Help: Plot Bunnies

[gothamsprincess]

Usually, at work, when I get bored, but my boss is close enough to notice me texting, I brainstorm plot bunnies for future fanfic. Last weekend, I came up with a few ideas for the West Wing, though I am unsure which to focus on most at the moment. So, I though I would let the readers give their input, though be warned, I might not actually take

Comments

[shutterbug_12]

Both concepts sound interesting, but the parts that (if I saw it in a summary like you have it now) would make me not want to read both of them are the signals that, in the first, Donna "contemplates" and, in the second, Josh "thinks". Fics that are filled with character thoughts and inner monologues are difficult for any writer to make exciting (especially if the fics are written in first person). Stories are much more interesting if there's something happening, if the characters are actively doing something or reacting to something. A fic entirely of a character reflecting on a situation is hardly ever captivating, in my opinion.

But if you're not planning on structuring the fics that way, and if you instead plan to actually show something going on, then I think they could be interesting. =)

[gothamsprincess]

I actually plan on experimenting (again) with second-person writing style during this, so even if it were completely thoughts (there will be actions), it won't have the seeming monotony of first-person fics. (I usually hate using the first-person POV anyway)

[shutterbug_12]

Hm. Second-person has the tendency to yield the same general monotony, in my experience, but if it's a style you'd like to explore, you should give it a shot. It's worth exploring different styles, even just for fun sometimes. But such thought-and-internal-dialogue-heavy narratives aren't what I prefer to read or write; I have a lot of criticisms of it and find that very few writers can pull it off well. Maybe you'll be one of them. =) And even if it's not something you end up liking, I still think it's very good to experiment and try different styles. That alone can be a benefit in and of itself for a writer. =)

[gothamsprincess]

Thanks for your input. It does prove to be quite helpful.

Another thing I need to hone is dialogue, so at one point I might work on a straight-dialogue fic. IDK, I'm just working on developing my writing skills. Spring semester I'm *hopefully* taking a creative writing course as well, so who knows?