Need help.

[ballplayer72]

Hey all.  I've just started writing a book for fun. But I kinda had this silly idea that I might want it published. Eventually.  I've gone with a semi-Dresden esque type of setting, I.E. magic in the real world.  My protaginist has just had his first encounter with the supernatural, and promptly discovered that he could throw fireballs. (Much more complicated than that, but thats the condensed version.) Protag roasts bad guys, has out of body expierance from blood loss. Kooky sidekick/love intrest heals him, but not before many plot related hints are dropped. Among these is the hint that there is a goverening body for magic-users. I'm not really trying to go with a White Council type of set up, more like an Academy, but with a governing body attached to it. I want to introduce them, in a nice way. Protag has just awoken on the day after, and exchanged tender words with the love intrest. She is currently in the shower. Protag is debating on whether or not to offer to scrub her back, when he hears a knock at the door. I want to introduce the Governing Body here, with some sort of Warden type person (cop of the magic world, but also a recruiter.) But not as a Morgan type of character. Someone like Harry, but more concerned with being a help to the establishment. I have a few problems.

1. I don't have a name for the governing body.
2. I don't have a place to put this big giant academy, since this is in real world climes. Based in a town just outside Houston called Pearland. Right now we are at a beach house rented for prom. This is the day after prom. NOTE: not going in for the Harry Potter secret world type thing.
3. I don't have any idea what to name Super Cop, also I have supporting characters, but they aren't very interesting, as they are just normal teenagers.


Any help provided would be extremely nice.
If you want a copy of what ive got so far, drop me a PM. I am open to criticism, so don't hold back.


Thanks,
       BP72

[DRD2001]

I'm afraid I don't really have much to offer in the way of help, other than to tell you to keep writing. After all, none of this is set in stone. You can always go back to edit and rework a scene until you feel comfortable with it later. My own writing is limited to fan fic. And when I get on a roll, if I stop to wait out a difficult section, I tend to lose my energy and just muddle to a stand still.

[eviladam]

These are my suggestions:

1: Maybe the academy doesn't have to be outwardlly seen as a school. Maybe it could be located in an old building that's not in use, like an abandonned hospital or a factory. Not only would that solve your location problem but some of those places have very interesting architecture that would make a great back drop.

2: What's this super cop like? Maybe that could help you figure out his name. Is he american, or for some other country. What's his heritage that kind of thing.

[Rashad 117]

Hmmm, unfortunately there isn't much to say except what someone else said which is to keep writing. Ultimately you'll come up with the best ideas on your own and you'll come up with more ideas as you write.

The name doesn't have to be anything majorly cool though I don't think. Try throwing together random combinations of first and last names of people that you know. Your first name and maybe a friends last name and so on until you find something you think sounds right or go to a bookstore and look at a book of first and last names. Or you can even look online and last names and first names(which is something I did to name a major character in my novel).

Teenagers can have problems just like adults can. Give the supporting characters problems of their own to solve (if you haven't already) and perhaps put them at odds with the main character to create a little unexpected conflict.

Just my two cents. I'm not sure if it helps any but good luck.

[the neurovore of Zur-En-Aargh]

The name one you don't have to fix now; write the scne with him referred to as "SuperCop" and do a ssearch/replace later on.

[ballplayer72]

 

[trboturtle]

I think if this supercop is a reoccuring character, make him/her stand out at first appearance. You could do it physically, say, a woman who's pushing seven feet tall and build like a linebacker, of a man who's only three foot tall. Or by their actions or personality. Make them unique in some way.

Craig

[Blaze]

1. I don't have a name for the governing body.

To figure out a name for the Governing Body you can get a thesaurus and look up council and see the synonyms.  ie: the Enclave, the Selectors, the Conclave, the Chamber... and on and on...

You can also reach into mythology or into history and pluck out the name of a group. 

The Archons, the Janissaries, the Court, Adjudicators

2. I don't have a place to put this big giant academy, since this is in real world climes. Based in a town just outside Houston called Pearland. Right now we are at a beach house rented for prom. This is the day after prom. NOTE: not going in for the Harry Potter secret world type thing.

Put them underwater.  In a domed city or some such.  Maybe with subs.  Or put them deep in Cralsbad Caverns or some other subterranian spot.  Maybe you can only get there via a magic door.  That would keep the baddies out.  Oh, or how bout a defunct oil platform in the Gulf?

3. I don't have any idea what to name Super Cop, also I have supporting characters, but they aren't very interesting, as they are just normal teenagers.

Some of us find normal teen agers interesting enough.  *g*

Super Cop:  Well do you mean a name or a title?  Or something wich could be both, like Marshal.

Get a name your baby book, or go to a name website and just just scroll through to see what names are out there.  Sometimes it is fun to name a strong character something prissy, like Marmaduke and call him Duke.  Henry and call him Hank, Harold and call him.. Hal.

The phone book is also a gret place to find names.

[Princess of Pique]

Your story takes place in the real world, but involves the world of magic. Perhaps there is another dimension, or plane of existence that exists at the same time and in the same place as the linear reality we know. This is where your 'academy' can be. Perhaps through magic a portal will open and your characters can step through to where the council or whatever sits, where they can look out and see the real world like cops watching a suspect behind a two-way mirror.

The most wonderful thing about world building is that there are no research requirements. You can create anything you want. So sit down and plan it all out, even to the tiniest detail so that you know how everything works. Then...don't include everything in your story.

Keep writing and have fun, and I hope my input helps.