Current Projects Part 2!

Good day all!

     Just a quick update today on what I am currently doing project wise. In the hopes to better myself as a writer, I have purchased an online writing course. I will be taking the class over the following weeks, so my posts may be a bit less frequent, as the course comes with a time limit to complete it.

For those interested, here is a link to the website: http://screenplayscripts.com/product/how-to-write-a-novel/

Furthermore, if anyone is interested in purchasing the course, they can get a discount is they purchase under me (available for the next 13 hours only): http://touch.groupon.com/deals/writing-dreams-12-ottawa?offerReferralId=fa34b46e-e461-4f15-ad8c-55e8159a17cf&utm_medium=bwf&utm_source=bwf_fw_email

     So it’s back to work I go! take care all!

Cheers!

Patrick Osborne

(P.S.: I would like to thank my in-laws (Memère and Pepère Lavergne) and my dad, Larry, for the birthday present which allowed me to purchase this course). 

Getting to know the players.

Welcome Back!

We are now entering my favorite part of storytelling: Characterization! Looking back to my post entitled “Making a list and Checking it Twice”, I will now discuss the fifth fundamental element of story writing I had covered: Characters.

Back in the days where I used to draw on a daily basis, my favorite subject was creating new super powered characters! I loved inventing them and giving them background stories.  Later on, I had fun filling out character sheets for “Pen and Paper” games with friends or creating avatars for online video games. Today, I contribute my experience and imagination to Missing Worlds Media as a Staff Writer, where I helped create dozens of NPCs (Non-Player-Characters) and background content for their game.

The Character is an essential element to storytelling. It can be defined as a person, animal, or figure represented in a literary work, whose main purpose is to extend the plot. Without them, no one would be present to perform actions or play a role in the story. The Character may also serve as the perspective or  “point of view” of a story, allowing the reader to see the events unfold from their eyes.

There are many types of characters that exist in literature, each with its own purpose. These types fulfill their different functions in the narrative process, allowing the author creative liberties when telling a tale. Imagine Characters being the tools in a tool box; they serve the author the same way the tools serve the engineer. Here are some examples of Character types:

• Main or Major: Every story must have a main character, as they play a pivotal role in the development of the story. In other words, these are the characters that will have the greatest effect on the plot and resolution of conflict. They are the key to what happens in the story.

• Minor or Background: Characters whose purpose is to complement the main characters by helping them move the plot events forward. This is usually done by supplying the Main Character with key information or assistance. Their presence in the story is usually limited to one appearance.

• Dynamic: A person who changes over the course of the story as a result of resolving a conflict. Because resolving conflict is the primary goal of a story, Main Characters are usually Dynamic characters.

• Static: A person who does not change throughout the course of the story. These characters do not evolve and remain in the same state of mind. Static characters mostly serve to show contrast to dynamic ones.

• Round: A character who is fully developed, has a more complex personality, and is often portrayed as a conflicted person. They show depth of personality and require more attention by the reader.

• Flat: Flat Characters have no depth and do not change during the story. Their personality is notable for being one-dimensional, as the author will show only one side or aspect of them.

• Stock: Characters who are seen as conventional or stereotypical through repeated use. These characters are instantly recognizable to readers (loyal sidekick, mad scientist, etc), and allow the author to write them into the story without having to give them too much detail, as the reader will fill in the blanks themselves.

• Symbolic: Any character whose very existence represents an aspect of society or humanity. They may also embody the theme, moral or idea of the story.

• Foil: Usually the Antagonist (but can be any member of the cast), the Foil is a character whose qualities contrast with the protagonist, allowing the reader to learn more about the other character. The Foil may stand against the protagonist, attempt to manipulate them or try to convince the protagonist into joining them.
• Anthropomorphic: Characters who are animals, inanimate objects, or natural phenomena, but have human traits and/or personalities.

