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Author	Topic: The Writers' Guild
Jairen Title: Manager Emeritus Registered: Sep '00	Date Posted: 7/27/06 3:26pm Subject: RE: The Writers' Guild
	Twinky_Stryder posted: OK, here's an extract from the "hero's journy" story (for lack of a better title). I've been working on this idea since last October. [CUT] And now I'm going to go and hide in shame. Twinky, just wanted to say that this was a great piece. Whilst only a small extract, it was paced well, drew me into what was happening, and left me wanting to know more about Elara. Who is she? What is this possible destiny related to her blood (I assume this relates to her ancestors in some way, i.e. a bloodline)? Who is Kern really, how does his past fit in with what he is trying to do now, and what are his plans for this possibly innocent young woman? The fact that it grabbed me enough to want to have answers to these questions is a great sign. The little hints within it to Elara's world are well placed. There are a few bits that need some work, mostly repetition of some words within the same sentence that make it sound odd, but apart from that, really enjoyable. JediNemisis, thanks for taking the time to read it, it's always great to hear back from anyone who's read some of my work. Thanks for the PM, I've sent you a response, and good luck with anything you've got going at the moment. -----signature----- "How am I gonna get a girl? I drive around in a garbage truck!" - Hellboy Me in a film: http://copperraven.com/movies/ahoweb.wmv
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Master-FatBurt Registered: Jul '03	Date Posted: 7/28/06 5:13am Subject: RE: The Writers' Guild
	A short extract from an early chapter of what I hope to be my first planned and fully written book to be called Twilight. I'm not going to give any hints as to what has come before and what is to come after. But I'll take any feedback you want to give. This is a small extract though and has been rewritten a few times based on how the plan for the novel has altered and I fully expect to adjust it again before I'm finally happy with it (Which will never happen with me). "What do you mean stripped?" she asked puzzled. "Well" Robert went on, "In my youth I was considered to be lacking focus... Well in the area's they wanted me to focus anyway. I was too fond of playing pranks and messing around, I didn't really concentrate on my studies like I should have" Jayne looked at him puzzled "they stripped your power because you played pranks?" "Thats but one aspect of the problems I had at the academy" he continued with a chuckle, "the Dean didn't like my relationship with his daughter though. I know, it's the epitome of cliche really isn't it? But I was a trouble maker and wasn't that skilled nor powerful. When their patience finally ran out they had to expel me." Robert walked over to the window and looked out over the street and into the field ahead. Clouds were starting to gather shrouding the sun. "You know what?" he said matter of factly, "they were right to expel me as well, my skills lay in the weaker power of seeing, as this skill really has no usable purpose within the modern world, the board felt it right to suppress my ability and leave me to lead a more normal life ." "Can you not use magic anymore then?" Jayne asked. "Thats a different story and isn't one to go over now. Lets just say I'm more than ably equipped to deal with anything life throws at me." he replied with a sly wink. Jayne sat up in bed and looked at the drip attached to her arm. "Saline?" she asked. "I assume so. Medical things aren't really my area of expertise, I'm a dream interpreter these days." "Dream interpreter? Why are you here with me then?" She asked puzzled. "Well Jayne, you've been unconcious for 2 days and I was called here this morning to look over the notes and recordings that have been taken of you whilst you were asleep." "Two days?" Jayne looked horrified, "How are my parents, where are my parents?" "Concerned and tired so they were sent home, they're aware your awake though and will be here shortly. It was thought I should speak with you first due to the circumstances though." "What do you mean? Is there anything wrong with me?" "No, you're quite healthy according to the experts, you're dreams are very vivid though, can you remember anything of them though?" "not really no, I can remember little things, glimpses of things I think I should remember, you know" "I think I do" he replied, "I had that problem when I was younger, I'd see things during the day or dream them at night. The daytime visions I could remember but the night time ones seemed more real and substantial. I could never truely recall them though." "Thats it yes, the main thing I remember though is a sense of fear and loathing." "I get that impression when reviewing the recordings and transcripts of your many outbursts. I'd like to talk you through your visions if you want. I think they are a manifestation of the seer skill I posess. You'll be pleased to know it can be controlled and focused. I'd like to help you do that or at least point you in the right direction so that your gift can be harnessed." Rain started to patter at the window, Robert stepped away to look at her. Jayne looked forlorn and lost and was staring at her hands. He saw the panic on her face and realised she was on her own in a hospital bed with a man who'd just she her that she could have a power that had been giving her nightmares for most of her life and had just caused her to pass out for 2 days. Robert seeing a dawning of realisation strike her face started to started to walk to the bed. "This is no gift, it's a torture." she cried at him as the tears started to flow. -----signature----- rules are meant to be broken All Bluebirds are Blue COME ON BARRA!!
