Thursday, October 29, 2015

I Plea for You to Take Action!

So unless you haven't been reading to the end of the post, you should be able to see that I continually ask for you, the lovely readers, to vote on the prompt polls. I don't want the polls to relay on three people only. That's not fair to you since the three that are voting don't know what prompts you want to read. More than that this is one of ways I'm able to interact with you outside of comments. Just to let you know I do read all the comments that are posted on the blog.

The thing is I don't know how to response to silence. It'll make me feel a lot more confident in what I'm doing if you do something as small as voting for the polls. There's only three options and it'll take you less than a minute to vote.  But please do vote on the polls it's exciting for me to see what it is you'll like to read.

If you wish to read more about me nicely telling you to vote on the prompts here:
  • Hey Lookie I have an Idea!
  • So I Can't Read Minds
  • What are writing prompts?
  • Halloween Prompts
You can fine all of them in the blog archive. Make sure to read the mini series A Drama with Comedy Ending in Tragedy that has just finish. Do be sure to subscribe, Google plus, and follow my blog. An tell anyone who wants to get away from politics, mean comments, and bad drama that they're welcome to hang out here. Oh yeah and don't forget to VOTE ON THE POLLS!

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Tragedy; Everyone You Know and Love is DEAD!

This is the last and final part of the three-part miniseries A Drama with Comedy Ending in Tragedy. Look in the blog archive for part one I NEED DRAMA IN MY LIFE! and part two There's Nothing Like a Good Comedy. This final entry into the mini-series is going to be a deep talk. The first two where only light chats, but this one is different.

The reason for this is because most people SUCK at writing tragedies. I'm not talking war or horror stories where 90% of the characters that are introduced is a red shirt and you can disconnect yourself from them. I'm talking about you suddenly find yourself looking at the wall for half an hour or more because the journey you just went through was making you question your life choices. This is what a tragedy is supposed to do to you. 

In a tragedy, the characters and most importantly the main character has to be written well. The writer also needs to know the motivation of the characters and what fate has in store for them. The main character does not need to be likable, but they do need to be relatable. The reader must feel a strong connection to the struggle of the main character.

This is where the low and high points in the story become key in the story.  The high points need to show the happiness of the main character. The readers have to believe in this happiness. Taking in all the good that is expressed. Now the low points can be dealt with in different ways. The main character can experience a chaotic train ride to their end. Hints of their fall increase to where it's the main character's own fault that such tragedy befell them. Or the universe decides that's it okay to ruin the life of a random person.

The events that happen in the life of the main character have to work with the laws of the universe the author has created. That doesn't mean the universe can't be expanded upon, just don't have the main character randomly be in a place they have no business being in for too long. It's very easy to side track when trying to give the main character some peace in the misfortune they suffer through. Another thing is to balance the dark and sadistic things that happen to them. While it is a tragedy there is no need for TORTURE PORN! Yes, a character going through torture, rape, and other horrible acts is a way to distress the main character, there is no reason to have the reader suffer through it for pages on end. You can have it happen but what it does to the mind state of the main character is the important part.

Now the next question is, "Why do these bad things continue to happen to the main character?" Well, one such way is the main character's Tragic Flaw.  I won't go too deeply into this explanation because I want to do something more with it. But a tragic flaw is the main character's most damning personality trait. This is the reason bad things continue to happen to them. Of course, there is more to it than that, but like I said I'll tell you more at a later date. Or you can just find out for yourself and take away my fun.

 The next big thing to talk about is...HOW MANY BODIES YOU'LL NEED FOR THIS TO BE A TRAGEDY! And the answer is... not a single one to the point where it can become a drinking game. Now for the no one dies part of it, the story could be about a person who ticked off the wrong person at the wrong time and as punishment they must slowly go mad and lose everything and everyone they've ever known. The drinking game body count involves creating a decent amount of characters going on a mission that is most likely going to kill them and kill them off one by one.

What will make both remarkable is how the characters go about their end. The other important thing is how the reader is affected.
  •  Do they see themselves and the people they know in the characters? 
  • Will the actions of the characters make them rethink some choices they made?  
  • Or is it just a morality tale?
The effect is up to the reader. But those characters have to be written well. I cannot stress this enough. The tragedy will fall flat on its face if the characters are not handled well.

So the biggest thing that is not really talked about is whether a tragedy needs a sad ending. And honestly, if it makes sense within the plot there could be a happy ending or happy like ending. If the main character is someone who is able to get out of all bad things that are thrown their way, an ending in which they live in peace is possible. Because all the bad things that happened to them still happen, they just managed to get through it okay. They survive the physical and mental damage they now have.

