《How to Write Stories People Will Love》Question 19: Alternate universes
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asks: How do you write an alternate universe correctly?
Interesting question! The idea of an alternate universe is that there is another reality existing alongside our current one. There could be one, or there could be many. The possibilities are endlessly mind-boggling.
Here's the thing: There is no correct or incorrect way to write it! This is because there is currently no proof that alternate universes exist, so we can hardly state what the rules might be. We can only speculate what they might be like.
The most successful ones created in fiction do it like this:
1. Consider the current reality and the elements that are relevant to your plot. Let's use the classic Cinderella story.
2. Now think of seemingly minor changes that could have happened in the alternate reality that might drastically change the story. For example, Cinderella's father never died. Or he never remarried. Or Cinderella never lost her glass slipper. Or the prince's brother decided to visit and fell in love with her first.
3. The alternate universe has to be recognizable. Having aliens land in the alternate Cinderella universe and start kidnapping people might be too drastic a change.
You have enormous free range when writing an alternate universe, because anything is possible! There is no right or wrong. Just don't get too outlandish or readers might think it's weird. :)
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After the world was forever changed by a calamity over a thousand years ago, Litteral "Protagonist" Miles Trainer unlocks his Fate Dissociation System the night of his Class Awakening. With it, reality literally bends to accommodate his pace on the journey to become the Hero of Fate. "So you're saying that until I cross certain points or 'flags' calamity won't strike?" "In other words, unless I make my 'predestined' move, the world will be safe, right? I could just train away for years peacefully until I'm more than strong enough for anything and wreck shit when I damn please?" "Heh, yeah. I 'totally' won't abuse this~" [Author here, Just a forewarning that I'm writing this synopsis and the story without a solid outline/plot/whatever-you-want-to-call-it. The dialogue, here in the synopsis, probably won't ever be directly spoken in the story; though, it might. I only just finished writing the first chapter, so, we'll see.]
8 128Happy Ending
[You are mine and mine alone], a visual novel that was really popular and on top of the most played game this year, but out of nowhere, it vanished, alongside its memories from everyone's mind, except for a single player that found a glitch where one of the antagonists became a heroine. Now that character, programmed to kill, has found him in real life and weird things are going to happen to his everyday life, without a screen in his front to protect him. It doesn't matter if he wants or not; the game has already started. [][][][][] I wanna a shout out for my friend for this amazing cover he did! Here is a link for a page he posts the drawings he does for fun. For more explanations about it, read the author note in chapter 55. https://www.facebook.com/phillip.dreemurr.3?fb_dtsg_ag=Adye0R2CVuv09JqhVdg48VOWxPSZH6N1Co3SaVOmpri4Zw%3AAdw69zV67MTEEVSkloEFgy6loIZc6unrXRDFRzC5Di4N8Q
8 127He Who Slays by Stevenoth: Discontinued
A young man in his early twenties grows tired of being the only one without Royal Road. For two years, he was as frugal as one could be, and finally managed to save up enough for the installation. Now he shall embark on his own quest in hopes of standing on common ground with his classmates. Into the unknown he shall dash like a madman; in hopes of adventure, loot, and perhaps even love! Come along as we watch it all unfold!
8 206Code Reader Kagami (LitRPG)
Sometimes things happen in this world that we are not in control of. Sometimes we are to a certain degree, and sometimes we are completely in control. However, this is a tale that constantly questions those boundaries. The story follows Kagami, a young programmer, as he winds up in a world almost alien to him. If it were up to him, he would have never visited this world and would rather stay raising his young daughter. Was it through his own actions that he had wound up here? Was it due to several combinations of factors? Or was it something he completely chose. These are questions that constantly haunt Kagami’s mind as he wanders this world and ponders his actions. Unfortunately, the glaring truth of it all refuses to ever look him in the eyes. Each night as he looks up at the night sky, he wonders if the end of this would turn out like the game he made. A tale of Guts and Glory… or would it turn out like he fears, a tale of blood and tears. Regardless of how it turns out, he will one day unveil the truth enshrouding it all. And perhaps in doing so, unveil the fate of his old world, enshrouded by mystery. ___________________________________________________________________________ While this is a typical Isekai started by the infamous truck-kun, the story is most definitely not what is to be taken at face value. I love making tragic twists into these types of stories. For Code Reader Kagami, you'll begin to see a descent into psychological madness. As your hero changes entirely from the moral man he initially was. If you're not a fan of dark aspect stories, this one is not for you. Thank you~
8 67Wild Blood: Corridors of Stone
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8 199ESA (Ranboo x reader)
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