Plot, Plot, Plot

[coalitiongirl]

 So we now have our writers and you've looked through all the technical details, and now it's time to talk plot! We've got seven days to suggest and discuss any ideas you have in the comments, and here are two things to keep in mind:

• Each chapter should ideally be a story in itself. We're each getting one opportunity to write and so we want a plot that allows for each writer to play within the 'verse without being caught up in transitional chapters or the like!
• At the same time, we also want to have one coherent ongoing plot that allows for development so it doesn't read like a series of short stories.

So this can work in several ways.

• We could rewrite a season. We have exactly as many writers as there are episodes, and we could each tackle one. (I'm wary of this option simply because there's the OUATVS and because I don't know about the rest of you, but I find episode rewrites kind of dull, especially when we have many stronger writers than the OUAT ones?)
• We can settle on a theme with stronger individual chapter plots and a weaker overall plot. I suggested tropes before- it could be something like "some kind of magical trickster has come to town and keeps casting wacky spells," and then we go from there. (I've seen people do that way back when SQW did magical mishaps.) In that, the story would be very much about individual chapters and character/relationship development, but it's tricky because the latter sometimes gets lost in the process.
• We can settle on one standard plot that we like and write to it- this is generally easy and straightforward, though you do need a more intricately organized outline from the start so you don't run out of plot along the way. 

Please drop your suggestions in the comments and discuss them! Reply to each other and talk about what you want to write and what you think might work for a story like this. This post closes on May 2, and we'll poll for your favorite option of the ones suggested from May 3-5.

Oh, and I don't think we'll do a totally alternate universe this time around because many people aren't used to writing out of the 'verse. Anything that takes place within the OUAT universe, even if it's a complete deviation from canon, is fair game.

Comments

[absedarian]

First off, sorry I was so quiet - you know how it is with work ... life ... work ...

Anyway, I just got caught up on all the plot ideas and I like the idea of different universes - but I also love the mischievous prankster idea because I'm in the mood for something lighthearted rather than deep, deep drama (although I can see the point of that maybe being easier).

What if we could combine the different universes and the prankster idea? If we assumed Storybrooke really exists only as a place inside, say, a snow globe that belongs to the prankster (who maybe sees himself in Henry), then we could have him become bored with things and send our lovely ladies to a new universe (would also allow for AU scenarios) with each shake of the snow globe, always searching for something to keep him entertained. And he'd only stop once Henry is happy inside the snow globe world, which would of course be with his two moms.

Just a thought, cobbled together basically as I'm writing. Going to stop now and just leave this here ...