tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7966097532659996793.post1761332271559026538..comments2023-11-02T08:39:45.816-04:00Comments on En Violet: Decisions, Decisions...Kelsey (Dominique) Ridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646757546422013401noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7966097532659996793.post-31166539206184410102010-07-30T00:06:11.837-04:002010-07-30T00:06:11.837-04:00Tara -- I think you raise some valid reasons for g...Tara -- I think you raise some valid reasons for giving more concrete names. I'll certainly consider your points next times it comes up.Kelsey (Dominique) Ridgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10646757546422013401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7966097532659996793.post-27187555817098907222010-07-28T13:07:32.518-04:002010-07-28T13:07:32.518-04:00I have seen this happen, especially in TV, a lot. ...I have seen this happen, especially in TV, a lot. I think it's not as common as it used to be. In old tv shows, every episode existed as though in some sort of independent bubble of the spacetime continuum from every other show. Characters seldom ever even referred to the events of other episodes. <br /><br />"Hey, remember last week when you were kidnapped, shot in the arm and decided to move to Rhodesia but changed your mind because of one thing I said at the airport? Yeah, that was cool. Anyway, I found a baby mammoth stuck in a mine shaft...."<br /><br />But I do wish you would consider being more specific about the show, so your dear readers could place the show in context, and also judge the scene for ourselves. I applaud your reticence to be rude, but here are four good reasons in favor of specificity:<br /><br />1. You aren't rude. You engaged in no ad hominem attacks or snark-for-snark's sake. You provided a genuine, well-thought critique. There's nothing wrong with that.<br /><br />2. There's no such thing as bad publicity. If you don't want to mention something by name because you don't want to endorse it -- it's THAT bad -- fair enough. But don't worry about turning people off an otherwise okay show. I read a review of Twilight saying it was the worst movie ever, and why, laughed my head off, forwarded it to my friend, and added, "When are we going to see this?"<br /><br />3. Someone may disagree. Maybe they saw something in the scene/show differently than you did. But it's hard to discuss if we don't know the show.<br /><br />4. If one is trying to learn a craft, the more concrete the examples, the better. I *think* I know what you mean by "went wacky" but... actually, no I don't. However, if I know the episode and show I can, if I want, actually look up the script and read the exact dialogue which did/not work. And see why.<br /><br />Just sayin.' :)Tara Mayahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09095632631554776002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7966097532659996793.post-5470066749863809052010-07-27T23:15:16.573-04:002010-07-27T23:15:16.573-04:00Michelle -- I must admit, the real reason I don...Michelle -- I must admit, the real reason I don't name names of things I critique is that I don't want to be unkind. If I like something, I'll happily give the details. But, if it keeps things interesting, that's always a plus.<br /><br />Elaine -- Respect. Knowing your characters that well is awesome.<br /><br />Piedmont -- I agree, downtime is useful, so long as something is happening. Characters need to process what's going on just like the readers do. Just so long as the entire book isn't down time.<br /><br />DL -- Well, efforts definitely worth something. I'm sure the attention to the issue shows.<br /><br />Nicole -- I can understand that. Sometimes stories unfold in unexpected ways during the writing process. That's why editing rocks. It gives us a chance to regain control.<br /><br />Jayne -- I concur. If nothing happens, the reader's going to sense that the writer took a potential conflict and went the other way.Kelsey (Dominique) Ridgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10646757546422013401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7966097532659996793.post-66983427113285337612010-07-27T11:38:24.272-04:002010-07-27T11:38:24.272-04:00Decisions have to move the story forward, and if t...Decisions have to move the story forward, and if they don't, then they are the wrong decisions. I totally agree that you cannot have huge drama and then no pay off, it's like what on earth happened there?!Jaynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11309191526500602452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7966097532659996793.post-3820737274347093722010-07-27T07:46:42.122-04:002010-07-27T07:46:42.122-04:00I absolutely agree: every decision made for the ch...I absolutely agree: every decision made for the characters should squeeze the reader's heart and wrench the reader's gut a little bit more. This is particularly true in the beginning and middle of the book as the plot thickens. I like to say I'm in control of all the decision-making in early drafts, but the truth is my characters sometimes take it upon themselves to go left when I'm ordering them right. If their decisions squeeze my heart and wrench my gut, then I hang on for dear life and let them go with it. :))Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01899768909313326172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7966097532659996793.post-43322142345118416162010-07-26T20:45:09.305-04:002010-07-26T20:45:09.305-04:00Yes...I make all of the decisions! I'm always...Yes...I make all of the decisions! I'm always looking for ways to up the ante in every scene, making my reader sit up in his chair. I don't always succeed as well as I'd like, but not for a lack of trying. :)DL Hammonshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02007260062331783715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7966097532659996793.post-82012455456315358242010-07-26T12:48:31.262-04:002010-07-26T12:48:31.262-04:00I've upped the ante on my MC again and again b...I've upped the ante on my MC again and again but then I've also given her some down time to think about her next move. <br /><br />I've heard that every page should be full of tension, until the big fat roaring climax but that just leads to headaches for me. <br /><br />I think down time is good. <br /><br />As for the male lead in the program, the writer's just didn't care. They knew an explosion wouldn't sell the commercial spots.Anne Gallagherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05816355522284492131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7966097532659996793.post-68405783003112736392010-07-26T12:22:40.645-04:002010-07-26T12:22:40.645-04:00No, my characters don't wander off. I know the...No, my characters don't wander off. I know them in such detail, what makes them tick and why. I could only be more shocked if I did something out of character. ;)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15459671422564355990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7966097532659996793.post-37167925248963173192010-07-26T11:34:17.344-04:002010-07-26T11:34:17.344-04:00Ah, it's so important to be in control, I agre...Ah, it's so important to be in control, I agree. You always mention movies and tv shows here and I'm always wondering which ones you're talking about! Good way to keep me on my toes. :)Michelle D. Argylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09696465137285587646noreply@blogger.com