The Writers' Block

[Australian rePublic]

Are there any issues about superstitions? Especially regarding the Evil Eye?

[Candlewhisper Archive]

So I got Issue #910 today, and I found Option Three to be a bit...extreme? (compulsory higher education up until the age of twenty-four) Would it be too niche to write a follow-up, where if you selected #3 you could have people arguing over the merits / cost of compulsory higher education, or is that covered by another issue?

Could be a good issue. Just be sure to add some new story.

That is, in general, if you get an option that proposes something extreme, a follow up issue should NOT say:

You've done something extreme
1) Reverse it
2) Make it worse

Instead, the issue should be about a consequence. More like.

You've done something extreme. Here's an interesting consequence.
1) Address the consequence.
2) Address the consequence a different way.
2) Reverse the cause.

[Candlewhisper Archive]

Are there any issues about superstitions? Especially regarding the Evil Eye?

The Evil Eye sounds like a great topic.

There's been issues about credulity in the supernatural, but not the evil eye specifically.

[Australian rePublic]

Are there any issues about superstitions? Especially regarding the Evil Eye?

The Evil Eye sounds like a great topic.

There's been issues about credulity in the supernatural, but not the evil eye specifically.

I see thanks. What if someone spits on @@LEADER@@ to ware it off

[Kylarnatia]

So I got Issue #910 today, and I found Option Three to be a bit...extreme? (compulsory higher education up until the age of twenty-four) :lol: Would it be too niche to write a follow-up, where if you selected #3 you could have people arguing over the merits / cost of compulsory higher education, or is that covered by another issue?

Could be a good issue. Just be sure to add some new story.

That is, in general, if you get an option that proposes something extreme, a follow up issue should NOT say:

You've done something extreme
1) Reverse it
2) Make it worse

Instead, the issue should be about a consequence. More like.

You've done something extreme. Here's an interesting consequence.
1) Address the consequence.
2) Address the consequence a different way.
2) Reverse the cause.

Excellent, thanks for the clarification. :) I'll get to brainstorming on it!

[Kylarnatia]

Another idea that came to me while thinking of the re-draft of my current draft idea: is there any issue that addresses your military's official doctrine? I know there are issues related to military spending and investment, but is there one that either talks specifically or references your military's preferred strategy in times of war?

[Candlewhisper Archive]

I think the thing with such an issue would be to couch the question in a framing story, not just to ask in generalities how the military should act.

Issues of that sort do exist of course: the International Incident chain, for example, and #973 Guided Missiles and Misguided Men.

[Trotterdam]

Actualy, that sounds reminiscent of #147. #157, with the "quality versus quantity" angle, also gets in on the action, though it's not the main point, just a crazy option.

[Southeast Aleatory]

While we're on the military subject, I've had an issue about standard-issue weaponry languishing on my computer for years. Valid for only for nations with small armies and/or low arms manufacturing industries, the premise is that the nation's standard service rifle is (seemingly) obsolete. The options are to make a new gun and sell the surplus (if private gun ownership is allowed), make a new gun and destroy the surplus (if private gun ownership isn't allowed), train soldiers to git gud with the old guns, import more advanced guns and sell the old guns to other countries, disband the army and issue guns to everyone (only if private gun ownership is allowed), or just cut spending. Is it too specific?

[Kylarnatia]

I think the thing with such an issue would be to couch the question in a framing story, not just to ask in generalities how the military should act.

Issues of that sort do exist of course: the International Incident chain, for example, and #973 Guided Missiles and Misguided Men.

Actualy, that sounds reminiscent of #147. #157, with the "quality versus quantity" angle, also gets in on the action, though it's not the main point, just a crazy option.

Thanks both! Saved to my notes for a later date. ;)

[Trotterdam]

While we're on the military subject, I've had an issue about standard-issue weaponry languishing on my computer for years. Valid for only for nations with small armies and/or low arms manufacturing industries, the premise is that the nation's standard service rifle is (seemingly) obsolete. The options are to make a new gun and sell the surplus (if private gun ownership is allowed), make a new gun and destroy the surplus (if private gun ownership isn't allowed), train soldiers to git gud with the old guns, import more advanced guns and sell the old guns to other countries, disband the army and issue guns to everyone (only if private gun ownership is allowed), or just cut spending. Is it too specific?

I remember something like that being drafted once, though I don't think it's in the game.

I don't feel it's very likely because rifle technology hasn't really advanced much recently. Decades-old assault rifles are still pretty good.

We do have issues about obsolete airplanes and ships.

[Ballpit]

Can someone link me all issues about milk? I’ve a few ideas, but wanna cover my bases to ensure they don’t overlap.

[Candlewhisper Archive]

Can someone link me all issues about milk? I’ve a few ideas, but wanna cover my bases to ensure they don’t overlap.

A good trick is to do ctrl+f over the spoiler thread and then to type the word you're looking for overlap on, then do the same with various synonyms.

