Ivy Keating's Blog - Posts Tagged "plot"
Aliens are just like Humans
Aliens are just like Humans
My favorite genres are Science-Fiction and Fantasy. I write in these categories because I love creating new worlds and solving the "puzzle" of how to have it all make sense. A well-established fantasy world is the baseline needed for any alien, (or imagined being), just as a rich setting is necessary for any human character. This is one of many things they have in common.
The other day I was watching a movie about immortals who protected the earth. All the made-up elements were fascinating, but I didn't enjoy the show. The story seemed contrived, and the leading character, who was an immortal, had one note (angry). Once the writer creates the world, all the important creatures should have depth. People and aliens can both have wills and vulnerabilities.
Fantasy creatures may wreak havoc, but just like their human counterparts, their actions must fit seamlessly into the plot. All characters are tied to the story. This gives aliens and humans the power to steer the drama.
Another similarity between aliens and humans is that they both have the ability to connect with us. In the real world, we have expectations for how people will act based on our experiences. We can relate to them on some level. In a fantasy, the author must provide enough information for us to make the same type of assumptions. The point is, they develop a persona that we can be vested in. This is great for our Science-Fictions and Fantasies because, the better we understand something, the more engaged we become.
Aliens are just like humans, with one critical exception. The mere mention of them, typically sparks our imaginations!
My favorite genres are Science-Fiction and Fantasy. I write in these categories because I love creating new worlds and solving the "puzzle" of how to have it all make sense. A well-established fantasy world is the baseline needed for any alien, (or imagined being), just as a rich setting is necessary for any human character. This is one of many things they have in common.
The other day I was watching a movie about immortals who protected the earth. All the made-up elements were fascinating, but I didn't enjoy the show. The story seemed contrived, and the leading character, who was an immortal, had one note (angry). Once the writer creates the world, all the important creatures should have depth. People and aliens can both have wills and vulnerabilities.
Fantasy creatures may wreak havoc, but just like their human counterparts, their actions must fit seamlessly into the plot. All characters are tied to the story. This gives aliens and humans the power to steer the drama.
Another similarity between aliens and humans is that they both have the ability to connect with us. In the real world, we have expectations for how people will act based on our experiences. We can relate to them on some level. In a fantasy, the author must provide enough information for us to make the same type of assumptions. The point is, they develop a persona that we can be vested in. This is great for our Science-Fictions and Fantasies because, the better we understand something, the more engaged we become.
Aliens are just like humans, with one critical exception. The mere mention of them, typically sparks our imaginations!
Boo!
Boo!
Did I scare you? No, of course not. That's because there's no context here for a fright. This October's blog is on one of the best ways for an author to create drama!
On occasion, I've been asked to read other writers' works. The first thing I may notice from a new author is head hopping (changing from one character's point-of-view to another), but the other frequent mistake is that they often write situations that sound good but are not grounded in the moment. A trick to solving this problem is to write with 'mindfulness'. Through mindful writing an author can achieve a dramatic effect.
To write with mindfulness, the author must think about what the character is actually doing, hearing, seeing, and feeling - plus what is actually taking place in the setting. If an ambulance goes by, the character turns her head. If she thinks someone is following her, the quicker she steps. If she notices the branches on the bare trees look like gnarly fingers reaching down, then maybe if someone yells "Boo!" she'll jump!
Every action is grounded in the reality of the moment. It's never a beat ahead or written simply because it sounds dramatic.
When moving the plot along don't skip to where you want it to go. Take the reader there by allowing them to see and feel things through the reality of the moment. This awareness helps create a seamless narrative. The reader will not be distracted by inconsistencies, and this in turn sets the perfect platform for the creation of drama.
Did I scare you? No, of course not. That's because there's no context here for a fright. This October's blog is on one of the best ways for an author to create drama!
On occasion, I've been asked to read other writers' works. The first thing I may notice from a new author is head hopping (changing from one character's point-of-view to another), but the other frequent mistake is that they often write situations that sound good but are not grounded in the moment. A trick to solving this problem is to write with 'mindfulness'. Through mindful writing an author can achieve a dramatic effect.
