In Which She Writes Relationship Advice...

 

Relationship advice?

 

I feel kinda silly on one hand. I mean, it's not like I've had years of experience knowing what exactly to do with the opposite gender. I'm a single girl who just turned eighteen a few months ago. What could I possibly know about the topic, a naïve thing like me?

 

Guess what. I'm not writing relationship advice. I try to dabble more in just plain ol' common sense, and more importantly align everything with Scripture. If you click HERE you'll found out what this whole thing is even about.

 

 I wrote a post for APOC entitled "The Foolproof Guide on How to Treat Guys" 1. It took several hours out of my sleep last night, and 2., I think it's safe to say it has some valid points, so I wanted to share it with y'all on here. Notice that this is a 'girls only' kind of post, so, sorry you male readers - go find something else to do.

 

In other news, I've been working up a storm on Radicals and last Friday held the second audition for the project. God provided somebody to play Griffin and Sam for the promotional material! (Remember, you can follow the progress of it all on the production blog here.) Anyway, so then yesterday I started doing rough sketches of wardrobe concepts for each character. An hour or two on Pinterest may or may not have helped inspire some of the looks...hehe. I love Pinterest for costume design ideas! Even though it did suck a little more time away than I anticipated - looking up slightly-futuristic clothing turned out to be somewhat addicting. Here are my favorites of what I came up with for the main characters.

 

 

 

 

 

Hope you're having a blessed week!

Garb For The Screenwriters {review}

 

Buenos dias, y'all!

(Ha that's a funny pairing of word choices, isn't it?)

 

I have another review for you today. A little while ago I was sent a Screenplay t-shirt from TheShirtDudes on Etsy.

 

As y'all probably know by now I'm a big fan of t-shirts. They're practical for a regular day (not to mention comfortable!)  of going about the typical routine, going to the store or doing practically anything that requires casual-wear.

 

So yeah. I like t-shirts.

 

 

 

I like this t-shirt for obvious reasons.

 

Obvious reason #1, it mentions screenplays and yes, I like this because I'm a screenwriter. It's kinda amusing - on the Etsy page for this shirt it says "Inside each of us, we are writing an epic cinematic screenplay. But just like life, it's ongoing and hardly seems to finish. Hang on you're almost there! Maybe you'll find new characters to your plot when you wear this unique shirt!"

Obvious reason #2, the design is cool. I like the little ink-well and feather pen paired with the swirly calligraphy loop under the text. The color scheme is a nice contrast, too.

 

Obvious reason #3, this is a very comfy shirt. Very durable/soft/breathable fabric.

 

Obvious reason #4, it's a t-shirt. How could it not automatically be a win?

 

 

 

The bottom line? Me gusta esto, mucho. (I like this shirt a lot!)

 

You should totally check out the TheShirtDudes for yourself. They have a wide, wide variety of different t-shirt designs. I think they'll also send you a cool vinyl sticker if you order something. (I have this "You've CAT to be KITTEN me right MEOW" sticker from them on my desk right now. *grins*)

So there you go. Plenty of reason to take a look at the shop! xD

 

 

Note: I was sent this item from TheShirtDudes in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed remain mine and mine alone.

10 Thought-Provoking Writing Prompts {WriterlyWednesday}

 

Hello out there...guess who's back from a lovely vacation at the beach?

Well, it was a terrific week and I was sad to leave, but here I am again back home and true is the saying - there's no place like home.

 

I might do a random photos post (with pictures from the beach) some time soon but today you're simply getting some handy writing prompts which I found on Pinterest. (that site has everrrrything)

I hardly have used writing prompts but sometimes when you're lacking inspiration or motivation, simply pondering a specific prompt can do wonders. So hopefully this post will accomplish just that, and get your brain juices flowing!

 

 

1. List five of your worst phobias; add one of them to your antagonist's character profile. Ohh, I like this one! And I'd maybe add something to a protagonist's profile, in this fashion, as well.

