Story Ideas & Discussion Thread

[BenArsenal]

I agree with 10-3 that a title should be basically a short description of the story, but fiction I think gives greater scope for creativity.

I write news about cars for a living, and thinking of titles (or headlines) can sometimes be a headache. After all, there's only so many times I can use the words "launch", "reveal", "unveil", "release" etc when there are new cars...

[SCIAG]

I haven't done gav, but my missus has re-read my story from start to whatever current point it has been up to on 4 occassions!

She was alright with that?

[tenthreeleader]

I agree with 10-3 that a title should be basically a short description of the story, but fiction I think gives greater scope for creativity.

I write news about cars for a living, and thinking of titles (or headlines) can sometimes be a headache. After all, there's only so many times I can use the words "launch", "reveal", "unveil", "release" etc when there are new cars...

So I suppose 'crash' is out ....

[ScottleeSV]

This is just a personal thing but I've always been attracted more to stories with the club name in the title, at least in the first instance. I think that's why I made sure to put 'Luton' in my own story title; At the time I did that I was imagining what would make myself check out a story thread (if that makes sense).

So, strictly theoretically, if two stories came out on the same day with the following titles...

1.The glorious rehabilitation!

2.The rehabilitation of Genoa!

...I would probably think "Oh, a Genoa story. That sounds original, I'll check that out", and for the time being the other one would go by the wayside.

Having said that, if story number 1 was by a well known forum member I recognised, where as number 2 (the Genoa one) was by a newbie, I might actually think "the rehabilitation, by Gavenwick? Now what he's up to?", and it would then be the Genoa one to drop out of my throught frame for a while.

There's also the possibility that, on a day you want to read and not write, the brain will simply tell you which story to click on and the title doesn't really matter. If The Rat Pack was titled "Arabian porn", and then when you clicked inside it was the Ridgway story, it would still be a popular story amongst members.

[weeeman27bob]

Both are actually correct, weeman. "Diaries" generally implies multiple volumes, while "diary" conjures the image of a single book, especially a pink one owned by a Molly Ringwald look-alike. Brat Pack references aside, its all the same, just a difference of singular or plural but it has little real bearing on the grammatical correctness of the title.

I knew that , I just didn't quite phrase what I wanted to say very well.

So I'll try again

Could you title a story

" The Diaries for XXXXX XXXX"

despite it really being only one entity?

[gavrenwick]

This is just a personal thing but I've always been attracted more to stories with the club name in the title, at least in the first instance. I think that's why I made sure to put 'Luton' in my own story title; At the time I did that I was imagining what would make myself check out a story thread (if that makes sense).

So, strictly theoretically, if two stories came out on the same day with the following titles...

1.The glorious rehabilitation!

2.The rehabilitation of Genoa!

...I would probably think "Oh, a Genoa story. That sounds original, I'll check that out", and for the time being the other one would go by the wayside.

Having said that, if story number 1 was by a well known forum member I recognised, where as number 2 (the Genoa one) was by a newbie, I might actually think "the rehabilitation, by Gavenwick? Now what he's up to?", and it would then be the Genoa one to drop out of my throught frame for a while.

There's also the possibility that, on a day you want to read and not write, the brain will simply tell you which story to click on and the title doesn't really matter. If The Rat Pack was titled "Arabian porn", and then when you clicked inside it was the Ridgway story, it would still be a popular story amongst members.

I agree. I do look for certain member stories, but also go for some if they are titled well, and at least grammatically correct too.

E.g.

The Genoa Story looks better than

the genoa story

[stoehrst]

I knew that , I just didn't quite phrase what I wanted to say very well.

So I'll try again

Could you title a story

" The Diaries for XXXXX XXXX"

despite it really being only one entity?

Again, its all personal preference. I'll give you an example. The original title for Chimney Charlie was "The Charles Henry Stories Book 1: Chimney Charlie in Antrim County." I could have left that word singular and it would have made just as much sense. Just because there will be multiple installments (as evidenced by the Book 1 portion of the title) does not mean it isn't one continuous story, as it is simply the chronicle of his career as a football manager. But it can also be considered a series of collected stories about Charles Henry.

