god damn.... I've still been viewing posts, but took the past week off from replying (which seems to take up even more of my time as I tend to put lots of thought into my posts) so I could complete a translation. The questions just piled up all the while. Welp, best get cracking.
BTW Scythe, you didn't answer my earlier question: You do actually read my huge-ass walls of text, don't you?
Where do you get your inspiration from?
various otaku fodder. You know, the anime, the manga, the games, I'm just now starting to read a light novel (it's nice that they provide at least some visual aid, even if it's just the main character designs most times), overall mainly Japanese media. Often times, I'll see a nice dramatic scene or some other device and feel like I want to use something similar in my own story (though, I try not to cross the boundaries between "inspiration" and "rip-off", nor do I try and force such scenes into the story when such an element clearly seems out of place). More recently, I've enjoyed the ending to AIR...
The music I listen to (which is also composed mostly of anisongs) also helps me think of scenarios.
Who is your favorite character in a fanfiction on this forum, other than one of your owns?
Pass.
Do you tend to make your protagonist the same gender as yourself?
Not really. Sure, a few of them are males, but I plan to start off with a one-shot featuring Kaede from the anime (Katie in the dub... she's an opponent in the Houen League's Taikai Tournament). I'm also thinking about having my erogee put some focus on Fuutarou's girlfriend. The sequel to my serial might also have a female focus (though, I see it phasing out a bit for a male character I plan to have introduced a bit later). Finally, if it's any consolation, the main character in my serial wouldn't even be the heroic one most the time, but often times be incompetent in battle and needing backed up by a female character.
What do you prioritize in plot writing? Do you start by figuring out the ending/big theme and work your way towards it with the chapters or do you just decide on the story as you go, leaving the ending open until it's time to write it?
As I said before, my writing process has been pretty jumbled since I was just taking over a simple concept that my brother abandoned at first. At first, I took his scenario and thought of an ending that'd eventually lead to (and a rather sappy ending at that). However, after thinking on fleshing out the middle, better characterization, having the beginning make a bit more sense, altering the main character, proper usage of themes, etc., the ending has drastically changed, and is bound to change even more by the time I finally release it.
Do you like reading/reviewing fanfics or one shots better?
Pass.
Does anyone have a set writing time every day? Or do you wait for inspiration to strike before sitting?
I have yet to actually get into writing. I am, however, constantly working on the story in my head.
When your characters are talking through though, do you write with speech marks or through italics?
I'm doing doujinshi, so clearly, this need not apply to me. However, when the characters are thinking, I intend to do what other manga use: that "shining halo", as
Wiki called it (I really can't think of a better term ^^').
Which would you post; an introduction, or the first chapter when beginning a story?
before I start releasing my doujinshi to the public, I wouldn't mind releasing teaser pages and character designs.
How long do you wait in between posting chapters?
haven't done any work yet. Pass.
How long will you wait in between posting chapters for your upcoming fic?
that's better. Personally, after hyping up my work a bit on line, I'd like to start out selling it at an overseas convention, or just have a doujin retailer sell it online (either in the form of books for individual chapters, or possibly even collected tankouban). I would start posting scans a few months later, one chapter at a time, and maybe a month between chapters (having it available a lot sooner is basically me giving incentive for people to buy). Aside from posting chapters that I already completed online, my pacing otherwise might be variable. Aside from the conventions I can first sell them at not having a set schedule (except for Comiket, which comes about twice a year; it might be different if I do sell online, though), I'd like to make chapters that're around 40 pages in length, much like the manga that're published in monthly magazines (and that said, a once-a-month basis sounds nice... but first, I need to actually get into the habit of drawing manga to see how difficult of a process it'd be for me and whether or not I could keep it on a consistent schedule).
What pokemon would you like to see have a major part in fanfic more often?