To write with mindfulness, the author must think about what the character is actually doing, hearing, seeing, and feeling - plus what is actually taking place in the setting. If an ambulance goes by, the character turns her head. If she thinks someone is following her, the quicker she steps. If she notices the branches on the bare trees look like gnarly fingers reaching down, then maybe if someone yells "Boo!" she'll jump!
Every action is grounded in the reality of the moment. It's never a beat ahead or written simply because it sounds dramatic.
When moving the plot along don't skip to where you want it to go. Take the reader there by allowing them to see and feel things through the reality of the moment. This awareness helps create a seamless narrative. The reader will not be distracted by inconsistencies, and this in turn sets the perfect platform for the creation of drama.
Turkey Vulture
It's a few days before Thanksgiving, so this is the perfect time to tell about my mistake with a "Turkey Vulture".
I try to be mindful not to write anything just because it sounds good. But, my editor caught me doing just that.
In my mind, a turkey vulture is a big, scary bird. It's wingspan is up to 72 inches, and some in the species are larger than vultures. They're bodies are dark, brownish-black, and they often sit high in trees with their wings spread. The sight of such a bird overhead must mean trouble. I referenced them as a bird of "prey".
This was my mistake. I said it simply because it sounded good. But turkey vultures are, in fact, not birds of prey; they are opportunistic feeders.
To the plot of my novel--it made no difference. But, the mistaken reference took the reader, my editor, out of the story to make the correction. Anything that distracts the reader from the plot is something a writer must avoid.
The turkey vulture gave me a good reminder to proof-read carefully, and always write for accuracy-never just to sound good.
Happy Thanksgiving!
I try to be mindful not to write anything just because it sounds good. But, my editor caught me doing just that.
In my mind, a turkey vulture is a big, scary bird. It's wingspan is up to 72 inches, and some in the species are larger than vultures. They're bodies are dark, brownish-black, and they often sit high in trees with their wings spread. The sight of such a bird overhead must mean trouble. I referenced them as a bird of "prey".
This was my mistake. I said it simply because it sounded good. But turkey vultures are, in fact, not birds of prey; they are opportunistic feeders.
To the plot of my novel--it made no difference. But, the mistaken reference took the reader, my editor, out of the story to make the correction. Anything that distracts the reader from the plot is something a writer must avoid.
The turkey vulture gave me a good reminder to proof-read carefully, and always write for accuracy-never just to sound good.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Root of the Problem
I've been thinking about writer's block. The phrase doesn't sit right with me. It makes me think of the physical act of writing, and more often the root of my block is with the direction of the plot. I guess I'd prefer to call it a creative block.
But the point is, it's actually very important to properly identify a problem. Giving something an inaccurate label can create a complication that doesn't exist. If in my mind the term 'writer's block' makes me think of the written word, I might think the solution is to sit at my computer and type out different storylines. However, if I believe my problem is really which direction the plot should go in, I might take a very different approach, leave my desk and walk around outside where I can clear my mind and think.
Here's another example of the importance of accurately identifying a problem. Yesterday I woke up with my heartbeat going a little faster than usual. I immediately thought I was feeling anxious. I tried to think if something was upsetting me from the night before. Then I realized I forgot to turn my fan on. It wasn't anxiety; I was simply too warm! It's easy to see how working on the wrong problem here would not only not solve the situation but could also create an issue where one never existed.
Next time you're having some difficulty, take a moment to think about the source. Properly identifying a problem is the first step to solving it!
But the point is, it's actually very important to properly identify a problem. Giving something an inaccurate label can create a complication that doesn't exist. If in my mind the term 'writer's block' makes me think of the written word, I might think the solution is to sit at my computer and type out different storylines. However, if I believe my problem is really which direction the plot should go in, I might take a very different approach, leave my desk and walk around outside where I can clear my mind and think.
Here's another example of the importance of accurately identifying a problem. Yesterday I woke up with my heartbeat going a little faster than usual. I immediately thought I was feeling anxious. I tried to think if something was upsetting me from the night before. Then I realized I forgot to turn my fan on. It wasn't anxiety; I was simply too warm! It's easy to see how working on the wrong problem here would not only not solve the situation but could also create an issue where one never existed.
Next time you're having some difficulty, take a moment to think about the source. Properly identifying a problem is the first step to solving it!