In addition to types, characters may also be categorized by roles. The Character Roles gives the audience an idea of how each character reacts in the story. They are similar to roles played by actors, but with less emphasis on how they behave as a person, and more on what they do for the story. Here are some examples of Character roles:

• Protagonist: Also known as the hero, the Protagonist is a central person in a story, whom the reader will usually wants/expects to win in the end. They are often (but not always) referred to as the story's main character, and are responsible for plot progression and resolving the main conflict.  
• Antagonist:  Also known as the villain, the Antagonist is the character(s) (or situation) who opposes the Protagonist and/or creates the conflict in the story. They represents the obstacle that the Protagonist must overcome in order to succeed.
• Ally: A character that will always stand by the Protagonist in the end. The Ally will assist the Protagonist, either with actions or information, in order to help the plot progress. They may also serve as a “point of view” character, asking the Protagonist questions to fill in the blanks for the reader.
• Henchman: The Henchman is the opposite of the Ally .They are affiliated with the Antagonist and will act against the Protagonist. They may also serve as a “point of view” character, asking questions to the Antagonist which will help reveal the plot to the reader.
• Guide: The Guide teaches or represents the lesson that the Protagonist must learn in order to achieve the goal. They may represent the Protagonist’s conscience, or the logic that guides them. Contrary to the Ally, the Protagonist will ask questions to the Guide in order to fill in the blanks for the reader.
• Anti-Hero: Usually the Protagonist (but can be any member of the supporting cast), this character can be manipulative, vulgar, self-centered and so on. Regardless of lacking the conventional nobility and values of society, they are still likable to the point where the reader wishes to see them overcome challenges and reach their goal.  
• Rogue: The Rogue does not believe in the Protagonist’s goal, too busy pursuing their own path. Despite not having loyalties to any side, the Rogue may like the Protagonist and want the Protagonist to succeed, just not at the cost of their personal objectives. It is not uncommon to see them have a change of heart by the end of the story. However, it is also possible that the Rogue can turn on the Protagonist in order to achieve their own goals.
• Thinker: The Thinker can be either the Protagonist, the Antagonist or any other member of the cast. Always rational, they like to plans things out, find logical solutions and give reasonable answers to questions. Regardless of the side they are on, Thinkers can have great influence over the progression of the plot.

Some characters start out as highly developed, others develop over the course of the plot. Regardless of their  type or role, all characters, even superhuman ones, must be relatable to the audience. This is done by giving them relationships, flaws, strengths, habits, allowing them to make mistakes and so on. This process of exploring the inner workings of a character is called characterization.

Characterization is an essential component when writing fiction, and understanding its  role in storytelling is very important for any writer. Simply put, it helps the reader relate to the characters by making sense of their behavior, explaining their thoughts and exploring their origins.

Authors use two different approaches to characterization: direct presentation and indirect presentation. With direct presentation, the narrator directly informs the reader what they need to know about the character. With indirect presentation, the narrator refers to what the character says or does in order to have an understanding of their personality. The reader is then obliged to figure out what the character is like on their own. Additionally, there are five methods of characterization:

• Appearance: The author will describe the character's appearance, normally by using details such as their body type, physical traits or style of clothing.
• Actions: The author describes the character’s actions, which gives the audience an idea of the characters behavior and attitude.  
• Reactions: The author describes the character's effect on others, therefore gaining information about said character through their relationships and interactions.
• Speech: The author describes how the character expresses themselves, providing insight into the character's personality to the reader.
• Inner thoughts: The author reveals what the character thinks, allowing the reader to  understand the character's actions.

No matter their type or role, it is important that characters be made believable in order for the reader to be immersed in the story. Creating characters is most definitely my favorite part of writing, as I am sure it showed throughout this post! I hope that this lesson was of benefit to you all!

Until Next time!

Cheers,

Patrick Osborne
(edited on 2015-12-10)

Taking a look at the Setting.

Welcome Back!

Going back to my post entitled “Making a list and Checking it Twice”, I will now discuss the fourth fundamental element of writing a story: the Setting. In the past, I used to consider describing a Setting only as a backdrop, nothing more than a physical location where the action took place. Boy was I wrong! After doing some more research, I discovered a large variety of ways the Setting could contribute even further to the story, by adding nuances, moods and information that the other story elements may not be able to convey on their own. I hope I can share this valuable insight with you today.

