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| When would you like it done? |
| I wanna know about this now! |
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20% |
[ 1 ] |
| Tell us after something cool happens. |
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20% |
[ 1 ] |
| I don't wanna know until I need to know. |
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60% |
[ 3 ] |
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| Total Votes : 5 |
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Sharm
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| Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 11:27 am Post subject: Help decide when the magic gets explained |
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I'm coming up on a great place to explain some of the magic system, but it's before any real action, and I'm worried that I'm boring you guys with too much exposition. So I've got a few options.
1. Explain now, and try to keep it succinct and interesting.
2. Wait until a later time after we've had a chance to get the story further along.
3. Hint to the explanations happening, then flash back to it when the information becomes relevant.
I prefer the first option because then the important info is set up before the action, and adds punch to it. The last option would slow things down. And... I'm not sure when another place to get this explained will show itself. But this is supposed to be fun for you, so what would you prefer? Or maybe one of you has a better idea?
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Last edited by Sharm on Sun Nov 11, 2007 3:50 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Xaneth
First Guardian
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| Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 4:38 pm Post subject: |
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You really should have made this a poll  I personally prefer option 2.
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Treyva
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| Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 11:38 pm Post subject: |
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I prefer short explanations that increase in complexity as we go along in the story. I think you've already started this. You explained that crystals are power sources (or can be) for long term spells and what happened to the main crystal, or at least what might have happened.
I'd prefer to learn about the system as Crystal does. Although prior knowledge can lend depth to a climax, sometimes finding out about why something happened in the past can also be a cool epiphany. |
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Sharm
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| Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 4:02 pm Post subject: |
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Okay, Xaneth, it's a poll now.
Just by way of clarification, it won't be just a simple meet this gate guardian and then Crystal learns magic basics. There are a few things that will happen in between. I just feel like I'll I've been doing up to this point is info dump, and that I can't do any more for a while or I'll loose you guys to a better written comic. 
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Treyva
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| Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 5:13 pm Post subject: |
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You're not losing me.
Comics are a little different from books since we read them in very short spurts, so you can get away with more exposition. |
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roofpig
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| Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 8:57 pm Post subject: |
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INFO DUMP BAD!!!
Sorry, couldn't resist. Anyhoo, I'd suggest not mentioning anything until it actually comes up in the course of the story. Don't put it in unless it needs to be there or it fits comfortably.
Sorry if that doesn't make much sense. To me, things like this are a "feeling" situation.
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El Mariachi
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| Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 8:42 pm Post subject: Re: Help decide when the magic gets explained |
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Really, I think you should do what you want to do. It is, after-all, your story. But I feel that this is something that should be explained when it's needed or as we go on.
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Sharm
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| Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 9:50 am Post subject: |
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It may be my story, but you guys are kinda like customers. In the end, I'll still do what I feel is right for the plot, but this is a learning experience for me. I'm still new at writing comics, and pacing is difficult.
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liorean
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| Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 11:14 pm Post subject: |
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My view: Don't destroy the mystery if you can get away with it. Of course, some explanation may be necessary to prevent overuse of deus ex machina. But keep it when you need it, not so early that you can't change details you need to correct or simply hadn't thought of yet for later events. |
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Sharm
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| Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 11:21 am Post subject: |
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It funny that you say that, because when it comes to magic systems my best ideas come when I've written myself into a corner. And honestly, I can't do this time round. You have to understand at least some of the magic to know why things that will happen are important.
I'm going to try to intersperse the teaching through the comic as best I can. If anyone has questions, ask them here in the forums.
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Narf the Mouse
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| Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 6:34 am Post subject: |
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My opinion, from reading: Explanations should be part of the story and needed. 
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