David McMullen-Sullivan's Blog, page 5
August 26, 2019
When should the reader care?
I'm not sure if there's a rule of thumb for this. So, I thought I'd ask for everyone's opinion.
At what point should the reader have empathy for the protagonist. They may start out as a jerk, but should we care by page 15, chapter 2 or 3? I'd love to get people's thoughts on this.
At what point should the reader have empathy for the protagonist. They may start out as a jerk, but should we care by page 15, chapter 2 or 3? I'd love to get people's thoughts on this.
August 20, 2019
Take on a Romance
Many people say that all stories are about a relationship. That may not be true for every story written, but it's true for most. Personally, I find relationships hard to write. They're complex, and they're dynamic, wry things. However, they're a key part of the human experience. So, it would behoove any writer to get good at writing them.
I tripped over this truth when I wrote my most recent book, a love story, of all things, entitled Ian and Edward. I'd never written a romance before, and the project confirmed for me that this is a tough genre. But, as the saying goes, if you're not good at something, that just means you need to do more of it.
Are you wishing you were better at writing relationships? Well, I have a way to improve on that. Try writing a romance. Relationships are a key element in good stories but even more so in romances. They're all about the relationship. The genre is sure to challenge you and develop your story skills in ways you hadn't thought of before. Give it a try. Your work will be richer for it.
I tripped over this truth when I wrote my most recent book, a love story, of all things, entitled Ian and Edward. I'd never written a romance before, and the project confirmed for me that this is a tough genre. But, as the saying goes, if you're not good at something, that just means you need to do more of it.
Are you wishing you were better at writing relationships? Well, I have a way to improve on that. Try writing a romance. Relationships are a key element in good stories but even more so in romances. They're all about the relationship. The genre is sure to challenge you and develop your story skills in ways you hadn't thought of before. Give it a try. Your work will be richer for it.
August 9, 2019
My Campaign to Have Gus Kenworthy Have On-screen Sex with Prince Harry
The headline sounds salacious, but it's not as pervy as it seems. I recently self-published my 18th century, period piece, novel "Ian and Edward". It's a Jane Austenesque gay romance. Miss Jane didn't have sex in her novels, but I had to have a little. It's very tasteful. Besides those pages that contain a certain amount of - body heat, there's murder, time travel and an obsession with the institution of marriage (because after all, he has 5,000 a year).
It would be my dream if Gus played Edward Ford Westcott and Prince Harry played Ian in the movie. Ok, I guess first I have to dream that it becomes a movie. So, that's two dreams. Guess I'll have to pray for a twofer.
It would be my dream if Gus played Edward Ford Westcott and Prince Harry played Ian in the movie. Ok, I guess first I have to dream that it becomes a movie. So, that's two dreams. Guess I'll have to pray for a twofer.
August 6, 2019
Ian and Edward
Trying to sound English is tougher than I thought, or so I discovered while writing this book over the last eight months.
This story is an homage to my favorite romance writer, Jane Austen. My hope is that it will have a slight hint of her influence in the pages and yet feel present day as well.
As always, I'll be keenly interested in people's reviews. Let me know what you think.
Cheers!
This story is an homage to my favorite romance writer, Jane Austen. My hope is that it will have a slight hint of her influence in the pages and yet feel present day as well.
As always, I'll be keenly interested in people's reviews. Let me know what you think.
Cheers!
July 20, 2019
The Eagle Has Landed
It's the 50th anniversary of America's moon landing. It stands as one of the most monumental achievements of mankind. In observance of the occasion we rented First Man, a film about the space program, Neil Armstrong and the first walk on the moon.
Some of the scenes are tense because the danger was very real. Many astronauts died in pursuit of reaching the moon, and America was divided on whether the goal was worth the country's treasure and lives. But what makes this movie stand out is how it follows the personal struggle of Neil Armstrong the man.
The film rocks you between the broad implications of a vast government effort and the deeply personal, suppressed emotions of a single human being caught up in its inertia.
Most Americans, nowadays, don't appreciate how incredible this event was, but watch the film and you'll be given a greater reverence for an objective that was only reached by perseverance, sacrifice and raw courage.
Happy Anniversary Apollo 11!
Some of the scenes are tense because the danger was very real. Many astronauts died in pursuit of reaching the moon, and America was divided on whether the goal was worth the country's treasure and lives. But what makes this movie stand out is how it follows the personal struggle of Neil Armstrong the man.
The film rocks you between the broad implications of a vast government effort and the deeply personal, suppressed emotions of a single human being caught up in its inertia.
Most Americans, nowadays, don't appreciate how incredible this event was, but watch the film and you'll be given a greater reverence for an objective that was only reached by perseverance, sacrifice and raw courage.
Happy Anniversary Apollo 11!
July 5, 2019
Hollywood’s Nostalgia Boom
Hollywood, these days, is apparently risk averse. If a movie doesn’t have a guaranteed audience, it’s less likely to get made. Original scripts to the back of the line, and you have only to look at the Marvel Universe and the Disney remakes to see my point.
