Arch9CivilReactor
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- Joined
- Dec 24, 2021
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The poll is back, baby! With the emphasis more on what the ‘first arc’ should be centred on now that the themes of ‘materialism bad’, ‘classism bad’, and ‘dunking on the main character for being poor is a no-no’ out of the way.
One thing I am keeping in mind when thinking of the first arc is why there are a lot of authors who start ‘fast’ before slowing down. There are also those who love ramping up the action by making certain enemies seem really tricky to beat.
But that’s not everything, right?
Let’s pull up some action story examples for this.
One particularly well-written ‘Power Fantasy’ would be Solo Levelling. The main character is weak and you feel his desperation. Monsters are definitely written to be ‘tricky’, but there is more to that. I find that humans are written differently.
While monsters have no social aspect and aren’t much in terms of character complexity, humans are always introduced beforehand and given reasons for why ‘the readers want them beat’ rather than the main character himself. We tend to want our MC to beat them up in short term.
Then the author delivers on that setup.
The satisfaction of seeing the MC beat the S Rank Hunter he would’ve avoided before is so great. Though this is only possible because there is a formula being kept close to. There is no useless moral complexity to make us feel guilty.
No “He did it for his very weak daughter” or some nonsense that could make the MC seem like a baddie. Just simple trashy humans with power being beaten by someone who climbed from the lowest rank. Ready to give a beating.
If I’m to incorporate this into my story, I’d have to first recognise that this is a “Battle Academy Romcom Fun” novel. Meaning that I can’t have the MC killing fellow students because they have bad behaviour. Only ‘villains’ need to be struck.
Let’s bring up closer examples in this genre.
See how others had initiated initial arcs.
“I Became The Academy’s Blinker” uses a quick transition from fast-paced action to new sets while focusing on the cast. The main character initially has to fight for his life, then fight for his position, and stays on fighting to keep these two.
Probably because of how eastern male leads are usually written, he doesn’t have extremely quirky personality traits or gags. His desire to stay in one place may not be ‘amazing’, but this becomes interesting the more he stays put.
Since he is a variable that doesn’t use magic like others do, his existence constantly invites conflict towards him. Plot progresses because him existing is why other characters can have different growth arcs. Changing them as people.
I don’t like this despite understanding the way it works. It doesn’t feel like “Battle Academy Romcom Fun” if he isn’t creating friends. There is also how his independence and ability to work things out himself clashes with my own setting.
So having my maIn character being a “world variable” that is trying to lay low doesn’t feel right. Another example will have to be brought up now to balance this. If not a protagonist reacting to conflict, then how should he act?
“The Demon Prince goes to the Academy” is one I’ve been enjoying lately (despite hearing about the nuke of an ending that assassinated many characters I liked). Because the main character has no hope in ‘fitting in’ due to his lineage, he is forced to try and change the academy’s views.
This also starts off with ‘escaping from death’ with smarts and ingenuity of the main character that plays into his academy life. The conflicts from his secrets and identity never stop simply because he ignores them. He has to be active.
I like the “Battle Academy Romcom Fun” aspect that novel had, but I’m aiming for a more tense and combative atmosphere among students. It’s not like I want to make my story ‘dark’, but it’s a lot cooler (to me) when friends keep you safe.
There is also the fact that the ‘main plot’ kicking in will make it difficult for lighthearted interactions that occurred early on to happen. I feel like Demon Prince has a beginning I want to emulate more than Blinker in that aspect.
This leaves me with a question to think about.
Even if my heart is already set on “action beginning, fun action school life, then the main plot”, I need to pick a direction to build towards in terms of their ‘regular routine’. What would be the best way to expand on the current cast.
The first would be ‘student conflicts’.
I’ve thought of creating a ‘student council’ and ‘disciplinary committee’ in this academy. The latter is in charge of dealing with card users that are breaking school rules. Their methods being extremely violent yet restrained by teachers.
Although I call it ‘student conflicts’, these are going to be Medaka Box levels of absurdity with students buying off teachers with money, and an over zealous Disciplinary Committee that will send you to the hospital if you’re acting out.
This kind of environment would be the kind of Battle Academy Romcom Fun I’m looking for in a novel. The kind that blends potential enemies in every corner with reliable allies. Those who are willing to stand up for you if you’re framed.
The second option is ‘terrorist conflicts’.
Like how My Hero Academia mostly focused on fighting ‘Villains’ rather than each other. The conflicts they had at school being mostly to determine strength and improve it. This will make the main character quickly meet his nemesis.
Although both choices will be blended together in some capacity, the choice will be changing the main conflict in the ‘First Arc’. What kind of opponent the main characters will face, and how they will have to overcome those hurdles.
The first choice will have the main character’s team constantly trying to address the ‘internal conflict’ in the academy, while the latter making them solve the ‘external conflict’ first. Gaining enough recognition to have clout among peers.
I personally don’t mind either one, but wonder what you guys think?
1. Should the main character’s team be having an epic showdown with bullies to overcome their traumas? Become recognised in the academy and raise clout until the main plot kicks in?
