This probably isn't quite in the vein of what you're talking about, Big I, but here's my beef: I immediately take 50 points off any story that uses the phrase "pussy juice." I mean... jesus.
Things Not To Do In Your Stories
I've recently realized that one of the smallest things that can drive me up the wall and make me stop enjoying an otherwise good story is a simple inconsistency. Specifically, if it's an air inflation story, don't say things like "ugh, I'm so big and heavy." A certain video actress was very guilty of this in her early works but I think she's since become aware of it and taken steps to correct it.
I figure, if you want to write a water inflation story, go for it -- but commit to the plausible stuff involved there. Expect to describe the water weight and the bulk and the effects of gravity. The inflatee is going to have trouble moving...and the water audience wants that conveyed. So don't forget it, and don't change your mind or methodology halfway through a story. Pick one form of inflation per story (unless you have one of those awesome rayguns with a dial setting and an excuse to use it) and commit to that until the end. Internal consistency is important.
Any other bad habits you want to shine a light on, in hopes that they eventually disappear?
Sun, 03/30/2008 - 11:25
#3
AlecDeluxe
Sun, 03/30/2008 - 13:23
#4
Archangel_Dread...
How bout the copy n paste from the character bio, you know the ones that go like "(woman's name) is (insert various adjectives about hair style, color, skin tone, breast size, intelligence or lack there of)". I think that has to be a big one for a lot of stories, and since it usually starts off thing, one can loose interest very quickly, mainly because it gives the reader a good idea on how boring the story is going to be.
Another one is improper details. Details that describe things that really don't have any bearing on the story and then not having enough on things that do.
Sun, 03/30/2008 - 14:08
#5
Maybe this is due to my status as an adequate hack as opposed to a true writer, but I try to keep things generally appealing. We all have specific tastes attached to our fetishes, but I find trying to include to many of my own in a story can make it bewildering to those reading.
However, I try not to curb it too much either. I still want the things I write to still have my individual touch.
Sun, 03/30/2008 - 15:01
#6
darth_clone19
I try to explore different situations within the helium inflation theme (like the the description of floating and pressure in my murder at 708 story), to keep it interesting. However, there are some people that do it very well...but the rest is completely unreadable. I have to CTRL F to look for inflate, or balloon, and get right to the action cuz they get lost in these little, uninteresting details that aren't even funny.
Another thing that makes me roll my eyes is in the vein of inconsistency, like Inflate pointed out. I forgive it most of the time, cuz the story is great anyway...but sometimes, the writer is explaining the inflation for quite a long time, and you figure by what he/she says, the inflatee is pretty big by now. But then they say "and her butt looked like twin basketballs by now" I dont know what kind of basketballs this person has seen, but they gotta be HUGE, right? :p I think I did that on my murder story, when after a while I use "inches" as the measuring unit for Yulia's body :p So Im guilty of my own sin.
Sun, 03/30/2008 - 15:49
#7
Archangel_Dread...
darth_clone19 wrote:
...But then they say "and her butt looked like twin basketballs by now" I dont know what kind of basketballs this person has seen, but they gotta be HUGE, right?
That hits another one on the head, piss-poor comparisons to every day objects. Some people really over use them in stories (one I read had nothing but lines like that one for trying, and failing, to get what size the inflatee was.)
Sun, 03/30/2008 - 17:45
#8
darth_clone19 wrote:
I try to explore different situations within the helium inflation theme (like the the description of floating and pressure in my murder at 708 story), to keep it interesting. However, there are some people that do it very well...but the rest is completely unreadable. I have to CTRL F to look for inflate, or balloon, and get right to the action cuz they get lost in these little, uninteresting details that aren't even funny.Another thing that makes me roll my eyes is in the vein of inconsistency, like Inflate pointed out. I forgive it most of the time, cuz the story is great anyway...but sometimes, the writer is explaining the inflation for quite a long time, and you figure by what he/she says, the inflatee is pretty big by now. But then they say "and her butt looked like twin basketballs by now" I dont know what kind of basketballs this person has seen, but they gotta be HUGE, right? :p I think I did that on my murder story, when after a while I use "inches" as the measuring unit for Yulia's body :p So Im guilty of my own sin.
Pacing, is important... including lots of detail naturally slows down the inflation, if you want a fast inflation then you need to cut down on the detail... generally, something that takes 1 minutes to read should comprise no more than 5 minutes of time passing by in the story... unless of course, there is a change of scene.
