Screnzy: Complete
Filed Under Script Frenzy, Updates | 4 Comments
As of 9:10 pm Wednesday night, I have finished Script Frenzy.
Whoa.
I feel proud, obviously. And accomplished. Scripts aren’t my usual thing, but I liked trying it out. And crazily, it wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be.
Oh sure, it’s a lot to write, and the deadline’s always an impressive motivator, but I felt it went so much faster than 50,000 words for a novel.
I know there are huge problems with my first draft of Too Many Princesses but who cares?! It’s a freaking first draft, and it’s complete!
Here’s an excerpt for you to enjoy. For your convenience, I’ve added the characters’ corresponding fairy tale in brackets. Prince Charming and Miranda [the Little Mermaid] are standing in the hall when:
Charming! Finally, I’ve been looking all over for you!
(ROSE [Beauty and the Beast] enters.)
Aren’t you supposed to be in the guest wing?
Like that’s going to stop us. Your Highness, I was hoping you would have tea with me.
(nervously)
No, I’m fine.
You’re missing out. I brew a mean rosehip.
(CHARMING is about to respond, but RAPUNZEL cuts him off.)
Lay off will you, he said he didn’t want to.
Chill, jailbird. It’s what those of us in the outside world call persuasion.
Now hang on a second -
No, I’m pretty sure it’s called harassment.
(SNOWFLAKE [Snow White] enters.)
Knock it off.
What’s going on?
(to himself)
It’s a bloody madhouse!
I’m just asking if Charming would like some of my rosehip tea.
But I’m allergic to tea!
I wasn’t asking you!
Nobody wants your stupid tea!
(MIRANDA [Little Mermaid] is fuming. CHARMING asides to her.)
If I leave, do you think they’ll notice?
Stop shouting!
(MIRANDA [Little Mermaid] storms off-stage.)
My tea is the pride of the duchy.
What? What’d I say?
Oh please, my hair was the pride of the -
(RAPUNZEL shrieks when ROSE pulls her hair.)
Nobody cares about your dumb hair!
Let go of me!
(ROSE [Beauty and the Beast] and RAPUNZEL tussle.)
Stop it!
(CHARMING glances cautiously at the princesses, and then quickly leaves. OLIVE [Princess and the Pea] and NARCISSA [Sleeping Beauty] enter. OLIVE [Princess and the Pea] nearly runs into the fighting girls, and leaps out of the way to avoid getting hit. NARCISSA [Sleeping Beauty] whistles loudly, and the fighting stops.)
What in the Gingerbread Man’s name is going on here?
(ROSE [Beauty and the Beast], RAPUNZEL, and SNOWFLAKE [Snow White] start talking at once.)
I just wanted to have some time with Prince Charming and give him a taste of my tea, then this Tower Snob tries to –
Stockholm Syndrome here was insulting Charming, and she insulted my hair, she was pulling on it, and –
They were fighting, I couldn’t stop them. I tried, but they wouldn’t listen, and then they were screaming and it hurt –
Shut up!
(to herself)
This is embarrassing on so many levels.
(to the others)
Listen up! I don’t want to see any more of this despicable behavior. Just because we are rivals for the prince’s love does not mean we have to lose our self-control.
(pause)
So from now on, if you want to make your point, you’ll do it on the down low, behind everyone’s back.
(The princesses exchange glances or glares for a few dramatic moments. ELLA [Cinderella] pokes her head in.)
Has anyone seen my shoe?
End of Scene
Accomplishment?
Filed Under Tales from the Author's Desk | 4 Comments
It’s weird, but I feel a deep sense of accomplishment when I finish a book in less than one day.
I’m not sure where that comes from. Maybe back in the day when I was learning to read and started chapter books. And I’ve kept that sense, maybe even strengthened it, when the books are longer and I have less time to read.
If you are a Harry Potter fan, I bet you can tell me how long it took you to finish the latest book. And I’ll doubly bet it was less than a day. (Seriously, you don’t put down a new Harry Potter unless you have to.)
But is that something to feel accomplished about? What do you think?
Narnian Media
Filed Under Books vs. Movies | 4 Comments
I’ll be the first to admit it, I’m a terrible bookworm. I judge books by their covers, I’m super picky about what I read, and – and -
I liked the Narnia movies so much more than the books!
There. Now you know my dark secret. I could just leave it at that, but what kind of blogger would I be if I didn’t justify my outrageous claims?
First, to give credit where credit is due, they did a great job of casting. They didn’t sell out and get Dakota Fanning or whoever to be Lucy. They went out and found perfect matches for the characters. If you don’t believe me, watch the actors’ commentary. And Liam Neeson as Aslan? Genius. Already you’re on the road to a good movie, because you’re not snickering at the actors and their phony and/or pompous acting.
But casting doesn’t in and of itself make a movie better than a book. (It’s just a sweet bonus.)
