ross dittman

Host

Dystopian fantasy brainstorm

Oct 19, 2013·19 visitors

William Moore

Cohost

Stage· 124 messages

Oct 19, 2013

We will discuss dystopic fantasy novels then brainstorm ideas for a dystopic fantasy novel.

ross dittman · 2:00 AM

Hello Bobby.

William Moore · 2:00 AM

Hey Ross. Are you ready to start?

ross dittman · 2:01 AM

Yep. What is a dystopian fantasy novel? What are some common tropes?

ross dittman · 2:02 AM

This is going to be a long answer.

William Moore · 2:02 AM

So the basic idea of a dystopian novel is that the world is seemingly perfect but since no world can actually be perfect, the world is actually extremely flawed. Some examples of common dystopic novels are Hunger Games, Divergent and Matched Series.

William Moore · 2:03 AM

Older Examples include things like 1982 and Brave New World. Unfortunately I haven't really read these ones. But I want too

ross dittman · 2:03 AM

I've heard that in some dystopian novels everyone knows that the world they live in stinks, But in others Hardly anyone that lives in the world knows that it stinks.

ross dittman · 2:04 AM

Like zombie movies. Everyone in that world is aware of the danger.

William Moore · 2:05 AM

Most often what I've seen is that everyone believes the world is perfect, but the main character themselves seem to see the imperfection. They carry out the rebellion of the story. I like that analogy.

ross dittman · 2:05 AM

Thanks.

ross dittman · 2:06 AM

What are some dystopians that inspired you to write in the genre?

William Moore · 2:07 AM

Although Hunger Games was the first one I read, I wouldn't say it was until I picked up the book Matched that I really got interested in them. I mean the government decides everything you do from what activities you fill your day with to who...

William Moore · 2:08 AM

you marry. I thought the villain of the story being the world itself just seemed such an interesting idea.

ross dittman · 2:09 AM

The villain may be the world itself, but what about the people that created that screwed up gov.? Should they be mentioned?

William Moore · 2:11 AM

Yes but surprisingly enough most Dystopic novels I've read don't have one easily appointed villain. It usually seems to be a string of ideas that seemed beneficial to the world at first and just became demented over time.

ross dittman · 2:11 AM

Like a virus.

William Moore · 2:12 AM

Yeah very much like a Virus. Also I think Dystopian is such a popular genre because it points out the faults that have crept up in modern day government today. Without feeling too much like politics.

ross dittman · 2:14 AM

I've heard that dystopian novels that have nothing to do with the worlds current situation are really popular among teens. Why do you think that is?

William Moore · 2:16 AM

I think that just has to do with the idea of perfect world is really facinating. Especially to teen who generally have an escapist attitude. So even if the story isn't really relevant to our current problems...

William Moore · 2:17 AM

its interesting because a different government is essentially a form of escape.

ross dittman · 2:17 AM

What are some faults in the modern day that could be used in the brainstorm?

ross dittman · 2:17 AM

Maybe the government shutdown?

William Moore · 2:18 AM

Oh yeah definitely we should play with the idea of two party government.

ross dittman · 2:19 AM

Okay. But how can we exgerate that to fit a fantastical world? Maybe a civil war is caused by the 2 party system.

William Moore · 2:19 AM

Also the need for oil vs the need for creating alternative energy would make a fun dystopic society.

ross dittman · 2:19 AM

So we should have giant oil monsters fight electric demons. Got it.

William Moore · 2:19 AM

Civil war sounds interesting.

William Moore · 2:20 AM

Giant Oil Monsters Vs. Electric Demons. Thats awesome.

ross dittman · 2:20 AM

Maybe republican get drenched in radioactive oil that turns them into the monsters, and democrats are struck with lightning, until they get magical powers. Like a Super hero movie.

ross dittman · 2:21 AM

Does the audience have any ideas?

William Moore · 2:22 AM

That sounds really fantastical. Dystopians have a strong thread of realism. So if we have this high turn of fantasy in it, there would need to be grounding-realistic elements in the story to reel it towards the Dystopian genre.

William Moore · 2:22 AM

Yes Audience your ideas are much appreciated

ross dittman · 2:23 AM

What are some realistic elements we could bring into this? Maybe the main character is a human that's an independent. So they try to bring peace to the new monsters?

ross dittman · 2:24 AM

William Moore · 2:26 AM

I like the main character being an independent. And since he doesn't choose a side he's powerless , magic-wise. But in exchange he doesn't have to live under the government and can instead live on his own, where he's not poisoned by the governments

William Moore · 2:26 AM

brainwashing. Also I think the two party governments should be re-named. Any ideas?

ross dittman · 2:26 AM

The giant oily elephant charged the lightning donkey. The elephant's tusks dug into the donkey killing it instantly. Then another Donkey opened it's mouth and shot lighting towards the elephant.

ross dittman · 2:27 AM

New names?