But unsurprising enough a sad ending in a tragedy is easier to pull off. That doesn't mean writers pull it off well. The story has to make sense to the reader. So when an author pulls out a random ending that doesn't fit with the plot readers get upset. Whether the ending is happy or sad the main character has to earn it. They cannot be given the happy or sad one just because the author thought it would be a nice way to end it. The ending has to feel natural. (Which you would think is obvious.)Only, remember that it's easy for an author to write them into a corner. That doesn't just apply to authors of books because everyone does it.

How a story ends is important because you have to wrap everything up in a way that makes sense. Even if the story was going to be a series, plot elements that are not going to be carried over into the next book have to be all tied up but they are not to be forgotten in the rest of the series.  Balancing all these things is hard and add on a tragic story telling to top it off and you have a good chance of failing.

The important thing is to know what the story is trying to get across. The author needs to know that while writing the story and the reader needs to be able to figure it out. That being the end of the long talk, we are finally done with our first mini-series. If you haven't, I ask that you vote for the Halloween Prompt poll. The polls help with choosing what prompt I'll write next.

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

There's Nothing Like a Good Comedy

This is part two of the three-part miniseries. For part one read I NEED DRAMA IN MY LIFE! Like the title has hinted this will be the comedy in drama and comedic storytelling. First thing first, not everyone is funny. Also, it's hard to be funny because everyone's sense of humor is different.

Comedy comes from suffering. Not in the torture sense of the word, but the humor comes at the expense of someone. Comedians make jokes at the expense of themselves or those they know. The same goes for a television show. One or more characters suffer for a joke. Slapstick is the physical pain of one or more people. These are just some examples of comedy and there are much more than what I just listed.

Writing comedy is not something that is easy. Because everyone's sense of humor is different, there are going to be times when a joke is not going to get the response the writer wants. Also jokes don't always sound that funny when read. But that's the nature of the medium. Though it does help if you're a naturally funny person.

The best way to understand it is to watch comedy movies. Both the good and the bad ones. Yes I know, no one likes sitting through unfunny films but it's important to see what the bad ones lack. But to stay on the safe side, only expose yourself to the bad movies only once in a great while. Unless your job requires you to see awful movies. What needs to be focused on is the setup and the delivery of the joke. Timing is what makes the joke funny.

Now there is no way to know if a joke is going to work. What I just explained is only the basic info of telling a joke. There's no science to this madness and there most likely never has been one. It's easiest to write funny dialogue for characters who seem naturally funny. The character's personality should be able to clue you in on whether they're someone who's supposed to be funny. 

Serious moments in the story naturally don't have someone trying to be funny.  If the desire is to have a character be a bit off in the head then it can work. Touchy subjects are hard to make lighter with jokes. Unless you're willing to have a hard time with the audience, it's best to leave touchy subjects to people who will take them seriously.

 Being able to write funny characters takes practice. Again it is easier if the writer themselves are naturally funny.  The character also needs to be set up beforehand to be funny. Not by saying that they are, but the character's actions and words need to clue in the reader that they are. This is a common problem in writing. An author will continue to tell you a personality trait of a character, instead of showing the reader what their personality trait is. An example of this is when a character is said to be mean and then does nothing to confirm this statement.  The next time you come back will be the third and final part of the mini-series. Look for Tragedy; Everyone You Know and Love is DEAD! and make sure to vote for the Halloween Prompt poll.

Sunday, October 25, 2015

I NEED DRAMA IN MY LIFE!

Welcome dear readers to our very first mini series! Now the conversation shall star the art of drama making. (Though I'm sure we all know some drama makers.) A drama starts with a need/want of the main character. They are then driven by the need/want thus putting the plot in motion. The need/want pushes the main character to go on their journey. The story then throws challenges in their way and they have to successfully or unsuccessfully deal with them.

So how is the story going to stay interesting? The drama of course! But there is another element to it, the person the story is about has to have some type of appeal. Now some may wonder, "Why is that? If the story is good then can't the main character be a bit lackluster?" And my answer is, NO! For they're the one the story is about! If the audience isn't invested in them, then the story isn't going to be looked at twice after the first time. No matter how great a plot is, dull and empty characters are not fun to follow.

I believe the main person of the book should be the most or at least in the top five most interesting characters in the story. But for some reason, some authors make them hollow. Why this is I don't know. Maybe so readers can insert themselves into the story? I don't know about others but I read a book to follow who the story is about.

But let's get back to the topic at hand. One of the best ways to get drama is for there to be conflict. Now the conflict doesn't have to have violence in it but there needs to be a power struggle. This is where other characters and nature come in. Some ways to get into conflict:
  • A character to contrast the hero of the story
  • A love triangle involving the main character
  • Someone that was important from their past returning and starting up trouble
  • Bad weather that's most often a storm
  • Lady Luck leaving their side
  • The betrayal of an important family member or friend
  • Rape of the hero or another important character
  • The sudden death of a friend or family member
And that's just naming the few that came from the top of my head. Another way to get drama is through a characters' motivation. The character's motive can be getting a kiss from their crush to killing the person who destroyed their home and leaving them scarred for life. They just need something to forward the plot.

