cuttlefish wrote:High school love stories, eh? The synopses and characters all give me a Clannad vibe (probably influenced by your avatar as well).
Have you started writing any of these ideas out yet? They all sound like they could be interesting, but I wouldn't know for sure unless I read a draft or part of the script. You could try writing the script for the third story idea leaving the genders as is, and see if it's coming across as you want it before switching their genders. And you don't have to write in choices if it doesn't suit your story or intent.
I would say idea 1 is the most interesting, followed by 3, then 2. There are a lot of issues you could bring up with idea 1, while the details of 3 and 2 are more like the run-of-the-mill Japanese high school romance stories (except 3 seems a bit atypical because of the genders).
Well, I will admit that Clannad is one of my favorite anime. However, it didn't actually influence any of my ideas to be honest. Typically I like romance. All of my stories have it in some way shape or form. Including the 3 or 4 more actioney ones that i've thought of. Did it have to be Highschool? No, not really. It was merely what came to me first as it was...simple. I'm also not that great at naming people or places. Most of the names you see are name generated. I hate to admit that, but they are. That is also why I didn't include a Setting section. I didn't have names for the schools or the places in which they are located, which are for the most part cities. This is due to the fact that i've lived in the country most of my life, where nothing interesting ever happens and opportunities to do anything different are few and far between. I've always pictured the city to have a lot more opportunities and to be a bit more exciting, and something I noticed is that quite a few anime are set in cities and tend to prove my theories.
The reason I thought about adding choices is because people have told me that a Kinetic Novel wouldn't sell because people prefer to have choices. While my first VN or two will be free to drum up interest, I do intend to perhaps make this a career, so I have to know whether or not my merely story-driven VN's would sell enough.
As far as having written any of them out, Idea #1 is written out fully in bullet form. Or at least, plot point wise. I actually wrote the entire idea out within 30 minutes to an hour during an English class to the song Futari no Kodou from the Fate/Stay Night - Unlimited Blade Works soundtrack. Anime music tends to be my primary inspiration rather than the shows themselves. Idea #2 is the second more thought out story as it is the 2nd oldest of the three, however, I only have the ending actually thought out in detail. Two different versions of it in fact. Idea #3 is the newest of the three, and i'll admit, I just thought of it last night. The idea came to me while listening to Lost My Pieces from the Toradora soundtrack, which I had just finished watching the previous night. As far as Idea #3 is concerned, I have an ending in mind, and it's one that easily allows for the characters roles/genders to be switched, although, in its current form, it is a reversal of what i've seen in the past. I'm gonna write out what I have at the bottom of this post complete with spoilers for all 3 ideas, just so everyone has a better idea of the kind of stories i'm shooting to tell, and maybe it'll become clear why I chose Highschool.
gekiganwing wrote:A few recommendations:
* You can include a teen genius protagonist if you want... but consider how realistic you want your story to be.
* Remember, your story can take place anywhere you want. You can choose a setting which you know quite well, or a setting which requires some research. (You will benefit by making sure your story setting is believable. The location can be a sort of character. But at the same time, don't let it research overwhelm your story.)
* Take time to read fiction outside your favorite categories and styles. I have been a fantasy fan for years, but I've learned quite a bit from other books and movies. Likewise, I gained quite a bit by trying new forms of media: alternative comics, live action drama, gamebooks...
* The Writing Excuses audio podcast is also useful. They talk about varied topics for 15-20 minutes. Not always useful for VNs, but worth a listen.
Nyron wrote:I'm a guy, and I am not real confident in my ability to write a believable female character, let alone a female protagonist.
Understandable. You don't want the women in your cast to seem like caricatures. Therefore, consider what you have in common with them. For instance, if you have experienced fear, boredom, or uncertainty, then you can portray a character who also has these emotions. Likewise, if you have life experiences (travel, graduations, divorce, employment), then write about a fictional person who goes through similar events.
#1. She isn't really a teen genius. She just has some of the best grades in her class.
#2. While I admit that i'm not very good with being original in terms of setting(which for all 3 is a Highschool, their homes, and a city.), I do intend to breathe life into them, rather than just making them backdrops.
#3. There isn't a genre I havn't seen in anime. I like them all equally. As far as reading actual novels, i've only read Fantasy and Science Fiction, along with maybe one or two standard fiction novels such as The Great Gatsby. I'll also admit, that currently the only Visual Novel I have read/played is Katawa Shoujo. I almost cried by the end of each route. I intend to get a few others such as Fate/Stay Night Realta Nua, Steins;Gate, and any other interesting ones.
