Comments on: The Visual Writer's Guide to Pacing & Tension

By: Sacha Black

Sacha Black — Fri, 22 Jul 2016 19:32:57 +0000

Oh I completely agree – it’s like genre tropes – they are there for a reason – because people like them but that doesn’t mean we have to replicate them – be fluid – be unique

By: ibewriting

ibewriting — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 18:55:42 +0000

In reply to Sacha Black.

I hope you like it. I’ve written it up mostly for my own practice, rather than other eyes. It’s partly an attempt to battle through the tendency to not put my self out there. An attempt to get opinionated, as I’m not generally like that. The story circle is a fun brainstorming tool, but I think if you stuck tight to that format for your final draft it might not be so great. The key is flexibility; focus on setting your imagination free, rather than aiming to strike plot points at given times. Like this; you’re stuck at stage 4 – what should I write next? No idea. Well so let the characters search for something. Something trivial even, and perhaps in the process something meaningful will be found. The trivial item can be exchanged for something more story-specific in later drafts.

By: Sacha Black

Sacha Black — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 08:08:11 +0000

In reply to ibewriting.

Thank you 😀 I am so going to check out that system – thanks for the recommendation 😀 Sounds really helpful. 😀 At the end of the day, anything that works at the end of the day. AND LOL – free time? What’s that :p

By: ibewriting

ibewriting — Sun, 17 Jul 2016 18:18:40 +0000

That is one sweet graph. I love a good visual system! This month I’m thinking circular; inspired by Dan Harmon’s ultra-simplified story circle, which is based on Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey: Start with a couple of opposed notions; an external one (eg. home vs exile), and internal one (eg. selfish vs selfless), and you slap them into the circle top vs bottom (home top, exile bottom) and right vs left (selfish right, selfless left). Count out 7 steps around it, clockwise to pace out key incidents that will be your story engine. It’s for brainstorming: My plan is to start there, throw down a seven step story and then add details, layering up using Campbell’s more detailed circle as a guide. It’s going to happen. It’s going to work… but likely not until the kids go back to school. Meanwhile I’m blogging structure, plot, brainstorming systems. I want to be ready to launch when I get my free time at last.

By: Sacha Black

Sacha Black — Thu, 19 May 2016 12:00:35 +0000

In reply to dgkaye. LOL

By: dgkaye

dgkaye — Thu, 19 May 2016 00:06:57 +0000

In reply to Sacha Black. You're making my head fat! <3

By: Helen Jones

Helen Jones — Wed, 18 May 2016 21:25:32 +0000

In reply to Sacha Black. Eek! You are working so hard! xx

By: Sacha Black

Sacha Black — Wed, 18 May 2016 20:37:20 +0000

In reply to dgkaye. You are too lovely. Did I ever tell you that? <3

By: Sacha Black

Sacha Black — Wed, 18 May 2016 20:36:13 +0000

In reply to Helen Jones. Thanks Helen. Sorry for delay! the post is now all ready to go tomorrow! eek.

By: Let's CUT the Crap!

Let's CUT the Crap! — Sun, 15 May 2016 15:14:25 +0000

In reply to Sacha Black. ;-)