Discussion: Has Your Muse Ever Taken You Someplace
By
BlueBattler,
Posted on: 2009-03-15 20:28 in Roleplaying
I've found that if you dont' write down the stuff that comes to mind, it'll stay there. If its not pleasant, you might be better off writing it down, even if no one ever reads it.
The story getting out hand has happened to me before. I've written something intending one thing, and one of the characters does something unexpected. It happens. Some might call it more organic, others would say that you should scrap the character and get one who follows the plot. Either way works as long as you like the final product.
Well, the Praetorians are dark. and Creepy. Rather than Goatees to let you know they're evil you get well...that mess.
But a story about Dominatrix and Tyrant? I'd read it. Don't know if I'd like it, but I'd read it.
Infinity
Sam Varden 50 MA/Reg Scrap
Doomtastic 50 SS/Inv Brute
Ceus 50 Eng/Kin Corr
Cinderstorm 50 Fire/Fire Blaster
Not really. I find that if I don't embrace a balance, I tend to start feeling really funky, so going somewhere dark isn't something I have much of an aversion to. That said, the thing with Tyrant and Domi is more of a societal dark than a 'oh, that's so evil' dark. Not sure if I'd read a story about it. Would probably have to have a really good beginning that made me care, otherwise I'd likely just ask myself 'why?' and move on. 
"If I had Force powers, vacuum or not my cape/clothes/hair would always be blowing in the Dramatic Wind." - Tenzhi
Characters
Read it? Sure, to a point. I'd find it interesting to get into the heads of the characters without dwelling on the erotic aspects of the relationship. The challenge of a story like that is to tell a compelling tale without crossing the line into, well, soft pr0n.
Should you write it? Once it's in your head I'm not sure you'll have much choice in the matter.
Publish it? Probably not here. As long as it's not overly graphic, it'd be appropriate for the CoH Writer's Guild or a similar site.
I tend to have an idea of where I want a story to end, but everything between that point and what I started myself with is totally up to the characters.
As for the Tyrant and Domi piece, I'd read it. I'd be curious about your take on it.
Arc ID: 475246, "Bringing a Lord to Power"
"I'm only a simple man trying to cling to my tomorrow. Every day. By any means necessary."
-Caldwell B. Cladwell
Yes, Blue.
I accidentally wound up slapping one of my main characters in a platonic relationship with Ms. Liberty because I'd initially wanted to point out how silly a concept even that was when it came from a fan fiction. This was before I realized that the game's progressive lore is largely in the hands of we players (just look at people's reactions to your work or the massive fan support of Dark Respite's work, for instance), and that such concepts would actually be more welcome in an environment like this if handled properly. As such, though, I have little hope for my intrepid protagonist, for even as a friend of the city's favored heroine, he is beset on all sides by evil.
My muse also caused one of my rogues to have a one-night stand with Barracuda. This apparently was found to be very disturbing to some of my regular readers.
In any case, your muse will speak to you and try to help you make a story that makes sense to you. My own muse, for instance, has me thinking that Tyrant may not be his Earth's Marcus Cole. He could be Stefan Richter or Nemesis, but it's not likely he's Marcus. Marcus probably still sired Miss Liberty, who was apparently still a hero in Praetorian Earth. However, whatever switch that went off in Ms. Liberty's head and made her decide to protect people with her powers didn't click the same way with Dominatrix, and she gravitated to her world's ultimate bad[[censored]], Tyrant.
It would be like Ms. Liberty going for Lord Recluse in my eyes. It's still not wholesome (oh no... Not by a long shot), but that's how it looks to me. Tyrant's likely not her grandfather.
Still, it can't be ruled out. Perhaps Tyrant sired a vengeful Miss Liberty who wanted to put an end to her despotic father's reign. Dominatrix came along and dashed those dreams aside because she's evil and insane.
It's hard to tell because the Praetorian arcs are actually rather poorly writtern. We continue to this day to debate the causes and natures of the characters in that world. We still don't know if there's a version of Arachnos over there!
It's very vague territory to be treading. Be careful out there.
Personally, I've been wondering about Prime Earth's Malaise. Apparently, the comic book story (the one where Statesman and the Phalanx go to Praetorian Earth and Ms. Liberty's Vindicators have to "Safeguard" Talos Island) takes place AFTER the Calvin Scott Task Force.
According to Paragonwiki:
[ QUOTE ]
After the events of the Calvin Scott Task Force, Ms. Liberty found Malaise and offered him a spot on the Vindicators. Malaise has done questionable things, but the Vindicators believe he can be one of the good guys. Many are keeping their eye on him however in the event that he does revert back into a rogue.
[/ QUOTE ]
...So, I've been thinking of a narrative for the character. Of course, I think about it under a strange assumption. I think he's colorblind, a condition probably inflicted upon him by an abusive father. I got the idea when they had Sister Psyche inflict the condition on his Praetorian counterpart and he freaked right the Hell out (makes me think he either suffers the same affliction and uses the minds of others to see the world in color, or never considered that all the color could be drained from the world, rendering most art useless to him once it happened).
My Stories
Look at that. A full-grown woman pulling off pigtails. Her crazy is off the charts.
I understand EXACTLY what you mean.
The story I'm working on currently has some very dark stuff - relationships that are really pretty twisted. And, no, I didn't really intend to go there, especially as one of the characters involved isn't mine. 
