Alright, I've been thinking about trying my hand at writing a FanFiction, so I started brainstorming. Came up with a couple of good ideas.But of course, being the lousy decision-maker that I am, I can't decide which one to do! I've narrowed it down to three ideas, and I was hoping that the community could help me pick the best one!

Here is a summary for each concept. Any thoughts, opinions, critiques, etcetera would be greatly appreciated.

#1: The year is 2E 553. The city of Camlorn, on the western coast of High Rock, is the site of an unholy birth. Commissioned by Mephala herself, and created by the witch Naenra Waerr... Witness the birth of Umbra!

#2: The night isn't safe. Anybody can tell you that. Randalin Skerabjorn knows this better than most. Her father and brother were killed by vampires when she was young. Now, after arriving in Cyrodiil, she learns of an organization that shares her goals. Enter the Order of the Virtuous Blood!

#3: There's been bad blood in the family for years now. When a diary about their ancestors' treasure is discovered during a family reunion, the harsh words turn into action in a brutal race to find their riches!

I quite liked the idea of them all actually, but I am leaning to the side of choice number 1.

But to be honest it is up to you. What one (in your own opinion) do you want to do most? It is your story, not ours.

Well, these are actually all ideas from different times. #1 is the oldest, and by virtue of being older it is the most fleshed out (I have way more than the summary thought up). #2 is a much more recent idea, mainly to add a lot more depth and story to everybody's favorite order of wanna-be vampire hunters. #3 actually wasn't originally going to be for TES, but when I realized how much more I could do with it if it were set in Tamriel, I made the swap

That said, I definitely feel much more attached to my first two ideas. I love the story I have planned for Umbra, but I really like Randalin's character... She's not going to be your steriotypical Van Helsing-esque vampire hunter.

Hmm I think you should go for the first choice if it feels more fleshed out and developed.

In that case, you can probaby set #3 aside for now... give it time to incubate before you commit to writing it, and concentrate on writing something you really want to write.

I like both #1 and #2. My inner Lore geek is attracted to #1, because it's set in Tamriel's history, around one of the most interesting Artifacts in TES lore. Then again, I'm always all for an old-fashioned vampire-based fic, as long as it's well-written, and I've always felt the Order of Virtuous Blood had possibilities beyond those used in the game. Unfortunately, due to forum rules, you can't post both at the same time.

What I'd do is start writing both of them, and see which one takes off. I suspect they would both be very different stories, in plot, tone, style, everything. Therefore, depending on your current mood, you're probably going to gravitate toward one or another.

And hey, if all else fails, you can just keep working on both, and only post one of them. That's what I'd do... although very few people are as willing to pound away at word docs all day as I am, writing geek that I am.

They all sounded pretty generic and boring to me. :shrug: Mix it up a bit and add some flare. No offense but I wouldn't want to read any of that. And Umbra is a sword, not a person. I mean, yeah there are people named Umbra in the games, but the sword itself goes from person to person, not the other way around. If anything you'd want to write a fan fic on Naenra Waerr, for she is the witch who enchanted said sword.

Actually, I do agree about the Umbra part; write about the witch.

I think that's what he means, the birth of the sword.



That's how I took it anyway.

On topic, that would be the story that would interest me the most as well.

.... *facepalm* Yes, of course. Excuse my ignorance. That's what I get for quickly scanning his post. -_-

Don't worry about it, happens to me all the time

Alright then, it seems like I'll start working on the Umbra story than! It'll probably be a while before I get the first post up, but don't worry, it's coming!

Huzaah! I look forward to it!

I need to start reading fanfics more. I miss by BGSF Fan Fiction Forum days.

Write a story yourself! That should bring you back.

That's not what I mean. I write all the time, just not fan-fics. What I mean is that I miss reading them and critiquing them. I'm not a genius editor by any means, but it was always fun helping people and whatnot.

Oh right I see. Well I like to try critiquing and help but for some reason I seem to svck at it. :shrug:

Anyway, I do see quite a lot of fan-fics these days, so there should be a few for you to review.

Eh, no offense to current authors, but I prefer reading stories that are well written to begin with Though critiquing lesser stories is more fun. I of course am not one to criticize people's writing, being a mediocre author myself, but you have to admit the forums used to be better :shrug:

On topic, since you have already gotten down and dirty with the Umbra story, I propose you examine your options of how to tell the story of Umbra. I suggest a few possibilities:

1. As said, tell how it was forged, centering around the witch and the townsfolk that killed her, throwing in some Mephala stuff and other interesting facts.

2. Following Umbra with a few shorter stories, starting with the witch, then the first owner, then either the second or the most famous user. I only wish there was more lore on the sword, particularly about some deeds that were done with it.

3. Just throwing it out there, feel free to try a journal entry one. They can be fun, if shorter and less descriptive, though I myself don't like them as much.

4. Tell the story of someone who is hunting Umbra (the warrior) who later gains the sword and turns into the new Umbra.

Just a few things you could do with Umbra. Good luck :goodjob:

This.