tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859940184293909528.post197441603650671157..comments2023-04-28T04:20:05.766-07:00Comments on WRITER on WRITING: Cross TrainingVirtual Strangerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01040333093180694172noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859940184293909528.post-28703809741218832172009-10-19T14:35:11.205-07:002009-10-19T14:35:11.205-07:00oh well curses, now i'm going to have to find ...oh well curses, now i'm going to have to find a creative soluation instead of a nice easy one... ;)<br /><br />Hee. Is okay, i was just trying to think of subjects. But nudity and casblanca, you say? Well, i'm not going to argue with that. ;DRakiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03787205403166404103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859940184293909528.post-9199129306022878882009-10-18T15:51:11.916-07:002009-10-18T15:51:11.916-07:00If I understand correctly about the overall buildi...If I understand correctly about the overall building of dramatic tension, a complex story might actually require the use of flashbacks.<br /><br />I'd say that if the flashback casts light on the main story arc and is at least as compelling as the scene just left, and the next stage of the main arc is yet more interesting than the flashback, how can you not use it?<br /><br />If your main arc is steadily building, you might use flashbacks to establish that rise and fall of tension and relief. Well executed flashbacks can solve the back story problem and establish that your characters really do have the means to do what seems impossible. Sort of like Stephen King used flashbacks in "IT."<br /><br />But your main general warning seems to apply, for some reason many writers can't seem to manage the sudden shifts involved. A flashback within a novel has to be as difficult as any other scene to get right. Or more so. You have an important character at a different time and place. He may well be much younger. He does not know what he in this flashback to learn, until he does. <br /><br />But for whatever reason, your story may not be able to start at the beginning of the flashback. (Because that really isn't the beginning of the story!) Maybe these events are of no significance until much later.<br /><br />I think it's crap to say, never use any given tool or structure. Those who can't be bothered, or can't explain how it's done should just go away.<br /><br />Not talking about you, Writer-on-Writing. I think you hit the target just fine.frank farrarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859940184293909528.post-85394411495191252912009-10-17T22:38:28.173-07:002009-10-17T22:38:28.173-07:00Well, like I said, just because you're using f...Well, like I said, just because you're using flashbacks doesn't mean they're automatically wrong. Some of my favorite books and movies have flashbacks. Hell, <i>my</i> book is full of 'em.<br /><br />But...<br /><br />If you just randomly decided to create flashbacks... yeah, it's probably worth giving them another look. Sorry.<br /><br />Hmmmm... some of your other questions... don't know if they're ranty blog material, but I could shoot you a few answers if you like.<br /><br />Actually, after a conversation with my lady love, I think next week's post is going to be about nudity and Casablanca.<br /><br />...and didn't <i>that</i> get everyone's attention... :)Virtual Strangerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01040333093180694172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859940184293909528.post-51036730322281591962009-10-16T03:11:43.857-07:002009-10-16T03:11:43.857-07:00oh dear, i'm trying to edit a massive story ri...oh dear, i'm trying to edit a massive story right now and inserted about a dozen flashbacks in order to get rid of the huge amount of exposition clogging up the first third of the story... and now i'm worried it's just clogged with expositional flashback instead. :D Have i mentioned how i hate editing?<br /><br />Hmm, things we'd like to see you rant about... any advice on synopses? I can't write them to save my life. Ooh, and screenplays for short films - is the technique different to writing a full length script? Is there any point to writing them (from the point of view of selling them)? Can they be adapted to full length stories or is that a bad idea?<br /><br />something else i have difficulty with - how do you crit a script/story (especially for friends) without being too wishy-washy or wrecking friendships? :D<br /><br />can't think of anything else offhand... i'm sure you'll come up with something. Utilise that massive brain of yours! ;)Rakiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03787205403166404103noreply@blogger.com