#4. I'll have to look into that Podcast, thank you.
#5. Truth be told, I am not the most manly of men. I do have some more feminine tendencies, but I am straight. So it should actually be easier to write female characters than I make it out to be. Who knows, maybe they'll come out perfectly.
VN Idea #1
Story Ideas:
- Yuki decides to investigate the origins of the VR program: Personal Space
- Yuki meets the creator, Seiji.
- Despite Seiji’s apparent disinterest, Yuki insists they spend more time together and the two eventually form a friendly relationship.
- Overtime, Seiji reveals bits and pieces about the creation of Personal Space.
- As time passes, Yuki begins to focus less on her original goal of uncovering the mystery surrounding the creation of Personal Space, and instead focuses on learning more about Seiji himself, whose past is shrouded in utter mystery.
- Despite their friendship, Seiji continues to hold Yuki at arms length, keeping her from becoming close to him.
- Despite Seiji keeping her at arms length, Yuki falls in love with him and makes it her goal to break down the barrier he had erected between them.
- Over time, Yuki manages to become closer to him. He gives her a data chip that contains secret that he has never shown anyone.
- Despite desperately wanting to know what was on the chip so she could finally end her investigation into Personal Space, Yuki opts not to look at it, and puts it in her pocket.
- Seiji becomes somewhat distant once more, and Yuki all, but gives up hope that he’ll return her feelings in full someday.
- One day, Seiji falls into a coma, and it is surmised that it may take decades for him to wake up. To try and speed up the process, they fit him with a VR visor, hoping his mind could find a comfortable place to recover from the shock.
- Yuki visits him daily, hoping he’ll one day awake.
- During one of her visits, Yuki pulls the data chip from her pocket and inserts it reluctantly into her wrist computer. A folder opens and reveals that the files arn’t about Personal Space, but rather, data files to Seiji’s True Personal Space.
- Realizing what the chip is meant for, she removes it from her wrist computer, puts on a VR visor, and inserts the chip. The data stored on the chip is loaded within moments, and Yuki’s mind awakens in a Personal Space filled with floating crystalline shapes and colored entirely sapphire blue with rays of light strewn throughout. It was a calm and peaceful place. Further in, she finds a black box floating in the air.
- After discovering the black box, Yuki realized that Seiji’s mind is inside of it, reliving a painful memory. She comes to the realization that the reason Seiji fell into a coma is because of a painful memory that he had lost himself within.
- The memory is revealed to be when Seiji’s love was caught in a fatal car accident. He sat in a hospital for days, waiting for her to awaken, hoping she’d live, but she soon died of her injuries, and he entered a depression. He then created Personal Space in order to allow him to be with her forever. He would spend hours with a digital recreation of her, bringing her to life within the Personal Space.
- Yuki yells at the black box, confessing her feelings for Seiji, stating that he is the only person in the world who had ever made her as happy as she is. Despite the thick wall between them, her cries are so strong and powerful, that Seiji can hear them, even in his dillusion. He comes to his sense, and the box cracks, then shatters. A bright light envelops them both. Yuki finds herself standing on a vast white plain. Seiji stands before her, with a smile on his face and tears forming in his eyes. He confesses his love for her as well and embraces her. As the light begins the envelop them once more, They both look off into the distance. A girl stands there and smiles. She waves, and then disappears with the light, erased from Seiji’s files.
- They both awake in the hospital. Seiji turns his head and looks at Yuki who begins to cry, and then falls over on to his lap.
- The two are later seen sitting on a virtual hill in a meadow, a brand new Shared Personal Space. Yuki stands and drags Seiji along with her as they walk through the meadow. Golden rings are seen on each of there ring fingers, implying that they are now either engaged or married.
Notes on VN Idea #1: As I mentioned earlier, the entire idea behind this one was spawned from the song Futari no Koudou from the Fate/Stay Night The Movie: Unlimited Blade Works soundtrack. I can't really explain how it happened, it just, did. Took me 30 minutes to an hour to write the whole, during a research period. Teacher would call it a waste of time, I call it time well spent. There isn't much to say about this one to be honest. One of the last scenes, Seiji's True Personal Space, was inspired by the scene in Unlimited Blade Works that the song plays during. I have a thing for the color sapphire blue, and it seemed peaceful enough.
