《How to Write Stories People Will Love》Question 19: Alternate universes
Advertisement
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. :)
Advertisement
- In Serial99 Chapters
The Only Real Cultivator
Vincent was relaxing in physics class when he and his entire class were teleported into a vast other world, where everybody called themselves cultivators and fought with magical martial arts. Vincent gained power over plants, allowing him to turn seeds into all sorts of vegetation. He ventures out into this new world filled with phony cultivators to set the record straight. He can make one declaration with absolute certainty, “I am the only real cultivator!” - You will see an overpowered main character with a cheat ability. You will see "comedy". You will see a normal guy who gets teleported to another world. You will see classic wuxia elements like Qi cultivation and alchemy. You will see grammar from a native speaker. You won't see a ruthless MC who kills everybody that offends him. You won't see harem. It's essentially everything I like about light novels, web novels, and wuxia all shoved into one story. If you’d like an unholy mix of overpowered main character, wuxia, fantasy, and LitRPG - give The Only Real Cultivator a try. 6/1/2020 edit: Some bloke plagerized this book and put it on amazon, titling it "Ancient Cultivator." tbh I'm kinda flattered that I'm worth plagerizing. Still, don't buy the book. The whole thing's available here for free.
8 845 - In Serial13 Chapters
Those Who Wander
Gave into temptation to rewrite. Story under construction.
8 171 - In Serial26 Chapters
Behind Each Smile
We follow a group of mercenaries in a Europe ravaged by the Last Great War. These heroes are Unknowns, people who were born or have lost their identity during this conflict.They work mostly as mercenaries with nothing else to lose for the various factions that have risen from the world's ashes. We follow the Grinning Devil and Khutulun, two Unknowns, in their journey to bring a child, Evelyne, from Europe all the way to Japan. We shall explore a new world where Nations are replaced by Poleis, and Humans by Machine, though some of them have taken a different approach. A world where evil and good is just a question of prospective and where being alive makes right. I welcome you to the World of 2062, may it be kind to you, for it has not been on others.
8 100 - In Serial21 Chapters
Love Me (On - going)
He wants to ruin their marriage while I'm trying to force him to love me.
8 104 - In Serial155 Chapters
PICTURES IN CARS: Traveling with Instagram
I like pictures taken in cars. Driving at night is kinda mysterious, an intimate thing - and what shall I say? Imagination's a wild thing, and there are stories hidden in your smiles.Instagram is so much more than a vanity thing. Sure, there are a lot of people out there, bloggers, starlets and so-called stars just promoting themselves, but there are also the lovers, the travelers, the real artists playing and inspiring with visuals and words, and so Instagram first of all things means worldwide traveling to me. Here's what I found on my travels there, I wanna share it with you!Title "Pictures In Cars" is inspired by a photo of wonderful hannahtaha.Cover photo © Hannah Taha Visuals belong 2 the artists and travelers. Words belong 2 me.© All Rights Reserved
8 145 - In Serial15 Chapters
Sundrop/moondrop x reader
(Cover art not mine) This is a personal thing ig? Just something to do while a step away from the madness fic for a bit. If you like the story feel free to follow it and if not you can go find something else nothing requires you to read my stories :)You are a night guard, funny right?, at the mega pizza plex. You've worked there previously, you know the ins and outs like its your own home but one place you never went was the daycare. You get sent to work there one day, you wonder what it will be like.
8 142