I just try to remember that this is a "T" rated forum, and stay within that.
And, sure... I'd be interested in seeing where you went with it. Especially with that lead in.
Yes. This has happened.
And you know what? I wrote the story anyway.
It's like Robin Williams in "One Hour Photo"... you don't WANT to see the dark side, yet you have to.
"City of Heroes. April 27, 2004 - August 31, 2012. Obliterated not with a weapon of mass destruction, not by an all-powerful supervillain... but by a cold-hearted and cowardly corporate suck-up."
I and my muse (excuse me: my muse and I) are on fairly good terms. We have an agreement. I let her run away with any idea I come up with, or like, and make stories circle in my head until they are written; she, on the other hand, relinquishes control of all idea-generating to me.
Meaning: anywhere dark I had gone, I had wanted to go. I'm not altogether sure what that says about me but there it is.
Cynics of the world, unite!
Taking Care of the Multiverse
[ QUOTE ]
... you're not sure you want to go?
[/ QUOTE ]
As for this, I'd say yes, though not neccesarily in the way described. I'd say it had more to do with the ending being unpleasant for me as a writer than distasteful or unsavory.
Eddi's story was like that. It's unfinished for two reasons. First was that the serial format didn't really agree with me, but second that I know where the path leads and I just found it more and more unpleasant to follow it.
The damnable thing is that the "muse" still wants to tell that story and to shed a light on heroism that may be a bit stereotypical on the one hand but that I find intriguing on the other.
I suppose now that I'm back (I'll bet y'all didn't even notice I was gone, ha ha!) I should really make the effort to get it done for better or worse.
Anyway, yes, I find that the muse occasionally leads to dark places, even if "dark" doesn't neccesarily mean "treading the lines of taste or morality".
In regard to Mr. Grey's comment, I can sympathize with that sentiment as well. It's tough to try and use the signature heroes without feeling automatically like you're writing a Mary Sue story. Despite this, it's certainly true that a character like Ms. Liberty has a life and a history. She grew up, she went to school, she's probably had one or more boyfriends, she might even have had a stint in college, and she was certainly involved in the Rikti War. Unless she's incredibly insular, she has friends outside of the Vindicators and there's no particularly good reason why one of those friends couldn't be a made up character in a fan-fic.
But, yeah, it feels like treading a fine line. I suppose that's one reason that I don't feature any my in-game characters in my stories. It feels less like I'm engaging in some kind of wishful thinking fantasy.
I've never had the problem of writing something that goes where it shouldn't. However, I've a few tastes that go off the beaten path, so take my opinion with a grain of salt.
I have written things I've later realized simply aren't suitable for showing others. What do I do with them? I keep them. They stay in some old corner of digital space until I happen back upon them, read through them, and put them back. If your story ends up as something like this, don't worry. It isn't a bad thing. But write it first, and see.
I've finished the first piece in my Dominatrix story. It turned out slightly different than I expected as it's more Domi's story than Tyrant's ...
Would someone mind reading it if for me before I post it to the forums? I think it should pass muster, but I could use another pair of eyes ...
My COX Fanfiction:
Blue's Assembled Story Links
Send me a link, I'll check it out. 
"City of Heroes. April 27, 2004 - August 31, 2012. Obliterated not with a weapon of mass destruction, not by an all-powerful supervillain... but by a cold-hearted and cowardly corporate suck-up."
Wow.
It's quite good actually. As you said, rather dark... but I don't think it'd break the forum rules, honestly.
I can see any of a number of comic artists illustrating it... which is scary.
"City of Heroes. April 27, 2004 - August 31, 2012. Obliterated not with a weapon of mass destruction, not by an all-powerful supervillain... but by a cold-hearted and cowardly corporate suck-up."
I'd like to see a copy of this work as well.
My Stories
Look at that. A full-grown woman pulling off pigtails. Her crazy is off the charts.
... you're not sure you want to go?
Everyone gets their ideas in different ways, I'm sure.
I've been writing since I was 14 years old. Often I would sit down and begin writing (by hand!) without the slightest idea of what I was going to write about. More than once I have written stories that turned out much differently than I expected.
And sometimes ... sometimes I know exactly what I'm going to write before I start it. I have the final scene mapped out in my head before I type the first letter of the first sentence...
What popped into my head tonight? Why am I bringing this up rather than listening to my muse ...?
Because it's about Dominatrix. And Tyrant. And that thing that is hinted-- rather strongly-- about in Domi's bio.
I'm not talking something overt here. I'm talking about how each of them view their relationship ...
I'm not sure I should actually write this piece, let alone post it.
This isn't the first idea I've had about doing a Praetorian piece. When I wrote about Mynx and Synapse, I found myself thinking exactly how Bobcat and Neuron relate to each other ... and even as I've been writing this post I've found myself thinking about Chimera, Mother Mayhem, and Malaise ...
There's some fairly dark stuff there, folks.
But of them all, I think that the Dominatrix and Tyrant is the one that daunts me ...
I guess I'm wondering two things here.
1) Has this happened to anyone else here? Either in regards to COH or some other form of writing?
2) Are there people willing to read it if I do write my Dominatrix and Tyrant piece?
I'm thinking of one shot character pieces about the Praetorians as opposed to writing prolonged stories ...
Of course that's how my Clockwork King started ... ;-)
My COX Fanfiction:
Blue's Assembled Story Links