And this isn't video, but it is fantastic nonetheless: http://www.writingexcuses.com, a fantastic podcast about writing, featuring Dan Wells, Brandon Sanderson, Howard Tayler, and Mary Robinette Kowal.
There you go! That was short and sweet, hopefully filled with useful writing resources, next time, I will be posting about different resources for making your own fantasy maps, for free!
Here is a fantastic collection of different plot structures, this is by no means all-inclusive, but hopefully the descriptions and the links get your brains going!
Essentially three act structure, only there is an emphasis on there are 2 major attempts to resolve the conflict by the protagonist that fail, and during the climax there is a Reversal (where the hero is defeated, but quickly turns the tables on the villains and wins.)
Milieu stories begin with a character entering a milieu (setting) and end when they leave it (or decide to stay).
Idea stories begin by raising a question, and end when the question is answered.
Characters stories begin close to the point where the main character begins to attempt to change his role, and ends at the point where the struggle ends.
Event stories are when something is wrong in the world/universe, something has thrown of the status quo and it is in a state of flux. It begins at the point where the character whose actions are most crucial to establishing the new order becomes involved in the struggle and ends when a new order is established, the older order is restored, or "the world descends into chaos as the forces of order are destroyed."
Make a list of things that need to happen for those cool/important things to work and to work well
Weave them together into an outline
Test out different characters for the role to see who works
Write, review plot sporadically, update, write again
Hollywood Formula
·3
Characters:
oProtagonist
(wants something concrete, definite achievable goal) “I want to stop Ralden
from conquering the world.”
oAntagonist
(places obstacles in the path of the protagonist, not necessarily the bad guy,
but goals are diametrically opposed to the protagonist)
oRelationship/Dynamic
(accompanies the protag, typically has been there/done that before and has
wisdom to communicate to the protag, and the protag isn’t listening. They are
the person to whom, or from whom the theme of the story is articulated.
§They have a conversation at the beginning articulating the
theme, another conversation at the end=reconciliation of the protagonist and
the antagonist)
·Story is
done (and the closer these happen to each other the more emotional impact) when the Protagonist:
oAchieves
their goal
oDefeats
the antagonist
oReconciles
with the relationship character
·120 page story breakdown:
oAct
1: 30 pages long
§Introduce 3 characters and what they want
§The theme articulating conversation
§Pages 11-13 the Fateful decision,
Protagonist presented with a choice, and must choose to have a film, if they
choose no, we don’t have a story, if they choose yes, we have a story (can
happen more then once, Matrix has three)
§Closes.
oAct
2: 60 pages long
§Up to page 60 is about asking questions.
Page 60 and on stop asking questions and start answering them.
§Page 90, the low point, rock bottom, farthest
from our goal that it is possible to be, the Protagonist is as far as possible
from achieving their goal
oAct
3: 30 pages long
§The fight from the low point to the end
§Protagonist achieves their goal, Defeats the
antagonist, Reconciles with the relationship character
Well there you go! Hope you enjoy those links about different plot types. I have learned a lot from each of these. You don't have to follow anyone, but it's good to know what writing tricks you can use. Ciao!
So, I've been brainstorming the next book, currently titled "The Sphere of Ateya" (even though I have NO CLUE what that sphere is), and I've been struggling. See, the main character is a monk trying to find a good master to follow, because he needs a master for his magic to function. Now a major plot element, or at least the most intriguing to me, is the discovery of a type of metal that cancels gravity effects within it and around it. And perhaps using that to make bullets.
Sometimes, especially in my early plotting stages, I feel like what I'm plotting looks something like those plots above. A big headache!
What do I do with this dilemma? Hmm. Maybe I need to tie them together. That's the best thing to do, come up with an intriguing plot, then add in the subplots. Or, if one of the subplots is more interesting, make it the main plot! But, something tells me that this monk's journey to find a good master is the most important storyline in the story, I feel that it is going to be the most resonant. So... I think I know what I must do.
I hope that my little ramble about plot helps you guys with your plot dilemmas! And if you're reading this to know my progress, there you have it! :)
Adios!
The other day, my brother-in-law and I were having one of our friendly debates. We were talking about whether writing fiction is as "important" to society as, say, economics or business. We got a little more excited than usual, and ended at an impasse. I couldn't think of many reasons to back up my claim that fiction is at least equally as important as those things. I hadn't thought about it much before.