In works of narrative, the purpose of the Setting is to help identify the “when” and “where” in which the story unfolds. This is accomplished by establishing the historical moment in time and geographic location where a story takes place. The Setting can also help show the mood or context of a story, some of the fundamental components of fiction. It may be identified by the following elements:

• Era: A period in history or a notable moment in time. Describing the Era can be very helpful in establishing a sociological understanding of the characters behaviors and attitudes.
• Time: A specific year, month, season or even time of day. This can be used to help convey moods, suspense or feelings. These can also inform the reader of the passing of time, like if the story began in winter and ended in summer.
• Locale: Place where the characters and actions take place. This can be anything from a neighborhood, city, forest, country, or even planet.
• Geography: This is in relation to the locales appearances, meaning types of scenery such as mountains, islands, houses, cityscapes, space stations, and so on. Plant and animal life also fall into this category.
• Culture: This encompasses everything of a social nature in your setting: laws, politics, government, religion, technology, morales, and so on.
• Weather: Meteorological aspects of the local. This can cover anything from rain, snow, sunshine, fog, hurricanes, droughts and such.
• Objects: Physical items a character can touch, use or refer to. Objects may reveal information on the setting in various ways, with either their importance, their origin, their purpose or their appearance.

The purpose of the Setting may be nothing more than the backdrop for the action, or it may be directly linked to the theme or meaning of the story. It can greatly affect the characters and plot by creating an atmosphere that influences the reader's perception of the work. However, the Setting has many other uses, which can range from motivating the character(s), being a source of conflict, serving as a key piece to a puzzle, or even be portrayed as the main antagonist. The where and when of the story can be just as important as who’s involved and what is happening, as it enhances the suspension of disbelief from the reader.

How describing the Setting is done varies from one writer to the next, as some prefer to go into intricate detail while others offer the barest of clues to the readers. The level of detail wanted is up to the writer, but sketching the Setting can be done with subtle hints, such as mentioning the style of clothing, technology levels, landmarks or music. The Setting can change as a the story progresses, but once it has been established, references to it can be reduced, perhaps just offering the occasional detail to remind the audience where the characters are. These details don’t have to be overdone, but should include enough information in order to ground the characters in the narrative and allow the reader to imagine what is going on.

Settings can appear in various forms within a narrative, each with their own distinct traits. These possibilities can add an interesting twist to any story.

Types of Setting:

• Backdrop Setting: This is when the setting is vague and unimportant for the story. This allows the reader the freedom to imagine, filling in the blanks themselves. This if often used in folk tales, as it helps to convey a universal, timeless feel to the story.
• Integral Setting: This is when the setting is fully described in both time and place. The actions, characters and/or themes are directly influenced by the setting, therefore having some control over the story. This can be divided into further subcategories:
• Antagonist Setting: Characters must resolve conflict created by the setting. This can be portrayed by the character attempting to fight the elements (like a hurricane or flood), being lost in a strange dream like landscape, witnessing a War in progress or trying to survive on an inhospitable alien planet.
• Influential Setting: This setting often shapes the character, allowing them to grow as individuals and define who they are. A story in this setting may show its characters as inhabitants of the locale, demonstrating how their environment has affected (or will affect) their lifestyle. My favorite example is the story of Superman; an alien being raised on a farm, and being taught the important values of life and humanity.
• Symbolic Setting: In this category, the setting is influenced by the story, rather than the story be influenced by the setting. The setting may act like a mirror, reinforcing prevailing moods within the story (like a dark, dingy alleyway in a “Noir” detective story). The setting can use people, objects, situations, or actions in a literal, figurative or suggestive manner to help get the meaning of the story across. In a way, this setting may reflect facets of the characters personality, helping the reader connect to said character.
• Centric Setting: The setting is the story. The story may be about wishing to be at a specific location, wanting to escape that location or exploring said location. The Setting itself is the goal, destination or answer to the story. A good example of this would be The Lord of the Rings, where the entire story revolves around the ring and the journey to take it to Mordor.