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Sanctimoniously Registered: Dec '05	Date Posted: 8/14/06 1:43pm Subject: RE: The Writers' Guild
	Anyone care to explain to me why this thread is at the bottom of the page? -----signature----- In For a Quick Garden http://www.myspace.com/sanctimoniously
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Andalite-Bandit Registered: Apr '05	Date Posted: 8/15/06 10:07am Subject: RE: The Writers' Guild
	It is a sad thing. Well, I've recently finished up the second draft of my feature. I'm just waiting to hear back from my producers and then I'll start up on the third draft, which should be close enough to final draft for us to use to start up the pre-production work. I've also been thinking about a second concept recently, but I'm not sure at the moment if I want to write it as a script or a novel. -----signature----- "It's all the same fraking day, man." - Janis Joplin http://boards.theforce.net/your_jedi_council_community/b10008/29050206/p1/?0
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Sanctimoniously Registered: Dec '05	Date Posted: 8/15/06 12:27pm Subject: RE: The Writers' Guild
	I've still been adding away to my sci-fi, adding more events to fit the theme and fine-tuning the characters. -----signature----- In For a Quick Garden http://www.myspace.com/sanctimoniously
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DarkPrince Registered: Nov '05	Date Posted: 8/15/06 12:39pm Subject: RE: The Writers' Guild
	Ok, I'm kinda new to this whole writing thing. I've been trying to work out plot details and characters ideas. I was wondering if anyone could help me out on how I should plan things out. -----signature----- GamePlasma: http://www.gameplasma.com Devils: 21-13-3 Lets Go Devils!! Gamertag: Restless Devil
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Andalite-Bandit Registered: Apr '05	Date Posted: 8/15/06 12:53pm Subject: RE: The Writers' Guild
	Everyone has a different amount of planning they like to do. What I do, generally, is I first imagine some sort of basic plot concept or idea. I then begin to imagine the more important sequence of events that need to occur or that I want to occur, and from there I will write up some sort of an outline. Usually this is a few pages I type out in word just outlining the basic structure of the story. Then I'll write the first draft, and fill in the details. As far as Characters, something I've learned in writing class that I think was helpful was coming up with a character "spine." The spine is the thing that most defines who a character is, it is the thing they want most in life, and it is the thing that, consciously or not, most of their actions are based on. For example, I imagined the spine of my character in my feature script as being "To find acceptance," which is proper motivation for his actions throughout the script. -----signature----- "It's all the same fraking day, man." - Janis Joplin http://boards.theforce.net/your_jedi_council_community/b10008/29050206/p1/?0
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114 Registered: Jan '05	Date Posted: 8/15/06 10:21pm Subject: RE: The Writers' Guild - Date Edited: 8/15/06 10:48pm (1 edits total) Edited By: 114
	Ok, I'm kinda new to this whole writing thing. I've been trying to work out plot details and characters ideas. I was wondering if anyone could help me out on how I should plan things out. Well, if you're completely new, you should just write (and read) for a while. Soon you'll learn more and more about yourself as a writer, and what method is best for you, you follow? For example, I know that Stephen King writes mostly out of inspiration and the whim of the moment while at the laptop. He rarely plans his stories in advance. Oppositely, J.K. Rowling is meticulous in her outlinig and planning (which is why it took six years for her first book, TPS/TSS, to reach the bookshelves- as during those years, she also planned out the other six books). But for now, just write and find your way. EDIT: Now about me, I've been struggling with something recently too. I have this story I've been working on for the past two and a half years, with a mix