Radio...Ugh

First of all, I have to admit I'm lost on this next assignment. I have no idea what to write about and I know nothing about radio except that it's my least favorite medium. The only thing I like about the radio is being able to flip channels aimlessly when I'm bored in my car, even though whatever is on usually sucks. For me, listening to the radio is like watching late-night cable television.

Today in class we learned that Orson Welles understood it very well but that doesn't help me. If anyone actually reads this feel free to offer some advice!

Constructive Criticism

In class we got feedback on our stories and formed groups for further critiques. I left feeling happy I did a few things right and worried I might have done a couple things wrong. We talked about conveying real emotions through dialogue instead of narration. We also talked about the setting and how much time should pass in the story. If you have a word limit it makes sense to shorten the story into one powerful scene instead of dragging it out over days or weeks. Finally, we were told not to take the "easy way out" by avoiding true conflict and stating the resolution. I'm really curious to read everyone's stories at this point!

Ever feel like Fink?

Today we were introduced to a character named Barton Fink. Fink is a tortured writer who affirms the idea that the biggest antagonist is your life is yourself. He is a perfectionist, and can't seem to bring himself to write something he doesn't deem worthy.

I can't help but to feel like Fink, especially when it comes to creative writing exercises. When I begin I spend way too much time staring at a blank computer screen waiting for the words to come to me. Once they do I'm never happy with them and I delete and rephrase every sentence at least once. Then I proceed to overanalyze every detail of the story until I begin wondering if what I'm writing is complete shit. When I finish I start dreading critiques and wondering how my story compares to everyone else's. I guess the difference between Fink and me is that I'm not overconfident in my writing ability which only adds to the overall problem.

Ugh! Does anyone else feel this way or am I just anal and crazy? Feel free to comment but only if you agree. (Just kidding)  And don't answer the question, its rhetorical!

Do's and Dont's of Dialogue

Dialogue is a tool used to help sell your story. It helps develop characters and move the story along.
Here are some do's and dont's of dialogue:

DO:                                                                          DON'T:

Break the characters up                                             Make everyone sound alike

Echo emotion, use lingo                                             Monologue

Give complete info                                                     Recycle info         
Use grammar shortcuts                                              Use too much!

10-Types: My Favorites

Here are some of my  favorite movies categorized under the ten basic story types:

• Romance aka Bromance - I Love You Man
• Success/Failure - Jerry Maguire
• Cinderella - Pretty Woman
• Conversion - Despicable Me
• Sacrifice - Titanic (It counts!)
• Family - The Sound of Music
• Triangle - Crazy Stupid Love
• Return - The Wizard of Oz
• Crime and Punishment - Pan's Labyrinth (I'm SOO happy when that guy gets shot in the face!!!)
• Heroic - Braveheart

Three Little Pigs: Part 2

    Today in class we were given components to write another short story. This story will be the sequel to the Three Little Pigs and here's the information we have to work with:

• Protagonist: Wolf
• Antagonist:  Monkey
• Other Characters: Pigs
• Internal Conflict: Wolf is addicted to eating pork and he wants to stop
• External Conflict: Monkey does not want him to overcome his addiction
• Intrigue: Wolf thinks Monkey is his friend

3-Act Structure

       Professor Jenkin's 3-Act structure is a basic blueprint for story-writing. It resembles a baseball diamond with three bases. On your way to first you need a hook to grab your audience's attention. You create a  protagonist/antagonist to run the bases for you, like designated runners. At first base they reach the first act break and their path takes a ninety degree turn, with some foiled goal.
      On the way to second base your protagonist attempts to regain control but the situation goes from bad to worse. This leads them to third base where your protagonist struggles with conflicts (both internal and external.) He/she must resolve these quickly to get to home base and score. On your way home you have one last chance to sell your message but by the time your characters get home they will have needed to grow and change in some way.

Mark Wahlberg

     If that title doesn't draw you in I don't know what will... who doesn't like Mark Wahlberg?  I went to see Contraband last night knowing it wasn't going to be good but also knowing it was exactly what I was in the mood for... superficial entertainment with a predictable happy ending. I didn't want to feel stressed out over any fictional situation (I'll blame in on the bus scenario) and so I went with Wahlberg's latest.
    This got me thinking about the characters he plays. He is always the active protagonist who comes out on top. (With the exception of Fear, which we all know is a classic.) We still like him even though his roles are predictable and cliche... Why is that? Is it because he always plays the sexy, sacrificing, badass hero? Or do we just love Mark Wahlberg? Food for thought...