I need help. Desperately.

BenIronton · décembre 2017

So, I have never written a book before. I have written some short stories, maybe 1 to 15 paragraphs long, but I have never written a book. My short stories are historically accurate tales of real life trains, but all the stories are told from the train's perspective. I know I can't turn one of those stories into a book, but I still wanted to do something train related. So the idea I came up with is an apocalyptic sci-fi story, in which there are large dome communities all over the world after a nuclear war has caused a nuclear winter. To protect these domes from raiders, bandits, mutants, and natural disasters, the leaders decided to take the best train and weapon designs from history and created a fleet of massive armored trains to protect the domes. I love the sound of the idea, as it gives way to some very epic imagery of colossal trains battling monsters and other enemy trains, but I'm scared that it might seem too stupid for anyone to care. I want completely truthful answers. Do you think my book idea is too over the top? Do you think anyone will care enough?

Skoob_ym · décembre 2017

It's a workable idea, but I do see some issues. For example, what would it look like when trains "battle?" A train wreck destroys both trains -- consider the Russian movie "The Edge" for example, for a train on train "battle."

Trains are necessarily on tracks, and to permit access to your tracks requires deliberately connecting to the enemy's tracks.

Your trains might be metaphorical trains, such as large trucks with many connected trailers.

Or your story could be the tale of a group of post-apocalyptic survivors who use a train to escape a wasteland, rebuilding bridges and laying new track when the have to, so that they have hope of starting over in greener lands.

Ron Miller · décembre 2017

I think the fundamental idea sounds pretty interesting. But, really, at bottom it is going to come down to how skillfully you tell your story. (I do have to agree with Skoob in wondering just exactly how trains battle one another!) The more extreme the concept, the more you are going to have to work in selling it to the reader. Believeability is going to be a key word here.

Just by way of inspiration, there have been train-based science fiction stories in the past (going back as far as 1836!) and there has been a very highly regarded recent SF motion picture that takes place entirely on a world-circling super-train: Snowpiercer. I highly recommend it.

A final thought: If you have been telling stories about trains from the train's point of view why not continue doing that? Make your novel about one among several sentient trains that are part of a system of defense. This sentience could be artificial---AI built into the trains---or even human brains transplanted into the trains' computer systems. You could then have a relationship between the sentient train and a human character (read, for instance, "The Ship Who Sang," by Anne McCaffrey).

Paul_Lulu · décembre 2017

For further inspiration, I recommend Anne Leckie's (https://www.annleckie.com/) "Ancillary" series. Space epic with a "sentient" ship as the protagonist. This might provide a way in to using the train's point of view.
I would also think about what makes trains unique - the isolation of being on a train, the necessary consistency of following tracks, the ability to travel great distances, etc. - and look for ways that this aspect of trains might play into the development of the story.

Skoob_ym · décembre 2017

It has some potential.

As others have said, sketch out an outline and dive in. You won't know if it's workable until you've written a few pages.

Some of my stories made me smile the moment I set them on paper. Others needed a few months -- years -- decades -- to rest in my sock drawer until they were ready to be fleshed out. You'll never know which it is until you set pen to paper.

I note in advance that you seem to have a decent command of grammar and English usage, so you're already ahead of some who try to write books. Just start at the beginning and see where it takes you. There is an "author workshop" area if you need advice on specific points, or even just want to show off a little.

Skoob_ym · décembre 2017

One other thing -- a story only really needs to please one person, and that is you. Write the story that is inside you. Write it well and skillfully. Either others will like it, or they won't. But in the end, the story is for you.

Ron Miller · décembre 2017

You have a really interesting concept...what you need to sit down and work on now is developing a story. You need to invent characters, situations and conflicts that evolve from the foundation you have laid.

Papi_Soñoliento · décembre 2017

There are authors who enlist other readers at different stages, some after a chapter, others midway, others at the end, and various points along the way. Seek out other readers when you're ready.

Ron Miller · décembre 2017

Getting someone to read what you have written already might be the best idea: it might save you a lot of work later on if you can discover any problems at the outset.

Ron Miller · décembre 2017

BenIronton said:

Ron Miller said:

You have a really interesting concept...what you need to sit down and work on now is developing a story. You need to invent characters, situations and conflicts that evolve from the foundation you have laid.

I have come up with 8 characters already. I have a main character, 7 supporting characters, and one side character at this point in time. I have a very basic plot at this point in time that I will be fleshing out later in the process, and I also have the first chapter nearly complete. Speaking of which, at what point should I start asking for beta readers? Should I finish the first chapter and get some people to be beta readers for that chapter right now, or should I finish the book first and then ask for beta readers?

I think you should make the first chapter available. That way, if you are going off in the wrong direction anywhere you can make the necessary adjustments before you have gotten too far. Finding this sort of thing out early might save you a lot of time and trouble.

BenIronton · décembre 2017

Skoob_ym said:

It's a workable idea, but I do see some issues. For example, what would it look like when trains "battle?" A train wreck destroys both trains -- consider the Russian movie "The Edge" for example, for a train on train "battle."
Trains are necessarily on tracks, and to permit access to your tracks requires deliberately connecting to the enemy's tracks.
Your trains might be metaphorical trains, such as large trucks with many connected trailers.
Or your story could be the tale of a group of post-apocalyptic survivors who use a train to escape a wasteland, rebuilding bridges and laying new track when the have to, so that they have hope of starting over in greener lands.

The way I would have the trains participate in battles would involve patrol lines surrounding the different domes. These lines would be large round tracks circling the domes, with sidings, rip tracks, runarounds, and Y tracks. These would sort of create a bit of a ring for the trains to battle in, being able to chase each other down, pass one another, and have chances to fire at the sides of enemy trains. Enemies of the dome would have to gain control of the switches to be able to take control of navigating their train through the tracks. This would involve hacking the signaling systems. I will work out the finer details of how the world works and how it came to be that way. I won't just leave it without explanation.

BenIronton · décembre 2017

Ron Miller said:

You have a really interesting concept...what you need to sit down and work on now is developing a story. You need to invent characters, situations and conflicts that evolve from the foundation you have laid.

I have come up with 8 characters already. I have a main character, 7 supporting characters, and one side character at this point in time. I have a very basic plot at this point in time that I will be fleshing out later in the process, and I also have the first chapter nearly complete. Speaking of which, at what point should I start asking for beta readers? Should I finish the first chapter and get some people to be beta readers for that chapter right now, or should I finish the book first and then ask for beta readers?

I need help. Desperately.

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