RK’s Story Guidelines and Questions

This… had to be done.  After I saw Genesis’ Powers post, I was finally inspired to set this up on this site and share what I had been working on for more than a week to complete.  Finished or not, I want to share my discoveries on how to make the perfect story.  I am by no means a professional writer, or claim to be one, but I am an aspiring writer and storyteller who wants to use all of my power to make as many decent projects successful.  All future ideas and additions to this list should be left in comments below and as well as further discussing upon and elaborating specific definitions should also be left in the comments.  I put this up to share the success of a good story.  Best of luck to all my friends and fellow artists/writers.  ^_^



What is the title of the story?
What does the title mean?
Is the title a character's name, plot thread, or an idea?
 What significance does it have on the story?
Is the title relevant to the creators or audience?
If the title were any different would it matter?
If the title were mentioned in the story, when would it be?

What is the setting of the story?
Is the setting made up or set in a real place in history?
Is the setting easy for the characters to manipulate?
Do the characters often interact with the story?
 If so, how often?
 If so, why?
 If not, why not?
What is the setting’s origin story?
Are they all from the local area, or are they foreigners?
-How do they adapt to their new surroundings?
Does their species reflect their regional history, or do they not fit in at all?
Does the location affect their physical appearance in any way?
Does history affect their physical appearance in any way?
Is the setting going to change the characters in any way?
Does the setting always change as the story progresses?
Can the story (plot) impact the setting and stay consistent with its ups and downs, or does the setting reset itself back to its normal state after ups and downs?
If the setting were anywhere else, would the story change?
 If so, how drastically?
How much time passes from the start of the story to the end?
Is the [frequent] use of the calendar or any time-measuring tool implemented?
Can the characters interact with time?
 Can the characters change time?
Does time change the setting often or rarely?
 If often, how long between each change?
 If rarely, what conditions trigger the next change?

Who are the characters?
How many characters are there?
What do they add to the story?
Who are the characters?
What roles do they have?
-Do these characters have any quirks or special traits that make them unique?
-Who is the main character?
-Who are the sidekicks?
-Who is the main enemy?
-Who are their lackeys?
How are all the characters related to/involved with the main character?
Are they all necessary to the plot?
 If not, who is a main and who is a side?
 Are there secondary mains?
 Are there any throwaway characters?
What are their weaknesses, strengths and quirks?
What are their origins?
Why do they belong in this story or setting?
Would they like to be in a different setting instead?
 If so, why do they want out?
Do the characters like being in the role they are given?
Can they change the role they are given?
Which characters are friends, rival and enemies?
Why are they friends?
Why are they rivals?
Why are they enemies?
What can their bonds accomplish?
How well do they maintain these bonds?
How do they measure these bonds individually?
Are the characters aware of these bonds?
Do the characters change physically?
 If so, how often?
 If so, to what extent?
 If so, do they do so with certain conditions?
    Emotional conditions?
    Physical conditions?
    Environmental conditions?
    Molecular conditions?
    Other worldly/supernatural conditions?
 If so, do they do so with less than ideal conditions?
 If so, do they cope with these changes or refuse to?
    How do they cope with these changes?
    Is this coping method successful?
Do the characters change emotionally?
 If so, how often?
 If so, to what extent?
 If so, do they do so with certain conditions?
    Emotional conditions?
    Physical conditions?
    Environmental conditions?
    Molecular conditions?
    Other worldly/supernatural conditions?
 If so, do they do so with less than ideal conditions?
 If so, do they cope with these changes or refuse to?
    How do they cope with these changes?
    Is this coping method successful?


Individual Character Question List
1) Looks
- Does he/she look familiar?
- Does he/she look visually appealing?
- Does he/she look in the way that their character should?
- Does he/she have a useful design?
- Does he/she look attractive?

2) Personality
- Does he/she have any sense of humor?
- Does he/she have anything that makes them happy, sad or angry?
- Does he/she have a charming trait?
- Does he/she have a nervous tick or set of fears?
- Does he/she have a definition of respect or attitude?
- Does he/she have an open or closed mind?
- Does he/she put emotions before logic, or vice versa?
- Does he/she have a "berserk button"?

3) Behavior
- Does he/she have a relatable lifestyle?
- Does he/she have manners or any sense of ettiquite?
- Does he/she have any social deficeincies?
- Does he/she have any restraint in certain situations?
- Does he/she take bad/good news well, and how do they react?

4) Style
- Does he/she have qualities that they know of well, and often exploit for personal gain?
- Does he/she approach all situations in the same way?
- Does he/she have a sense of problem solving ability?
- Does he/she retain knowledge or keep secrets?
- Does he/she carry his/her own weight, and how so?
- Does he/she value life?

