Any tips as I write?

Carter · Dec 20, 2007

I'm on page 115/ 200 possibly of a story that revolves around seven friends who find they have super powers. It's part of a series that I have pretty much planned out. The thing is, I keep running into TV shows, movies, or books that are already using the ideas I had, so then I'm stuck trying to figure out something new.

The series is kind of...Heroes meets Harry Potter. I guess that's the best way to describe it. Like for Heroes, my villain originally had the power to gain the power of anyone he killed. It's not exactly Sylar's power, but it's pretty close. I worked around that in a way, but I'm worried of having it happen again. Before I continue on with the series, does anyone know of any other shows or books in these genres that would help me not run into this problem again?

I know "most ideas aren't original" anymore, but this is a concept I've had since the 4th grade (8 years ago) and it's just not going away until I at least finish the book.

maestrowork · Dec 20, 2007

Heroes meets Harry Potter. That sounds like fun.

Just write it.

ORION · Dec 20, 2007

This is the same sort of question that is being asked on another thread...make it your own...keep writing and READ in your genre.
There's something about superheroes that we can't seem to get enough of...

Dustry Joe · Dec 20, 2007

Sorry, you can get tips as you wait tables, but not as you write.

Carter · Dec 20, 2007

Ok thanks. I just so don't want to end up looking like some sort of leech who cashes in on other peoples success.

Toothpaste · Dec 20, 2007

There are characters that can absorb other powers in many different hero worlds (think Rogue from X Men). Like others have said, like you yourself said, it's all about how you write it.

Heck don't forget about that movie, Sky High, which was basically a total Harry Potter thing (kids discover they are super heroes, go to a special school), but it was told in its own voice and still seemed unique (and surprisingly good!).

mikeland · Dec 20, 2007

Zoom's Academy is another one. But like Orion said, people seem to have an insatiable appetite for superheroes.

farfromfearless · Dec 20, 2007

One thing I've learned recently is to keep a notepad handy to jot down plot points that I might forget about later. It makes it easier to tie things up later on when I get to revisions.

maestrowork · Dec 20, 2007

mikeland said:
Zoom's Academy is another one. But like Orion said, people seem to have an insatiable appetite for superheroes.

I have a theory that in times of distress and helplessness (and I'd argue that much of America is in mild to heavy depression), people tend to shy away from reality and escape through fantasies, and something's really nice about stories about ordinary people having superpowers and making things right. We all have dreamed of having these superpowers. The genre will never die; they strive especially when times are rough.

BlueLucario · Dec 20, 2007

Yes, it's called WRITING, emphasis on the write. Oh and I happen to have made the same topic look in the Novels section.

David I · Dec 20, 2007

I think the most important thing is to make your characters original and deep--and by that I mean their personalities, not their superpowers.

That's where television inevitably fails in comparison to writing. (Of course, plenty of writing manages to fail there, too...)

Carter · Dec 20, 2007

Oh yeah David, I forgot to mention that. One of the highest priorities is to have the characters not be defined by their powers, like the X-men. Heroes I think has done a good job with that, almost to the point that I sometimes forget certain characters have powers.

leontay · Dec 20, 2007

Carter said:
Like for Heroes, my villain originally had the power to gain the power of anyone he killed. It's not exactly Sylar's power, but it's pretty close.

Oh thats why he is after them!
I've only watched a handfull of episodes. :tongue

HeronW · Dec 20, 2007

There's an old saying that gods made men in their image, and men made gods in theirs. The gods had powers and flaws, that's what made them 'human'.

Zeus lusted after anything in a skirt, that overshadowed his thunderbolt aim. The king of the gods was defined by his unending infidelities.

It's not what makes your heroes or villains great, but what makes them just like us.

Carter · Dec 20, 2007

Yeah, his whole deal is that he doesn't think the others deserve their powers, so he claims them for himself. It's so cool, you should watch the rest while the writers strike is going on. (Both seasons are instantly viewable on netflix.)

Moon Daughter · Dec 20, 2007

I also wouldn't worry too much about the power part. I don't think there are any left that haven't been done. And if it hasn't been done, it probably hasn't been done thus far for a reason.

Any tips as I write?

Carter

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

ORION

Sailed away years ago

Dustry Joe

Carter

Toothpaste

THE RECKLESS RESCUE is out now!

mikeland

Call me Pookie

farfromfearless

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

BlueLucario

Blood Elves FTW

David I

Carter

leontay

HeronW

Down Under Fan

Carter

Moon Daughter