Also... something that is one of my bugbears, is when writers rely too much on numerical measurements of size, it just isn't sexy to read that her belly was three feet in diameter... then four feet, then five, and so on... not to mention harder to visualise.
Another problems is that different measurements are used in different cultures. In continental Europe they use metric measurements, so if I want continentals to enjoy a story then it's no good if I am using measurements such as feet and inches which they can't visualise.
Sun, 03/30/2008 - 19:55
#9
Sun, 03/30/2008 - 23:22
#10
darth_clone19
I understand what you mean about different measurements carnatic. Although, I like the numbers, cuz it helps me a bit to visualize. I dont like the phrase "she was huge by now" to just leave it to my imagination. Thats why I read, because Im tired of what my imagination comes up with.
Mon, 03/31/2008 - 00:21
#11
See, I guess I like to avoid direct comparisons- mainly for fear of creating an inaccurate or confusing image. If I do compare, Its probably when the inflatee is done, so that the reader can have an Idea of how big they are at the climax...
Mon, 03/31/2008 - 16:28
#12
klaeresource wrote:
In case it doesn't resolve the image:
lol wow, only 3 countries where it isn't used... In the UK metric is only used in the technical sense, e.g. architect's drawings, food labelling etc. though most of the population are well familiar with Metric measurements, English measurements are still used for selling some food, and describing most food in conversation and on the roads.
Tue, 04/01/2008 - 14:30
#13
I have to agree with Carnatic with the number and measurements thing. Along with the size comparison part, I don't think it should make up the bulk of the descripton.
Tue, 04/01/2008 - 21:55
#14
Inflate123 wrote:
I've recently realized that one of the smallest things that can drive me up the wall and make me stop enjoying an otherwise good story is a simple inconsistency. Specifically, if it's an air inflation story, don't say things like "ugh, I'm so big and heavy." A certain video actress was very guilty of this in her early works but I think she's since become aware of it and taken steps to correct it.I figure, if you want to write a water inflation story, go for it -- but commit to the plausible stuff involved there. Expect to describe the water weight and the bulk and the effects of gravity. The inflatee is going to have trouble moving...and the water audience wants that conveyed. So don't forget it, and don't change your mind or methodology halfway through a story. Pick one form of inflation per story (unless you have one of those awesome rayguns with a dial setting and an excuse to use it) and commit to that until the end. Internal consistency is important.
Any other bad habits you want to shine a light on, in hopes that they eventually disappear?
I hope you guys are contacting the offenders privately with suggestions/corrections? If anyone sees anything in a story, picture, or video that they don't like please let the creator know and offer them your constructive criticism. I'm not even sure that gripe threads accomplish anything when it's a big unapproachable business that is the offender. They accomplish even less if folks are griping to each other about amateur content creators who are entirely approachable if folks would just make the effort.
Tue, 04/01/2008 - 22:03
#15
AlecDeluxe wrote:
This probably isn't quite in the vein of what you're talking about, Big I, but here's my beef: I immediately take 50 points off any story that uses the phrase "pussy juice." I mean... jesus.
http://www.hotsauce.com/Larry-s-Hot-Pussy-Juice-p/1537.htm
Thu, 04/10/2008 - 21:41
#16
Good comments.
Sun, 04/13/2008 - 06:32
#17
Mentalyinsane
What I hate in a story, both other people's stories and my own, are typoes! I hate em! "...and suddwnly to ger suprisr, her elly startd to rise!". I dont know, maybe Im just being ocd here, but that stuff drives me up the damn wall. It really does.
Sun, 04/13/2008 - 15:42
#18
Inflate123
Mentalyinsane wrote:
What I hate in a story, both other people's stories and my own, are typoes!
I agree that spelling errors can totally yank me out of a good story...they happen, everybody makes 'em, but it makes the difference between a polished, professional story and one that looks like it was written by someone who is probably too young to be publicly releasing stories about this subject matter!
Auto spell check can only go so far; it helps to have another set of eyes do a copy edit on your piece before releasing it, or read it aloud to yourself. That won't help with homonyms but it won't hurt anything else.
