So, the hero has trudged through certain defeat and the gates of death, won through and succeeded against all odds. Yippee! Good guys won, bad guys ate dirt. All is well with the world, and the story closes as the hero gallops into the sunset with a lady on his arm and stars in his eys. Not just a happy ending, but vindication of the entire journey.
When I find a movie that manages such a feat, it sticks with me for a very, very, very long time. I'd point to Ever After (a retold Cinderella story) as a fine example. It takes what normally is a pretty typical fairy tale when the hunky hero saves the fragile as glass damsel and turns it into the same story but with believable characters and a strong female lead. The journey is justified at the end, with an absolutely satisfying thumping of the baddies.
I'm sure we've all heard that "the journey is it's own reward." Well, yes, to a point. But, we all want to see the end of the story, right? And I'm sure that for the most part we want to see a satisfying conclusion. Certainly there's plenty of stories that end with big question marks, or a purposely unsatisfying conclusion, but the great majority close up and end. Watching the picture form as an outside witness is unbelievably satisfying.
I applaud every storyteller able to pull it off, like a close-up magic trick. No matter how close you look, you miss the technique, but you don't care because the magic happens right before your eyes.
- M
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Computer/Console gaming
I've played computer games since consumer PCs first appeared on the market (yup, I'm really old). It's fascinating to watch how things have changed, especially how stories have changed with graphics becoming ever more impressive. To begin, it was simply text and everything was very much like a book. Now it's like living inside a movie.
Some of the games I've played have touched me deeply with their storylines. I cherish those times, and even subsequent replays are fantastic. I love getting caught up in them, like I'm living the story from the inside out. Even some online games have captured that for me, but in those it seemed that I brought the story and the game provided the environment. Maybe some of the fun of the story is that it isn't restricted entirely by the authors of the games--there's freedom in a game to do what you want, some more than others but there's always at least a bit.
The funny thing is that computer/console games don't translate very well into movies. You'd think such a visual medium would move into another visual medium, but I guess not. But, I'd love to find out personally how hard it is to do such a screenplay...
- M
Some of the games I've played have touched me deeply with their storylines. I cherish those times, and even subsequent replays are fantastic. I love getting caught up in them, like I'm living the story from the inside out. Even some online games have captured that for me, but in those it seemed that I brought the story and the game provided the environment. Maybe some of the fun of the story is that it isn't restricted entirely by the authors of the games--there's freedom in a game to do what you want, some more than others but there's always at least a bit.
The funny thing is that computer/console games don't translate very well into movies. You'd think such a visual medium would move into another visual medium, but I guess not. But, I'd love to find out personally how hard it is to do such a screenplay...
- M
Sunday, August 25, 2013
The long buildup...
It's interesing to see how things come full circle. In ancient times, there were epic stories that all came down to the final scenes. Since many of those were oral stories, that meant hours, if not days, of story before the finale finally came to pass. Now, it's fairly normal for television shows to have season-long stories (sometimes called "arcs"). Babylon 5 was the first one that caught my eye (it originally had a 5 year arc, then was shortened to 4, but when the 5th season was picked up the final part was tacked on).
Anyway, what I'm interested in is the emotion that's generated by such long buildups. It's incredible the power that a successful resolution can have on people. Gray's Anatomy season close (with 007, if you know what I mean), apparently caused more tears than onions. That's fascinating, because the emotional impact of that last episode is far more than the sum of the episodes before it. Somehow long buildups like that manage to pay off in huge ways.
As a writer, I strive to do just that at the end of books. I study such things, try to sort them out. Maybe the biggest mystery about the long buildup is why it works to begin with? What about the human psyche wants the delayed payoff so much that they are willing to suffer through an entire season just to find out the answer? It's amazing, and a wonderful treat.
- M
Anyway, what I'm interested in is the emotion that's generated by such long buildups. It's incredible the power that a successful resolution can have on people. Gray's Anatomy season close (with 007, if you know what I mean), apparently caused more tears than onions. That's fascinating, because the emotional impact of that last episode is far more than the sum of the episodes before it. Somehow long buildups like that manage to pay off in huge ways.
As a writer, I strive to do just that at the end of books. I study such things, try to sort them out. Maybe the biggest mystery about the long buildup is why it works to begin with? What about the human psyche wants the delayed payoff so much that they are willing to suffer through an entire season just to find out the answer? It's amazing, and a wonderful treat.