Again, I don't read the fics around here. However, as I said in an earlier post, there're a lot of Pokemon that I feel the actual franchise tends to ignore a lot. As Gravy (of SPPF fame) might tell you, Dunsparce is a SERIOUSLY neglected Pokemon, and I'd be inclined to agree with him whenever he wonders why the hell the anime can't give it focus (after not getting any since its debut episode, which was itself a rather meh filler lost in the middle of the forgettable Jouto region) rather than making Arcanine or Scizor appear for the billionth time. Same goes for a lot of Jouto Pokemon, really (most people consider Qwilfish quite forgettable, in particular.... though ironically, after building up a reputation as such, it's actually not as forgettable as you'd think).
How do you choose your characters' teams?
well, I rarely have major characters with an actual team in the first place (I don't really involve competitive battlers in some of my stories, especially my serial). Though, most characters tend to have a small number of Pokemon anyway (below the usual maximum of 6). Whatever the case, when I decide what Pokemon to give certain characters, I usually consider what role the characters play, whether or not they could invoke a particular theme in the Pokemon they use, and geographic location to an extent. There's also experience in capturing and training, so not everyone will have a team of full-evolved powerhouses, and also the rarity of the Pokemon as it's portrayed in most of franchise (given, their rarity varies between locations, games, different versions of the same game, etc. Still, I try to look at it in a somewhat sensible fashion rather than just giving every trainer and their mother something like a Milotic, a rare Pokemon that's ridiculously difficult to find in the games, and takes some skills as a Contest Coordinator to get it to evolve on top of that).
One interesting thing to note is that my erogee takes place in a desert. In the games, there's never even been a desert until the 3rd generation, and even so, we've had few Pokemon that could be encountered in such an environment. That said, I've had an interesting time thinking up suitable Pokemon that could sensibly be seen in a desert. Also, I sometimes do the same as Dragonfree here....
This was in the G/S/C era, note; I've actually nearly entirely kept to the Gym leader plan, only switching out a couple of their Pokémon for Hoenn ones so that the complete lack of third generation Pokémon wouldn't be too conspicuous.
Though, not really so the lack of a generation seems conspicuous. Rather, I wouldn't mind somewhat equal representation between the four generations of Pokemon (though, I may be bias towards Jouto in particular, since my serial does take place there, and as I mentioned before, the 2nd gen Pokemon have been pretty screwed over in the official media).
As a reviewer, what is your absolute least favorite explanation for a character that understands Pokemon outside of "miraculously able to for no reason at all"?
even though I don't read any fanfics, just hearing about Mary Sues sickens me to no end. Anyway, I find the whole concept of "The Chosen One" pretty damn cheesy. Though, that can apply to several things other than just understanding Pokemon.
What do you think the easiest tense to work with is?
intend for my work to be visual. Pass.
Are One Shots worth writing?
yes, I do. I'm hoping to do one about Kaede as a means of testing the waters of doujinshi. See if it's not something too difficult for me to handle, while at the same time releasing my work to the public and building a reputation before I do a serial.
In fanfic how do you handle the issue of how pokemon learn new moves? Do they have to do detailed training for different types of powers?
I just use TMs. I don't see myself explaining it within the story itself, but I can see myself doing bonus pages. Basically, my vision of TMs was inspired by Toshihiro Ono's Dengeki! Pikachu manga. The idea of a powder being sprinkled on the Pokemon makes me think that some new elements are being added into its body that can allow it to perform a certain attack (and this info is relevant to a particular scene in the story). Though, since the games have finally started revealing what TMs should officially look like, I think I'll start using the disc shape.... but it won't phase me much. Discs are small but contain a lot of electronic data within that little layer. Who's to say they can't contain elements (especially in a franchise where creatures can dissolve into energy for the purpose of portable transportation)? I could even envision a nifty scene where the disc spins, floats in the air, and projects a ray of light onto the Pokemon while syphoning these elements, finally breaking afterwards.
I see myself using egg attacks as well, though I sorta side-step the idea of having Pokemon learn them after they're born (when you think about it, the whole idea of TM elements can apply here as well, except replace elements with hereditary genes). Some Pokemon, even wild ones, are just born with the ability to use certain attacks. Usually, I'll try to keep this realistic and make it seem like a breeding-compatible Pokemon that naturally learns the move lives within the area. For example, one can expect to find a wild Trapinch with Quick Attack in a desert environment that hosts both Trapinch and Gligar (and their evos).