Sun, 04/13/2008 - 15:49
#19
Inflate123
Wren wrote:
I hope you guys are contacting the offenders privately with suggestions/corrections? If anyone sees anything in a story, picture, or video that they don't like please let the creator know and offer them your constructive criticism. I'm not even sure that gripe threads accomplish anything when it's a big unapproachable business that is the offender. They accomplish even less if folks are griping to each other about amateur content creators who are entirely approachable if folks would just make the effort.
Sure...when they don't bite my head off for suggesting that their rare and precious snowflake of a story is in some way less than perfect. Feedback can always be offered, but even in so-called creator communities like DA, I see people freak out when people give them negative feedback of any kind, including constructive criticism. I've gotten flamed for giving specific feedback even though it's been requested. Some minds say they're open but aren't.
This is not intended as a passive/aggressive gripe thread about specific people or stories, but as a an identification of basic mistakes that everybody makes (myself included, have you read any of my earlier works?) but can be easily avoided with a little forethought. And that's without ostracizing anybody specifically or calling anyone out on the mat, because I really don't have any specific examples in mind. They're things I've seen but can't remember where I saw them, but I've seen them more than once.
It's all there in the title, really -- let's identify, as a community, what can be improved. Hopefully anybody serious enough to post their stories here is also reading the forums, if not posting in them.
Fri, 04/25/2008 - 15:55
#20
Wren wrote:
AlecDeluxe wrote:
This probably isn't quite in the vein of what you're talking about, Big I, but here's my beef: I immediately take 50 points off any story that uses the phrase "pussy juice." I mean... jesus.http://www.hotsauce.com/Larry-s-Hot-Pussy-Juice-p/1537.htm
Wootzerz!1\!
Wed, 04/30/2008 - 01:50
#21
Inflate123 wrote:
Wren wrote:
I hope you guys are contacting the offenders privately with suggestions/corrections? If anyone sees anything in a story, picture, or video that they don't like please let the creator know and offer them your constructive criticism. I'm not even sure that gripe threads accomplish anything when it's a big unapproachable business that is the offender. They accomplish even less if folks are griping to each other about amateur content creators who are entirely approachable if folks would just make the effort.Sure...when they don't bite my head off for suggesting that their rare and precious snowflake of a story is in some way less than perfect. Feedback can always be offered, but even in so-called creator communities like DA, I see people freak out when people give them negative feedback of any kind, including constructive criticism. I've gotten flamed for giving specific feedback even though it's been requested. Some minds say they're open but aren't.
It helps if you build somewhat of a relationship with an artist before you start pointing out flaws to them. If you really like the artist, see potential in them, and want them to improve, it's a good investment of your time and you're going to get better reactions to negative criticism. If you're not willing to spend that time, expect bad reactions. I'm not saying to stop giving feedback to artists you don't know, I'm saying to just brace yourself because bad reactions are just part of the game. Creative people can be a sensitive bunch, but there are rewards to be gained in return for taking the risk of getting yelled at.
Inflate123 wrote:
This is not intended as a passive/aggressive gripe thread about specific people or stories, but as a an identification of basic mistakes that everybody makes (myself included, have you read any of my earlier works?)but can be easily avoided with a little forethought. And that's without ostracizing anybody specifically or calling anyone out on the mat, because I really don't have any specific examples in mind. They're things I've seen but can't remember where I saw them, but I've seen them more than once.
I see your point. This sort of thread does have its uses, but my other point still stands--I encourage people to still engage in direct feedback, not just post in a thread that writers may or may not see.
Inflate123 wrote:
It's all there in the title, really -- let's identify, as a community, what can be improved. Hopefully anybody serious enough to post their stories here is also reading the forums, if not posting in them.
The title says "Things Not to Do in YOUR Stories." If it was about community, wouldn't it say "Things Not to Do in OUR Stories?" That's why I thought it was being posted from the standpoint of a reader griping about writers--neither of us has written much in recent years compared to some of the other people here. We'd be hard-pressed to call ourselves creators of anything recently, so let's be honest here and say we're consumers asking those who are still writing to kindly consider these suggestions for further improvement, admitting that our motives are selfish for the most part. The title should be "Please Don't Do These Things in Your Stories."
Wren
Wed, 04/30/2008 - 07:47
#22
Inflate123
Wren wrote:
The title says "Things Not to Do in YOUR Stories."--snip--
The title should be "Please Don't Do These Things in Your Stories."
