Timewaster's Guide Archive
Local Authors => Writing Group => Topic started by: 42 on November 16, 2004, 05:56:52 AM
-
Okay, so I'm trying to decide how I should handle an escape scene in my NaNo.
My characters are imprisoned and have the means to escape, but are really too incompetent of successfully pulling it off. So how should I handle this?
I think something good needs to happen to the characters, but I'm not sure if escaping from prison is the right good thing to happen.
-
If they're too imcompetant, have them escape BECAUSE they stuffed up. Like they were trying to tunnel through the wall with a toothpick, hit something they shouldn't have, and brought the whole wall down.
-
that's be a good idea, but might be too humorous for the over-all story. I get what you are trying to say though.
I think what I did, is I made things get as bad as they could possibly get really quickly, now I have to dig my way out.
-
Ah, then, you have to make them worse.
I mean, it can only get worse before it gets better.
-
Stacer is right. When your stuck in a corner and the heros have no chance, the only way to get out of it is to reduce the heros chance.
-
have them interrogated. Someone could pass out or something (one of hte prisoners) on the way to interrogation. The others seize the distraction as a way to escape. They compliment the passer out for his spontanaity and quick-thinking. He reveals that he didn't do it on purpose, he just has low blood sugar or something.
-
Two words: ninja monkeys.
-
the main characters have already been interogated, enslaved, drugged, probed, possessed, and now imprisoned.
But thanks for the ideas everyone. Just feeling kind of burnt out right now.
-
you could always have a machine descend from the ceiling, have a god step out, free them, and tell them how they were supposed to pair up for marriage.
-
Right. Because this is NANOWRIMO, or "how many words can you write in a sort of cohesive story."
-
I swear, one day I'll write a manuscript with a literal deus ex machina ending. Only the god will turn out to be a chimpanzee. Oh wait.... that's been done.
Actually, I just need to find the right story to do it. My Odyssey/Iliad retelling may actually work, since I intend to include the story of Philoctites, which Sophocles concluded with the divine Herakles deus ex, which I would use to show that this whole situation is entrely out of Odysseus' realm of control.
-
Well, I think I've hit the point where my characters have to learn to grow and become compentent and capable individuals despite their handycaps and hardships.
-
then have them come up witha plan, evena rudimentary one. Distract the guard and I'll steal his keys sort of thing.
-
That's what I'm doing.