Heaven's BBS - Text

[kokuyoyo]

From: Anonymous
Date: August 29

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How do you write romance stories? Or any sort of fiction.

What romance stories that are already written do you like?

Comments

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[brynwieldr]

I donated a large number of bodice-rippers to the library, if you want examples of how not to write proper romances, which is just as valuable as seeing how to write proper ones.

[kokuyoyo]

What's wrong with bodice rippers?

[brynwieldr]

Nothing's inherently wrong with them, if you like them, but they're not really romance.

[kokuyoyo]

[A pause as today's anon tries to figure out how to deal with this statement.]

Aren't they marketed as romance?

[sharkmaid]

Read some yourself to get an idea.

Though I'd stay away from Shakespeare. Those are pretty tragic.

[kokuyoyo]

I'm trying to learn where to start. I've never had an interest before.

[sharkmaid]

Well, what drew you to romance at all? Why do you wanna write it?

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[waitingforhope]

[That was...certainly not what Mai was expecting when she checked the latest BBS update. Romance was far from the top of her list of priorities for the time being. And yet, she couldn't help feeling a little curious at the inquisition.]

Why romance, specifically?

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[kokuyoyo]

I was told I might have a talent for it.

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[waitingforhope]

That's an interesting comment for someone to make. How did the subject even come up?

[Were she her younger self, Mai might have started imagining all kinds of scenarios in which someone would bring up bring good at that genre in particular. As it was, she still couldn't help wonder about motive.]

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[eternalshield]

How much are they paying you to write romances??

[kokuyoyo]

Nothing. I don't think any of us could get published successful anyway.

[eternalshield]

Gods and shinki have their own society, that should mean their own literary classics!!

Anyway, Zeno says skip the tragedy!!! Life has enough of that!

[yasei]

By putting pen to paper.

Why romance?

[kokuyoyo]

I think it's harder than that.

Someone recommended it.

[yasei]

I wouldn't know. But it's the first step, isn't it?

Why did they do that?

text ♔ from Apollo

[priforprince]

[ Hibiki finds the BBS much more useful for heckling via soliloquy than participating most of the time, but this. This is practically a prayer to Apollo. ]

Romance in particular demands the finest spectacle. Its blossoming of passions is both the incarnation of and tribute to amore.

[ YOU'RE IN GOOD HANDS, ANONYMOUS

GENIUS HANDS

FEEL BLESSED ]

[kokuyoyo]

[oh hell]

[There's a notable pause as he tries to figure out what to do with this name and the advice given, before, well... It can't be... the worst idea he's had...]

It has to be a spectacle?

wendy comes into the office and hibiki is draped backwards over the desk

[priforprince]

Of course!

How else will you provide the ultimate fantasy?

[redotiertwo]

i see someone already suggested bodice rippers for what not to do
if youre looking for more dont fucking do this holy shit
look up fifty shades

on the other hand if you want some truly mind blowing and innovative romance material
also look up chuck tingle
i assure you it will be worth every minute

[kokuyoyo]

[There's a small gap in time that is presumably Chikusa looking up both of those titles. And another gap in time that is presumably reaction.]

[It takes a bit.]

I'm guessing the titles don't lie.

[redotiertwo]

they do not
everyone loves a nice straightforward title
it means they know what theyre putting their money into
even if that is various topical objects and/or people getting anally devastated

[leapingchuu]

I'm not sure how you'd write them, since I don't recall ever trying, but if you'd like to learn I'd say reading some decent ones would be a good starting point!

Everyone likes being told that they're beautiful and amazing, and having their good qualities commented upon.
Maybe include some of that every so often in your story?

[kokuyoyo]

I'm trying to find decent ones. So far all I know is that bodice rippers and 50 Shades are examples of it done incorrectly.

So focus on the positives?

[leapingchuu]

I think that'd be your best bet! At least to start with.

I don't really read them but yeah, those examples are pretty ridiculous.
I think you should just write about what you think love should be.