Here is the truth, as I have come to experience it: People often ask for feedback publicly, then get offended when someone actually says "Here's something I've noticed that could be improved." I'm tired of being baited that way, and it's happened more than once with more than one individual. I'm not going to name names because then it would be seen as a personal attack, but the person I was thinking of in my earlier post is a big DeviantArt contributor who always tags their work "Advanced Critique Encouraged." I said, "Hey, I've noticed this similarity in your work; I think you've got that aspect nailed. But have you considered trying it differently? I'd love to see what you would do with a pose like this, or a different stylistic approach." I thought that was fairly proactive, offering some specific suggestions that might help them break out of a rut they may not have realized they were in. (And yes, as a consumer, I did it because I liked some of what they were doing, but wanted to see higher quality pieces from that artist.)
What I got back was, "Can you show your drawings to any of us instead of posting the same stories?" Sigh. That's not someone looking for advanced critique; that's someone who wants an ego stroke and feels a writer is not a valid creator. If I'd said "Why do you always draw the same shit?" I could see where they'd brush me off. But (For the record, yes, I've taken art classes, twice -- one private, one public. They have yet to stick, despite the fact that I married into an entire family of graphic artists.)
So...yes, I agree that direct feedback is best, and you make a good point about building strong lines of direct communication and relationships between artist and audience. The only thing I really don't agree with is the semantics of "your" and "our" and "please," because I don't think that's the heart of the issue.
But I know most people don't take the time to offer useful/actionable creator feedback in any form, and rather than saying nothing, I figured a public forum might get the ball rolling. If the end result is I look like a dick but people start talking to the creators, publicly or privately, passively or directly, and they ultimately get the feedback? Okay.
Thu, 05/01/2008 - 14:17
#23
Here's my list of inflation story hates:
1) Pointless inflation: Someone just inflates. They buy some gum, or drink some fizzy soda and then inflate. I like reasons behind that happening. One of my favourites is Sieverts' Toys story. As it progresses you learn why it's happening.
2) Everyone inflates: Some stories just seem to have everyone inflating, which I suppose is the point of them, but to me they take something away, rather than enhancing it. If everyone's become a blimp then none of them are that 'different'.
3) Wire work: By this I mean somebody inflating without a decent explanation how, in the same way movies rely on wire work for action scenes these days. The Matrix did it well because there was a reason why Neo was defying the laws of physics, same as when Violet blows up in Wonka, it's 'cos of the 'magical' gum. Just sitting on an air hose would normally end messily.
I think what I've done here is just mentioned what I don't really like in an inflation story. However I also don't like American Idol, Sex and the City, cheese, Rap music, sports computer games, Jordan and The Guardian Newspaper, so feel free to disagree.
Thu, 05/01/2008 - 15:32
#24
Inflate123
You know, I've been talking privately with someone about the "whys" of inflation. I suggested that maybe motivations in stories are not as important as the expansion itself or the money shot. I liked Carnatic's "miniflation" story where the woman literally wakes up and inflates; to me, it was no-frills and sort of got to the point. But Carn (and I don't want to speak out of turn here, I'd rather he speak for himself) seemed like he wasn't suggesting it was a complete story and sort of said, "hey, it is what it is."
My thought was any excuse is a good one when you're hungry for content. But Bob, you're offering that it's just the opposite -- that it's the backstory that makes it mean something.
Snacks vs. meals. :) Is there a consensus among a) the audience for what they want to see and b) creators for what they feel is more valuable to create?
Thu, 05/01/2008 - 22:16
#25
Well I certainly feel like there's something I can add 123. I don't know about other people, but personally I feel differently at different times. Your 'snacks and meals' analogy was good because if you think about what else the analogy could mean... everyone has snacks from time to time, but no-one goes through life without proper meals.
Sometimes you just feel like a snack, and that's what Miniflation is there for. I guess the name suggests no attempt at making it a story, I approached it in the same way as many of my pictures, it is just a snapshot of inflation. Instant gratification if you wish.
I was experimenting to see how quickly I could run an inflation off, with my rather verbose and 'picturesque' writing style, my inflations tended to be rather drawn out, and since the length of time taken to read relates to the length of time taken to inflate, this meant inflations were typically rather slow. But slow inflations aren't the only thing I'm in to and I wanted to see if I could write a fast inflation. In this respect I actually feel I was more successful in New Recruit, which even had a backstory, still I was happy with Miniflation for the simple reason that it didn't have a backstory. It didn't need to appeal on any particular level, no need to set out my stall as sci-fi, or fantasy or make it a revenge or anything.