Now I have. :)
In summary, Fiction helps us understand things like:
The Past (History)
The Present (Society)
The Future (Where we might go)
Human nature (Beliefs)
Religion (Good vs. evil)
A Julian Smith Video. :) Don't ya ever interrupt him when he's reading a book!
Fiction and History
Fiction can carry just as much truth as history does. History is written by very subjective people, who can write that an event happened, but can distort their own perspective on how it happened.
Fiction might not tell about events that actually happened, but it can tell about how events can happen, the truth of people's reactions, actions, and thought processes with those things. People and possibilities is what fiction addresses.
Fiction and the Present
Fiction helps us to understand one another, to empathize with one another. It allows us to see things from a different point of view (which might not have originated from a fictional person).
It increases our abilities to empathize because we are being invited to be intimately involved with another person's thoughts, emotions, and feelings. That level of intimacy is hard to obtain, even in marriage. Fiction helps us to see into the thoughts and minds of the types of people that we would normally never, ever see into.
Science Fiction and the Future
Science Fiction sometimes tends to predict the future, even if it isn't trying. But the real power of Science Fiction usually comes from its warnings. Science Fiction does not concern itself with being perfectly prophetic, that's not its point.
The kernel of truth comes when Science Fiction writers focus on one part of society, one problem or one potential problem, and extrapolate where it could go. Different technologies and different societal beliefs could lead to very, very big problems or big successes. Racism, fascism, humanity and technology, technology and morality, the list goes on of the warnings and the hope that we can find within Science Fiction.
Fiction and Belief
Fiction, the more enthralled we are with it, can effect belief even more than non-fiction:
"This research consistently shows that fiction does mold us. The more deeply we are cast under a story’s spell, the more potent its influence. In fact, fiction seems to be more effective at changing beliefs than nonfiction, which is designed to persuade through argument and evidence. Studies show that when we read nonfiction, we read with our shields up. We are critical and skeptical. But when we are absorbed in a story, we drop our intellectual guard. We are moved emotionally, and this seems to make us rubbery and easy to shape."(see "Why Fiction is Good for You", which has many great insights).
Lord of the Rings has definitely effected my view of the use and abuse of the natural world, and what we sacrifice for the advance of technology. And a great many of my beliefs come from stories in ways that are so subtle that I can hardly differentiate between my beliefs from fiction and my beliefs from elsewhere.
Most people don't realize how much stories effect their belief system. Since we were children, we have had books read to us, TV shows shown to us, all of which taught us morals and beliefs. We may cringe now when such kids' shows come on or we see cheesy little story books, but they formed us and molded us. And anything that you read now still will.
Of course, that is why we should be careful about what we watch or read, the bad content WILL have an effect on us and our morals, beliefs, and mindset. But, even fiction that contains some of this content, or implies it, allows us to judge that behavior, condemning it as wrong. You have to be careful with what you watch and read. Of course, you have to be equally as careful with what investments you make, what people you hire, what chemical you use, what formula you employ, etc.
Fiction and Religion
This is usually where Fantasy shines. Religions and their implications abound in Fantasy. Religious wars, religious super-powers, religion and society, religion and truth. It offers up a plethora of options to think about, to understand. This can lead us to question our own religion, and fiction can even provide arguments on behalf of a particular religious lifestyle.
It can offer perspectives on the nature of good and evil. Questions about: What is right? What is wrong? Does the end justify the means? When does a wrong act become right? How should we orient our moral compass? What things should we consider?
Fiction can teach us about the intricacies of truth and what it is. It may not give the answers, but it can certainly intrigue us enough to ask the right questions. Is there a God? Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going after this life, if anywhere? It may postulate answers to what happens after this life, and it may (through prophecy and free will) postulate why we are here on this world now. Is there a higher power directing the events of our lives for good?
In Conclusion
When a recession or a depression happens, overall book sales of the major publishing houses goes down. But, the sales of fiction actually goes up during these times. Just like cosmetics, doesn't matter if people are dirt poor, they will go and buy a novel.
So, after waking up at six in the morning after thinking about it, and doing a little bit of web research, I think I can say that YES, Fiction is equally as important as other fields. It enhances empathy and draws us together around common values. (again, see article). Just like any skill set, it can be used for the good or ill of mankind. I intend to use it for good, for entertainment, and for the bettering of humankind.