2. Should they learn more about the inner workings of the city? Solving incidents and finding out the truth the principal is hiding. To investigate what is causing great curiosity within them, even if the truth may not be positive.
How should things play out?
One thing I am keeping in mind when thinking of the first arc is why there are a lot of authors who start ‘fast’ before slowing down. There are also those who love ramping up the action by making certain enemies seem really tricky to beat.
But that’s not everything, right?
Let’s pull up some action story examples for this.
One particularly well-written ‘Power Fantasy’ would be Solo Levelling. The main character is weak and you feel his desperation. Monsters are definitely written to be ‘tricky’, but there is more to that. I find that humans are written differently.
While monsters have no social aspect and aren’t much in terms of character complexity, humans are always introduced beforehand and given reasons for why ‘the readers want them beat’ rather than the main character himself. We tend to want our MC to beat them up in short term.
Then the author delivers on that setup.
The satisfaction of seeing the MC beat the S Rank Hunter he would’ve avoided before is so great. Though this is only possible because there is a formula being kept close to. There is no useless moral complexity to make us feel guilty.
No “He did it for his very weak daughter” or some nonsense that could make the MC seem like a baddie. Just simple trashy humans with power being beaten by someone who climbed from the lowest rank. Ready to give a beating.
If I’m to incorporate this into my story, I’d have to first recognise that this is a “Battle Academy Romcom Fun” novel. Meaning that I can’t have the MC killing fellow students because they have bad behaviour. Only ‘villains’ need to be struck.
Let’s bring up closer examples in this genre.
See how others had initiated initial arcs.
“I Became The Academy’s Blinker” uses a quick transition from fast-paced action to new sets while focusing on the cast. The main character initially has to fight for his life, then fight for his position, and stays on fighting to keep these two.
Probably because of how eastern male leads are usually written, he doesn’t have extremely quirky personality traits or gags. His desire to stay in one place may not be ‘amazing’, but this becomes interesting the more he stays put.
Since he is a variable that doesn’t use magic like others do, his existence constantly invites conflict towards him. Plot progresses because him existing is why other characters can have different growth arcs. Changing them as people.
I don’t like this despite understanding the way it works. It doesn’t feel like “Battle Academy Romcom Fun” if he isn’t creating friends. There is also how his independence and ability to work things out himself clashes with my own setting.
So having my maIn character being a “world variable” that is trying to lay low doesn’t feel right. Another example will have to be brought up now to balance this. If not a protagonist reacting to conflict, then how should he act?
“The Demon Prince goes to the Academy” is one I’ve been enjoying lately (despite hearing about the nuke of an ending that assassinated many characters I liked). Because the main character has no hope in ‘fitting in’ due to his lineage, he is forced to try and change the academy’s views.
This also starts off with ‘escaping from death’ with smarts and ingenuity of the main character that plays into his academy life. The conflicts from his secrets and identity never stop simply because he ignores them. He has to be active.
I like the “Battle Academy Romcom Fun” aspect that novel had, but I’m aiming for a more tense and combative atmosphere among students. It’s not like I want to make my story ‘dark’, but it’s a lot cooler (to me) when friends keep you safe.
There is also the fact that the ‘main plot’ kicking in will make it difficult for lighthearted interactions that occurred early on to happen. I feel like Demon Prince has a beginning I want to emulate more than Blinker in that aspect.
This leaves me with a question to think about.
Even if my heart is already set on “action beginning, fun action school life, then the main plot”, I need to pick a direction to build towards in terms of their ‘regular routine’. What would be the best way to expand on the current cast.
The first would be ‘student conflicts’.
I’ve thought of creating a ‘student council’ and ‘disciplinary committee’ in this academy. The latter is in charge of dealing with card users that are breaking school rules. Their methods being extremely violent yet restrained by teachers.
Although I call it ‘student conflicts’, these are going to be Medaka Box levels of absurdity with students buying off teachers with money, and an over zealous Disciplinary Committee that will send you to the hospital if you’re acting out.
This kind of environment would be the kind of Battle Academy Romcom Fun I’m looking for in a novel. The kind that blends potential enemies in every corner with reliable allies. Those who are willing to stand up for you if you’re framed.
The second option is ‘terrorist conflicts’.
Like how My Hero Academia mostly focused on fighting ‘Villains’ rather than each other. The conflicts they had at school being mostly to determine strength and improve it. This will make the main character quickly meet his nemesis.
Although both choices will be blended together in some capacity, the choice will be changing the main conflict in the ‘First Arc’. What kind of opponent the main characters will face, and how they will have to overcome those hurdles.
The first choice will have the main character’s team constantly trying to address the ‘internal conflict’ in the academy, while the latter making them solve the ‘external conflict’ first. Gaining enough recognition to have clout among peers.
I personally don’t mind either one, but wonder what you guys think?
1. Should the main character’s team be having an epic showdown with bullies to overcome their traumas? Become recognised in the academy and raise clout until the main plot kicks in?
2. Should they learn more about the inner workings of the city? Solving incidents and finding out the truth the principal is hiding. To investigate what is causing great curiosity within them, even if the truth may not be positive.
How should things play out?