Tue, 05/06/2008 - 11:03
#26
Well I guess that backstories can be their own worst enemies. I must have started writing half a dozen inflation stories that I never finished, mainly because I was trying to write a full tale with a beginning a middle and an end, only to lose interest and move on.
Generally once you get to 'the scene' then that's the easiest part, and more often it's that part that everyone re-reads, a bit like when people watch the lobby scene from the Matrix again and again (another reference to the Matrix, but I assue that I'm not an obsessed fanboy).
However, for me there needs to be a something to back it up. Without any background I kinda lose my direction as to if it's supposed to be a good or bad thing that the inflatee is going blimpo (aside from the fact we might think it's good).
Whilst it's what I prefer, there are a few drawbacks to a full story. One that stands out for me is an 5000 word story that ends with 'and she blew up like a balloon and floated away' or lacks a decent inflation scene. At least with a 'snack' you're reading the scene and haven't wasted time reading about the college girls out for revenge.
Maybe snacks and meals can work well together, kinda like a trailer and a movie. If you like the trailer, you're more likely to read the full story as well.
Wed, 05/07/2008 - 00:37
#27
Bob_King wrote:
Well I guess that backstories can be their own worst enemies.
I have to agree with that on myside. I haven't written anything in a while due to me wanting a backstory, but ultimately can't think of one, nor the abilities to put it in an appropriate amount of words. Personally, I think I need to write a story (non-inflation) to drain my need for a backstory when I do write a fetish piece.
And second, I enjoy the entire 'snack vs meal' analogy. It puts it good perspective on the existence on mini stories, and longer ones.
And typoes deter me from ANYTHING. Be it a story, an ad, and rap song titles. >_<;
Wed, 05/07/2008 - 04:17
#28
Omoikane wrote:
And typoes deter me from ANYTHING. Be it a story, an ad, and rap song titles. >_<;
Do typos deter you from your own posts as well? Zing!
Wed, 06/18/2008 - 05:01
#29
So, what is the concensous? I'm writing my first inflation story right now (well, my first story that I will post anywhere) and I feel like it's missing something. There's no . . . no pizzaz. Girl is inflating and people are watching.
I should mention that it is fairly explination-heavy, with a full computer-typed page before any inflation occurs, but I hope that the setup is interesting enough to keep you reading. Also, I'm trying to avoid the typical 'pitfalls' like saying "Her breasts were as big as basketballs" or "she heard a hissing sound." I'm going to go through it several times for errors, and I've got a bit of intrigue.
I dunno about you guys, but I like longer, drawn out stories, as long as they keep me interested. If the story starts out with two girls talking about school, and they have a very boring conversation home, then that's bad. But if the setup has to deal with the inflation situation, but doesn't immediatly start it off, then I can deal with that.
Wed, 06/18/2008 - 19:22
#30
there isn't really a consensus... if you are happy with your story then it's time to post.
Thu, 06/19/2008 - 06:21
#31
carnatic wrote:
there isn't really a consensus... if you are happy with your story then it's time to post.
Then I don't think I'd post anything . . . EVER
Thu, 06/19/2008 - 18:25
#32
degausser wrote:
carnatic wrote:
there isn't really a consensus... if you are happy with your story then it's time to post.Then I don't think I'd post anything . . . EVER
well, OK, maybe not if you are happy with it, but if you feel like there's nothing more you can do to it.
Sat, 06/21/2008 - 16:16
#33
Inflate123
degausser wrote:
So, what is the concensous? I'm writing my first inflation story right now (well, my first story that I will post anywhere) and I feel like it's missing something. There's no . . . no pizzaz. Girl is inflating and people are watching.I should mention that it is fairly explination-heavy, with a full computer-typed page before any inflation occurs, but I hope that the setup is interesting enough to keep you reading. Also, I'm trying to avoid the typical 'pitfalls' like saying "Her breasts were as big as basketballs" or "she heard a hissing sound." I'm going to go through it several times for errors, and I've got a bit of intrigue.