 

2. Write about the worst thing your protagonist has done. You might not even use this in the actual WIP but it could help you get to know your character better...and who knows, in the process, you might actually get an idea for a new scene in the book!

 

3. Write about sacrifices you've made, and promises you didn't keep. Perhaps you'll get inspiration for a moving emotional scene here.

 

4. Write about the worst physical pain you've experienced, using all five senses. Wow, this one could be a killer, if applied to a character in your WIP. Remember, use all five senses. Have the person not only feel the pain, but smell and hear it as well. This, if not anything else, should be a truly fascinating exercise to stimulate the brain activity.

 

5. List your protagonist's five favorite countries. Give a reason why he likes each one. This may sound trivial, but do you even have a protagonist? Well then, don't you want to know him as well as you can, and be able to pick apart his every detail of existence? Nobody likes bland, detail-lacking characters...knowing even the little, seemingly-trivial tidbits of a character's mind can make all the difference in the overall outlook of that figure.

 

6. Your antagonist is making tea for his mother. What is he thinking? Write this scene out, listing his thought processes as time ticks on. Don't forget to use all five senses if possible!

 

7. Write about the sound of winter. Yes, the sound. Rely primarily on this sense, and try not to use any of the others. I know it's summer right now, but that gives you all the more opportunity to rely on your imagination and recollection, therefore possibly forcing the brain to think deeper.

 

8. Write about the smell of your favorite food. Now, to focus on the nasal sense. As with #7, write this sense alone and none other combined.  You could also turn this prompt into writing about the smell of your antagonist/protagonist's favorite food, and make it apply more directly to your WIP.

 

9. Write about the last dream you can remember. The main point of this exercise is to get working on your memory skills, and precision of memory recollection. Write out the dream in the sharpest detail you can.

 

10. The worst possible, unimaginable thing just happened to your antagonist. How does he handle it? You could also flip the question and make it apply to your protagonist. Our characters are nothing more than characterizations until we see what they really are when faced with tribulation, conflict and their worst nightmares. Only then, do we see true character.

 

 

-

 

So there you have it! Did these prompts help? I know they got me thinking as I wrote them down - now I myself am wanting to try a couple of them! *winks*

 

 

Hope y'all are having a blessed summer - I certainly am!

 

Three Questions Every Writer Should Ask Themselves {WriterlyWednesday}

 

Today for WriterlyWednesday I'm not going to write a lengthy article-esque post like last time. Why? Well, for one, I don't have the time to do so today. And two, I don't want to bore you guys to death again.

 

So, today I'm simply going to give you a few questions, which, if you're in a spot of brain-deadness or loss for inspiration towards your WIP, should hopefully help get some wheels turning again in the brainstorming/creative side of your brain.

 

And, if you're not stuck in writers' block? Well, yay for you. You should be thankful for this because you'd not believe how much writers' block has been plaguing me lately. Gah! So hopefully these three questions will get both the currently inspiration-challenged and the on-a-roll writers thinking deeper about their stories.

 

 

Question #1

Think several scenes ahead, even to the end of the plot. Now ask yourself this: Where am I going with this? If you can't answer this fully than consider taking some time simply to plan out how exactly your story will progress and where it's going to go. It's helpful to create a chapter/scene map, assisting with this.

 

Question #2

Why must I tell this story? Again, if you can't provide a solid answer to this question, than you need to seriously ponder what the point of the whole thing is. Everyone does what they do for a reason, and with all the valuable time you're investing in this WIP, you certainly don't want it to be in vain. People want stories with meaning, that have a reason they must be told. This adds so much to their value and appeal.

 

Question #3

Think about your main characters/protagonists/whoever you want the book's focus to remain primarily on. Now. What is the worst possible thing that could happen to them? This may sound like a drastic, non relevant question, but just muse on it for a moment and see what comes up. If you're needing a good inciting incident, turning point or climax, "drastic" and dramatic (if accomplished correctly) have major appeal.  Especially in the film industry, for those of you who are writing screenplays. Just thinking about what could turn your MC's life totally upside down - what would wreck their present life and make them reconsider everything they've always known - might just spur a wave of inspiration for an awesome new scene or plot twist.