VN Idea #2
- Ending: As the graduation ceremony at the Highschool begins, Adam gets in a cab and heads to the airport for the return trip back to the United States. (Ending Version 1)Ryoma and Mina meet up with Suzuki outside the auditorium of the school. They look at Suzuki who seems as though somethings bothering her. Ryoma, knowing exactly what the issue is, confronts Suzuki about how she's about to let the one man she's ever loved slip through her fingers. She claims that he probably doesn't feel the same way. Ryoma refutes this stating that he knows for a fact that Adam was in love with her and even willing to move to Japan to be with her, but was unable to confess to her as he believed that she did not return his feelings. Realizing the mistake she was about to make, Suzuki leaves the school and runs as fast as she can to the airport. At the airport, Adam takes one last look back before preparing to board the plane. Just as he's about to step on, he hears a familiar voice calling out to him. As he turns around, he sees Suzuki running full sprint at him, tears in her eyes. She collides with him and they fall to the floor. There on the spot, they confess their feelings for one another. Soon after, Adam makes a call and explains that he needs to stay in Japan for 2 more days. His request is approved and he attends the graduation ceremony with Suzuki, Ryoma, and Mina. To his surprise, when he and Suzuki arrive at the auditorium, everyone in the entire school, including the staff, were waiting for them. 2 Days later, Adam leaves for the US, promising to return as soon as he can. (Ending Version 2) Ryoma, Mina, and Suzuki attend the graduation ceremony, saddened by the fact that Adam couldn't attend as he was heading back to the US. Suzuki regrets not being able to confess her feelings to Adam before left, believing she would never again have the chance to do so. As Adam arrives at the airport, he reminisces about the time he spent with his new friends, about how he has been happier this past year than he had ever been before. Just as he's about to step on the plane, Suzuki suddenly enters his thoughts, and his feelings for her are made abundantly clear to him. He drops his suitcase and runs out of the airport forgetting entirely about the flight that he'll miss. He runs as fast he can to the school and manages to get their just before it starts. He finds Suzuki and confesses everything to her. She too confesses and they embrace. A few days later Adam, Suzuki, Ryoma, and Mina, along with some other friends from school, gather at the airport to say goodbye to Adam. He tells Suzuki that he'll return as soon as he is able, and that he'll spend the rest of his life with her, here, in Japan. They share their first kiss. Before Adam boards the plane, he looks to Ryoma and asks him to keep her safe while he's gone, to which Ryoma vows not to fail him. After the last heartfelt goodbyes, Adam boards the plane, and leaves Japan. (Shared Ending) 2 years have passed since Adam left. For the last 2 years, Adam and Suzuki have written to each other, with Adam continually promising that he'll soon return to her. Just a few days ago, Suzuki received a letter from him, stating that he had finally saved up enough money for a one-way ticket, and enough for a small apartment to begin their new life together. Suzuki waits for him at the airport on the first day of Spring, the 3rd anniversary of when they first met. She watches as Adam steps off the plane, and the two of them embrace for the first time in 2 years. Ryoma and Mina are sitting on a bench, Mina craddling a child that looks like a baby Ryoma.
Notes on VN Idea #2: So, i'll be completely honest about this one. It wasn't inspired by anything in particular. At the beginning of my Junior year(After watching Clannad ironically), I decided that I wanted to study abroad in Japan for a whole year. However, my grades weren't good enough, and getting the money was an issue. So ultimately I had to abandon that dream for the time being. This story came to me as a dream, that I guess was a sort of consulation prize for trying so hard. Although, it was more or less just the ending, as I had hoped to fall in love while I was there, seeing as how i've had no luck in my 3 years of Highschool thus far. One can only dream. The theme, is that you can find love where you least expect it to be. Also, in regards to Adam, his true motivation for going to Japan, was to escape his ever crumbling life in the US. He was emotionally lonely, didn't have very many friends, and his parents were getting ready for a huge divorce, with him caught in the middle of it. He never intended to actually find something in Japan. He just merely wanted to run away from everything, forget about it all for just one year, and pretend as if he had lived in Japan all his life.
VN Idea #3
- Tetsuya goes with Shina to visit her mother in the hospital. While there, he feels rather uneasy.