5) Ideologies
- Does he/she understand limits, boundaries and know how to work with them?
- Does he/she have a religion or believe in a higher power?
- Does he/she respect that higher power and to what extent does this belief further the him/her in their struggles?
- Does he/she ever reach an epiphany of some sort, and how does this affect their look on life?
- Does he/she believe in good versus evil, or have mixed morals?
- Does he/she have a finite or number of goals?

What is the plot of the story?
Is there no overarching plot?
 Why?
What are the subplots?
 Can the subplots be turned into the major plot?
    How?
    Why?
    Under what conditions?
Is the plot hard to follow?
How does the plot get resolved?
How do the subplots get resolved?
Do the subplots intertwine to resolve the major plot?
Do the subplots matter more or less than the major plot?
Does the major plot get carried over the course of the story?
 When does the plot resolve?
 Does another plot take its place immediately after resolution?
Do the characters resolve the plot(s) together, in a small group(s), or alone?
Do the characters always get updated on how smoothly or quickly the plot is moving?
Do the characters get rewarded for completing part of the plot?
What do the characters think of the plot?
What can the characters do about the plot?
Can the plot be halted?
 If so, why?
 If so, how?
 If so, to what extent?
 If so, when?
 If so, where?
Is the plot often forgotten about?
 If so, why?
 If so, by who?
 Is there someone to remind others they forgot the plot?
 Is the plot purposely forgotten?  Can the plot be reset?
 By who?
 Why?
 How?
Is the plot a parody on another plot?
What makes the plot a parody?
Is there a twist ending?
Is there an alternate ending?
Can the fourth wall be broken?
 By who?
 How?
 Why?
 How often?

What is the genre for the story?
What is the intended audience?
Is the story appropriate for this audience?
 Does the story attract a certain gender?
 Does the story attract a certain social class?
 Does the story attract a certain religious following?
 Does the story attract a certain fanbase?
Is the story intentionally funny?
 Is the humor crude?
 Is the humor adult?
 Is the humor childish?
 Does it make modern-day references?
 Does it try to be annoying?
Is the story intentionally sad?
 If so, what makes it sad?
 Is the sadness necessary?
Is the story intentionally frustrating?
 If so, what makes it frustrating?
 Can the frustrations be avoided?
Is the story intentionally mean spirited?
If so, can it be tweaked to be lighter hearted?
Is the story intentionally uplifting?
 If so, what generates these good feelings?
Does the story teach morals?
 Which morals?
 Why?
 Are these morals made for the characters or for the audience?
 Do these morals contradict the plot, setting, title, or a character's personal belief?
 Do these morals have negative effects on the story?
 Do these morals involve audience interaction?
Can the audience interact with the flow of the story, characters or setting?
 Why?
 Is this effective in progressing a plot?
 Is this for a limited time or lasting?
Can the audience halt the production of the story?
 Why?
Does the story understand bigger ideas and perspectives?
 Does it understand them well?
Will the story challenge social norms?
Will the story go out of its way to identify with the audience?
Will this story be a good contribution to society?

What is the mood and tone of the story?
Why is this the chosen mood?
Why is this the chosen tone?
Can the mood and tone change over the course of the story?
Can the story change the mood and tone?
Can the characters change the mood and tone?
Can the setting change the mood and tone?

What do we know about their skills and abilities?
Are these powers or skills obtained or are the characters born with them?
-How do they get them?
-What do these powers do?
-How do they like these powers?
-Can these powers be halted?
-Can these powers be strengthened?
-How do these characters control their powers?
-How do the characters get better at controlling these powers?
-Can anyone else use these powers?
-If so, can they use them to their fullest extent?
-If so, can they use them in the same way that the first character was able to use them?
-If not, why can’t they use them?
Are these powers or skills unique to the characters?
Are these powers or skills creative or have we seen them in other media before?
Types of Magic Attacks:
-Beam
-Projectile
-Close Combat
-Protection
-Molecular (bodily)
-Weather/Environmental

omg its like a character sheet for a story!

You have no idea how long ive wanted one of these!!!!

ITS LIKE CHRISTMAS FOR WRITERS.

THIS IS THE MONSTER I WAS BUILDING UP SO HARD.  THIS IS THE BIG SCARY QUESTION SHEET.

I'm actually really glad you like it.  ^^;  I really hope it becomes as useful as I see it to be.  Granted, making this sheet destroyed many of my previous ideas for other stories in the process but THAT is what rewrites are for… XD

Anyway, if you have more ideas on what you think should be added to it, please let me know so I can change the list!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS HO HO HO I'M SANTA FINALLY

very cool, I am gonna save this to help me with Crystoria when I make it into a book, thanks