Miscellaneous... · 5:26am Dec 11th, 2012
Hello readers and good day (or night) to you all! I'm just here to ask a few questions regarding certain ways I'm going to write the story. Your opinions matter after all.
Firstly, I'm thinking about putting in some music at key moments in the story. All of it would be LOTR soundtrack music, and as good as all of that is I'm sorta iffy about it. Might take away from immersion.
Also, would you guys prefer an "arc" type story, where it branches off into separate little stories that happen in a set chronological order, or would you prefer a large, single story with the occasional sidetrack? The plot I have planned (of which I shall not speak) mainly flows better with the latter type of story, but I'd like to hear opinions anyway.
That's pretty much it. One more question though: should the word "wizard" be capitalized? I ask this because it seems to be a title that requires capitalization, but Tolkien himself never really does aside from when he's referring to Gandalf as in "Gandalf the Wizard".
Hope to bring you guys good news soon. Stay frosty!
~Thanks,
Ascension
P.S. I love this new FIMfic layout!
[IMHO]Whatever works best, toss in the links if you want but don't write them in or make them necessary to grasp what is going on, it should be for mood purposes only.[/IMHO]
Me too it looks so nice.
Hmm...lots of things
First, the music, some people like it, some don't. I personally just skip it because of the lack of adblocker software on my computer. I hear the first 10 seconds, then some ad for shaving cream or something and it KILLS my immersion. I just end up skipping it.
Second, I'd prefer a large story that gets sidetracked. Kinda like the LotR books. It tended to jump around a bit, but i could see how that would turn off some readers. I do think you should follow your gut. I know that ,sort of Gandalf turning out to an Alicorn Super Sayian from Krypton who wields the Triforce of Courage alongside the rest of the Avengers in his Gundam, I will read it.
Lastly...uh...hmm...that's a tough one. I suppose that if you are saying "Gandalf the Wizard" or referring to him like "the Wizard brandished his staff" it would be capital BUT if you are saying "A wizard is never early" or "are you a wizard?" it would be lower case...i think. It would probably come down to context...even then, both may be correct.
Anxiously awaiting your new chapter while trying not to sound pushy or demanding.
Rapthorn2ndform
Better to go with what will work best with the flow of the plotline. And for the wizard bit I would suggest only using it when it's someponies title and not being used to name a profession.
I've seen music used used well (like the LoZ area themes being linked in a LoZ story when the characters visit those areas. Or a link to a song that the characters are listening to or singing. But a lot of people hate "gimmicks" in stories like links or illustrations.
Write it how you want. If you want extra arcs, you can always write side stories.
Wizard should be capitalized the same as Princess or Mother. So "Gandalf is a wizard," "the wizard stole my horseshoe," "curse you, Wizard!"
Alrighty then.
I would listen to the music, but not all would.
I prefer the Tolkien style; don't use the episodic 'arc' style.
This is slightly confusing. I do believe the Sillimarion calls Gandalf and his ilk the race of Wizards.
But I'm not sure.
For the first one, I don't know. It could give a better sense of inmersion, but I prefer just reading it.
For the second, definitely the latter. Tolkien, always considered LOTR as one big novel, divided in three parts. One, huge storyline that occasionaly gets sidetracked (like with Tom Bombadil). So yeah, go for the large story with sidetracks.
And for the third, I think "Sorcerer" sounds more serious-magic-like, than wizard. But it's not really important.
Do the single, distracted plot progression.
As for music? Do it, I like having some music to read along with.
Only capitalize wizard in the proper context. For example,
Gandalf visited the White Council to tell them of the wizard like powers of the evil Necromancer, Sauron. The ancient wizard tried to compel the Council to act against Sauron before he could gain full strength.
598032More specifically Gandalf and his 'race'(the Wizards) were Maiar, as were Sauron and the Balrog of Moria.
598217
Yes, they were all Maiar, as was Sauron and the Balrog.
Maybe the Men gave them a name, but I cannot recall it.
I know Gandalf was called Mithrandir, right?
598223He known as Mithrandir to the Elves, Gandalf to Man, and Tharkûn to the Dwarves. His proper name, used in Valinor, is Olórin.
598239
Was there any names for the collective group of wizards?
598259They were known as the Istari to the Elves.
On the subject of music, just have it hyperlinked in, not embedded.
That way people can listen to it if they wanted, but it's not as obnoxious as sticking a video in-between the paragraphs.
Well, I wouldn't actually USE the music keys there, but it'd be a nice touch.
Arc stories feel better in my opinion. I don't know, I feel like they usually have a better pacing than other stories.
But, again, that's just my opinion. If you can pull off a huge, epic story, go right ahead.
In the "Gandalf the Wizard" case, it's because wizard is part of his title. Race. "Urd the Editor", "Tom the Giant".
When you say "The wizard opened the door carefully." that no longer refers to his title/race, but to his occupation as a wizard.
"Dr. William? It's for you."
"The doctor carefully picked up the note."
...Great, now I'm going to get shouted at by a bigger lore nerd than me. "TECHNICALLY, HE'S CALLED WIZARD BECAUSE, IN THE THREE HUNDREDTH PAGE, WHEN..."
The music is fine in my opinion, as for style, I like both so whatever works best for the plot. for captilizing wizard I'm not sure.
If you were to put this in at random points in the story, it would be very immerse.
-Weatherstorm
597919 Can you please write a story like that? It would be FUCKING AMAZING!!!