No idea where to start

[ZombieeDoll]

I'm needing help here. *internally screeching*
I'm actually fairly new to posting on the forum, though I've been lurking for quite a while!

I'm in need of some guidance on how to get started, as I am interested in creating my own visual novel. I just don't know where to start. I want to put more otoge/otome/GxB style novels out there, but I'm not quite sure as to what I should write about. My strong point is character creation, not plot writing. I have a million scrapped ideas, but like those, I have only a beginning and no real ending--like most things I've done. I want to make something deep and gripping with possible mature content (ages 16+ to 18+ depending on the content within)... I also tend to lean toward darker story elements, which would earn a seemingly innocent slice of life story a PG-13 rating.

I've got every type of character imaginable: a harem of demons waiting to eat your heart, piano-playing psychic baristas, suicidal music teachers, pseudo Arabian princes, vampires, angels, ghosts, and slice of life characters with lots and lots of issues... hnnggg the list can go on.

But alas...

NO REAL STORY!!
*tears out hair*

How does one actually get the story writing process rolling? How does plot progression work in these sorts of games? Is it better to collaborate with another person or just write it by yourself?

I've got plenty of icing, just no cake! Please help me!! I'd appreciate it!! ; A ; *cries and clings to nearest person*

[Googaboga]

There there ;v; *pats your head*.

I think you've just got to start narrowing down what kind of story you really want to tell. There are many possibilities but if you want to make a VN these things have to be decided. You've already got a pretty good idea of the genre and now you've got to find a story that fits within the genre you are comfortable with. There is no right or wrong place to start or progress. But maybe there is a certain setting or time period you want the game to take place in? That could help you narrow down your options.

And I'm not sure if you enjoy working with others but at least to me it sounds like you could benefit from having a partner in crime so to speak. Someone to help the decisions making process go easier, someone to help keep you focused and committed to one project, and someone to create a plot with. Or if you'd rather make your idea by yourself you could try joining someone else's project. You could help with certain aspects like characters while the plot and other details that go along with making a VN could be decided by someone else. That way you could have a game under your belt and gain some experience. Then you can come back and start working on your own projects.

But I personally enjoy working with others so I guess I'm pretty biased with my input ^^;.

Although perhaps you should just stick with what you know, characters. You can have a deep and even gripping story without a complex over-arching plot. You could simply choose a setting, select one of your lovely boy harems, figure out a reason for the MC to be there, and center the game around character stories instead of a plot. And who knows while you are working on that you may find a plot within the stories that you can use as a focal point to the overall game.

By the way that sprite is gorgeous. I love the design and your art is really fantastic.

[SundownKid]

The process is similar to writing a regular novel, so you can use guides from that and apply it to this, with the exception of potentially multiple paths.

If you're really an artist and not a writer, you can find or hire a writer to write your story, based on your ideas and art. It's not everyone's forte, after all.

[gekiganwing]

How does one actually get the story writing process rolling? How does plot progression work in these sorts of games? Is it better to collaborate with another person or just write it by yourself?

Good question. I admit that I've struggled with the first two. (Haven't tried to collaborate yet.)

Consider browsing Writing Excuses episodes, and then listening to the ones that catch your interests.

I've got every type of character imaginable: a harem of demons waiting to eat your heart, piano-playing psychic baristas, suicidal music teachers, pseudo Arabian princes, vampires, angels, ghosts, and slice of life characters with lots and lots of issues...

Consider starting with one or two heroes. For example, let's say your main character is looking for a piano tutor, but he seems to be deeply depressed. Then she talks with a barista, finds out he is a musical prodigy, but he seems to have supernatural intuition. Then what? Write down a variety of things that could happen next. (And maybe some things you want to avoid, or that couldn't happen in your fictional world.) Outlining can help, and improvising can also help.

[TrickWithAKnife]

You are obviously a talented artist. Have you considered collaborating with an experienced writer on a small project? Perhaps working with another person/people will help you get a feel for the process as an entirety, and how to focus on a smaller scale.

[peahat]

ONe thing that has always helped me is to just start writing, even if I don't know where it's going to go. In fact... especially if I don't know where it's going to go! <:

I think it's sort of a NaNoWriMo philosophy. It's okay to start writing even if you don't know where to go. If you care about your characters and they are interesting to you, chances are they will make the story themselves.

My Routine When I Don't Have a Plot (maybe it'll work for you!):
- Promise yourself that no one will read this rough draft ever (this gives you the freedom to write anything, even if it seems stupid at first. You can always edit it later)
- Choose a goal (I am going to write this chapter. Or, I will write a synopsis of my whole game.)
- SIT AND WRITE IT AND DON'T STOP UNTIL IT'S DONE! If you get stuck or don't know what's going to happen, just force something to happen. Write in a witch that spirits them away, if you have to. Or have someone get sick and die, or just make them leave the coffee shop for no reason at all. Remember that no one is going to read this anyway, so you can edit things out later. What's important is that you reach your goal.

Your draft will not be perfect, but chances are you will have brained something that may be useful or exciting. I always get ideas this way, and my second and third drafts are more inspired and easier to write.

I really hope that helps!

[Lesleigh63]

Maybe start with your character Yuki.

He's got a startled, uncertain expression - so what was happening to him in your head when you were drawing him? What situation had he gotten himself into? Take it from there.

[Razz]

I think if you prefer character writing over plots then visual novels are defiantly for you. You can have entire routes that don't link to the other stories in any way, such as your character going for a walk and finding a fox spirit in a setting where the other romacees are basketball players, and no one will bat an eye.

Put here's some helpful links if you're stuck!
http://fuckyourwritinghabits.tumblr.com ... ers-but-no
http://writing-questions-answered.tumbl ... less-novel
http://keyboardsmashwriters.tumblr.com/ ... nd-endings
http://referenceforwriters.tumblr.com/p ... mmon-plots

[fullmontis]

If your characters are well rounded and you thought of a background for them, just think of a situation they want to get away from. Then sit back and see how things roll out. This is a tip I got from Stephen King and it works surprisingly well for a VN, since different choices give characters a different scenario to evolve into.

Another way would be to actually plan out your main story beforehand and then branch from it. This may give you more control over the story and can be useful for genres like mistery stories where you need a little pacing over the story, but can limit the choices you can give the player and can lead to lots of dead ends that can be frustrating.

I can also second the suggestion to just write... Write, write write... Write the stupidest things that pass in your mind, soon something will click. Inspiration is not a passive process, it requires active effort to be stimulated.