- M
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Robots, Mountains, and Kids
One book that shaped my childhood has to be: The White Mountains by John Christopher. It's the first of a trilogy. You see, Earth has been completely taken over by mechanical tripods (much like HG Wells' story). But, the story is told from a young boy about to be "capped"--which removes free will to rebell against the tripods.
The trilogy goes from that humble beginning, through a hidden rebellion, and finally out to the massive domes housing the monstrous masters. It's an exhilerating ride, and I've loved re-reading the books I have. Well, had, since my copies took a swim and fell apart. But, they are still alive in my memory and I'm all the better for it.
Science fiction is a wonderful medium for a story. I always enjoy new ideas, that somehow make sense if you stretch enough. The genre enjoys saying that all its ideas are plausible, but a lot of the time it's not much more than fantastical tales featuring technology. I don't mind. In fact, I think we need more stories like that. Take our current circumstances and extrapolate until you get ideas that ring true and real.
Check out The White Mountains. Terrific stuff. You won't be sorry.
- M
The trilogy goes from that humble beginning, through a hidden rebellion, and finally out to the massive domes housing the monstrous masters. It's an exhilerating ride, and I've loved re-reading the books I have. Well, had, since my copies took a swim and fell apart. But, they are still alive in my memory and I'm all the better for it.
Science fiction is a wonderful medium for a story. I always enjoy new ideas, that somehow make sense if you stretch enough. The genre enjoys saying that all its ideas are plausible, but a lot of the time it's not much more than fantastical tales featuring technology. I don't mind. In fact, I think we need more stories like that. Take our current circumstances and extrapolate until you get ideas that ring true and real.
Check out The White Mountains. Terrific stuff. You won't be sorry.
- M
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Music that makes my blood prickle through my skin
Like many writers, I listen to music as I work. But, there are certain pieces that I absolutely must stop and give full attention to. I can't get enough of songs like that. One quick example is "Empty chairs, at empty tables" from the musical Les Miserables. It sends chills up and down my spine. I adore that song (especially when Michael Ball sings it).
Music is a special kind of thing, that sometimes tells a story, and many times exists for the sake of its own rhythms. I find myself coming up with all sorts of little stories as I listen to songs, like the music is sparking some sort of creation within me. Hard to explain, but I can't get enough of it.
What I really wonder is do songs like that come about by happy accident, or is that heartstirring actually implanted by the composer? It seems so mystical and incredible to me. There's magic in songs. Undeniable, incredible, impossible magic.
I will admit that my guilty pleasure is what's called "trailer" music--as in music that's featured in movie trailers/previews. It's pounding, epic, dynamic music that hurtles past like thundering buffalo. Hard not to like it, but it does get repetitive. I don't mind. I'll listen to Posthumus for hours, and not even notice.
- M
Music is a special kind of thing, that sometimes tells a story, and many times exists for the sake of its own rhythms. I find myself coming up with all sorts of little stories as I listen to songs, like the music is sparking some sort of creation within me. Hard to explain, but I can't get enough of it.
What I really wonder is do songs like that come about by happy accident, or is that heartstirring actually implanted by the composer? It seems so mystical and incredible to me. There's magic in songs. Undeniable, incredible, impossible magic.
I will admit that my guilty pleasure is what's called "trailer" music--as in music that's featured in movie trailers/previews. It's pounding, epic, dynamic music that hurtles past like thundering buffalo. Hard not to like it, but it does get repetitive. I don't mind. I'll listen to Posthumus for hours, and not even notice.
- M
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Happy endings, sad engings, or something in between?
Most people prefer happy endings, I'm sure. However, not all endings are happy and nor should they be. Afterall, the world isn't fair, so why should stories be? And what about endings that come somewhere in the middle, where nothing is resolved or even wrapped up. How do readers feel about such things?
Well, in my view it really depends on the story. Lots of horror stories end on a bad note, or even leaving everything hanging (evil defeated, but lingering). It's expected, and those stories sell very well. Happy endings tend to be the norm, tying up all the plot threads in a neat little bow. Stories with multiple books normally keep certain plot threads unsolved, so action can continue from book to book.
Allowing things to float in the wind is a risky thing to do for an author. Readers want to know, well everything. Leaving readers not only guessing, but wanting more, can cause the worst reaction of all--they put down the book and never return, and never tell their friends. Still, the concept is seductive to writers because leaving clues/gaps in the plot puts the burden on the reader to figure it out. And, when it works, it works in a powerful way.
