Writing Excuses Writing Excuses 7.35: Brainstorming with Dan
Sep 2, 2012
Dan Wells, a renowned horror and sci-fi author famous for the John Cleaver series, seeks brainstorming help for a military thriller with a supernatural twist. The discussion ignites with the quirky concept of 'IEDemons,' blending dark humor and complex themes. They also dive into 'Red Shirts,' exploring character development with a light-hearted touch. Insights on advanced military armor technology and creating relatable characters highlight the challenges of balancing humor and depth in storytelling. A creative writing prompt rounds out their lively conversation.
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Mary's IEDemon Anthology Invitation
- Mary was invited to a military-thriller charity anthology and wanted to add supernatural elements.
- She coined the working title "IEDemon" and sought help to turn it into a story.
Leverage The Lowest-Bidder Trope
- Use the lowest-bidder trope to justify mysterious tech in military fiction and create believable failure points.
- Let soldiers discover flaws in field to create tension and plot opportunities.
Set The Twist In Our World
- Placing the story in our world helps readers recognize realistic details and spot the supernatural twist.
- Familiar context makes the new element stand out and heightens immersion.
