8061 réponses à ce sujet

[Tryynity]

No - not boring at all I just read it


EDIT - someone take my [TOP] - I still havent got a decent picture yet

Modifié par Tryynity, 23 octobre 2011 - 11:09 .

[Bitenomnom]

 I hope this will do?


@Tryynity: Aww, thank you! I responded to the questions that you asked in the comments section. Sorry things were a tad bit confusing. XD

[Aroihkin]

Tryynity wrote...

LOL I know about Zev's & Tannu's arrangement but it just looked like that and no I only link stuff that way you get the traffice - if that means anything to you.

I have my own website and its very Google centred so traffic is everything to me LOL

Well, it makes them more likely to comment on it, and where I'll see it, so that's always good. XD

*is a review/comment whoar*

Have an update, Zevthread.

[Bitenomnom]

So pretty! *.* All the details! Goodness...
It's awesome seeing this at various states as you work on it.

[Tryynity]

That really is awesome - Aro - and dont feel bad about being a comment hoar - we are all performers and since we dont get paid, even if we did, its still nice to hear we dun good!

(in best Bruce Almighty voice) "You dun guud ! "

Im so wanting to get my Daz modeling stuff back now or maybe poser - but I would probably have to buy all the Zev models or whatever... really I want to save my money for DA2 and Sony Vegas Movie Editor   too many things I want

Modifié par Tryynity, 24 octobre 2011 - 07:33 .

[Klidi]

tklivory wrote...



Pearl of Wisdom

Time Limit: 3 hours

Deadline: 8pm PST Monday 24th October

Am I late? I probably am, I don't have time to search for time converter now. Here's my little piece of silliness:

Love Thy Neighbour

Time: 2 hours

[Zaxarus]

I think you're just in time.

A little question you all being stroy readers/writers yourself:
What do you like more for a longer story (like my complete DAO playthru), being written in past tense or present tense?

Modifié par Zaxarus, 24 octobre 2011 - 05:03 .

[Corker]

Past tense.

[tklivory]

@ Klidi - The cutoff point for submitting items for this weeks prompt is tonight at 8PM PST, so you're good. Thank you all for your fills, and I would welcome anyone who wishes to submit another one before the deadline!

Modifié par tklivory, 24 octobre 2011 - 05:23 .

[Klidi]

Ah, that's good. I must find and bookmark some good site with time converter.

@Zaxarus - it depends. Mostly past tense, but sometimes I feel I just have to write it in present tense - usually stories that are very emotional, like Zev holding Warden's lifeless body after the fight with the Archdemon. I tried to write it in past tense, and it didn't work at all. The moment I changed it to present tense, it became much more expressive.

But for normal stories, I prefer past tense, it's... the most flexible? Does that make any sense?

[Bitenomnom]

@Zaxarus: I think it depends on what you're going for. If the story/character lends itself more to a sense of immediacy or what-have-you, then I think present tense would be fine. But if it's more reflective/detached/"a look back on what happened now that we're wiser," then I'd choose past tense. Most of the bits that I've written for what'll hopefully eventually become the (playthrough-type) story of my Warden have been in present tense (flashbacks occurring in past tense). Even when I try writing them in the past tense I change my mind halfway through and go back and change them...this character is really resistant to reflection/introspection, so I think it suits her. XD You could always try writing some part of it in both, read them side-by-side, and see what feels right? And if it feels right to you, then probably it'll feel right to the reader/get that idea across to them properly...if one feels better than the other, it's probably so for a reason. Just a guess, though. >_> Don't mind me. Haha.

(All that being said, the majority of stories seem to be written in past tense, so that's something to consider. Some people seem to be uncomfortable with present tense...but I think if it's done right, 's all good.)

Edit: 
@Klidi: Yeah, stuff like that is what I was thinking of, that really lends itself to present tense. But I think you're right in saying that past tense can be more flexible.

Modifié par Bitenomnom, 24 octobre 2011 - 05:42 .

[Aroihkin]

@ Bitenomnom and Tryynity: Thanks! I've only done maybe a dozen things in photoderp so far, so hopefully I'll like it when it's done and still like it a year from now. XD I still like the other S&S picture I did in it.

@ Zaxarus: Folks have already answered pretty well, but I'll throw my two cents in too. XD Like others have said, it depends on what you're writing. Long fics, though, I would default to past tense. It's what most novels are written in, etc.

Although I don't shy away from making use of other styles, too. The first chapter of Immovable Object (my neglected f!Tabris fic) is in second person present tense while the rest of it is in third person past tense. Several pieces of Silver and Scarlet (my m!Surana kinkmeme romp) are in third person present tense.

I've actually done a lot of (RP) writing in third person present tense, since that's what MUSHes use by default. It's not a bad format, but it does take some adjusting to if used long-term (or read long-term). I still prefer past tense for the long haul, personally. Anything that jars the reader out of immersion works against you, so you have to make sure there's a good reason for it, and most readers are definitely more used to past tense.

Modifié par Aroihkin, 24 octobre 2011 - 06:17 .

[Hilde]

Time escaped me this last week, so no entry from me this time around.
I believe I have caught up on everyone's entries, and they have all been very enjoyable!! It really makes for a fun afternoon of reading.

