tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268238247379169028.post6883201703673741771..comments2024-03-14T02:21:43.549-07:00Comments on Faeries, Dragons, and Spaceships: Listening to the VoicesMarie Andreashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11422636765580836358noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268238247379169028.post-45139597864635071692013-03-21T09:59:50.372-07:002013-03-21T09:59:50.372-07:00I got my start writing fanfiction for my favorite ...I got my start writing fanfiction for my favorite video games - Mass Effect and Dragon Age. <br /><br />I actually think that the restrictions that you mention are a plus for a new writer. Not having to focus on world building allows the writer to focus on the story, dialogue, etc.<br /><br />Although my concentration is now on original works, I am still putting the finishing touches on my most recent fanfic. I still get a thrill when someone comments on one of my stories and tells me that I "nailed" the dialogue or characterization.Linda Wardnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268238247379169028.post-53718630314797242442013-03-08T08:44:50.687-08:002013-03-08T08:44:50.687-08:00LOL! Just tell her it's all in the name of re...LOL! Just tell her it's all in the name of research ;). I'm with you though- I want my own characters that I can mess up however I want! <br /><br />Thanks for coming by and commenting!Marie Andreashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11422636765580836358noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268238247379169028.post-89957649605787151242013-03-06T09:40:03.234-08:002013-03-06T09:40:03.234-08:00Sounds like a good idea. I think I'll try it ...Sounds like a good idea. I think I'll try it out one of these evenings, although my wife may look at me strangely.<br /><br />I started out by writing fan fic (HP) and discovered how much I enjoy writing fiction. You're right about the restrictive nature of using someone else's characters, which is why I used all new characters and a new plot line. <br /><br />Chemist Kenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09738272332470397248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268238247379169028.post-22579820520829728802013-03-02T07:49:48.400-08:002013-03-02T07:49:48.400-08:00That's great that you were writing so early, K...That's great that you were writing so early, Kara! I could see where Game of Thrones would probably be a fabu source of dialogue and cliff hangers ;).<br /><br />Thanks for coming by and commenting!Marie Andreashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11422636765580836358noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268238247379169028.post-38434555112977762052013-03-02T03:58:19.204-08:002013-03-02T03:58:19.204-08:00Great idea, Marie. I will try that! I started writ...Great idea, Marie. I will try that! I started writing fan fiction in grade school. I did three short stories about LHOTP with illustration and handed them out to my fifth grade friends. They asked for more. Which was cool, but by the third, they were so over it. LOL. GoT dialogue is wonderful for people writing fantasy, BTW!<br />-KaraKara Ashley Deyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13647156931421720337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268238247379169028.post-10019102948891994662013-02-28T18:02:43.498-08:002013-02-28T18:02:43.498-08:00Excellent examples, Shoshana! I like the point ab...Excellent examples, Shoshana! I like the point about showing the mood by the action of the dialogue, rather than the words.<br /><br />More reasons for TV! ;)<br /><br />Thanks for coming by and commenting!Marie Andreashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11422636765580836358noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268238247379169028.post-25842905651260742972013-02-28T09:50:44.023-08:002013-02-28T09:50:44.023-08:00I remember a body swapping episode on the x files ...I remember a body swapping episode on the x files that I loved--and I was so impressed that the actors were able to sound like totally different characters.<br /><br />And my favorite example of dialog lessons I learned from TV comes from an episode of My So-Called Life. Two characters were having a conversation...except each was totally preoccupied with his own problems and wasn't really listening or responding to what the other character was saying, just spouting off about his own issues. It really got across the mood of each character without any of that information actually being in the dialog itself.Shoshanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10772447090238311196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268238247379169028.post-77326306449855384042013-02-27T18:57:40.630-08:002013-02-27T18:57:40.630-08:00LOL! I do feel honored, Cassi! As long as whatev...LOL! I do feel honored, Cassi! As long as whatever you watch teaches you something ;).<br /><br />Thanks for coming by and commenting!Marie Andreashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11422636765580836358noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268238247379169028.post-91080563619344108392013-02-27T12:59:05.677-08:002013-02-27T12:59:05.677-08:00Great point, Marie! I'll watch something on th...Great point, Marie! I'll watch something on the DVR in your honor tonight! ;)Cassi Carverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01002927554421244606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268238247379169028.post-43174037803107731452013-02-27T12:28:08.586-08:002013-02-27T12:28:08.586-08:00OOO! I hadn't even thought of the hook aspect...OOO! I hadn't even thought of the hook aspect! Excellent point, Janet! And sooo true. Hmmm- another reason for TV (ok, not to watch more- just maybe I'll pay attention to what I do watch!<br /><br />Thanks for coming by and commenting!<br /><br />Marie- at work- can't get onto blogger ;)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268238247379169028.post-6943564061618725612013-02-27T12:26:16.779-08:002013-02-27T12:26:16.779-08:00Excellent points, Sharon! Nothing takes me out of...Excellent points, Sharon! Nothing takes me out of a book faster than a character I've grown to know all of a suddent changing behavior without cause. makes me think the author did a "Oh crap, I need THIS to happen." and just dumped it in ;).<br /><br />Thanks for coming by and commenting!<br /><br />Marie- at work- can't get onto blogger ;)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268238247379169028.post-67296664492412389812013-02-27T08:57:44.558-08:002013-02-27T08:57:44.558-08:00Nice point about the benefits of TV and fanfic. I ...Nice point about the benefits of TV and fanfic. I find I learn a lot by listening to TV dialogue - how they speak, what they leave out, etc. I also learn a lot from how they cut scenes - always at the point where the question is asked or a choice is presented, but the answer is not given. Most TV shows are excellent at hooks. Janet Taithttp://www.janettait.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268238247379169028.post-13318721463794030572013-02-27T08:22:57.670-08:002013-02-27T08:22:57.670-08:00Great post, Marie. It got me thinking. It's be...Great post, Marie. It got me thinking. It's been years since I tried my hand at fanfic. It is actually a good way to see whether or not you can capture a character's true essense, ie. voice, action and motivation, because hardcore fans can spot inconsistency in a heartbeat. You mention characters who do not act like themselves to note how their voices and word choices change. I think another aspect of this not acting like themselves is when we as writers don't keep our characters consistent. Just like a fan spotting their favorite character doing or saying something he/she never would, a reader can spot our characters acting out of character as well. Once a reader gets to know a character, they want that character to say things like he/she always has. Readers like to be surprised by twists and turns in the storyline, not by inconsistencies in dialogue and voice.<br /><br />SharonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com