of planning, notetaking, detailing, character development and writing (whether something planned or purely out of inspiration), and the manuscript now stands at just over 300 pages in size 12 TNR font (MS word- on my old laptop, it was past 400 pages in Appleworks, same settings). Anyway, I've been toying with my beginning for a while, constantly wondering things like which main char I should start with (Clement or Sophia? aargh, I can never decide!), should I begin on Earth or my fictional world that appears shortly after, etc... etc... etc... The problem is, if I begin the story in this fictional world of mine, I have to introduce the present region of that world as well as my character as well as a rather- er... "earth shattering" revelation about the setting around my main char (this one being Clement at the moment). That's... difficult. So... there's many different possibilities... I'll list them: a. Introduce Clement, introduce fictional world, introduce the setting "oddity" b. Introduce Clement, introduce fictional world, introduce the setting "oddity" as a hook, then flashback to Earth setting for strict character development c. Introduce Sophia, " ", " ", " " d. Introduce Sophia, " ", " ", " ", " " e. Introduce Clement and Sophia, (see "a", "c") f. Introduce Clement and Sophia, (see "b", "d") g. Introduce Clement on Earth, devote a chapter to him h. Introduce Sophia on Earth, devote a chapter to her i. Introduce both on Earth, devote one chapter to both j. Spectral creature detailing main chars' progress from Earth to fictional world (problem: the creature has a near-omniscient feel that can be confused with an omniscient viewpoint, and as of yet, I have no plans to use the creature again, but if I do use him this one time, it would probably be a point in the story later on) k. Third-person unlimited, and omniscient narrator... (not a fan of this approach) If I intro one main chair, I devote a large focus to him/her, then shift entirely in a new chapter to the other main char and have to request the reader's attention for an entirely new character development. This would logically mean I should introduce both main characters at once in the same setting, but then I sacrifice focus that could whereas be more devoted to both in two seperate chapters and settings. And if I go with introducing both main chars at once, I will most certainly not throw the fictional world into the mix with them immediately. However, if I go with introducing one first and employ the fictional world with its setting oddity concept, I make a better hook, not having my attention and focus spread out over too much (like Bilbo would say: butter over too much bread).
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DarkPrince Registered: Nov '05	Date Posted: 8/16/06 7:26pm Subject: RE: The Writers' Guild
	Thanks for the suggestions guys. I have a couple things in mind for a sicence-fiction story. Should I plan things out in an outline with premise and characters an such? -----signature----- GamePlasma: http://www.gameplasma.com Devils: 21-13-3 Lets Go Devils!! Gamertag: Restless Devil
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114 Registered: Jan '05	Date Posted: 8/16/06 8:55pm Subject: RE: The Writers' Guild
	Thanks for the suggestions guys. I have a couple things in mind for a sicence-fiction story. Should I plan things out in an outline with premise and characters an such? Well, have a general point A-point B imagined out, but for now, just write.
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NYCitygurl Title: Generally Out to Lunch Manager: SFFBC, C&G, NSWFF Registered: Jul '02	Date Posted: 8/17/06 2:57pm Subject: RE: The Writers' Guild
	DarkPrince posted: Thanks for the suggestions guys. I have a couple things in mind for a sicence-fiction story. Should I plan things out in an outline with premise and characters an such? I've only written fanfic before, but I usually just get an idea and run with it. If you've got a lot of it already planned, though, you should probably write down an outline or at least your ideas so that you don't forget. -----signature----- "Not till the moon falls. Not till the world ends."