How do you logically solve the problem of water pokemon (without legs such as Kingdra) in battles on land?
I too see them hopping on their bellies (or their tails in the case of the Horsea line), flopping on their sides (Magikarp usually looks pathetic enough to do just that), Gyarados and Mantine can just fly, and in the case of the big guys like Lapras and Wailord, they can drag themselves forward with their fins (much like a sea turtle on a beach). Also, if Misty's Goldeen can jump over to a theme park on land, and several legless Pokemon in the anime like Metapod and Pineco can jump around the battle field like there's no tomorrow, it's really not so unfeasible for water-types to have some proficiency on land.
Unlike some of you, I don't try to avoid this portrayal altogether.... in fact, I actively try to show it off in some cases. See, I'm under the notion that, like the games, Pokemon battles should be somewhat universal (I say somewhat because some environments could seem obviously restricting.... but chances are, the human trainer themselves could barely stand such an environment, like fighting underwater, on top of water while surfing, or using fire-types in a lava pit. Otherwise, if a human can tolerate it, any Pokemon will probably be capable of fighting to some reasonable degree). It really doesn't seem right for water-types to be completely restricted to bodies of water that the humans likely won't be around much anyway. Also, this kinda ruins the whole advantage water-types are supposed to have over fire, ground, and rock types, as you'd more than likely see them in dry environments (and even if someone was fighting with such a Pokemon near a body of water, what's to keep you from using any land-based Pokemon and simply pushing the sucker in there?).
Mind you, I don't have plans to feature a main character prominently using a finned Pokemon or anything like that, but in my serial, I do intend to give a Seaking to one of the first Rocket grunts encountered, and who makes subsequent appearances throughout the story (for the record, I chose Seaking as the Pokemon of choice long before the meme started up). Upon first appearing, this character's Seaking breaks up a fight by jumping up into the air, forming water vapor around itself, and finally crashing down between the two combatants with Waterfall. Even though it's a small role, I feel this first appearance alone should be enough to show that this Pokemon is quite capable on land. My erogee will also have a character who raises water-types (even though it takes place in a desert, the city the characters live in is built around a large oasis), among them being a Lumineon.
Do you use themes in your fics? If so, what are some examples?
as I said before, I'm having some problems discerning what themes could possibly be present throughout my story, and have no clue what I could focus on as a central theme. However, from what I see so far....
As a reader/reviewer, is there some specific type of antagonist or evil plot that you would not want to see in a fanfic?
oh, mainly just those one-dimensional types. You know, the kind that're evil for no real reason and just wanna take over the world or blow up the world or something just for the hell of it. It really sucks when the author can't even provide some kind of insight to them apparently having an obvious mental condition, and how they managed to get into their position of power in spite of it (otherwise, I don't mind the villains that're simply insane if they've been fleshed out a bit to seem realistic, maybe having a mental break-down through a traumatic event. And hell, the insane ones can be capable of doing some pretty sick, inhuman ****. In my serial, one of the main villains.... well, you probably don't wanna know what acts he commits throughout the story, but PM me if you're really interested).
BTW, on the issue of dumb villians: it is possible to have an antagonist be stupid but still be a major threat. It's a matter of brawns over brains, and if something is extremely powerful with no realization on how to use their own strength.... well, sometimes they still won't be a threat because they can't follow their master's orders or realize when to defend themselves (the Kyoto arc of Rurouni Kenshin featured something like this XD), but they can just as well be a pretty dangerous force that should be reckoned with (and often times, they'll be a threat to both parties, acting as a double-edged sword to their master, assuming they even have a master and aren't just rampaging on their own). Isn't anyone familiar with Azathoth?
What's your favorite kind of antagonist?
I think one of my absolute favorite types of antagonists are those who're at some point shown to be just as moral as the protagonist, and over time, you start to wonder which side is really right and whether or not it's really for the best that the protagonists defeat them, or even if it'd be better that the antagonists win. That's the kind of conflict I really like, the shade-of-gray portrayal which really makes you, the audience, have to think about which side should really be rooted for in the end.
