Plot bunnies: Define, give examples?

by **Parker Gabriel** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 8:32 am

This message calls for as specific a definition of the term "plot bunny" as anyone can provide.

It also asks for examples of them, with emphasis being placed on when, where, and how they pop up in Captain Scarlet stories.

by **hazel** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 9:15 am

"Plot bunny" is a term used primarly in fan fiction, and refers to the germ of an idea that a writer has for a plot. Therefore, I can't give examples of where they occur in Scarlet stories, as just about every story probably started with a plot bunny.

by **Marion** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 1:02 pm

Spot on, Hazel! :wink:

I would just add that anything you see in a TV episode that makes you think:
Why?
Where?
Who?
How?
What if?
Wouldn't it...?
OR just makes you go 'duh?'
qualifies as a plot bunny, in so far as you might like to write a story that provides an answer your own question.
Plot bunnies proliferate at an amazing rate, and most never mature into full-blown stories. Some of them might well provide a snippet of local colour - like who knew where the best pubs/restaurants were in any given location - or shed light on a character - how would s/he have reacted to that?.

by **MMK** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 4:45 pm

I think Hazel has given a very good definition. 8M-M)

My own personal example of 'how they pop up in Captain Scarlet stories' (if you mean stories as in fan ficton stories rather than the 'story' in the TV series): I 'found a plot bunny sometime after reading the fan fic 'Eternal Relief' - http://www.spectrum-headquarters.com/eternal_relief.htm - at least I think it was that story.
I read the story and thought, as Marion has said, 'What if?'...
The story as a result was Reunion. :-D

But of course, if Parker is refering to the TV series story, then I 'got the wrong end of the stick'.
:wink:

Website · by **Sage** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 5:48 pm

Yes, very good definitions so far.
Plot bunnies are just ideas; invisible intangible things which can't really be pinned down, but they can morph and breed and end up inspiring great things. Almost like the mysterons really; but more benevolent with it.

So obviously you won't literally find one in a story, as essentially it's the story itself. Or rather the little spark which started it. With in his element I explained my inspirations in the authours notes. Which covers most of the ways I get plot bunnies for other stories.

by **Elentari** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 4:47 am

A lot of my ideas for stories comes from real life, and they're not always dramatic moments either.

You see or hear something and think 'how would this happen in a CS world?'

Next thing you know a story begins...

by **The Beta Queen** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 2:45 pm

MMK wrote:But of course, if Parker is refering to the TV series story, then I 'got the wrong end of the stick'.

If Parker Gabriel was referring to the series, we'd obviously have no idea exactly what sparked off the development of the plot in the writer's mind. Sometimes, it's possible to take an educated guess based on the finished episode, and sometimes, Gerry himself has indicated the thinking behind some plot-point or other.

By the way, Parker, this http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/plot_bunny is just one of over 100000 hits for "plot bunny" on Google.

by **Parker Gabriel** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 8:15 pm

The Beta Queen has my thanx. So does everyone else who responded.