 

 

I know it was only a mere several points; but hopefully that won't matter and you'll have gotten something useful out of them. I am personally a huge fan of asking questions...about everything.

 I find that you can learn so much more - about yourself, the world around you, everything.

 

Questions are indeed truly wonderful things. What are some you like to ask yourself to keep your writing in check, or to help spur inspiration?

 

Have a blessed day,

Principles of Antagonism {WriterlyWednesday}

 

It's Wednesday.

It's Wednesday and I haven't done a WriterlyWednesday post for several weeks now.

Thus.....

I'm officially, seriously failing at doing weekly posts.

It's official.

 

But anyways. Let's forget my tardiness for a bit and focus on a very vital part to any story.

 

The principles of antagonism. (at least some of them, anyways)

 

Without a force of contradiction, something opposite of the positive elements in your plot, the story falls flat and tasteless - bland; unlike the occurings of actual reality.

 

And, if you're aware of this vital axiom of plot creation and development, you'll know that readers and viewers (for those of you writing screenplays) detest stories in which they cannot relate to anything. If the audience can't relate to the main character, or what he/she is feeling/struggling with, chances are, you'll lose them before they've finished half of the book/film.

 

Now, this isn't saying that you can't create bizarre and otherworldly fantasies, or pieces comparable to sci-fi epics. It's not about the genre you're writing; which is so important, but how you present your story.

 

And one of the ways to best do this is to make sure you keep the balance of ups/downs, antagonism/protagonism, good/evil in check.

 

The best stories on this planet involve plots with many ups and downs. And, forgetting plain stories for a moment, just take a look at your own life, and the lives of others around you!

Your life probably hasn't been all fun and games or smooth sailing for the entire trip. There've been bumps in the road, potholes and other difficulties. Maybe even tragedy and great loss, in some places.

In the midst of that, you've also had your good times, and the days when you felt you were on 'cloud nine'.

 

There's a saying. It's a simple one, but truth doesn't have to be exuberant or complex to be truth.

 

 

 

Let's take a look at a classic fairy tale, and examine the balance of negatives versus positives.

 

Cinderella's life begins with an event of antagonism. Her mother is dead. A negative. Her father remarries, a positive...that is, until we find out that who he marries is actually a wretched, selfish, vain woman who is apparently jealous of anyone with more physical beauty than she. This, in turn, becomes a negative. And since the event which happened prior to it was a negative, this turns the remarriage into a DOUBLE negative. Soon, the next event becomes what is called a negation of the negation, an epitome of negativity, as the wicked stepmother practically turns Cinderella into a slave, and treats her like dirt despite the fact that the girl is a sweet, selfless creature.

Enter next event, Cinderella's stepsisters go off to the ball without her. Another double negative.

Fairy godmother arrives, consoles Cinderella, helps her get to the ball after all. A positive.

Cinderella meets Prince Charming at the ball, falls in love. A double positive. (Supposedly)

But then, she has to flee home before she is changed back to her state of rags and aprons, and humiliated in front of him. In the process, she leaves a crystal slipper...apparently a negative, but also doubly a positive because it provides the means for the prince to find her again.

 

I could go on with the Cinderella mantra, but hopefully you've gotten the idea of positive and negative turns by now. I should mention, that the entire time I was writing this part I kept wanting desperately to insert plot failures or holes and such other obvious predicaments with the Cinderella plot. Obviously, I refrained from doing so. (You can thank me later. *winks*)

 

 

Now, this being said, fairy tales are the stuff which in my opinion consist as the epitome of cliched antagonism.

Sure, there may be some ups and downs - events which contradict the MC's goals and dreams, even putting the person in danger or compromise in some aspect. But, the balance of antagonism in Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty is predictable and unlike reality. I just wanted to use this story as an common example of ups and downs - clashes of antagonism - in fiction.

