Ask HN: What is your “I don't care if this succeeds” project?

Re:Ask HN: What is your “I don't care if this succeeds” proj... by setgree on Friday February 11, 2022 @10:26AM (#30302489)

I’m 53,000 words into a Harry Potter fanfic that fixed some issues I had with the seventh book. Basically, I object to how little the main characters ‘play to win.’

Example: Team Voldemort taboos his name, so that if you say it, his goons show up to arrest you. So everyone tries to stop saying his name. But here’s another idea. One person says his name while another hides nearby. After saying the name, the first person disappears, and then whoever shows up, the second person shoots them. Like, with a gun — a magical gun, if you want! Do that as many times as it takes until there are no more Death Eaters.

You get a very different book with characters who think like that, and it’s been a lot of fun to write.

EDIT: link, in case this is your thing: https://archiveofourown.org/works/8180098 caveat that I have very uneven abilities as a fiction writer

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: What is your “I don't care if this succeeds” proj... by rohit89 on Friday February 11, 2022 @11:17AM (#30303164)

One thing that bothered me a lot in that book was the trio hiding out in the wilderness scrounging for food. They could do magic! How hard was it to sneak into a muggle supermarket and steal some food?! Or lie low at some pre-arranged safe houses? Could have had Dobby bring supplies.

I don't know how effective Taboo ambush tactics would be in the long run but not finishing off death eaters and letting them respawn was definitely a bad move tactically. Should have atleast dumped them all in a fidelius charmed warehouse or something in a Stunned state.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: What is your “I don't care if this succeeds” proj... by setgree on Friday February 11, 2022 @11:58AM (#30303726)

Yeah, so basically the joy of writing the book was imagining the cycle of tactics/counter-tactics that my stratagems would engender.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: What is your “I don't care if this succeeds” proj... by not1ofU on Friday February 11, 2022 @11:27AM (#30303337)

Whenever anyone mentions Harry Potter I always think of this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-8shqjr6O8

Stewart Lee is not everyones cup of tea however.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: What is your “I don't care if this succeeds” proj... by ShortStretto on Friday February 11, 2022 @10:33AM (#30302576)

Mind linking this fanfic? Sounds interesting.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: What is your “I don't care if this succeeds” proj... by setgree on Friday February 11, 2022 @10:36AM (#30302624)

Edited OP to include it :)

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: What is your “I don't care if this succeeds” proj... by ShortStretto on Friday February 11, 2022 @01:20PM (#30305036)

Thanks!

[ Parent | on HN ]