I need ideas to help with a book I am writing?

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footyfan

New member
Hey I am currently writing a book. Rather than planning out the whole plot I instead decided that I would think about it when I came to it. But I don't know where to go next. It begins in a trailer park which I have portrayed to be a scummy and eerie place.

My story is about a middle aged man named Ray, he has lived on the same trailer park his whole life, he is very shy, and completely alone. Both his parents are dead and he has barely any friends. His shyness, however, has lead to him being very perceptive, he reads people well, and is for the opening few chapters pondering the people around him and the way they behave. Despite appearing very dumb and apathetic about everything, he is infact quite an intelligent man and is always alert. He muses over right and wrong and the amoral filth around him. However his lack of confidence means he never has the courage to express openly any objections. Most of the next few chapters recount the inner outrage and chronic depression within him and build tension.
Then suddenly one night, completely out of character he loses his temper and beats up 2 drunken youths who are hurting a distressed young girl.

I need ideas on where to go next, I am unsure of what direction to go in, any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
 
Have the young girl form a relationship with him. She brings him out of his shell a bit. They are like best friends...a bit weirdly so maybe...then he gets accused of peadophilia and public vilification ensues. Develop a story about the problem of mass hysteria, mob mentality, media stirring, government complicity and show how a simple man can either be crushed or rise to the challenge - maybe both in suicide.
 
Any decent writing has to start with a plot. You have a loosely formed one. Right now it sounds boring. You have a lot of introspection, a sort of stream of consciousness on his part, but no discernible action to invest the reader in your story. Backtrack and say how the trailer park deteriorated. Try to come up with something original because right now it sounds like stereotyping or profiling. Have him react sooner and then you can bring in his feelings while he is in a SWAT standoff.

Writing takes planning and concentration. You need to put more effort in your work.
 
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