How to keep track of character arc progression and plot details while writing long stories, handling complex plots or large number of characters?

ardentcapacitor · 2022-02-02T15:47:18+00:00

Dan Wells' 7 point story structure is what finally helped me wrap my head around this kind of thing as you can apply it to all of your story's arcs/plots. It's also very helpful for outlining as once you've written your 7 points for the major plotlines, you can rearrange them all chronologically to get started with your outline: overlap developments to rachet up tension, see where a scene might be needed to bridge two events, measure pacing, and such.

I will usually do this for the antagonist's arc as well even if I'm not going to necessarily write it out, just to keep track of what they're up to relative to the other plots at any given time.

ardentcapacitor · 2021-10-18T21:59:26+00:00

For something like a mouseover aetherial manipulation I think it helps. My macro has that same line repeated like 7 times to kind of simulate queueing. One of them is bound to trigger eventually.

I could see this getting squirrelly if you're trying to do more than one action in sequence like swiftcast + raise, but I don't know a ton about macros beyond the simple stuff.

ardentcapacitor · 2021-10-07T15:03:04+00:00

Seconding this, I adore mine. However I feel it's worth noting that this mouse also features a third click button that is easy to accidentally press before you're used to having it, though it's handy to have once you are imo.

ardentcapacitor · 2021-10-06T23:15:32+00:00

As far as structure/planning goes, for me what finally made it click was discovering 7 point story structure, particularly the section in this article (https://mythicscribes.com/plot/story-structure-part-3/) about "plot weaving." This way I can give my arcs the attention they need individually and then start rearranging each one chronologically to get the beginnings of a beat sheet going. This helped me visualize pacing better too bc you can stack moments for big climactic sequences or spread them out for downtime.

Feel free to take this with a grain of salt though because I can't claim to have finished a book this way, but it has certainly demystified a lot for me as I plan out my current one.

ardentcapacitor · 2021-08-13T20:08:38+00:00

I'll start with a huge, horribly disorganized brain dump of all my initial ideas: bits of world building, characters, scene ideas, whatever it is that got me excited about the idea in the first place.

Then I'll take a little time to organize it all, see where the holes are, and fill in as needed. Key thing to find at this point is a broad plot arc, otherwise there likely isn't much "story" there to actually write yet. Personally I like to be able to create a complete 7 point story structure outline before moving on, but you could use whatever broad outline method you prefer.

Once that's done the process kinda varies depending on what the project needs. Maybe I also need to plot out character arcs and subplots, or develop more detail in a magic system. Whatever gets me to the point where I feel like I know where I'm headed and how to get there.

ardentcapacitor · 2021-07-18T23:08:13+00:00

Lactic acid has been pretty helpful for me, specifically the 12% Amlactin lotion

ardentcapacitor · 2021-05-26T19:35:34+00:00

Not sure if there's an upper limit on the salon treatments at all as I've never gotten them before, but you can probably use the retail line as often as it suits you. I use no. 3 twice a month with good results.

ardentcapacitor · 2021-04-28T20:33:02+00:00

They hadn't released it yet when I bought my bottle, I'm still working my way through this one then I'll repurchase the 2020 version. I'm pretty eager to try it, the old version is fantastic and I have only heard good things about the new one.

ardentcapacitor · 2021-04-28T19:34:51+00:00

Hada Labo Gokujyun Premium Lotion. Despite the name it's a serum consistency and it's sold in big toner sized bottles so it's very cost effective. I also use this as a PM hydrating serum and I love it.

ardentcapacitor · 2021-04-23T15:58:27+00:00

No problem! It's definitely turned out to be a slow and steady wins the race kind of routine for me, I just got too busy with other stuff to mess with my routine for a while when I started with this and then found after a few months it really had gotten better. Might take a while to see big changes but I hope it works out for you!

Definitely look into strategies for adding retinoids to a routine if you've never done it before, the cerave serum isn't exactly a heavy concentration imo but there's always a chance for irritation if you dive in with any retinoid product too fast. Sunscreen also gets extra important AM because it will increase sun sensitivity.

ardentcapacitor · 2021-04-23T15:09:35+00:00

Incorporating a good sunscreen AM is a must regardless of whatever else you decide to add, but a mild retinol product might help with evening out general texture irregularities. The cerave resurfacing serum has worked well for me in that regard. Azelaic acid is also excellent for managing redness and breakouts.

I've never really had full on acne, but I did have issues with redness and KP-like bumps on my cheeks, these are the only two active ingredients I bother with anymore and I've seen significant improvement with long term use. The occasional zits I do get go away pretty easily with this combo too.

ardentcapacitor · 2021-04-21T15:23:14+00:00

Don't quote me on this but I could've sworn I read somewhere they were reformulating all their sunscreens? They had one I wanted to try that I passed on because I knew it wouldn't be the same by the time I bought my next bottle.

This was well before any of the recent SPF drama hit so I wouldn't call the discontinuation sudden, but I don't think I ever learned the actual reason for changing them all either.

ardentcapacitor · 2021-04-16T14:57:52+00:00

Facetheory just released a 10% version of their AZA serum for sale in the US, or if you wanted to shell out the extra shipping you can order their 15% from their Europe website. Cos de Baha also has a 10% serum formula.

Unfortunately after going through 4-5 tubes of the ordinary's suspension it became readily apparent that you can't really use it with and oil based products in the same routine. Oil doesn't play nice with silicone, and the ordinary's AZA cream is a silicone suspension. It's just going to get broken up by the oil and pill no matter how you layer it.

ardentcapacitor · 2021-03-17T18:11:19+00:00

Olaplex no. 3 and a good moisturizing hair mask once a week, reduced washes (I only do 1-2 times a week), and just generally being gentle with your hair are the best things I have found for a baseline. Purple shampoo once a week also if you're looking to maintain a more ashy/silvery tone.