The problem appears to be getting worse. The Addams Family and the Lion King are coming to a theater near you, and old successful franchises seem to never die anymore in Tinseltown (i.e. last year’s Jurassic World). Mulan and Lady and the Tramp are already in the works to be added to this rehashed production line. Can you imagine? What if they stopped making original films all together and just remade old films every ten years? You scoff, but it could happen.
If you’re a writer, you probably find this trend disturbing. I ask myself, what can be done to reverse this? No clue; however, I’m a writer who is big on putting twists in my novels so one did dawn on me. What if we embraced this? What if we said: okay Hollywood, it’s on! Bring it!
Here’s my suggestion. Instead of only going back to the 1990’s for your material, stop being a wuss and go all out. Ladies and Gentleman, I give you the James Bond remakes but with a dash of originality thrown in.
Now I know what you’re saying. Dave, James Bond remakes? They make a new one every few years. Yes, I know, and I even think the Idris Elba idea is a great one. But let’s back it up all the way to the 60’s. Forget the present day Bond. Find a young actor who looks and talks like Sean Connery, because let’s face it, the franchise peaked with him as 007. There never was anyone better, and we’re going for full on nostalgia. Then, let’s have some true Bond villain types in the vain of Dr. No and Goldfinger (along with the classic Bond women). Set it back in the cold war, retro gadgets and a Felix Leiter sidekick to boot. The stories can be original, but the new series could be all classic Bond. Now that’s a remake I’d really love to see.
The problem appears to be getting worse. The Addams Family and the Lion King are coming to a theater near you, and old successful franchises seem to never die anymore in Tinseltown (i.e. last year’s Jurassic World). Mulan and Lady and the Tramp are already in the works to be added to this rehashed production line. Can you imagine? What if they stopped making original films all together and just remade old films every ten years? You scoff, but it could happen.
If you’re a writer, you probably find this trend disturbing. I ask myself, what can be done to reverse this? No clue; however, I’m a writer who is big on putting twists in my novels so one did dawn on me. What if we embraced this? What if we said: okay Hollywood, it’s on! Bring it!
Here’s my suggestion. Instead of only going back to the 1990’s for your material, stop being a wuss and go all out. Ladies and Gentleman, I give you the James Bond remakes but with a dash of originality thrown in.
Now I know what you’re saying. Dave, James Bond remakes? They make a new one every few years. Yes, I know, and I even think the Idris Elba idea is a great one. But let’s back it up all the way to the 60’s. Forget the present day Bond. Find a young actor who looks and talks like Sean Connery, because let’s face it, the franchise peaked with him as 007. There never was anyone better, and we’re going for full on nostalgia. Then, let’s have some true Bond villain types in the vain of Dr. No and Goldfinger (along with the classic Bond women). Set it back in the cold war, retro gadgets and a Felix Leiter sidekick to boot. The stories can be original, but the new series could be all classic Bond. Now that’s a remake I’d really love to see.
July 2, 2019
Screenwriting Was My Answer to Writer's Block
Quick confession. My whole life I was one of those people who always wanted to write but had writer's block; however, 5 years ago the flood gates opened wide. Now I can't stop writing, and I’ve just completed my 4th book. I couldn't have done it without screenwriting. It was the answer to my creative blockage.
How so? I'm a visual person. I see my stories as a movie in my head. I'm basically there taking notes. But, books require a narrative voice. That was the brick wall for me.
Rewind 5 years. I got an idea to write my novels 1st as a screenplay. That was easy given the way my imagination works, then I used the screenplay as a template to write the book. It gave me a real leg up. Before I knew it I had written my first YA horror novel. To date, the series has had over 60K downloads on Amazon. Screenwriting! Heck Yeah!
After that first book, my writer's block was cured. I've never been blocked since.
I say all this to give people a greater appreciation of screenwriting. It can really advance your skills as a writer. Actually, all the prowess I've achieved as a novelist has come from screenwriting. It has a craft like no other medium. Study it. Even if you never plan to be a screenwriter, it will grow your creative muscles.
How so? I'm a visual person. I see my stories as a movie in my head. I'm basically there taking notes. But, books require a narrative voice. That was the brick wall for me.
Rewind 5 years. I got an idea to write my novels 1st as a screenplay. That was easy given the way my imagination works, then I used the screenplay as a template to write the book. It gave me a real leg up. Before I knew it I had written my first YA horror novel. To date, the series has had over 60K downloads on Amazon. Screenwriting! Heck Yeah!
After that first book, my writer's block was cured. I've never been blocked since.
I say all this to give people a greater appreciation of screenwriting. It can really advance your skills as a writer. Actually, all the prowess I've achieved as a novelist has come from screenwriting. It has a craft like no other medium. Study it. Even if you never plan to be a screenwriter, it will grow your creative muscles.
June 17, 2019
Cooking up Jokes
Sometimes I drink water to confuse my liver
- Print on a dish towel
- Print on a dish towel
On the Road
I identify as a Prius
- Bumper sticker on the back of a huge truck
- Bumper sticker on the back of a huge truck
June 11, 2019
The End
I think my favorite two words in all of literature are "The End."
I just finished the first draft of my fourth book tonight. Now, on to the second draft!
I just finished the first draft of my fourth book tonight. Now, on to the second draft!