I also enjoy antagonists that show up late and are, quite simply, against the ideals of everyone else in the story, causing all factions to form a temporary truce to take down the common foe (though they may or may not exactly be on friendly terms). Some fine examples of this can be found in some of Chiaki J. Konaka's works, like Texhnolyze and Digimon Tamers (D-Reaper not being a human and not exactly being a Digimon fit in very well with the series' theme of both forming partnerships). To some extent, I also really like those antagonists who go against common stereotypes (like a corrupted angel instead of a devil, or something that's cute and cuddly yet capable of blowing up the sun... bonus points if the cute thing doesn't take on the typical "possessed" appearance at any time. Akira Toriyama's tendency to make the small guys be more powerful than the buff, muscular types was also appreciated)... lastly, there're those villains who just sorta hide in the crowd, being in plain sight the entire time and never seeming at all like a threat, just seeming like background material (though, the ones who act as a protagonist are also good, so long as they do a damn good job of keeping up the facade), until they eventually reveal themselves.
Mind you, these are just the antagonists from the common "hero vs. villain" types of conflicts. If you want to count just any obstacle in a storyline, be it a disease or conflicting emotions, as an "antagonist" (and I guess they can be just as valid), I would also deem those to be good.
What do you like and dislike in a protagonist?
Personally, I'm really sick of those protagonists from shounen series who're just all hyperactive and have goals of "being the best" at whatever it is they're doing. I mean, maybe it's realistic (albeit redundant) of most tweens to get in over their heads, but then when you've got someone in their late teens in such a position.... yeah (given, my erogee features an 18-year old trainer who strives to be a Pokemon Master, but to be fair, he's not I'mmagonnasucceed crazy nuts about it, nor is it the only thing on his mind.... and should the player make it the only thing on his mind, it's not exactly portrayed in the most positive light). But that aside, I also hate it when everything the protagonist does is just too convenient. Earlier in the thread, I brought up how in the games, pretty much everything is served to the player on a silver platter.... I'd give the games leeway, since it wouldn't be quite as fun if you're restricted from getting any Pokemon out there or don't have a powerful boss to fight. It's when that crap translates into a more detailed storyline that it gets to be a problem.... take the anime for instance. The protagonists almost always seem to be at the right place at the right time to help out with something, or participate in some event that they may or may not (usually the former) ultimately end up winning, or whatever. Come to think of it, this can apply to a lot of episodic anime (you can't help but wonder just how many murders have taken place within close proximity of Conan, and how many more are gonna occur around him in the future). Not to say not everything can't be convenient (I mean, how can some storylines even get started if nothing occurs at the right time and place?), but it's over-doing it that I really dislike (especially if the plot conveniences are purely in the protagonist's favor). I'm also not very fond of "The Chosen One" scenarios, as I mentioned before, though I guess it might be possible to pull those off correctly in some manner.
Personally, I like protagonists that're very down-to-earth... they have simple goals in life, they're not constantly striving to be the most powerful person in existence, nor are they very powerful in the first place. They're not hyperactive and adventurous, they probably fear death (though, they may still go on adventures if it's a means of furthering their personal needs somehow), and in the end, they probably won't be the one to ultimately take down the final antagonist, but rather, will just be someone that was along for the ride and is lucky just to have gotten through the whole ordeal with their life intact. Also, if they're sad, it's because they're genuinely suffering in some way and not because of some emo bullcrap, and they can also show severe weakness in their traumatic past and could be susceptible to mental breakdown (as opposed to using their pain as motivation to fight or even strengthen themselves). They may freak out just from killing somebody, and even a fight with the most typical of opponents isn't the most easy of tasks for this physically and/or mentally weak character.
In contrast to that, I also enjoy matured protagonists who start out strong and experienced and pretty much bypass any of the typical adolescent growth seen in most storylines (though, it still doesn't mean they can just off every opponent with ease, nor does it mean there aren't some more complex things they're still learning)... similarly, the mentor types are also pretty enjoyable characters.