- Sometime later, Shina's mother succumbs to her illness and passes away. The grieving Shina is comforted by Tetsuya, who she finally realizes she has feelings for, and deems the only thing left in her life that's worth living for, which allows her to get over her mothers death and move forward.
- As their Junior year of Highschool draws to a close, Tetsuya, Shina, and Takeshi walk out of the school. Tetsuya walks ahead of them, and stops at the gates. He turns and smiles at them, sun shining at his back. He vanishes while saying "I can finally wake up.". Shina and Takeshi stand in disbelief at what had just transpired. Shina collapses on the ground crying.
- As Shina lays in her bed, she remembers Tetsuya's last words. "I can finally wake up.". She gets out of bed and walks over to her bookshelf. She slides a book out, filled with Japanese folk tales and myths. As she flips through the book, she finds the page about the Ikiryo, which are out of body experiences that take on corporeal form. Realizing what Tetsuya meant, Shina runs out of the house and heads for the hospital. When she arrives, she looks at a board, and, in the top left corner, right next to where her mothers room used to be: "Tetsuya Hamada". She heads to the upper floor and passes the room her mother was once in. Next to it is another room, with Tetsuya's name on it. She opens the door, and sees a man lying in the bed. He looks like Tetsuya, albeit slightly older looking. (Ending Version 1) Shina sits in the chair next to his bed, hoping he'll wake up. A nurse walks in and sees Shina sitting next to the bed. She asked Shina if she was a friend of Tetsuya's. She said yes, but then asked how he ended up here. Looking a bit confused, the nurse explains that almost 3 years ago, Tetsuya had a heart attack and fell into a coma on the first day of his senior year of Highschool, meaning that he had been a senior when Shina was a freshman. He had been hospitalized ever since, with no indications of waking up. Moments later, Tetsuya's eyes open and he looks at Shina. The memories from his out of body experience flood into him, and he remembers Shina. She cries at his bedside. After a few days in the hospital, Tetsuya is allowed to leave, and he and Shina begin the rest of their lives together. (Ending Version 2) As Shina arrives at the hospital, she finds Tetsuya's room. She sits in a chair next to his bed, hoping he'll wake up. A nurse walks in, and after confirming that Shina is a friend, she tells her what happened to him, and that he's been in a coma for almost 3 years now. Moments later, Tetsuya awakens, and he remembers Shina. He explains to her that when he had his heart attack, he believed that he was going to die, and regretted never having fallen in love or graduating from Highschool. He believes that this is the reason that he became an Ikiryo for the time he was in a coma, to fulfill these last wishes. His spirit had never left the school that day, and it waited for the time when it could fulfill his last wishes. And it was this, that kept him alive all this time. Then Shina came along, and she helped him to achieve both of them. Shina crys at his bedside. He raises an arm and caresses her face. He thanks her for everything she's done for him, and encourages her to live her life for the both of them. His eyes close, and his arm falls to the side of the bed. Later, during her senior year, Shina makes a renewed effort and passes all of her classes with flying colors, impressing her teachers. During her graduation ceremony, she looks back on the time she spent with Tetsuya, and tears form in her eyes. Takeshi appears next to her, and together, hand in hand, they leave the school grounds. They both stop and look back, both of them swearing they saw Tetsuya watching them from one of the upper windows. 3 years later, Takeshi and Shina are married and with a little boy named Tetsuya.
Notes on VN Idea #3: As I said, this story was very recent, as in, right before I made this thread. It was inspired by the ending scene of Toradora as well as the song Lost My Pieces which I had on repeat at the time of writing. A story that could really tug on the emotional chords when it needed to, and had the potential for a bittersweet ending. As you can see, I laid out 2 unique endings. In the first version, Tetsuya awakens from his coma, survives, and spends the rest of his life with Shina. In Version 2, his will to live was the only thing keeping him alive, and was personified by his soul becoming an Ikiryo, which was inspired by(Ironically again.) Clannad as well as Kanon, after he had his heart attack. However, after waking, he has enough time to say his goodbyes and confess to Shina before he passes on, having fulfilled his last wishes. She lives for the both of them, and finally lets Takeshi into her heart, living happily with him after graduation. Out of respect for all Tetsuya had done, they decided to name their first child after him. Considering that the child was born after Tetsuya passed away, it isn't too far fetched to say that perhaps the boy is Tetsuya reincarnated.