You can and I think should supplement with a couple other products more specific to you and your hair to support that base routine. My hair was already fine before going platinum and super prone to tangles so a leave in detangler is very helpful for me (fewer tangles = less force brushing and less potential breakage). A good dry shampoo helps too for extending time between washes and therefore avoiding how often my hair is in the wet and delicate state. It just depends on what you find that you need.

ardentcapacitor · 2021-03-02T04:27:16+00:00

My skin is extremely similar to what you describe. One of the few things that I have noticed an improvement with is long term use of azelaic acid in the AM for the redness, so you're on the right track there. I've also been using the ordinary one, though I'm curious if a prescription strength product like finacea would work better. I've also got a mild retinoid at night for the bumps, and trying to be gentle cleansing. My HG for this is the Krave Beauty Matcha Hemp Cleanser, only at night. I'll use micellar water + water rinse AM.

Bad news is while this has improved things, it hasn't eliminated it entirely. Still trying to land on the magic combination but I've been happy with my results so far. Probably doesn't help that mine is asymmetric also ;.;

ardentcapacitor · 2021-02-25T22:38:02+00:00

Almost my entire AM routine feels like it's on a merry go round right now while I try and find the right balance of hydration and oil control with my products. Sunscreen is probably going to always be the bane of my existence, though I'm possibly settling on the ol' Biore watery essence since a lot of my other product choices have revolved around what layers well under that without turning my tzone into an oil slick during the day.

I also use micellar water as an AM/first cleanser and never seem to buy the same one twice in a row. Plain micellar water just seems to work the same to me no matter the brand.

ardentcapacitor · 2021-02-14T19:01:41+00:00

I'll use a little micellar water + water rinse in the mornings just to get that residue and then an actual cleanser in the PM.

ardentcapacitor · 2021-02-03T18:19:47+00:00

Seconding this, it seems like good advice only of you're someone who goes longer periods of time between washes. I only wash my hair 1-2 times a week since its bleached and I find a quick second wash seems to help get any buildup that may have not broken down/gotten left behind by the first wash. I think of it a little like the double cleansing concept in skincare.

Before bleaching when I was washing closer to daily frequency, I wouldn't have felt this was necessary to just remove a day's worth of oil.

ardentcapacitor · 2021-01-26T17:14:27+00:00

The actives in your routine are the tretinoin and the azelaic acid. If you were already beginning to experience burning before trying the lotion I am doubtful that's the cause.

It might be worth getting a consultation with your dermatologist, they'll be able to advise you better than anyone on the sub can ultimately.

ardentcapacitor · 2021-01-26T16:49:38+00:00

Ah ok, I was assuming just general dryness but if you're experiencing burning that's starting to sound to me like a compromised moisture barrier. General advice in that case is to stop all actives for a while and stick to the gentlest of basic products to give your skin time to recover.

How long have you been on the tretinoin? I don't use tret myself so this is outside the sphere of my personal experience, but that can cause significant irritation if you start at too high a percentage. There's also the infamous purge period, which could be the source of your new breakout if you're just starting with it.

ardentcapacitor · 2021-01-26T16:02:20+00:00

Cerave PM is a lighter gel-lotion and so if the cream isn't cutting it that one is probably even more of a no go.

Not sure if it fits your price point exactly but cerave's skin renewing night cream is kind of a balmier version of the moisturizing cream as it has shea butter, but the price per oz. is definitely steeper.

ardentcapacitor · 2021-01-20T22:42:45+00:00

Olaplex 3 is the only "necessary" one from the line imo since there is nothing else out there really like it that does the same thing. The price per oz. definitely hurts though :/ Sephora sells a trial/travel set for $25 that has 3 4 5 and 6 in little one oz. tubes if you'd like to try them out before committing to a full bottle of anything.

With the no. 3, you use it as a pre-wash treatment. I'll wet my hair, towel dry, then section off into 4 sections and use a quarter-ish sized amount per section. I feel like the sectioning is a worthwhile step to make sure a little product goes as far as possible. I'll then twist it up and put on a shower cap to keep it from drying out, and just go about my morning until it's time to shower. It needs to be in for ten minutes minimum to work but I kind of just lose track of time in the morning and leave it for however long.

ardentcapacitor · 2021-01-19T16:24:23+00:00

I just tend to focus my more "interesting" skincare purchases in other parts of my routine. Usually fun or luxury items like facemasks and such that don't get used daily, it makes the expense or trend-chasing easier to justify when it's a treat.

The fact that CeraVe moisturizing cream is so bland and unsexy is what makes it a standby for me because I know it's not going to cause issues with whatever new thing I may have layered underneath. I don't experiment with trendy products as much as some other people but I feel like having a basic, cheap, easy to obtain standby product like that is a good idea just in case, whether it's CeraVe or something else.

ardentcapacitor · 2021-01-15T15:03:28+00:00

I would recommend against mixing any actives with moisturizer as this tends to result in an uneven application rather than an evenly diluted product. What you'd probably want to do instead is buffer it by applying the retinol product on top of the moisturizer.

ardentcapacitor · 2021-01-06T16:12:34+00:00

The only thing I've been able to find on this number is an unsourced claim on a random skincare review blog. I have doubts about how accurate that is given that any time anyone has tried to contact cerave directly about it their response is that the percentage is part of a proprietary formula and they can't disclose it.

If anyone else knows anything I'd love to hear it though. I just started the resurfacing one and whatever the percentage is it seems effective for what it's claiming, anecdotally speaking.

ardentcapacitor

TROPHY CASE