lamest ideas and he'd publish a novel with it. They chose Lost Roman Legion and Pokemon. He wrote Codex Alera, a 6-book series and all of them bestsellers. That goes to show you don't have to have a groundbreaking idea or concept. You can make something awesome with just basic ideas.
So how about a posting game? Come up with a quick premise from the two boring ideas suggested from the poster above, then leave two lame ideas for the next person. They can be tropes, like Dragon kidnaps princess or more general ideas (like 'revenge', or 'western'). Who knows, one of these might be the inspiration you need! I'll get the ball rolling.
Magic the Gathering and Romeo and Juliet