The last example of gaining drama is for the main character to reach their highest and lowest points in the story.  Their lowest is usually when they have been outsmarted or humiliated by the villain. The defeat needs to be caused by something they overlooked or their own overconfidence. This will then lead the main character to reexamine themselves and try to improve from this loss. The highest point is their victory over the main challenge. Once reexamining themselves they then confront the villain once more and beat them this time. The highest point can also be the happiest or peaceful moment of the main character's life. The story can have the main character go through as many high and low points they need; as long as it makes sense within the plot.

So that concludes our chat about getting drama, now let us talk about maintaining it. This is where creating interesting characters becomes key. It's important to have them express themselves throughout the story.
  • Disappointment when things go wrong.
  • Humiliation when they become outclassed.
  • Happiness as they win what they are looking for. 
  • Anxiety when they are running out of time.  
The emotions the characters feel fuel the drama and make it believable. But all that doesn't matter if the readers don't care for the characters. That's because no one wants to read a story with lame characters. Funny enough, people will read an alright story with interesting characters. It's the characters that hook readers in and it will be the characters that make them stay. This does not mean that they have to be completely likable. They just have to get the interest of the reader.

With that statement, we are done with part one of the three-part mini series! Next is There's Nothing Like a Good Comedy so be sure to be looking for it. Do be sure to cast your vote for the Halloween Prompt poll that ends on the thirtieth.

Thursday, October 22, 2015

Halloween Prompts

  1. Creaks and Freaks: Takes place in the owners home that has a natural haunted feel. Until one day the owner finds someone/thing moving in the hall and is gaining speed toward them.
  2. Haunted Amusement Park: Two friends stumble across an abandoned amusement park. When they get closer the lights and rides suddenly turn on.
  3. April Showers Bring a Murder: An unstable person kills a loved one based on something someone said to them. The story ends with the murderer explaining their reason for committing the crime to the cop.
That is the brief explanation of the writing prompts this poll round. Do remember to vote for which one you're interested in. Also check out Labyrinth which was the first prompt to win the polls.

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Onwards to the mini series!

Labyrinth is the final result of the polls. So be sure to look in the left column for the next one. See my blog archive for "What are writing prompts?" to get more information. Voting in the polls makes it exciting to see which writing prompt will win. Remember to vote when the next writing prompt comes out.

Our next adventure, will be a mini series. What's a mini series you say? Check in the blog archive for "A Drama with Comedy ending in Tragedy" to learn more. The first story in this mini series is "I NEED DRAMA IN MY LIFE!"  Also, the next poll of writing prompts will be coming soon. Come back often to what's new!

Monday, October 19, 2015

Labyrinth

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A rough texture rubs against Andy's skin. It gives him an itchy feeling on his face, hands, and feet. Then a thought crosses his mind, "My bed isn't itchy." Slowly opening his eyes, the morning light slips in. Wider the brown eyes open to the light reflecting off the deep green ivy leaves. Shocked by this, Andy sits up too fast, causing his vision to spot and blur. Placing his hands on his head, closing his eyes, and counting out loud, "Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one...now look." He sighs as the seemly endless green surrounds him.

Putting one hand behind himself, he uses his muscles to force himself up. Spotting a sign he rushes himself over. Reading it aloud, "You have one hour. Don't touch the walls." Despite the temperature being mild, Andy felt sweat starting to gather on his forehead. He does not take the warning lightly. After all, whoever took him managed to do so without him waking and he has no idea where he is. The sign is placed near a dead end. He turns to walk past where he woke up not too long ago. Turning deeper into the maze Andy continues.

Two dead ends showing him how much time he has left worries him. By the two clocks was the reminder, "You have one hour. Don't touch the walls." His white nightshirt gets damp by his sweat around the neckline. He pauses and watches a fat rat try climbing the ivy walls. It stops, caught in the ivy, and begins squeaking as the Ivy traps the rat within its' walls. Silence resumes in the maze. "I won't touch the walls. I'll complete this trial in the time I have left. I will survive." Andy said to himself.

He continues on, the bottom of his gray plaid pajama pants stain green from the grass. He hasn't run into another dead end since the last two. Andy tries keeping the light of his thought even though he has no idea how long he has left or if he is near the end. Continuing his walk forward Andy spots a big clearing. Whatever weariness that settled in his bones are chased out. Running as hard as he can Andy exits the maze. Turning around, the opening he left through closes as the ivy maze tangles itself shut. Andy sees a cellphone on the ground by his feet. Picking it up he notices it has a signal and he calls for help.

AND THE WINNER IS...LABYRINTH!