Finally, I have learned that setting, be it based on reality or totally made up by the writer, needs to be constructed in a way so that it works for the story, not against it. Characters exist in a particular time and place, which in turn affects their personality, values, attitudes, and even their problems. Therefore characters should be written in a time and place that works for their stories. This is important to remember, because if the writer strays away from the setting, it can break immersion for the audience. Making the setting solid and real to your characters helps make fiction real to the reader.

Hope this post was useful. Until next time!

Cheers,

Patrick Osborne


(edited on 2015-12-04)

The Importance of having a theme.

Welcome Back!

            Today we will continue reviewing the items covered in my post entitled “Making a list and Checking it Twice”. The third fundamental element of story writing we will cover is Themes. Honestly, I am guilty of occasionally losing my theme in my subject matter. The mistake I often make is concentrating so much on the subject, to a point where I lose sight of my theme. So I am happy to have come out of this lesson with valuable insight that I did not have before.

To begin, a theme is defined as an underlying message, belief or lesson that is found within a storyline. This idea is usually universal in nature and is conveyed, directly or indirectly, by the author. It is meant to touch the audience on some basic level, in order to help them relate to the story. We are initiated to this concept at an early age through fables and fairy tales, as I am sure everyone remembers hearing stories that ended with “and the moral of this story is…”

Through themes, a writer links together various elements of a narrative in order to give readers a better understanding of the underlying message. Themes may be expressed in several different ways within a story, such as through the feelings of the main character, or presented through a recurring object which seems to be a meaningful symbol. Additionally, the main character’s discoveries, experiences and conflicts should all hint at the theme, as they are often used as the “moral compass” guiding the reader through the story.

It is possible for a piece of writing to have more than one theme, though if this is the case, one theme should be dominant over the others and be repeated throughout the story. This is what is known as a Major Theme. A Minor Theme, refers to an idea that appears in a story briefly and quickly redirects back to the Major Theme. However, if no themes are present, then all the reader can see is the surface. In order to be meaningful, a story needs depth, and depth in writing is the meaning found behind the words. Without a theme, a story will feel empty and pointless.

           Deciphering the theme is critical to understanding the message behind a particular piece of writing, but it is possible different people perceive elements differently. So the reader may see a totally different theme than the one the author worked on incorporating. In order to find the theme, attempt to sum up the story in a single word. Here are a few easy examples I found:

The Three Little Pigs:

A single word that symbolizes this story could be strength. Going into further details, the message we see is the importance of forward planning. We learn this by the comparison between the brick house and the straw house, since the story emphasizes the various building materials.

Little Red Riding Hood:

A single word for this story could be deception. This message is seen when the Wolf attempts to deceive the little girl in order to get the contents of the basket. Going into the details further, we could see this message as those who deceive do not win.

Romeo and Juliet:

Arguably one of the most popular love stories of all time is the tale of Romeo and Juliet. Love and friendship are frequently occurring themes in literature. This story focuses on love in a way that it withstands all obstacles, from disapproving families to even death.

Sherlock Holmes:

Detective novels are well known for using crime and mystery as themes. Sherlock Holmes is very popular in detective stories, solving complex puzzles and finding culprits. Going further into these stories, we can find themes such as “crime does not pay” or “crime will not escape justice”.

The Count of Monte Cristo:

A characters need for revenge is another theme found in many popular literary works. We see revenge as a theme in the Count of Monte Cristo, where he seeks retribution for the wrongs committed against him. Regarding stories with revenge as a theme, we can explore further by asking ourselves what is it about and if it was justified.

               The theme of a book is much like the message behind an abstract painting; it is not something obvious, but rather something that is comprehended upon reflection. This lesson has taught me the importance of having a theme, and that it needs a considerable amount of planning to incorporate it into the story. It is something i am happy to have looked into and that I will need to practice further.

    I hope you all enjoyed this post. Until next time.

    Cheers!

Patrick Osborne

 (edited on 01/12/2015)