Synthesizing the Art and Science of Storytelling
My journey in crafting my latest dystopian thriller was not just an exploration into the future implications of artificial intelligence but also a testament to how my screenwriting background shaped my approach to novel writing. Drawing from the disciplined, sequential buildup inherent in screenwriting, I’ve come to view each chapter of a novel as a crucial building block, meticulously laid atop the last, akin to a blockchain (no pun intended). This foundational perspective has profoundly influenced the narrative structure and character development in my work, blurring the lines between the cinematic and the literary.
The Nuance of Dialogue
In both screenplays and novels, dialogue is more than mere conversation; it’s a battlefield of conflict, where characters’ deepest desires, fears, and secrets are laid bare. Each exchange is a deliberate stroke, painting depth, driving the narrative forward, and maintaining the golden rule of never being on the nose. It’s through this nuanced interplay of words and silences that the souls of the characters come to light, ensnaring the reader’s attention.
The Structural Cadence
The backbone of compelling storytelling, whether on screen or in print, lies in its structure. Each scene or chapter is crafted as a self-contained narrative, complete with its own inciting incident, a tapestry of choices, and a cascade of consequential actions and reactions. This careful orchestration ensures a rhythmic progression, compelling the reader to turn the page, driven by the unfolding drama.
Crafting Scenes
Each scene is an island, a self-contained narrative unto itself. This philosophy, drawn from both traditional storytelling and scriptwriting, guides the construction of my narrative. Like a string of pearls, each scene is distinct yet connected, contributing to the larger narrative while holding its own unique allure.
Desire and Antagonism
At the core of every character’s journey is desire, a driving force met with antagonism. This dynamic interplay, this push and pull, is what shapes the characters’ path, their decisions, and ultimately, their fate. It’s a dance of cause and effect, where each choice of action leads to a reaction, painting a complex portrait of human (or in some cases, artificial) nature.
An Invitation into my style of writing
In my upcoming thriller, The Last Resistance, coming out on March 19, 2024, these elements meld together to craft a narrative that is as much about the future of AI as it is about the timeless human condition. I invite you to dive into an excerpt from Chapter Two, where the interplay of dialogue, structure, and character come alive, offering a glimpse into the world of The Last Resistance and the minds that inhabit it.
Excerpt from Chapter 2:
GHOST IN THE MACHINE
Chen ‘Shadow’ Hong sat behind the wheel of his sleek, midnight black 2030 BMW i40 electric car, gliding stealthily into the pulsating heart of the technocratic city nexus.
The cityscape transformed into a mesmerizing whirlwind of neon-lit possibilities as Shadow’s augmented windscreen sprang to life, bathing the world beyond in a grid of radiant blue.
A breathtaking real-time 360° view of the sprawling urban expanse enveloped him, its streets vibrating with an orchestrated interplay of organic and digital technology. The cybernetic tapestry of the metropolis etched with crisscrossing lines of various beaming colors. A complex web of traffic, movement, and constantly shifting miniature digital maps. Perpetually swirling and morphing with each pulse of the self-driving Artificial Intelligence. Seamlessly analyzing and adapting to silent directional commands. Assuring the most optimal route for Shadow’s final destination.
The obsidian BMW glided to a near-silent crawl. Seamlessly infiltrating the expansive tech campus parking lot. Inside, the AI’s holographic interface surged with an electrifying energy, expanding into a breathtaking visual spectacle. Revealing a digital landscape teeming with the silhouettes of countless high-tech vehicles that glistened in the embrace of the city’s devouring neon glow.
The lot resembled a metallic labyrinth, a maze of status symbols and materialistic desires. Each vehicle was meticulously crafted with sleek lines and luxurious finishes, a testament to future opulence, symbols of power and prestige, as if the lot itself was a shrine dedicated to the affluence of the tech-privileged.
He muttered a torrent of curses under his breath as he emerged from his car. Shaking his head, already imagining the impending conversation with his wife, justifying to her why he decided to skip the lecture after all.
“But Chen, you promised,” he said to himself. He growled as he snatched his retro-iPhone from the front of his console of his car and marched through the unfolding expanse of the immense tech campus.
Shadow waited behind a small group of workers hurrying through the revolving door of Building 3’s main entrance. The sun’s beams intermittently cast quick, bright flashes upon each carousel pass, creating a mesmerizing illusion, making it seem as if those entering were flickering out of existence. As if being teleported to another world. And in a way, they were.