[Ballpit]

Can someone link me all issues about milk? I’ve a few ideas, but wanna cover my bases to ensure they don’t overlap.

A good trick is to do ctrl+f over the spoiler thread and then to type the word you're looking for overlap on, then do the same with various synonyms.

Ah, okay. Cheers.

[Jutsa]

I can hardly wait to see the next Got Milk? reference.

[Candlewhisper Archive]

I can hardly wait to see the next Got Milk? reference.

Ouch. If that was a sarcastic burn, I'm feeling it. If it wasn't, I'm feeling it anyway.

For sure, we've used "Got Milk" in two different issues, though I think I actively stopped it happening in the last milk-related issue. Will definitely try and stop the joke recurring.

[Trotterdam]

Incidentally, according to my log thirty minutes ago, we appear to have a new issue about milk.

You fight like a dairy farmer!

[Candlewhisper Archive]

Incidentally, according to my log thirty minutes ago, we appear to have a new issue about milk.

You fight like a dairy farmer!

Naa, 1160 was the last milk issue.

I'm sure you'll meat the new issue soon though. Expect you may have some beef with it. Don't have a cow, man.

[Valentine Z]

This was going to be a little bit more on sentiments, so here I go!

For these past few weeks and months, thank you for putting up with my often-not-so-stellar issue drafts and giving me the feedback I need to fix them and improve on them. The writing process was certainly fun, but it's just that I am planning to focus on something else for a change, such as writing and completing my factbooks.

To my fellow Issue Authors and Issue Editors, I really appreciate that you gave such advice to me as a rookie. Sorry I have not been active, or didn't really take rejection well at times. I promise that I will do better.

So far... I have no issues yet. On another note, should I still go with this one or abandon it? I don't mind abandoning it and opening up the premise if someone wants to write down more, but I was thinking on whether I can try improving on it before abandoning it?

[Candlewhisper Archive]

This was going to be a little bit more on sentiments, so here I go!

For these past few weeks and months, thank you for putting up with my often-not-so-stellar issue drafts and giving me the feedback I need to fix them and improve on them. The writing process was certainly fun, but it's just that I am planning to focus on something else for a change, such as writing and completing my factbooks.

To my fellow Issue Authors and Issue Editors, I really appreciate that you gave such advice to me as a rookie. Sorry I have not been active, or didn't really take rejection well at times. I promise that I will do better.

So far... I have no issues yet. On another note, should I still go with this one or abandon it? I don't mind abandoning it and opening up the premise if someone wants to write down more, but I was thinking on whether I can try improving on it before abandoning it?

You have no issues published yet, but that doesn't mean you've had no success with currently submitted drafts.

I note three drafts from you submitted, and only 1 in the delete pile...

[Valentine Z]

This was going to be a little bit more on sentiments, so here I go!

For these past few weeks and months, thank you for putting up with my often-not-so-stellar issue drafts and giving me the feedback I need to fix them and improve on them. The writing process was certainly fun, but it's just that I am planning to focus on something else for a change, such as writing and completing my factbooks.

To my fellow Issue Authors and Issue Editors, I really appreciate that you gave such advice to me as a rookie. Sorry I have not been active, or didn't really take rejection well at times. I promise that I will do better.

So far... I have no issues yet. On another note, should I still go with this one or abandon it? I don't mind abandoning it and opening up the premise if someone wants to write down more, but I was thinking on whether I can try improving on it before abandoning it?

You have no issues published yet, but that doesn't mean you've had no success with currently submitted drafts.

I note three drafts from you submitted, and only 1 in the delete pile...

Yeah, I know. I'm not there as an Issue Author yet, so... that was kind of a stretch to say "fellow" there, haha!

And thanks! I personally hope that they will make it through, but if they don't, then there's always next time for me!

Wait, 3? I know I submitted 3, but I forgot my very first one.

The second one is Beggars Can Be Choosers, and the third one is Hello Darkness, My Old Friend.... if you don't mind me asking, may I know what is the first one?

[Candlewhisper Archive]

Mind The Gap.

Checking the edit notes, I note you'd had a telegram conversation with Caracasus about Hello, Darkness, so it's formally "in edit", of course. Having said that, some editors are more active than others. Maybe remind him with a TG that he was editing your issue?

[Window Land]

Are there any issues dealing with the consequences of sacrificing people?

[Altmer Dominion]

Are there any issues dealing with the consequences of sacrificing people?

So, a consequence follow-up to Issue 58 option 1 and 2? Doesn't look like there's any issue directly addressing the fallout, so go for it. Caution: in terms of story, you'll have to keep the narrative more nuanced than "Human Sacrifice Bad, Plz Ban It Again." There are some interesting ways to take this, so don't just go for the low-hanging fruit. Hope to see what you come up with.

[Socialist Communist States]

Are there any issues dealing with the merging of polytechnic/technical institutions into one?
Got the inspiration after reading this.