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The Definitive Story Writing Guide
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 04-04-2013 00:59
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
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An upgraded version of the Do's and Dont's list, with more of each, some examples and a hefty list of great stories to aspire to and take inspiration from.
This "guide" may eventually develop into an actual guide like "Crommy's Guide to Story Writing" (which is excellent and well worth a read)
Please feel free to post, comment, suggest, discus etc. in the posts below, and i will do my best to update these top couple with the best bits, and where possible credit people.
This is also by no means a set of rules of things that must be done for a story to be good. These are guidelines to follow that will make the story better to follow and write.
Also sorry for the table layouts being a little strange
Always write because it is fun, and because you want to!
If you do not follow this rule then you will struggle to write, which decreases the quality, and soon enough the whole thing collapses into failure
There you go, 15 DO's and 15 DONT's for story writing. 30 guiding bits of advice to be followed or ignored at your discretion. Thanks to jseadog, maxime86 and lluuiiggii for suggesting some of them.
If you have any suggestions or examples for any of them, please post them below. There are countless more examples for many of them i could of added, but some points are just obvious.
Finally here is a list of stories i would recommend anyone and everyone reads (or re-reads). 18 stories from PCM2006 right up to now. I have limited it to one story per user, so please don't ask for another of their stories to be added. If you think one should be replaced with another of their stories please ask.
They are in no particular order
Monster Energy-Ford by dienblad
PCM2011. Started off with an overpowered team and messy style of posting, but has grown into the longest story on Daily. Fantastic style of reporting, great action, nice originality... In many peoples view the best story on the site
Tale of Two by Ian Butler
PCM2012. The story that launched a member. I won't mention the ones (yes there were a few) that came before. A, mostly, new idea to follow two riders. The key was its speed and crisp, personal reporting style. Not perfect by any stretch but it will always define the man
Salvatore Puccio by andy222c
PCM2012. Died far far too young. Not long but really one of the best ever. Fantastic graphics, fantastic races, fantastic reporting, fantastic personal touches. Just plain and simple fantastic from start to premature finish.
Spidertech-Cervelo by fernando97
PCM2012. I've gone for the 1st 2012 one. The best example of a "Your Rider Story". Great graphics and solid reports made this fun for everyone to read, and it too died too young, like all stories of the same type.
La Pomme by Pellizotti2
PCM2012. Pelli has had a few other great stories but this current one is his best. The reports are well written drawing the reader into the world. Great team selection, tied into a perfect level of difficulty keeps things exciting. Fully deserving of its awards.
Auber93 - BigMat by rjc_43
PCM2007. Wow, just wow. Another great small team that lead to a brilliant story. Good reports and an engaging journey up the ranks. Just wow.
David Veilleux: The Next Canadian Legend by valverde321
PCM2010/2011. Entirely how one man made us fall in love with a Canadian nobody. Sheer class from start to finish. Long running, great development, nice personal touches. This story had more than just the racing and is perhaps the best One-Rider Story ever.
Dominic Nerz by cunego96
PCM2009/2011/2012. This story is just fantastic. Covered several seasons showing Dom's growth in a fun easy to follow story. The great reports were the strong foundation to this stories success, making each one a joy to read. This story really is special.
The Danish Punchuer by niconico
PCM2007. This story is just amazing. A fantastically well written story with brilliant reports and a brilliant personality. The journey it takes the read on is enjoyable and makes for great reading. Totally worth the time to read.
DFL Extreme by SportingNonsense
PCM2007. I bet you'd all forgotten about this one! Another small team (see a pattern?) and their journey upwards. The real challenge of Extreme could be seen through the racing, beautifully presented in good reports. The several season progression allowed it to develop and adapt to become the great it is.
The Columbia Sprint Train by alexkr00
PCM2008. Not many great stories on 08, making this that bit more special. Its well written, got good racing, and lasted the test of time and motivation. Its just a great story.
Fantasy Neutral Story by mpardo
PCM2009. Another example of something different. Safe to say there is nothing like this around. Pure focus on the racing, which is reported in clear depth, sucking you into the reports. Now into its 5th season it shows no signs of stopping, and no-one wants it to.
Discovery Channel by Squire
PCM2009. Any story where lluuiiggii says its the best, probably is. This story is so damn close to perfect. Just go and enjoy it, please.
Team HTC-Columbia by Batista15
PCM2009. Running out of ways to say really really good. So this one is... well, really really good.
Exxon-Duke by baggieboys32
PCM2010. Partly here so BB doesn't get angry. But it was a really well written story with outstanding reports and development.
Team Dark Dog by tsmoha
PCM2010/2011. The graphics in this story are the best of any. They are amazing! The racing is exciting, and of course has well written reports. Perfect difficulty, great progression. In my opinion this is the best Team Story on Daily.
Garmin by roturn
PCM2010/2011. Ok i think i am actually out of ways to say good story. Sooo.... good story, go read now!
Movistar Extreme by baia
PCM2011. A great example of who difficulty can make for a great story. And of course good reports etc. etc.