"The Diaries of Blankety-Blank" for me would indicate that it will be a long tale with many different chapters and events in it that can either stand alone or be told as one continuous narrative, short or long. "The Diary of Blankety-Blank" indicates that it is one continuous narrative. In reality, though, both titles can serve either function. So again, the moral of the story is: do whichever sounds better to you .

[SCIAG]

This is just a personal thing but I've always been attracted more to stories with the club name in the title, at least in the first instance. I think that's why I made sure to put 'Luton' in my own story title; At the time I did that I was imagining what would make myself check out a story thread (if that makes sense).

So, strictly theoretically, if two stories came out on the same day with the following titles...

1.The glorious rehabilitation!

2.The rehabilitation of Genoa!

...I would probably think "Oh, a Genoa story. That sounds original, I'll check that out", and for the time being the other one would go by the wayside.

Having said that, if story number 1 was by a well known forum member I recognised, where as number 2 (the Genoa one) was by a newbie, I might actually think "the rehabilitation, by Gavenwick? Now what he's up to?", and it would then be the Genoa one to drop out of my throught frame for a while.

There's also the possibility that, on a day you want to read and not write, the brain will simply tell you which story to click on and the title doesn't really matter. If The Rat Pack was titled "Arabian porn", and then when you clicked inside it was the Ridgway story, it would still be a popular story amongst members.

I agree with that. I hate cliched titles. "New Manager", "Manager in Training", etc. are particular gripes of mine. Having said that, I still read mytton's "Wannabe Manager", even though the title is horrid.

[swagat sinha]

I agree. I do look for certain member stories, but also go for some if they are titled well, and at least grammatically correct too.

E.g.

The Genoa Story looks better than

the genoa story

I read this and thought it was a post by PM

[gavrenwick]

I read this and thought it was a post by PM

Haha whys that?

[swagat sinha]

It's normally PM who keeps correcting people

[gavrenwick]

It's normally PM who keeps correcting people

Oops haha. I didn't realise I corrected anyone! But in all honesty, no-one can be as grumpy as he

[Dalbeider]

Talking about PM7, where's he? Haven't seen him post in a while...

[SCIAG]

Talking about PM7, where's he? Haven't seen him post in a while...

Plotting Strands of Time XXVIII, probably.

[Celtic_1967]

She was alright with that?

It was her choice, she gets the chapters by email so she can read them whenever she wants. I have never asked her to re-read anything.

[copperhorse21]

Oops haha. I didn't realise I corrected anyone! But in all honesty, no-one can be as grumpy as he

Try the Lower Leagues room of the forum and ignore the stickies at the top when you post. Then watch the magic....

It's how I ended up here. I hope their loss is your gain.

[swagat sinha]

I know. They totally freak out all the time. And are pretty rude too

[gavrenwick]

I know. They totally freak out all the time. And are pretty rude too

That's where I started. Forced out quicker than Brian Clough at Leeds.

[swagat sinha]

I got out myself. They reminded me of a weird Big Brother.

[SCIAG]

It was her choice, she gets the chapters by email so she can read them whenever she wants. I have never asked her to re-read anything.

I thought certain sections may have got unwanted reactions.

[Celtic_1967]

no I asked her about those before I wrote them. She was fine with it.

[weeeman27bob]

FWIW ( I can't be bothered to quote whoever posted it),

My story will be titled "The Diaries of XXXX XXXXXX" because it sounds much better that way.

And also FWIW, it's 515 words long

Posting to things that have happened ages ago for the win!

[Celtic_1967]

Quick question -

Does anyone know if FMRTE is easy to use?

I have an idea for a short(ish) story but it would require FMRTE and I've never used it.

I was thinking about doing a world cup signup where FMS users get to be the managers of the world cup teams. Failing that I could do a longer story where the FMS'ers get to start with their nations from the start of Qualifying. Doing it the second way means I could edit the changes in before starting the game, whereas doing just the World Cup finals means I'd need to edit the save game once I know which nations are there.

So again, is FMRTE easy to use?

Would there be much interest in this? and if there is what would folk prefer, the world cup finals or qualifying and the finals?

[SCIAG]

I'd prefer just the finals tbh.

For a computer man like yourself, it should be easy enough. Remember to save prior to and after completing changes.