…One white, empty hallway after another. Shadow’s fists clenched. The absence of any discernible direction tested the last of his waning resolve to persist…
If you want to check out Chapter 1 & 2, they are posted on the home page for the novel - www.robotcrimeblog.com/thelastresistance
The Nuance of Dialogue
In both screenplays and novels, dialogue is more than mere conversation; it’s a battlefield of conflict, where characters’ deepest desires, fears, and secrets are laid bare. Each exchange is a deliberate stroke, painting depth, driving the narrative forward, and maintaining the golden rule of never being on the nose. It’s through this nuanced interplay of words and silences that the souls of the characters come to light, ensnaring the reader’s attention.
The Structural Cadence
The backbone of compelling storytelling, whether on screen or in print, lies in its structure. Each scene or chapter is crafted as a self-contained narrative, complete with its own inciting incident, a tapestry of choices, and a cascade of consequential actions and reactions. This careful orchestration ensures a rhythmic progression, compelling the reader to turn the page, driven by the unfolding drama.
Crafting Scenes
Each scene is an island, a self-contained narrative unto itself. This philosophy, drawn from both traditional storytelling and scriptwriting, guides the construction of my narrative. Like a string of pearls, each scene is distinct yet connected, contributing to the larger narrative while holding its own unique allure.
Desire and Antagonism
At the core of every character’s journey is desire, a driving force met with antagonism. This dynamic interplay, this push and pull, is what shapes the characters’ path, their decisions, and ultimately, their fate. It’s a dance of cause and effect, where each choice of action leads to a reaction, painting a complex portrait of human (or in some cases, artificial) nature.
An Invitation into my style of writing
In my upcoming thriller, The Last Resistance, coming out on March 19, 2024, these elements meld together to craft a narrative that is as much about the future of AI as it is about the timeless human condition. I invite you to dive into an excerpt from Chapter Two, where the interplay of dialogue, structure, and character come alive, offering a glimpse into the world of The Last Resistance and the minds that inhabit it.
Excerpt from Chapter 2:
GHOST IN THE MACHINE
Chen ‘Shadow’ Hong sat behind the wheel of his sleek, midnight black 2030 BMW i40 electric car, gliding stealthily into the pulsating heart of the technocratic city nexus.
The cityscape transformed into a mesmerizing whirlwind of neon-lit possibilities as Shadow’s augmented windscreen sprang to life, bathing the world beyond in a grid of radiant blue.
A breathtaking real-time 360° view of the sprawling urban expanse enveloped him, its streets vibrating with an orchestrated interplay of organic and digital technology. The cybernetic tapestry of the metropolis etched with crisscrossing lines of various beaming colors. A complex web of traffic, movement, and constantly shifting miniature digital maps. Perpetually swirling and morphing with each pulse of the self-driving Artificial Intelligence. Seamlessly analyzing and adapting to silent directional commands. Assuring the most optimal route for Shadow’s final destination.
The obsidian BMW glided to a near-silent crawl. Seamlessly infiltrating the expansive tech campus parking lot. Inside, the AI’s holographic interface surged with an electrifying energy, expanding into a breathtaking visual spectacle. Revealing a digital landscape teeming with the silhouettes of countless high-tech vehicles that glistened in the embrace of the city’s devouring neon glow.
The lot resembled a metallic labyrinth, a maze of status symbols and materialistic desires. Each vehicle was meticulously crafted with sleek lines and luxurious finishes, a testament to future opulence, symbols of power and prestige, as if the lot itself was a shrine dedicated to the affluence of the tech-privileged.
He muttered a torrent of curses under his breath as he emerged from his car. Shaking his head, already imagining the impending conversation with his wife, justifying to her why he decided to skip the lecture after all.
“But Chen, you promised,” he said to himself. He growled as he snatched his retro-iPhone from the front of his console of his car and marched through the unfolding expanse of the immense tech campus.
Shadow waited behind a small group of workers hurrying through the revolving door of Building 3’s main entrance. The sun’s beams intermittently cast quick, bright flashes upon each carousel pass, creating a mesmerizing illusion, making it seem as if those entering were flickering out of existence. As if being teleported to another world. And in a way, they were.
…One white, empty hallway after another. Shadow’s fists clenched. The absence of any discernible direction tested the last of his waning resolve to persist…
If you want to check out Chapter 1 & 2, they are posted on the home page for the novel - www.robotcrimeblog.com/thelastresistance
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