What really makes it stand out is the screenplay. Director Andrew Adamson did an amazing job with the adaptations of both books. The story is moving and the characters are lovable (even traitorous Edmund).
And how is this different from the books, you ask? Same moving story, same lovable characters, right?
Wrong.
C. S. Lewis’ works were simplistic. I mean, of course they have to be on some level, they are children’s books. But man. I’d like to think children are intelligent enough to understand some complexity. The characters were too black and white.
Thankfully, Adamson wrote in some gray areas. He gave us character development, a trait seriously lacking in the books. And hey, who’s going to pass up juicy drama?
Think I’m exaggerating about the lack of character development and overall simplicity? Here’s two examples:
1. In The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the Pevensie children don’t believe Lucy discovered a new world. And why would they? They give her grief, and are soon proved wrong. Fast forward to Prince Caspian. In the book, Lucy sees Aslan, but the other Pevensies don’t believe her. Sounds familiar, right? And it makes absolutely no sense.
Adamson keeps the plot point, but he at least gives us a good[-ish] reason why Lucy’s siblings so quickly discount her. They’re hurt because they don’t know why they couldn’t see Aslan too.
2. When the Pevensies arrive in Narnia hundreds of years after their original sojourn, they discover all the friends they’d made were dead. Do the book Pevensies react? No, cold-blooded jerks that they are. They don’t care one whit. But the movie Pevensies do.
I have to admit, I never finished the Narnia books. They were too frustrating after watching the first movie. I think I made it through the first chapter or so of the fifth book (counting chronologically Narnia-time) before I gave up completely. But I am looking forward to the next Narnia movie!
My work here is done. Okay Narnia fans. Challenge me, if you dare!
Creative Hot Spots
Filed Under Creativity, Tales from the Author's Desk | 2 Comments
A creative hot spot is a place where you generate a high level of creative ideas for your stories. Every writer has their own. And if you don’t, well maybe you just haven’t found it yet.
During college, my creative hot spot was, believe it or not, the bathroom. Usually in the shower, but sometimes while brushing my teeth. One time I stepped into the bathroom for thirty seconds to change my clothes, and came out with a brand new comic idea.
Now, my creative hot spot is in the car, while singing along with the radio or a cd. Odd circumstances, but true. I drove down to school to visit a friend yesterday, and came up with several fixes for my NaNoWriMo revision. And on the way back today, I came up with a scene for Too Many Princesses.
I think this means I need to drive more!
So, where are your creative hot spots?
10 Ways to Start a Novel
Filed Under 10 Ways | 3 Comments
I’m always hearing complaints about how people don’t know how to start their novel. So in an effort to inspire you, here are some suggestions:
1. A Flashback Scene.
We get to see the main character when they’re younger, and it introduces us to the theme very early on (pun intended).
2. The End.
Maybe a glimpse of the climax, which the reader won’t fully understand until reading the rest of the book, when it finally clicks into place.
3. A Prologue.
A favorite of Fantasy and Science Fiction writers, prologues let you explain the world you’re throwing the reader into. Warning: most people don’t read them.
4. A Dream Sequence.
I would not recommend it, but it’s a very popular beginning. Why, I cannot fathom, so don’t bother asking me.
5. Your Main Character Waking Up.
See #4. At least this one you can make your own by turning the cliche on its head.
6. The Death of a Character.
The Go-To of murder mysteries. Death always changes things up. Especially if it’s a king. Without an heir.
7. Falling Down the Rabbit Hole.
After a page of normalcy – woop! Magical world to explore and all sorts of fun plots to unfold.
8. The New Mysterious Character.
Introduce a new person into the static mix of your world. See what they shake up.
9. The Beginning of Time.
Think David Copperfield. Les Miserables. The Bible.
10. In Media Res.
Possibly the most popular way to begin a novel, because it sucks you right into the action. Remember, exposition is for wusses.
What?
Filed Under Tales from the Author's Desk | 2 Comments
You know how old people will go into a room and forget why they were going there in the first place?
That happens to me all the time.
And it’s not just rooms. I forget what I’m going to write. For example, today’s post. I was going to link to something, and have a sentence of commentary, and it was going to be brilliant and insightful…
But I don’t remember what any of it was.
I have an idea for a scene in Too Many Princesses and by the time I get the chance to sit down at my computer? Blank. Blankity blank blank blank.
As if it’s not hard enough to write already.
Please tell me you guys have this problem too!
Punny Princesses
Filed Under Script Frenzy, Updates | Leave a Comment
Now that I’m half-way through Script Frenzy, I have a better idea of my princesses. And since I don’t have much to report by way of updates, I’ll introduce them to you!
Miranda: [a.k.a. The Little Mermaid] saved Prince Charming when his ship sank. She’s a bit bossy. Her name comes from The Tempest.
Maia: [a.k.a. The Princess and the Frog] betrothed to Prince Charming, but in love with Prince Wright, who she thinks she turned into a frog. OMG!