 

In one of my books, (actually one yet to be written) events occur which are a mixture of positive and negative. When this happens, it's called ironic ascension.  My FMC (female main character for y'all who don't know the lingo) gets what she has prayed for, for month upon month...Her father's return.

 He has been away for years and finally comes home to his family, to her joy. A positive. Only...he doesn't return quite the way Emma had been hoping. Instead of coming home, his eyes sparkling with ecstatic happiness at seeing his wife and children again, he stumbles into the parlor; being supported by another soldier. His eyes are glazed over, and he doesn't speak, not to anyone. As the family comes to discover, he has in effect lost his mind. A negative, negation of the negation, and, in this case, also an ironic ascension, since we assumed in the beginning it was a positive event.

 

There are MANY other stories which hold far better examples than Cinderella, for examining of antagonism usages. Unfortunately, my brain is rather fried because the fiction I've been reading lately has been LOTR/Hobbit related, and that's saying a good deal because typically I don't read much fiction period! (My time is spent reading wise on my school studies and stuff that benefits me in everyday life.)

 

But let me stress again. If there is not a swing of positive and negative in your plot, and ideally a good bit of it, it will fall flat and boring. I won't restate myself on the "If there are no ups or downs in your life" part. Hopefully that should be pretty memorable! ;)

 

Maybe when you first saw the title of this post you were thinking it'd surely be about antagonists themselves, not a vague account of the basics of forces of antagonism. Antagonists as characters certainly deserve a post of their own, and hopefully I'll write some on them at some point in the near future!

 

What do you think of this whole topic? Was it helpful to you to read about? What are some strong examples of ups/downs/negatives/positives in your own plots/stories?

 

P.s. Sorry I rambled on the ironic ascensions part...that too needs to be covered further in another post!

Inciting Incidents {WriterlyWednesday}

Sooooo. 

Quite a bit of time has passed since my last WriterlyWednesday post, right? *Sighs guiltily*  My apologies...I know you've probably heard that from me a gazillion times now, but hopefully I will be able to win back your favors with a post today on something very vital to story creation and screenwriting. 

Inciting Incidents.  

Have you ever heard of that term before?

Yes? No? Well, assuming you haven't, that's what the topic of discussion is today.

What exactly is an Inciting Incident? 

In story structure, it is the event from which the entire story stems from. The main event which throws your entire plot into existence. Without an Inciting Incident, a plot is lacking and dead. 

Inciting incidents, in film, can occur as late as 30 minutes into the film, or as early as the very second the screen lights up. In the screenplay I am currently working on, the I.I. is the very first scene, about a minute into the film. However, in my novel the Rebels of Florida, the I.I. is half-way into the book. 

The Inciting Incident is what happens when a character's life suddenly takes a change affecting him or her in a way which changes them positively or negatively from that moment on. An event occurs, which changes that person's life in some way which is irreversible. 

An example: In my screenplay, the Inciting Incident is when the MC's parents are arrested by the government for their beliefs., and the children must flee into the wilderness, hoping to find temporary refuge from the same capture their parents faced. This event, their parents' capture, forever changes their lives and opens a gap wherein the whole story of the film emerges from. If this event didn't occur, 80% of the film's story would be lost.

Whether the Inciting Incident is a father losing his job, or, a young man getting a job, it must be an event which propels change in either the character's environment, internal character, or the people around him. 

Things must not continue on the same way as they did before. If they do, you have no story.

It doesn't really matter when your I.I. happens, as long as it does not occur too late into the plot. If this happens, then you will have created a gulf requiring something to fill the gap, and chances are this will be a very boring, drab sequence without some sort of set-up in the plot. And, of course, the Inciting Incident is the ultimate set-up. However, if you throw in your I.I. too early, then the audience/reader may be left confused or disoriented about what is happening, and you'll have to go out of your way explaining what in the world is going on. 