William Moore · 2:28 AM

I like the idea, but to add a creative twist lets do Mammoths and Hounds. I think that just sounds cooler. So one party has more power, but fewer in numbers.

ross dittman · 2:28 AM

I can't see any comments. Is the audience participating and nobody is thumbs uping the comments, or is nobody commenting?

William Moore · 2:29 AM

Yeah I don't see any comments either

ross dittman · 2:29 AM

Oh well.

William Moore · 2:29 AM

And the other party gains its strength with its many followers

ross dittman · 2:30 AM

What new names should we give them?

ross dittman · 2:30 AM

I'm stumped on the names. Let's move on to something else.

William Moore · 2:31 AM

Land Mammoths vs. Sky Hounds. Simple enough

William Moore · 2:31 AM

Sky representing freedom. Land representing a "grounding" force. So its more conservative

ross dittman · 2:32 AM

Okay. Let's focus on the main character. What would some of their traits be?

William Moore · 2:32 AM

They need to be oppinionated if they're choosing not to be of either party. So I also think they should be stubborn. I personally think the character should be male.

ross dittman · 2:33 AM

I was thinking male too. They should want peace, but what would drive that peace desire?

William Moore · 2:34 AM

Well I think his family should be rifted by these two different tribes. And since they have seperated many wars have ravaged his loved ones. So his driving force should be his family

ross dittman · 2:35 AM

Okay.

ross dittman · 2:35 AM

i think that we should give him short black hair, and a leather duster.

William Moore · 2:36 AM

I like that he has short black hair. But why the leather duster?

ross dittman · 2:36 AM

it's a reference to my favorite book. The Dresden Files.

ross dittman · 2:37 AM

he should have green eyes, and be thin, but muscular, like a runner.

William Moore · 2:37 AM

Yeah I was actually thinking he should look like that too. What should his name be?

ross dittman · 2:38 AM

His main flaw is anger. he's smart when he can keep his head cool. But when he gets angry he can be a force to be reckoned with.

William Moore · 2:39 AM

Just because, I think people should go by their last name or family crest in this world.

ross dittman · 2:39 AM

James

ross dittman · 2:39 AM

James Mallory.

ross dittman · 2:40 AM

What do you think his name should be?

William Moore · 2:41 AM

I don't know right now. But I think his main flaw should be he doesn't know when to take action. He tries so hard to be a peace maker that he doesn't know when to get angry.

ross dittman · 2:42 AM

I think that the fact that peace doesn't exist really pisses him off.

William Moore · 2:42 AM

I actually like that

ross dittman · 2:42 AM

I've just never liked characters that are indecisive.

William Moore · 2:43 AM

Thats funny. Indecisive characters are almost always my favorite characters. Probably because I highly relate to them.

ross dittman · 2:44 AM

His mothers side are oil mamoths, and his dad's family is lightning hounds. They have a Romeo and Juliet thing going on.

William Moore · 2:45 AM

Thats a really awesome. Definitely agree. Where do you think third parties and such should fit into this scheme?

ross dittman · 2:45 AM

Everybody in his family hate him, and his siblings(if he has any). Because they are representations of his parents being defiant. He sees that love is being destroyed for political ideaology, and wants it to stop.

ross dittman · 2:46 AM

Third parties are the weak, but clever groups of people, Like Sam from Lord Of The Rings.

ross dittman · 2:47 AM

They're essentially powerless, but they know how to survive in a hostile world.

William Moore · 2:47 AM

I like that idea. I think if he's going to have a love interest it should be someone from a weird third party.

William Moore · 2:47 AM

So since they have some form of idealogy, I think they should have minor powers.

ross dittman · 2:48 AM

Maybe he starts a third party that is trying to make peace between the armies.

William Moore · 2:49 AM

Okay. Another idea is that he could unite third parties together to over-throw the waging war between the two main parties

ross dittman · 2:49 AM

They could have super- convince powers to silver tongue their way into power.

William Moore · 2:49 AM

Then his party should have the symbol of a serpent

William Moore · 2:49 AM

or a mouse

William Moore · 2:50 AM

I like the idea of a mouse better.

ross dittman · 2:50 AM

That's cool. Should each third party have their own powers that become combined when they're joined?

ross dittman · 2:50 AM

me too mouses are cool.

ross dittman · 2:50 AM

A fire mouse.

William Moore · 2:51 AM

Yeah how about the powers blend to create more powerful powers. But they can only use other peoples powers once they meld their idealogies. So their powers have to sealed within contracts of mutual understanding

ross dittman · 2:51 AM

Everyone that converts to his party gets the fire mouse power.

ross dittman · 2:52 AM

That sounds cool.