[TerrierBhoy7]

I know I promised a shorty was in the works and I realise that it hasn't materialised as of yet. As soon as I can hold down a game longer than a couple of game months I may stop writing 1000 words then starting a new game! My abandons must top Rat Pack!

[Burgess Basso]

Hey guys, my first post in this section of Football Manager Stories. I am currently attempting to write a story which surrounds a low league Spanish team playing in the depths of Spain. I need some help as what to write it like.

I don't want to go to in depth with the squad,injuries,media or tables.

What would be the best way to do this. Any other story links which I can learn from would be helpful.

Thanks

[SCIAG]

What DO you want to do?

Good starting points for "less depth" stories include anything by Faramir and the absolutely epic Reviving the Legend by the legendary Donners. It's also worth checking out Mark's stories.

[copperhorse21]

Burgess,

Do you like to write? If not, keep all posts about 500 words or so. Write only about the main plot points that you find interesting in the game.

Like any skill, writing takes time to develop. So, don't worry about trying to do a Rat Pack or other in-depth stories.

In fact, I'd suggest writing a short story first. Maybe deal with only your FA Cup Run? Or some tournament equivalent? Maybe the month where your manager won some award?

Like most have written in the sticky and earlier in this thread....write the kind of story you enjoy reading yourself. It really helps more than you can imagine.

[mark wilson27]

Burgess - I'm no good at writing in depth stories or anything like that so I looked at Faramirs work and went down that route.

I find my sign up game difficult to write up because of the large match reports and probably wouldn't do another story like that again

[Burgess Basso]

Thanks for your help guys. I may do a short story in the near future and start doing a new long term based story

[pjap]

I have a thought for a new story. Please provide feedback and/or ideas.

The news late last year that Chelsea were not going to be able to purchase any players intriged me. I began to wonder how a team would perform over the long term if they could not buy any players.

My idea of a story would be to use Man Utd (as I am a fan) and see how far I could survive. I had thought of allowing loan signings as I do not know whether the original ban of Chelsea's meant no loan signings.

I have FM 2007 though, so the players are from back then... ronaldo, etc. Would the members of the board be interested?

I have not fleshed out many story arcs yet. The hardest part will be the back story of an unknown taking the reigns of Man Utd.

[BenArsenal]

Thanks for your help guys. I may do a short story in the near future and start doing a new long term based story

A short story is good. It gives structure and you aren't as likely to go off course.

Not really wanting to self-promote (yeah right ), but you can check out my latest short story (the Man City one with the long title). It's basically a brief summary of a series of matches, plus a bit of background. That seemed to work.

[BenArsenal]

I have a thought for a new story. Please provide feedback and/or ideas.

The news late last year that Chelsea were not going to be able to purchase any players intriged me. I began to wonder how a team would perform over the long term if they could not buy any players.

My idea of a story would be to use Man Utd (as I am a fan) and see how far I could survive. I had thought of allowing loan signings as I do not know whether the original ban of Chelsea's meant no loan signings.

I have FM 2007 though, so the players are from back then... ronaldo, etc. Would the members of the board be interested?

I have not fleshed out many story arcs yet. The hardest part will be the back story of an unknown taking the reigns of Man Utd.

IDEA:

Fergie is forced to resign after being discovered by the media that he fathered an illegitimate child. Said illegitimate chile (you) then sensationally takes over the club despite having no prior experience.

Work on it. It'll be great.

[copperhorse21]

I have a thought for a new story. Please provide feedback and/or ideas.

The news late last year that Chelsea were not going to be able to purchase any players intriged me. I began to wonder how a team would perform over the long term if they could not buy any players.

My idea of a story would be to use Man Utd (as I am a fan) and see how far I could survive. I had thought of allowing loan signings as I do not know whether the original ban of Chelsea's meant no loan signings.

I have FM 2007 though, so the players are from back then... ronaldo, etc. Would the members of the board be interested?

I have not fleshed out many story arcs yet. The hardest part will be the back story of an unknown taking the reigns of Man Utd.

You could give yourself the last name of Glazer....It's worked for all the Coppola family in the movie business...Daddy or uncle or brother bought the team and feels the family business must stay in the family?

