Those of you who are writers probably know what it's like to get attached to your characters. After all, they're your creation. You've put in good time and devoted much finger exercise to their development (I hope).
I find that I sometimes fall in love with my characters. You know what I mean? I'm just like, 'Man! You are awesome! Wish I could be like that! Die.'
I was recently writing a story in anticipation that I was going to kill a character. I knew it would make the story more powerful, and the main character more motivated. But...
When it came down to it, it really pulled my heartstrings to do it. Call me a sissy, but I felt sorry for the character. I was like "You know, it's been a good run and all, but now you must die."
And you know what? The person took it without one complaint. one. Man. What commitment, eh?
The scene was, I felt, a very tense and powerful one. I mourn in silence, people. Mourn with me. Lament all those sorry side characters who don't serve much other than motivation for the protagonist. Let us have a moment of silence for their silent dedication and service.
Hi, Boromir. Yeah, feel free to join us. You too, Obi-Wan. Thanks for coming. We appreciate your service.
Moment of silence over.
Really, guys, after writing an emotional scene, how about backing off a little. Allow yourself some time to recover from the tragic event. Formulate what'll happen next. And then continue.
Signing off!
Sunday, August 18, 2013
The Apocalypse Genre
In this day and age, a growing assortment of movies, stories, TV shows, and even games are advocating what I like to call the 'apocalypse attribute'. Namely, the end of the world.
So why is this genre becoming so popular? It's not like it's new: the idea has been around since the book of Revelation in the Bible, documenting the endtimes. Why do people like it so much?
Even I like the genre...to an extent. I've already written one zombie story and another one's coming up. On a side note, I'm really surprised how gory I'm making this story....hm. Must come with zombies, I guess.
Anyway, as I was saying. The apocalypse genre has exploded in recent years with TV shows like 'The Walking Dead' and movies like 'World War Z', not to mention the games DayZ, WarZ, The Last of Us, etc. As for stories, well, they've been around for a while. Only recently has the media really gotten into the mess that is the zombie era.
The reason I believe this genre is so popular is because it makes a good story. No, really. Just think about it. You've got your typical disease that is turning everybody into zombies, and a small group of 'survivors' are left to try and keep their sanity...and lives.
Zombies are the perfect enemy, because they are very simple, yet terrifying. All they want is "braaaains", but watch out! If they bite you, you become one of the mindless, heartless, brainless creatures that they are. This makes for great tension. It also brings out characteristics that humans may not normally display: in the aspect of survival, even the most timid person can turn into a hard, selfish being. That brings in interesting depth to the struggle.
In the midst of this gory mess of trying to survive, tragic stories arise. People make sacrifices, or maybe they're just stingy and only look out for themselves. What will the main character do? How will it all end? Most of the zombie stories, while having the same plot (survival), are valuable for their interesting endings. What eventually happens? How do they carry on (or do they)?
I don't think the genre will be as popular as some others, but it is certainly an interesting one. And will continue to be, as long as variants can be produced.
Adieu, readers!
So why is this genre becoming so popular? It's not like it's new: the idea has been around since the book of Revelation in the Bible, documenting the endtimes. Why do people like it so much?
Even I like the genre...to an extent. I've already written one zombie story and another one's coming up. On a side note, I'm really surprised how gory I'm making this story....hm. Must come with zombies, I guess.
Anyway, as I was saying. The apocalypse genre has exploded in recent years with TV shows like 'The Walking Dead' and movies like 'World War Z', not to mention the games DayZ, WarZ, The Last of Us, etc. As for stories, well, they've been around for a while. Only recently has the media really gotten into the mess that is the zombie era.
The reason I believe this genre is so popular is because it makes a good story. No, really. Just think about it. You've got your typical disease that is turning everybody into zombies, and a small group of 'survivors' are left to try and keep their sanity...and lives.
Zombies are the perfect enemy, because they are very simple, yet terrifying. All they want is "braaaains", but watch out! If they bite you, you become one of the mindless, heartless, brainless creatures that they are. This makes for great tension. It also brings out characteristics that humans may not normally display: in the aspect of survival, even the most timid person can turn into a hard, selfish being. That brings in interesting depth to the struggle.
In the midst of this gory mess of trying to survive, tragic stories arise. People make sacrifices, or maybe they're just stingy and only look out for themselves. What will the main character do? How will it all end? Most of the zombie stories, while having the same plot (survival), are valuable for their interesting endings. What eventually happens? How do they carry on (or do they)?
I don't think the genre will be as popular as some others, but it is certainly an interesting one. And will continue to be, as long as variants can be produced.
Adieu, readers!
Friday, August 9, 2013
Short Writing
Well, as most if not all of you know, I'm a short story writer. A main reason for that is because I keep coming up with ideas, and if I tried making full-length stories out of them I'd probably be stuck at the keyboard my whole life.
But although writing short stories allows for more stories, there are major difficulties with writing brief flicks. Here's a few.
Plot developement. Obviously you have an idea, but how can you stretch that idea out to become a story, yet not too much so as to avoid it becoming a full-length novel? Trying to keep it short but interesting is a hard thing to do.
Characters. Of course you must have them, the problem is making them interesting. You've got a short time to make your reader identify and attach - a little, at least - to your characters. You must simultaneosly avoid making a character to shallow (uninteresting) or too deep (confusing, for such a short plot).
Balance. I've talked about this before, but in a short story it is even more critical. There must be a good balance between dialogue/exposition and plot progression/action. Is this an action story? Then less dialogue and more fighting. Is this a social story? More dialogue and less action. That may be a bit general, but you get the idea.
Trying to assemble these main three things accurately is like walking a tightrope - one wobble and you fall. For that reason, you need to plan out your stories meticulously (something I hate) and make sure your characters are smoothly developed. Once you're done, you must go over your completed work and edit edit edit. Eliminate mistakes and polish it mirror-smooth.
Ultimately, doing all this is what makes a good short story.
Ain't as easy as you might think, eh?
But although writing short stories allows for more stories, there are major difficulties with writing brief flicks. Here's a few.
Plot developement. Obviously you have an idea, but how can you stretch that idea out to become a story, yet not too much so as to avoid it becoming a full-length novel? Trying to keep it short but interesting is a hard thing to do.
Characters. Of course you must have them, the problem is making them interesting. You've got a short time to make your reader identify and attach - a little, at least - to your characters. You must simultaneosly avoid making a character to shallow (uninteresting) or too deep (confusing, for such a short plot).
Balance. I've talked about this before, but in a short story it is even more critical. There must be a good balance between dialogue/exposition and plot progression/action. Is this an action story? Then less dialogue and more fighting. Is this a social story? More dialogue and less action. That may be a bit general, but you get the idea.
Trying to assemble these main three things accurately is like walking a tightrope - one wobble and you fall. For that reason, you need to plan out your stories meticulously (something I hate) and make sure your characters are smoothly developed. Once you're done, you must go over your completed work and edit edit edit. Eliminate mistakes and polish it mirror-smooth.
Ultimately, doing all this is what makes a good short story.
Ain't as easy as you might think, eh?
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