William Moore · 2:52 AM

I think every party, once their belief is strong enough should be able to summon their mascot.

William Moore · 2:52 AM

Courts would be more like battle fields in this world

ross dittman · 2:52 AM

Wind foxes, water spiders, grass eagles.

ross dittman · 2:53 AM

Some mascots

ross dittman · 2:53 AM

Wooden horses.

William Moore · 2:53 AM

Each one should be based on actual party in existence. That way that each have very concrete ideals. And just like how it is now, some parties should be extinct.

William Moore · 2:54 AM

Spokesman would be like warriors in this world, and judges would be like rulers.

ross dittman · 2:54 AM

I don't know the mascots that exist now, so I made up my own.

William Moore · 2:54 AM

Eh we can make up our own, but the idea is that we can meld them to some sort of idealogy

William Moore · 2:54 AM

Theres our thread of realism

ross dittman · 2:55 AM

The Iron fist of justice is made of oil, and that the scales of truth are made of lightning.

William Moore · 2:55 AM

Because yes!

William Moore · 2:56 AM

Oh and sub-parties should have focused powers. For example extreme right-winged Oil Mammoths should have more extreme powers than those who are more neutral

William Moore · 2:56 AM

So extremists are rewarded with powers. Which is already a frightening concept all on its own

ross dittman · 2:57 AM

And the moderates are the first he converts. To the fire mice.

ross dittman · 2:58 AM

That's a cool idea. Magic from the mind. Wizardry from ideology.

William Moore · 2:58 AM

It would be indeed easier. Converting in this world should be like a magical war of debate

ross dittman · 2:58 AM

Where words become swords, and shields.

ross dittman · 2:58 AM

And bazookas, and grenades, and cereal.

William Moore · 2:59 AM

Hehe cereal. Well I guess that makes breakfast a snap.

William Moore · 2:59 AM

That is snap, crackle, pop

ross dittman · 3:00 AM

You and your puns. Your death causing puns. YOUR DEATH caused by puns.

ross dittman · 3:00 AM

It's been an hour you want to keep going?

William Moore · 3:00 AM

That was quite a pu-ctual response :) But back on point. I think the name of the book or series should be called Extremist.

William Moore · 3:01 AM

pun-ctual*

ross dittman · 3:01 AM

funny people in the debates are used to cause peace when the fighting gets to out of hand. Out of hand varies from court to court.

ross dittman · 3:01 AM

*too

William Moore · 3:02 AM

So Comedians are peace makers.

ross dittman · 3:02 AM

I guess.

ross dittman · 3:02 AM

yep

William Moore · 3:02 AM

Thats awesome!

ross dittman · 3:02 AM

Thanks

William Moore · 3:02 AM

Alright should we wrap this up?

ross dittman · 3:03 AM

Yeah. dinners almost ready over here. Later booby.

ross dittman · 3:03 AM

Bye Audience that diddn't participate. We love you just for watching.

William Moore · 3:04 AM

Okay next time we'll have more time plan these tawks. That way we can have more people participate. Thanks for the Tawk, and everyone who listened thank you for listening. Goodnight you've been a beautiful audience. Even though I can't see you O.O

ross dittman · 3:04 AM

Great tawk. Good night.

William Moore · 3:04 AM

Good night to you too bro :)

Forum · 12

Forum· 12 comments

19 visitors

Rebecca Westbrook TokerOct 18, 2013, 12:42 AM

This sounds freaking awesome!

Jordan BirnbaumOct 18, 2013, 2:57 PM

I know - I am SO in.

Lucy DyerOct 18, 2013, 9:57 PM

no donkeys or twinkies will be hurt in the making of this novel....

Jordan BirnbaumOct 19, 2013, 1:58 AM

What's up party people?

Jordan BirnbaumOct 19, 2013, 2:00 AM

Where are all friends?

Jordan BirnbaumOct 19, 2013, 2:05 AM

Reminds me of firefly a little...

Jordan BirnbaumOct 19, 2013, 2:09 AM

In matched - Are people aware of it or fooled into it?

Jordan BirnbaumOct 19, 2013, 2:09 AM

Yeah Ross, screw those guys!

Jordan BirnbaumOct 19, 2013, 2:12 AM

But then there are the people who defend the awful ideas.

Jordan BirnbaumOct 19, 2013, 2:18 AM

What if the members of the two parties duel with each other to the death?

Jordan BirnbaumOct 19, 2013, 2:26 AM

Let's make the monsters into corporations or government factions, something more realistic?

Blake BusseyOct 25, 2014, 9:37 PM