Narcissa: [a.k.a. Sleeping Beauty] a selfish and domineering person, who faints at the sight of her own blood.
Rose: [a.k.a. Beauty and the Beast] one of the few smart ones, but too curious for her own good.
Snowflake: [a.k.a. Snow White] allergic to everything, including apples.
Ella: [a.k.a. Cinderella] very pretty but has a high squeaky voice from hanging around those mice too often.
Rapunzel: escaped from her tower to go to Prince Charming’s ball, and is way too possessive of him.
Olive: [a.k.a. the Princess and the Pea] super sensitive to anything and everything. I thought it’d be funny if she was named after another food.
Scarlet: [a.k.a. Little Red Riding Hood] totally murdered that wolf.
Most of these girls have a bit of an attitude, which is fun to write. I’ve finally reached Act III, where they begin to blatantly sabotage each other. I’m looking forward to the pranks!
And since humor’s not really my forte, I love how they manage to come up with clever jokes all by themselves. 
I Am Stuck
Filed Under NaNoWriMo, Revising | 2 Comments
Revising is hard. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
In between writing bouts for Screnzy, I’ve been trying to revise my NaNoWriMo novel. Ha.
I want to change like, half of it, but getting up the nerve to actually buckle down? My mind instantly rebels and runs back to Screnzy to crank out a few more pages. That’s not what you’d call the best progress.
I’ve managed to storyboard the thing, but I’m not super happy with how it looks at this point. I might end up tossing out the end and free-writing again to see where it takes me. I hate when I have an absolute ending in mind and can’t for the life of me figure out how to get there.
50 Pages
Filed Under Script Frenzy | Leave a Comment
If you will look to your right, you will see that I have officially written fifty pages for Script Frenzy. That’s fifty percent! I am half way there!
In honor of this milestone, I would like to share with you what I have learned so far during Screnzy, on both scripting and noveling.
1. In show business, scripting is only a small part of the process. Thankfully.
When writing, you don’t have to make sure you cover all the bases. With a movie or play, there are tons of people besides you working on the project. You don’t have to worry about designing sets, you don’t have to worry about blocking, you don’t have to worry about costume and make-up. You don’t even have to choreograph fights or dances. You only need to write out the dialogue and any action that helps it make sense.
2. Noveling is very slow-going.
Noveling is hard. No joke. I’ve seen many people on the Screnzy forums in agreement: it is harder to get to 50,000 novel words than 100 script pages. I enjoy the challenge of the former, but it’s not for everyone. It’s easy to get stymied and frustrated, and is probably why most people never finish their dream novels.
3. Characters rule all.
When I create scenes in my head, they play out like a movie, but with inner monologues. I used to think that writing those scenes down in the slower-narrative-added process was throwing my scenes off track. But Screnzy has taught me that no, it pretty much happens instantaneously. It doesn’t matter what I’m writing, my characters will always take me in a different direction than I intended.
Fanfiction Countdown
Filed Under Countdown, Fanfiction | Leave a Comment
Here are the top five reasons fanfiction is so difficult to write.
5. Building an Audience.
No one said you could only write fanfiction based on what’s popular. But if you pick a smaller fan base, you’ll have trouble building an audience to read your work. A fanfic on Fanfiction.Net for five years might only ever get 20 hits.
4. Finding an Interesting Plot.
Generally speaking, the best plot for a cast of characters was done in the original novel [or other medium]. Fanfic writers are confined to writing prequels, sequels, or tiny fluff pieces in between original scenes. For Pride & Prejudice sequels, what else are you going to write about but a happy Darcy marriage? Since they’re already together, you have to marry off someone else (Georgiana, Kitty, Mary, the Darcy and Bingley children, etc.). That severely limits your options. And I, for one, am getting severely sick of Darcy children stories.
3. Keeping Track of Canon.
This doesn’t apply if you’re trying to do an alternative reality piece, but for most of us, we like to keep things canon. But that means being up on your literature and memorizing otherwise meaningless details. If you’re throwing canon out the window, you better warn your readers up front to avoid hissy fits.
2. Mary Sues.
Those all powerful characters who ruin a good story. Whether the author is literally inserting herself into the story or has imagined an ideal person who either attracts everybody and their cousin, is more powerful than the ten most powerful wizards, or what-have-you, she is annoying, and needs to be deleted. Permanently. The problem is that fanfic writers love to use them. Why? I’m not entirely sure. They’re not interesting to read about.
And the number one reason fanfiction is so difficult to write?
1. Keeping Everyone “In Character.”
Nothing is worse than someone being out of character (OOC). Whether they’re brave when they should be scared, or funny when they should be serious, characters who are OOC will jolt you right out of the story. But accurate characters are the most difficult thing to accomplish when writing fanfiction. The trouble is that these characters aren’t your creation. If the original author put them in the situation you created, they would probably act completely differently than what you imagine. It’s tough, but there it is.
What challenges have you faced/witnessed in writing fanfiction?
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