[SCIAG]

Your name could be M. Lippi (the greatest unemployed manager of the time), and the Glazers could find you in a Manchester phone book. Thinking you to be Marcelo, they employ you without actually checking that you're Italian, elderly, etc.

Chelsea's ban, and Portsmouth's, Cardiff's and Crystal Palace's did/do stop them making loan deals.

[Celtic_1967]

I have 24 of the 32 names I wanted for the World cup story. I was wondering what people wanted for attributes.

These are the choices -

A) Fill in names and ages and let the game randomise everything else.

B) Make everyone 20 or 200 (depending on field) for everything.

C) Make every one 20 for attributes and give the managers who get good teams bad reps and vice versa.

Thoughts?

[stoehrst]

Give everyone a set CA and PA but don't touch their individual attributes. I'd also give everyone the same reputation. That way its a (relatively) level playing field.

However, you could have us give our tactical preferences, or preferred formations at least. On the other hand, you could also randomize that, too.

[stoehrst]

It's ironic that you're doing this, Celtic, because I've been considering a managerial sign-up once I get FM10. I, however, would make everyone unemployed managers with a flat rep, flat CA, and flat PA, and then loose them on the unsuspecting football world and see how things go.

[Celtic_1967]

THing is, I cant help thinking that if we all have flat reps and CA/PA whoever draws say, Brazil, will have an advantage over whoever gets say, New Zealand in the World Cup Finals Random Draw.

[stoehrst]

Yes and no. If you make everybody brilliant it may not matter, same as if you make everyone terrible. I see what you're saying, though I think it might be a bit dangerous to the credibility of the story/competition of you try to improve certain managers to make it even. That never ends well, but you're right, you may need it in some cases.

[tenthreeleader]

THing is, I cant help thinking that if we all have flat reps and CA/PA whoever draws say, Brazil, will have an advantage over whoever gets say, New Zealand in the World Cup Finals Random Draw.

Yet, Brazil has an advantage over New Zealand every time they play them in real life.

How about an odds chart or points system of some kind to level the playing field? Your team accomplishes things, you get points. Base the point values on the inverse of your FM game's world rankings? (i.e. win for Brazil - 1 point, draw for New Zealand - 100 points? Loss by 1-2 goals against higher ranked team, 25 points ...)

Just thoughts, anyhow.

[stoehrst]

10-3 is right. The fact is, whomever gets New Zealand (or similar countries) is probably shafted, because there's almost no way they're going to win it. I'd say put us all at a flat CA/PA/Rep and have at it.

[Celtic_1967]

10-3 is right. The fact is, whomever gets New Zealand (or similar countries) is probably shafted, because there's almost no way they're going to win it. I'd say put us all at a flat CA/PA/Rep and have at it.

Yeah, this is prabably the easiest way to do it too!

[m1234566778]

I'm thinking of doing a sign up so here are 2 ideas:

1. Melchester or other fictional name team are created and placed in BSN/BSS with you as the players.

2. I create several players (you) and leave them at the start without a club, I then follow their progress and do the story in the style of reports.

Let me know what you think.

[BenArsenal]

I'm thinking of doing a sign up so here are 2 ideas:

1. Melchester or other fictional name team are created and placed in BSN/BSS with you as the players.

2. I create several players (you) and leave them at the start without a club, I then follow their progress and do the story in the style of reports.

Let me know what you think.

Sounds like it belongs in the CSE forum, to be honest.

[Elrithral]

Didn't Terk's reply to your last sign up suggestion give you a hint?

[stoehrst]

What is the CSE forum?

[Terk]

Challenges, Sign-Ups and Experiments.

[tenthreeleader]

I'm thinking of doing a sign up so here are 2 ideas:

1. Melchester or other fictional name team are created and placed in BSN/BSS with you as the players.

2. I create several players (you) and leave them at the start without a club, I then follow their progress and do the story in the style of reports.

Let me know what you think.

I think CSE would be a good place for this as well. A better track record of sticking with stories would also be useful to help with the signup process.

[stoehrst]

I think CSE would be a good place for this as well. A better track record of sticking with stories would also be useful to help with the signup process.

You should focus on your Man Utd story, take that a good distance first, M.