Of course, all of this could be some crazy justification for my chosen career, but something makes me not think so. :)
I have recently found a plethora of resources concerning the genre "Muskets and Magic" or, "Gunpowder Fantasy". Apparently, it exists as a sub-genre of "Historical Fantasy", a close relative to the genre "Alternate History." Wow, all of these genre-titles make my brain want to burst! How about a little breakdown, focusing on the title of this post: Muskets and Magic.
Themes involved with Muskets and Magic stories.
What would the discovery of gunpowder do to a world with magic?
We can look to history to see how gunpowder completely transformed the face of warfare.
How does gunpowder stack up against magic? Would it throw off the balance of power?
Magic is mysterious in how it works, gunpowder is a science.
Sometimes magic can only be used by the elite, gunpowder can be used by anyone.
And what if gunpowder was somehow connected to magic?
Usually with a level of tech comparable to 17th-19th centuries, with fantasy tropes mixed in.
These are just a few things, I ran across this article by Brian McClellan titled "Muskets and Magic" and these two wikipedia articles titled "Historical Fantasy" and "Magic Gun" that sparked my interest, considering the fact that for my next book, I have contemplated them having semi-recently discovered gunpowder.
I didn't realize how much it changes the face of warfare! I'll be doing more research, but there you go! For everyone to see.
Also, I suppose the Pirates of the Caribbean somewhat (so-so) falls under this genre, ha! Who'da thunk?
Here are some little tidbits that I wrote several years ago about writing, they still hold true today:
“When you're writing, don't be so serious. Play make-believe as you write. Use your imagination. Don't think "I'm writing a novel" think "I'm playing pretend!" Really use your make-believe to make it come to life. Don't worry about what other people will say when they read it, just let your imagination breath heart and soul into your story. Watch it happen. And watch the magic unfold as you let go of your anxieties and let your natural ability to create (like a child) make a beautiful tale. Then you can put on the grown-up glasses later.”
“Truth is more important than technique. Truth about people and characters. Truth about what happens in the world. Truth about what life is really about and the human condition. What you write must be true in your own imagination.”
I used to shake my head at myself and at others who wrote in that dreaded medium titled "Fan-fic" where you kidnap characters of other books or movies and write your own stories with them. Gasp! How dare you! Copyright law! Lack of Creativity! But then, I heard something from Kevin J Anderson when he was a guest on Writing Excuses, the fantastic writing podcast that I listen to. He said that writing Fan-fic is NOT a waste of time, because it teaches you to focus on certain things. LIke what do you say?
It forces you to focus on developing plot around your character's personality, you wouldn't make Captain Kirk act out of character just to make your fanfiction work would you?
It allows you to focus on developing your prose
It forces you to write dialogue according to each character's unique voice
It teaches you the value of having very strong, unique characters.
So there you have it! Will it ever get published? Eh, probably not. They usually ask you to write in their universes, you don't usually ask them if you can share your great Star Wars novel idea. But it will teach you these things, and writing practice, of course, is one of the most important things of becoming a writer.
Last, but not least, learn how to develop characters that are as strong as these movie characters. Learn to know them so well, that you would never dream of forcing them to act out of character.
Science fantasy is pretty hard to put your thumb down on, but in a nutshell it is Science Fiction with a hint of Fantasy, or Fantasy with a hint of Science Fiction. What I write is neither completely science fiction nor is it fantasy. Fantasy evokes images of elves, wizards, swords and dragons. Science fiction evokes images of spaceships, advanced technology, social commentary and aliens. What I write is hardly ever one or the other. The 2 act as a sort of spectrum, with tolkienesque high fantasy on one end and hard science fiction on the other. What I write floats somewhere between the two. A person with magic in space, magical technology, guns and other tech in a fantasy-like world. I've tried writing strictly one or the other, I find that the high fantasy I write comes out cliche and cheesy and the hard science fiction I write comes out uneducated and boring. I write Science Fantasy because it is what I love to write! Some of the best stories have been Science Fantasy (Star Wars, arguably X-men, The Sword of Shannarra), and I thoroughly enjoy them.
Peace out Writers and Readers!
-Thomas