Andy Schleck: Quest for History by Mresuperstar
PCM2011. That challenge. That Vuelta. That stage. That attack!
If you do not know, the goo read, now! Seriously, go... go go go right now!!! NOW GO READ IT NOW NOW NOW!
Naturally there are loads more out there, so do suggest more for people to read. There will be no bad example list for obvious reasons.
And i made it through all this without advertising my own story The Hammarlings... oh there it is!
Edited by TheManxMissile on 02-06-2013 17:24
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 04-04-2013 01:25
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
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reserved just in case
please post etc
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| baseballlover312 |
Posted on 04-04-2013 01:52
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 16429
Joined: 27-07-2011
PCM$: 10438.70
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Uhh, you have like 3 or for conflictiing dos and don'ts such as editing.
And great job with putting Exxon. 
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy |
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| fcancellara |
Posted on 04-04-2013 01:55
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5194
Joined: 18-08-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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Sacrifice the racing for background
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 04-04-2013 01:56
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
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Thats because some editing is fine, and can be very beneficial. But too much and the story becomes artificial and looses its excitement.
And similar for some others. Certain amounts of things are good, but too much/many and it ruins the story.
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| fcancellara |
Posted on 04-04-2013 02:00
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5194
Joined: 18-08-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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My previews and layout take up way more time than the racing, usually 
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 04-04-2013 02:27
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
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This is a great way for making people decide what they want to do in a story  |
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 23-11-2024 14:01
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| valverde321 |
Posted on 04-04-2013 02:58
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World Champion
Posts: 12986
Joined: 20-05-2009
PCM$: 530.00
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Very good guide!
I think the tips are very useful, and could have helped me in my first few stories on the site, in addition to Crommy's which was sadly never completely finished. Of course I learned over time.
The examples of stories that provide proof of your tips is a good idea and I also especially love your recommended stories list! Will certainly be good to find the older legendary stories even for me now that are kinda hard to find with the older PCM sections being combined into one. (Thanks for the comments on my story btw)
And maybe an idea but dont not do something just because its in the Dont, common sense applied though. For example a story with a lot of background could work out brilliantly. Thats probably one of the only ones in Dont list though
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| Jakstar22 |
Posted on 04-04-2013 03:08
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Team Leader
Posts: 7295
Joined: 11-04-2012
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No Ryder Hesjedal in the good stories part. Manx you feeling okay
Just kidding. Looks great Manx
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| Kentaurus |
Posted on 04-04-2013 03:16
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3999
Joined: 26-07-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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Andy Schleck: Quest for History by Mresuperstar
PCM2011. That challenge. That Vuelta. That stage. That attack!
If you do not know, the goo read, now! Seriously, go... go go go right now!!! NOW GO READ IT NOW NOW NOW!
Whew...almost thought that wasn't going to be listed and was going to have to correct Manx's mistake...
AZTECA - NBCSN  |
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| fcancellara |
Posted on 04-04-2013 03:30
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5194
Joined: 18-08-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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Well if you want stories with a nice preview, check my Vuelta story with Andalucia, Project Benelux by MitchNL and me, my Leopard-Trek story and my Zdenek Stybar story.
None of them lasted long though 
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 04-04-2013 11:16
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
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@valv
Of course this is merely a guide with suggestions. Everyone breaks these rules, even the great stories do at times.
I have spent many many hours looking through the old sections and reading the stories. All the links are to the original threads, so for things like Veilleux, Garmin and Nerz erc that cover several versions of the game you will need to find them yourselves.
@Kent
Mre had to point it out to me. I had written it down as a great in the planning then just not put it into the final list. Still its there now 
@fcancellara
Having detailed previews are ok as long as the story keeps on rolling. I will also direct you at the more recent Spidertechs, the MFS and UCPCL for my previews which are just insane...
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 04-04-2013 14:15
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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Excellent guide, and you made it fun to read.
I'm sure this will help many story-writers to be and maybe even already experienced story writers. (I, for one, find your insights into my story particularly interesting!) |
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| Stromeon |
Posted on 04-04-2013 15:21
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3507
Joined: 06-10-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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TheManxMissile wrote:
I will also direct you at the UCPCL for my previews which are just insane...
Like the non-existent one for the Continental teams?
That aside, it's a great guide which should help everyone start off on the right foot when starting a new story
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| jseadog1 |
Posted on 20-06-2013 23:47
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 9595
Joined: 18-07-2010
PCM$: 13552.00
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I just now saw this 
You just inspired me.. geez I didn't know I was that bad
Im just messing no hard feelings
PCM.Daily Survivor Season 2 Fan Favorite Winner
PCM.Daily NFL Fantasy Football Champion: 2012
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PCM.Daily NFL Prediction Game Champion: 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2021
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| fernando97 |
Posted on 21-06-2013 00:02
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2167
Joined: 01-01-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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jseadog1 wrote:
I just now saw this
You just inspired me.. geez I didn't know I was that bad
Im just messing no hard feelings
Well, you still have time to "save" that story, am I right?
Oh and thanks for mentioning SpiderTech Manx! |
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![imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg](https://imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg)