All that said, I prefer a complex story that doesn't wrap everything up. It's nice to know that there is more to the world than what was in the book, or movie. There's a feeling of greatness, and I love it.
- M
Well, in my view it really depends on the story. Lots of horror stories end on a bad note, or even leaving everything hanging (evil defeated, but lingering). It's expected, and those stories sell very well. Happy endings tend to be the norm, tying up all the plot threads in a neat little bow. Stories with multiple books normally keep certain plot threads unsolved, so action can continue from book to book.
Allowing things to float in the wind is a risky thing to do for an author. Readers want to know, well everything. Leaving readers not only guessing, but wanting more, can cause the worst reaction of all--they put down the book and never return, and never tell their friends. Still, the concept is seductive to writers because leaving clues/gaps in the plot puts the burden on the reader to figure it out. And, when it works, it works in a powerful way.
All that said, I prefer a complex story that doesn't wrap everything up. It's nice to know that there is more to the world than what was in the book, or movie. There's a feeling of greatness, and I love it.
- M
Friday, August 16, 2013
Oh, to be a sidekick...
I adore sidekicks. I really do. They hang out with heroes, get to take part in the fun, but don't really get all the attention or suffer the consequences. Plus, they can be as quirky and weird as they like. They're just a pleasure to have around. And, unlike heroes/villains, when things go badly they can run away to play another day. What's not to like?
Another part of sidekicks that I enjoy is that they can give the gift of exposition (explaining the story) without being out of place. It's so natural for the sidekick to explain what's going on to someone else, because the hero wouldn't do that or the villain doesn't care. It helps the reader without breaking the wall of the story and just talking to the reader themselves.
The other side of using sidekicks is that they can be wiped out, taken, killed off, usually without impacting the story to any great degree. Now, it's possible to really make this a major plot point (such as the original Robin dying to the Joker, which actually was pretty huge), but normally it doesn't matter too much. The hero gets over it and moves on.
So, kiss a sidekick today. They need love too.
- M
Another part of sidekicks that I enjoy is that they can give the gift of exposition (explaining the story) without being out of place. It's so natural for the sidekick to explain what's going on to someone else, because the hero wouldn't do that or the villain doesn't care. It helps the reader without breaking the wall of the story and just talking to the reader themselves.
The other side of using sidekicks is that they can be wiped out, taken, killed off, usually without impacting the story to any great degree. Now, it's possible to really make this a major plot point (such as the original Robin dying to the Joker, which actually was pretty huge), but normally it doesn't matter too much. The hero gets over it and moves on.
So, kiss a sidekick today. They need love too.
- M
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Sadness
Sadness is a very powerful emotion that can really work well in stories. We've all felt the emotion, can relate with it, and I think are keenly interested in why someone is sad. When characters in stories become sad it causes a flood of emotions through the reader, and, depending on how likeable the character is, the emotions will spill over to the reader themselves. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's cried through a book--or a movie for that matter.
Using that emotion to move a story ahead is another matter though. It's hard to prevent wallowing in self-pity, unless that's the goal, and it get's the story bogged down easily. My guess is that we writers enjoy expressing the wealth of emotions contained within sadness, and somewhat forget the overall picture. Whatever the case, I love to feel my heart pulled sideways as I experience a good story.
This is one of those areas where books and movies actually share a common connection. Whereas in books the emotion comes filtered through our own experiences, in movies a good actor can express those emotions vividly and powerfully. That's an incredible thing, and I believe one of the best reasons for stories to exist: to bring us all together through common feelings.
- M
Using that emotion to move a story ahead is another matter though. It's hard to prevent wallowing in self-pity, unless that's the goal, and it get's the story bogged down easily. My guess is that we writers enjoy expressing the wealth of emotions contained within sadness, and somewhat forget the overall picture. Whatever the case, I love to feel my heart pulled sideways as I experience a good story.
This is one of those areas where books and movies actually share a common connection. Whereas in books the emotion comes filtered through our own experiences, in movies a good actor can express those emotions vividly and powerfully. That's an incredible thing, and I believe one of the best reasons for stories to exist: to bring us all together through common feelings.