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DarkPrince Registered: Nov '05	Date Posted: 8/22/06 1:13pm Subject: RE: The Writers' Guild
	Any other suggestions? Maybe some suggestions on character devlopment or plot structure? Or maybe links to sites that have some suggestion? -----signature----- GamePlasma: http://www.gameplasma.com Devils: 21-13-3 Lets Go Devils!! Gamertag: Restless Devil
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Darth-Kevin-Thomas Registered: Sep '02	Date Posted: 8/24/06 12:07pm Subject: RE: The Writers' Guild
	DarkPrince posted: Any other suggestions? Maybe some suggestions on character devlopment or plot structure? Or maybe links to sites that have some suggestion? One thing that i was told is that each character must have a reason for being in the scene/movie/sequence. When you have a scene, each person has an objective. Lets say that i have a scene where its me and my brother. We'll start simple. My main goal is to watch T.V. and eat my PB&J. My brothers main objectve is to eat my PB&J. All my dialoge and actions should reflect my objective. If some one talks to loud, i turn the T.V. up. If my brother reaches for my sammich, i pull away. On the other hand, you see My brother getting upset becuase he doesn't get a tasty sammich. So he will talk me into leaving the room to get some milk (playing off my goals) leaving my sammich for the taking. I hope that makes sense, it's kind of a lame example. As far as development goes. I write up some sort of back story on each character i write. I include how this person is realted to the main character if any, and what his invovlment is with the main characters goals. Plot on the other had is kind-of up to you. When you are writing just make sure that whatever you are telling us has to do with the story. Make sure it is character development to pushing story along. Don't be like Tarantino in Pulp Fiction where they have a five minute talk about foot massage when we clearly know there is going to be a wicked confrontation soon to come. Where as that dialoge is funny, It doesn't do a whole lot for pushing the initial scene and isn't stong story development. This is what I did for my senior script. It worked for this script but i wouldn't do it for all my stories. It gets you stated though. First you figure out what kind of story you want to write and find out what movie it's most like. In this case, my story was most like The Postman, a late 90's post nuke story. I wanted to write a post nuke story with those basic elements in it. Your story will go through tons and tons of re-writes so don't feel bad for using specific outlines, or sequences. Just make sure you make them your own. Add your own style to whatever you write. Follow that and that should give you a story with a few really good beats. Now, i started wanting to put aspects of other post nuke movies in my script. Mad max...etc Eventually, come 2nd draft, it was completly different than the original. 1st draft was a bit of a "rip-off" but 2nd was solid with my own ideas and own sequences. I have a book i'll recommend to you but i can't remember it off the top off my head so i'll find it tonight. dkt -----signature----- If I could be anything, I'd be a machine gun, becuase everytime I see you, I'm sorry I don't own one.
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DarkPrince Registered: Nov '05	Date Posted: 8/24/06 1:48pm Subject: RE: The Writers' Guild
	What I was doing with my main character of the story was writing out a descrption of what he looks like, what occupation he has...etc. I don't think i'll be writing a descrption or something for the plot though, as you said I think it would work better if I just work with that through character development. Thanks for the tips. -----signature----- GamePlasma: http://www.gameplasma.com Devils: 21-13-3 Lets Go Devils!! Gamertag: Restless Devil
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Darth-Kevin-Thomas Registered: Sep '02	Date Posted: 8/25/06 8:30am Subject: RE: The Writers' Guild
	one of the things that i found easy to do is to make sure i have my main character all flushed out before i start writing. What type of personality does he have, how would he act in a stressful situation, is he funny or boring. Once you have that, most of the time you just take a step back and look at him in the contex of the situation. You know how it will pan out if you have strong characters because you know how they will react in a scene. dkt -----signature----- If I could be anything, I'd be a machine gun, becuase everytime I see you, I'm sorry I don't own one.
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