Not all stories are the same, obviously. Some films and books have I.I.'s which emerge early, some late. Some right in between. But no matter where the Inciting Incident comes in on the film or book, it must be the propelling rift of initial conflict which pushes the entire plot forward and gives the story the energy it contains. 

It must literally change your character's life, so that there's no going back. 

What is your Inciting Incident? When does it occur in your story? Do you have any thoughts on Inciting Incidents? I'd love to hear about them! 

Happy Wednesday!

P.S. Help me get to 50 subscribers on Apassionata and maaaaaaaaybe I'll have a giveaway! *big grin* 

Up From Down {Character Study}

(I didn't take this picture, found it on Pinterest. I am going to use it as cover inspiration for the film.)

-

Lines are blurring, I’ve been running

Away from my past, I’m just barely existing

Not sure how to tell

Up from down

Fabricate lies, throw on a disguise

Tell the world that I’m fine, just buying more time

Not sure how to tell

Up from down

I burn with desire, I burn like a fire

I am the Judas, and I am the liar.

Not sure how to tell

Up from down

Stage has been set, the money’s been bet

Those who stole my world, I’ll avenge yet  

Not sure how to tell

Up from down

-

This is part of a song I've been writing, with a character from Fugitive (my screenplay) in mind.

Dominik Schaar is a very broken teenage boy who lost his parents as a young child. They were murdered. He watched it unfold before his eyes. Now, he is a jaded, cold shell of a human who cares for no one and has learned to shut out reality, and even the moral state of his existence. He has learned to tune out his conscience, or at least, most of it. He has trained himself to hate and hate passionately. His eyes glare icily out at the world, untrusting, cynical. His heart burns with a longing to exact justice on those who he deems deserve it.  

His one desire in life? To get even with his parents' murderers, the Communist government which oppresses the country wherein he lives. Ever since he witnessed their shootings, he knew what his purpose in life was.

Rebel against the tyranny.

Every day, he trains his body to accomplish the ultimate fitness and strength possible. He escaped from the many foster homes which tried to take him in, and now he survives in the wilderness alone. And besides the never-ending nightmares and constant sorting through what is truth and what is not, life is decent enough for him. He's surviving, anyway.

And then, one day, his life is turned upside down for the millionth time. He stumbles upon a group of city kids...eleven of them, to be precise. Eleven city kids surviving (more or less) out in his neck of the woods. Eleven Christian city kids. They might as well be criminals, outlaws, due to all the anti-Christian laws in the country at that time. Actually, they are criminals. Their parents were arrested for their faith.

And yet somehow, here they are. In Dominik's territory. As he soon discovers, his life will never be the same.

Ever since a fellow writer friend suggested Dominik's creation, I loved the idea. He has evolved into one of my favorite characters in the screenplay. He is so broken. So dark, so lost inside. Outwardly he plays it cool, showing no emotion except that signature icy glare, and maybe the occasional sardonic sneer. But inwardly? He is an empty shell, his soul iced over, harboring nothing but hatred and anger. And no matter how hard he has trained himself to try and forget, there are still those sharp daggers of pain which pierce him daily. He has thrown away all memories of happy childhood before the shooting, he has forgotten what is was like to laugh, to smile, to love. 

But there is hope. I won't go into the details of his possible redemption, because the truth is, we never know what happens to him, whether he truly is redeemed or not.

But there is a sliver of sunshine which is penetrating into the dark blackness of his being.  It may be small, and very subtle, but it's there. There's hope for this troubled boy.

What do you think of Dominik so far? Do you have any characters which are similar to him? Dark, broken, lost, spent, cynical? I would love to hear about them!

P.S. The reason I'm posting today is because, since it will be my birthday party tomorrow, I won't be able to post a WriterlyWednesday post unfortunately. Sorry! I was really looking forward to posting that next name list, too. Hopefully today's post satisfied your writing side a little. ;)