- M
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Passion, Urges, and Drive
In my studying the natures of heroes and villains, I've come to realize that one thing that distinguishes them from regular characters is their passion to complete specific goals. Most people don't have one defining goal that consumes their lives. However, most villains, and even many heroes, do have such a passion. They want something more than anything else on the scene.
Taken within the framework of the story, such passions drive the plot forward unrelentingly. If other characters deviate from the goal, then the one with the passion pushes them back. It naturally is the villain doing this many times, but the hero sure can do it as well. And the conflict within the story probably is because of the goal being blocked or stymied in some way.
I've always enjoyed seeing such urgency in stories, because it gives me something as the reader/viewer to latch onto. I can understand it, and immediately want to see it happen, or not if it's the villain's goal. It creates immersion within the reader. Of course, if the goal is absurd it's harder to connect with (like wanting to be the first human to live inside a giant jelly donut). But, nothing's impossible so long as the characters want it badly enough.
- M
Taken within the framework of the story, such passions drive the plot forward unrelentingly. If other characters deviate from the goal, then the one with the passion pushes them back. It naturally is the villain doing this many times, but the hero sure can do it as well. And the conflict within the story probably is because of the goal being blocked or stymied in some way.
I've always enjoyed seeing such urgency in stories, because it gives me something as the reader/viewer to latch onto. I can understand it, and immediately want to see it happen, or not if it's the villain's goal. It creates immersion within the reader. Of course, if the goal is absurd it's harder to connect with (like wanting to be the first human to live inside a giant jelly donut). But, nothing's impossible so long as the characters want it badly enough.
- M
Friday, August 9, 2013
Free stuff
In a small departure from my regular postings, I'm doing a promotion right now for my first book. Check it out on Amazon.com:
TO SAVE A KINGDOM
Here's a short description:
"We all start somewhere, but for Karl, Mindy, Clyde and Ashley, it begins with everyone disappearing. Even the chickens. Well, not exactly. At the center of their village, they find a wizard cackling about destroying the King before vanishing in a swirl of light.
Rushing to the next village, the siblings find it emptied as well—only a philosophical sheep remains, and he is more interested in pebbles than anything else. Desperate to find their family, the group rushes to tell the King what happened and ask for help.
But, the kingdom teeters on the edge of war and barren villages are just a dramatic test. Happy to help, but unable to divert his own forces, the King sends the children on a quest into the wizard's lair in a desperate plan to save the kingdom. Dreading imminent attack, the kingdom prepares for all out war."
Check it out, it's free until Sunday evening. And, if you like it, feel free to post a review; maybe even check out the other book I've written: THE FAERIE LEGACY
TO SAVE A KINGDOM
Here's a short description:
"We all start somewhere, but for Karl, Mindy, Clyde and Ashley, it begins with everyone disappearing. Even the chickens. Well, not exactly. At the center of their village, they find a wizard cackling about destroying the King before vanishing in a swirl of light.
Rushing to the next village, the siblings find it emptied as well—only a philosophical sheep remains, and he is more interested in pebbles than anything else. Desperate to find their family, the group rushes to tell the King what happened and ask for help.
But, the kingdom teeters on the edge of war and barren villages are just a dramatic test. Happy to help, but unable to divert his own forces, the King sends the children on a quest into the wizard's lair in a desperate plan to save the kingdom. Dreading imminent attack, the kingdom prepares for all out war."
Check it out, it's free until Sunday evening. And, if you like it, feel free to post a review; maybe even check out the other book I've written: THE FAERIE LEGACY
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Twists and Turns
What just happened? Was that real? Wow, I can't believe what just went on!
Yup, I'm talking about twists, surprise endings, completely out of the blue occurences that take your shoes off and slap you over the head with them, and then make you smell your own socks. It's those incredible times when you miss entirely what's coming and gape at the page in utter shock. I think we all can agree that those times are fun beyond belief.
Of course, there are other twists that fall very flat; mainly because we had absolutely no reason to see anything coming. Having a twist should have some purpose, or reason, for it to exist. Without that purpose, it's just a way to confuse readers. I always remember watching Perry Mason with my parents, and I hated the way that good 'ole Perry would inevitably get some mysterious note, make a curious face, and then at the end of the trial he pulls a rabbit out of a hat that makes everything work. It frustrated me that it was practically impossible to guess the ending mainly because of that.
