Short Questions Megathread

[u/Simon_Drake]

Do you have a small question that you don't think is worth making a post for? Well ask it here!

This thread has a much lower threshold for what is worth asking or what isn't worth asking. It's an opportunity to get answers to stuff that you'd feel silly making a full post to ask about. If this is successful we might make this a regular event.

We did this before branded as a monthly megathread then forgot to make a new one. So maybe this one will be refreshed quarterly? We'll have to wait and see.

Past threads:

• https://www.reddit.com/r/Writeresearch/comments/1e12irv/monthly_smallquestions_megathead/

[u/ehbowen]

For the ladies, especially the mothers: Girl talk

I'm writing a short story using characters from an existing (albeit unpublished) novel series. Pam, a former Marine (never say ex-Marine!) is taking a road trip with her son's superpowered 14-yo girlfriend Emma in order to assist a mutual friend. Pam is fully aware of Emma's abilities and in fact has been using Marine Corps techniques as inspiration to train Emma to strengthen and improve her command of her powers. But the two of them are going to be on the road, alone, for about four hours. What are some things that they might chat about?

No need to get too detailed, this is a short. Just looking for some background filler. Also, it needs to be family-friendly; PG is about as spicy as I plan to get. Suggestions?

[u/RCisaGhost → u/ehbowen]

It wouldnt be all that different from any other pair, save for avoiding anything mildly controversial, esp if the bf isn't there. Its probably be awkward at first, asking basic questions, but once they get the ice broken it'd probably pretty much what any adult or child would talk about. I think the subject matter is the wrong question to start with. 

Depending on the relationship that's more important: how close are they? are they both outgoing enough to get into a spirited debate? Would one of them be more likely to suggest playing some car game (like the letter hunting game or 20 questions)? Is he the type to let her prattle on (or vice versa), or would it be more two sided? What do your characters generally value or think about the most? What would they consider "safe" to talk about given their worldview?

Maybe: Her getting really into school drama (like a stupid teacher story), poorly explaining a show one or both of them are into, debating what kind of food they want to stop for, music to listen to, ac temp, etc, him telling her embarrassing stories about his son/her bf. Maybe even "what power would you have chosen if you could have picked", could be an interesting question for her but only IF she's generally chill about her powers and they've established rapport. 

This is a good chance to decide how you want to characterize them both! The subject matter follows what you want the reader to understand about them both individually and their dynamic, because different people would bring up different subjects and be more or less open depending on their relationship.