I dunno about you guys, but I like longer, drawn out stories, as long as they keep me interested. If the story starts out with two girls talking about school, and they have a very boring conversation home, then that's bad. But if the setup has to deal with the inflation situation, but doesn't immediatly start it off, then I can deal with that.
I agree that as long as you're happy, you're good to go. Please do not think of this thread as setting down a "right" and "wrong" way to write a story. There are common elements that crop up, things that can be made better or avoided, that you'll find the audience is more receptive to...but you really are writing this for yourself. If a bunch of people say they like short stories and you prefer a long story, I suspect that's just because not enough long-story fans have spoken up yet. :)
As for cliche phrases...you know, I personally think they sometimes serve a purpose. Cliches should be avoided when you can, just like passive verbs should be avoided whenever you can make those verbs active (such as "she was inflating" vs "as she inflated") -- but sometimes, that phrase is the right phrase, or that passive verb makes the sentence flow more naturally and doesn't look like you're trying too hard to write something fancy. The sporting equipment...yeah, that's a good one to avoid if you can. But it also does serve a purpose for comparison's sake, and that's why it is so often used.
Every editor generally has different pet peeves or things they look for that other editors might not be aware of or care as much about. So any feedback you get here is entirely subjective. Take it if it makes sense to you.
Well, wait...there's no pussy juice, is there?
Sat, 06/21/2008 - 22:45
#34
Nope. I may have an inflation fetish, but I'm not into sexual erotica per se. I like to read about women inflating. I'm not particularly interested in exploring a woman's (insert appropriate euphamism here) or typing, in detail, the female orgasm. I'm not female, so I'm doubting I could do it justice anyway.
Sun, 06/22/2008 - 10:26
#35
I think cliche's can be pretty important in making dialogue realistic... a normal girl without an inflation fetish who found herself blowing up, would probably talk about 'blowing up like a balloon' and 'breasts as big as beachballs' and 'oh god I hope I don't pop', while the more eloquent stuff is good for narrative, it can sound a little corny in dialogue unless the character is familiar with inflation. Or unless you're going for a slightly surreal or parodical setting.
Sun, 06/22/2008 - 10:39
#36
http://www.angelfire.com/80s/alternate/b/Inflation_story_1.html
Well, here is my semi-refined draft. I still want to work on it some more. Feel free to give advice or not, I just figured this would be easier then trying to guess at everything I might do wrong.
NOTE: It is bassed on the story 'cheesecake' by heliumgirl77 from deviantart. She, in turn, based her story off of 'cowsplay.' I got her permission to make this story and use her character 'Lucy'
Sun, 06/22/2008 - 19:04
#37
Inflate123
Well, first off, you have nothing to be ashamed of there -- it reads smoothly and you give the audience a lot of detail.
I hadn't read Cheesecake yet, which for anybody else who hasn't seen it yet, is here: http://heliumgirl77.deviantart.com/art/Cheesecake-88535667
As a sequel, it's definitely a different vibe than the original, which was talky and hinted at things but didn't show action. Yours is more scientific and starts putting plot devices and reasons for things into play. I'm not sure if that's good, bad, or neither as a reader of the story, because everybody connects with something different, but you did commit to the path of more info, and I think you succeeded as a result. This goes back to my first post -- picking a methodology for inflation and sticking with it and not mixing metaphors. So, from me anyway, well done staying consistent with the story you wanted to tell.
I'm not sure I understand how we got from the last story to this story, or if there is even supposed to be a connection -- are they just vignettes in the same universe? How did it go from food to suits?
The abrupt ending is...too abrupt for me. It feels unfinished rather than teasing. So if you're planning on tweaking, I'd consider that.
I didn't see any cliches that felt awkward. Seriously, it read like you knew what you wanted to say.
Sun, 06/22/2008 - 21:33
#38
Thanks for the encouraging words.
On a side note, check the link at the bottom of 'Cheesecake' as it's a link to the original story, Cowsplay, that gives the idea for the suit. Basically, when heliumgirl77 mentions the anthropomorphics, she is talking about the suit.
Also, yes, the tone is quite different. At first I was going to try and be all deep and metaphoric like heliumgirl77's works, but then I realized that the tone would be inappropriate for the very analytical story I had planned.
Thanks for the advice by the way, I'll work on the ending a bit.
But what if the story calls for the inflatee to be filled with a special, super-heavy air, or conversely, a special super-light water?