But, take a look at a fantastic twist, like the one in the Sixth Sense. Everything leading up to the ending is plain to see in the movie itself, but a first-time viewer is unlikely to notice any of them. It's brilliant. I especially like how the ending reveals itself with clips from what you've just witnessed. Wonderful. Timeless. Incredible.
I wish I'd written it.
- M
Yup, I'm talking about twists, surprise endings, completely out of the blue occurences that take your shoes off and slap you over the head with them, and then make you smell your own socks. It's those incredible times when you miss entirely what's coming and gape at the page in utter shock. I think we all can agree that those times are fun beyond belief.
Of course, there are other twists that fall very flat; mainly because we had absolutely no reason to see anything coming. Having a twist should have some purpose, or reason, for it to exist. Without that purpose, it's just a way to confuse readers. I always remember watching Perry Mason with my parents, and I hated the way that good 'ole Perry would inevitably get some mysterious note, make a curious face, and then at the end of the trial he pulls a rabbit out of a hat that makes everything work. It frustrated me that it was practically impossible to guess the ending mainly because of that.
But, take a look at a fantastic twist, like the one in the Sixth Sense. Everything leading up to the ending is plain to see in the movie itself, but a first-time viewer is unlikely to notice any of them. It's brilliant. I especially like how the ending reveals itself with clips from what you've just witnessed. Wonderful. Timeless. Incredible.
I wish I'd written it.
- M
Monday, August 5, 2013
Watching others have fun
A very odd part of stories is that we get to watch other people have fun. I suppose it's only natural that we want to see interesting people do interesting things. But, consider for a moment that famous beach volleyball scene from Top Gun. Why is it so enjoyable to watch these guys (beefy I suppose, ripped for sure) smash around a ball?
I think it's because they look better doing it. Sure, it's vain, but then why not make even fun an escapist fantasy? Isn't it part of the viewing experience to watch someone have even more fun that you can possibly have? I'd say that it certainly is.
Knowing that, I'm thinking that I really need to make use of that and put scenes of absolute joy into my books. I'd think that making the story a little addicting by adding some pointless fun is all kinds of good. Why not? It sure doesn't hurt anything, and pampers the reader/viewer. And, a little pampering goes a very long way.
- M
I think it's because they look better doing it. Sure, it's vain, but then why not make even fun an escapist fantasy? Isn't it part of the viewing experience to watch someone have even more fun that you can possibly have? I'd say that it certainly is.
Knowing that, I'm thinking that I really need to make use of that and put scenes of absolute joy into my books. I'd think that making the story a little addicting by adding some pointless fun is all kinds of good. Why not? It sure doesn't hurt anything, and pampers the reader/viewer. And, a little pampering goes a very long way.
- M
Friday, August 2, 2013
Teasing/Poking/Proding
I had an interesting conversation with a co-worker about teasing readers. The idea came up because she was reading a mystery book and there was an object that kept making a curious appearance, but there didn't seem to be any actual importance to it. My guess is that the writer was only using the object as a way of giving a personality quirk.
So, when does such a thing go from a simple quirk and morph into a tease for the reader? Well, whenever something keeps getting mentioned, it necessarily draws attention to itself. Of course it does, you might say. There are wonderful times to do this, especially for foreshadowing, red herrings, or simply to give the reader insights that aren't otherwise obvious.
But, this can also be a not-too-subtle way of poking the reader in all the wrong places. In the mentioned mystery, my co-worker kept trying to assign importance to this object, but failed to find anything at all. Now the reader is frustrated, searching for something that isn't happening at all.
As a writer, that revelation gave me pause. I love to give my characters some sort of quirk, but repeated mention drives the story away from story and into details that probably have nothing to do with what I want to say. I think I'll do better knowing to watch out for that as I edit.
- M
So, when does such a thing go from a simple quirk and morph into a tease for the reader? Well, whenever something keeps getting mentioned, it necessarily draws attention to itself. Of course it does, you might say. There are wonderful times to do this, especially for foreshadowing, red herrings, or simply to give the reader insights that aren't otherwise obvious.
But, this can also be a not-too-subtle way of poking the reader in all the wrong places. In the mentioned mystery, my co-worker kept trying to assign importance to this object, but failed to find anything at all. Now the reader is frustrated, searching for something that isn't happening at all.
As a writer, that revelation gave me pause. I love to give my characters some sort of quirk, but repeated mention drives the story away from story and into details that probably have nothing to do with what I want to say. I think I'll do better knowing to watch out for that as I edit.
- M
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