For those who have no idea what I'm talking about the poll on the side was to decide what writing prompt I should do. Don't know what a writing prompt is? Well look in my blog archive to find out. The short version is that they're writing exercises. As the poll title suggest the first version of the poll ended in a tie. The second one ended on the 17th. Hopefully in the next upcoming poll won't end in a tie. Maybe it will I don't have future vision.

The ultimate draw to this blog is the fact it's about someone chasing a dream and possibly crashing and burning. Not that I want to burn. Burning looks very painful. This blog isn't about political parties, gossip, and what's wrong with my country. This is about imagination, jokes, and being sassy! I want the readers of my blog to have a good time and engage with me through the comments and polls.

But for the new comers welcome and those who continue to come back thank you.     

Friday, October 16, 2015

The Problem with Women's Halloween Costumes

Just look in any Halloween store and look at the problem in the woman's costume section. Nearly all of them are not fit for cool weather! But seriously, most of these costumes are revealing, and what of the women who want a costume that covers their butt, chest, and a skirt that at least covers half of their thigh. I don't know why costume designs are so revealing for women since there's porn! I think everyone will be alright if women wore comfortable costumes or a least the option to do so. But who cares it's not like teenagers are wearing these costumes? Oh wait they are. Believe it not, not all of them feel comfortable and don't like it when older men look at them. And it's not their fault because the costumes that fit them are revealing. Is it so hard to make costumes that are warmer?

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Spooky Time!

If the amount of horror movies didn't tip you off it is October. It's the month when cooking channels, restaurants, and coffee shops go overboard with pumpkin related food. This is also hell if you're allergic pumpkins, which I am not.

I don't know about you but I both love and hate this time of year. In one way everyone is putting in a lot of effort to make October both a scary and fun time. But then you have companies that are over doing it with the commercialization of the holiday and it gets even worse during December. Plus there's the big problem with female costumes which I shall rant about in another post.

Anyway, greedy America isn't focusing on the important part which is to just have fun. It's not about making people gain weight with pumpkin products it's about coming up with new ways to retell a scary story. Or creating new scary legends of your own. But that doesn't matter to companies, it's what they believe will sell and how they can continue to profit from it.

So I have to wonder when someone says, "Getting into the Halloween Spirit" are they talking about themselves or what companies continue to put out? Because the "Halloween Spirit" keeps changing like the color of the leaves. But that being said I do hope everyone has a good October.
   

Thursday, October 8, 2015

A Drama with Comedy Ending in Tragedy

The conversation we will talk about today is the Theatre! Well, more so the two biggest story structures that everyone follows; Comedy and Tragedy. If you don't know these two
are the faces of tragedy and comedy. They come with different faces to give you nightmares as well. But back to the point, for there to be drama we need conflict. The conflict can be simple like going to the store because your house ran out of milk. Now all stories have drama in them. Life itself has drama but it's the kind of drama that influences how the story will go. Now before we go on, you must know that this is only an introduction post to the next mini-series posts that I'll be putting up. The writing prompt with the most votes is going to be the next thing that I'll upload to my blog. After that will be the mini-series. It goes like this:
  1. I NEED DRAMA IN MY LIFE!
  2. There's Nothing like a Good Comedy
  3. Tragedy; Everyone You Know and Love is DEAD!
And that will conclude the mini-series and the next writing prompt poll should be up and running by the end of it. Naturally, the main focus is less on the theater and more on the writing part. What to look forward to is how these two genres influence the beginning, middle, and end of the story. How the characters get to the highest and lowest points in the story, and what is expected of the story. Our talk of drama will be more about how to get drama in a story and how to keep. Comedy is going to be about how funny or unfunny it will or should be. And lastly, tragedy is going to be a serious talk about how hard it is to write a tragedy.


Friday, October 2, 2015

Of all the jobs why become an author?

From the time I was in preschool, I've enjoyed story telling. I love creating different worlds and the people who live in them. The process of creating these places, how they function, and the social behavior of the people. So I thought instead of having all these ideas in my head why not write them out. It did take me a while getting to that point. I didn't think about becoming an author at first.

I wanted to be in the fashion industry in my preteen years. But even though clothes made me happy, I didn't enjoy some elements of the industry. Then I started thinking about writing again when I was in my last two years of high school. Writing professionally seemed unstable (it still does) but it gave me joy. A part of myself returned when I started writing again.

So naturally, that's when I wanted to become and author right? Nope! I still had trouble accepting the idea. Writing was just an outlet not what I wanted to do. Because the vocal and loud cynical part of my mind thought that the stories I wanted to tell would not be interesting enough for people to willing read. Then I remember Twilight and it's bad knock offs and the cynical part of brain said, "If stories such as these can be created why can't you write your own?"

So I gave in and accepted the dream of becoming an author. It also helped that a few people I know found it hard to imagine me with a 9 to 5 job schedule. While I still find myself crazy for choosing this job I do feel happier. Though I'm still a bit worried for my future only time will tell.