[tklivory]

@klidi - Don't know if it's 'good', per se, but here is a time converter site 

Now, for the present/past tense discussion:

The default taught for fictional writing is past tense, as others have said.  However, I have (as experiments) written in past/present/future tense, and from first/second/third POV, as well as read many examples of each.  So, I'll go ahead and make a couple of points:

Present and future tense, when used correctly, can be an extremely effective storytelling tool, as it adds a visceral and immediate level to the story that puts the reader in the shoes of the main character in a way that past tense just can't manage.  Having read entire books in present tense (haven't found one in future tense), however, I can say that present tense is a tool that can quickly become stale and overused if used for too long.  My simple rule for using present tense is this: how long can I realistically expect the reader to want to *be* my character?  In general, most people can maintain that for a short period of time, but not longer.  Movies, for example (a medium that comprises of nothing *but* present tense for the most part), generally have a time limit of 1.5-2 hours (there are longer and shorter, but that's a good average time for a movie).  I think this is partially because a consumer's mind (whether of a book or a movie) can only make themselves *be* someone else for a limited amount of time.  So I would limit your use of present tense with that limitation in mind.

The mixture of present and past tense can, however, be quite effective - especially if you use present tense for short scenes for tense or active situations.  The best mixture of tense usage I've seen was when the narrative was told in third person, past tense, but it was interspersed with short scenes told in first person/present tense.  That way you can describe what you need to, but still reach out and grab the reader's attention with present tense intervals.

Also, don't forget about first/second perspective.  The default for most writing is third person, but the other two can be very useful.  Second person can be veeery tricky to use, but the best horror short stories I've ever read were second person/present tense.  ("You open the door, unsure of what you will find, not knowing whether you will be granted another breath.")

Anyway, that's probably a bit more than you were looking for, but...  oh, well!  Hope you get something useful out of it.

EDIT: dangit, now I want to write a DA story in second/present mixture.    Sigh, silly silly writing bug...  Hmmm...

Modifié par tklivory, 24 octobre 2011 - 06:41 .

[Bitenomnom]

@tklivory: Ooh, that's a really good point. I hadn't considered the idea of present tense being tiresome over long periods of time. (I have written longer fanfic-type stuff in present tense and it didn't seem to be an issue -- but it was from first person, so it was a bit different, I think.) Perhaps when I get to filling my Warden's story (many bits of which have been in present tense) in I shall have to consider mixing tenses, or see just how many of those scenes could be made to work in past tense. Punctuating past tense with some present tense scenes every now and again actually sounds really neat.

[Klidi]

Hmmm... Interesting. ^^ I'm aware I'm probably a weird minority in this, but I don't identify with the characters I read about. I don't see a reason for it. And it's easier for me to fully enjoy the story, all its aspects, if I keep bit distance from it. So when I write, I don't have that in mind, either. I write for my readers, but not about them. Things like person or tense are chosen based on my decision what is best for the story, not for the reader.

[Tryynity]

Zaxarus wrote...

I think you're just in time.

A little question you all being stroy readers/writers yourself:
What do you like more for a longer story (like my complete DAO playthru), being written in past tense or present tense?

Depends on the situation, story, scene for me

If you have a good character - I could be them all day with no issues personally but it may be tiresome for others, but Im used to being in a character and I have triggers that turn it on and off - on the other hand I cannot play/write a character if I dont relate to them/like them.... but I can like/hate Alistair and still play/write him coz he is a good/well written character - does that make sense? hahaha

Actors are in character as long as it takes to film/perform their bits.

I have been told a writer reads more than they write - so I would suggest reading and finding which style suits you the best.

Modifié par Tryynity, 24 octobre 2011 - 09:29 .

[Hilde]

tklivory wrote...


Pearl of Wisdom

Interpret this as you will!  Whether this refers to a moment of wisdom dispensed by (or to) our favorite Antivan, or an excursion to our favorite Denerim establishment, or anything in between, I want to see the creativity within our community!  Have fun!

I was, very happily wrong. Not only did I find a section of time but inspiration came along side it!

Drowning in Dwarven Ale

Time: 1.5 hours
Prompts: 3

[Zaxarus]

You all are wonderful.
The answers were way more than i dared to hope.
For the beginning, my trying phase so to speak, i think i'll go with the suggestion of tklivory:
the bulk of the story 3rd person/past tense with some special scenes in 1st person present tense. I think that to be a good and not too complicated rule to start with, while i have so many other things to learn. 2nd person or future tense, that's for a later time.

Modifié par Zaxarus, 24 octobre 2011 - 10:31 .

[Shadow of Light Dragon]

Zaxarus wrote...

I think you're just in time.

A little question you all being stroy readers/writers yourself:
What do you like more for a longer story (like my complete DAO playthru), being written in past tense or present tense?

Both can be well done. Most of the fics I've read/written are past tense, but a couple have been present and I enjoyed them just as much.

[tklivory]

THE FINAL JUDGING!  *dun dun* (how do you write the Law & Order scene transition sound, anyway?)



Pearl of Wisdom

Interpret this as you will!  Whether this refers to a moment of wisdom dispensed by (or to) our favorite Antivan, or an excursion to our favorite Denerim establishment, or anything in between, I want to see the creativity within our community!  Have fun!

Time Limit: 3 hours

Deadline: 8pm PST Monday 24th October

Media: Any which way but loose (errr, I mean, anything and everything)

Prize:  Not being an artist, I've come up with a couple of different alternatives from which to choose:
1) A DA:O .mor/mrh/mop file designed to your specifications (or at least as close as I can get it) - sorry, PC users only!
2) Copyediting of a piece of your own writing (max word limit: 200K) and conversion to eBook format of your choice
3) A lovely stick figure drawing (ummm... like I said, I'm not an artist)
4) Unstinting praise of a job well done


Tklivory - Wisdom of the Ancients - a total non-entry.  I mean, it’s short, it's obvious, it's like the writer wasn’t even try---  Heeeey!


Corker - Aphorisms - NSFW, DEFCON 2!  Oh, Maker, what did I unleash!  Please read it, and know that you will never look at aphorisms the same way ever again.  Poor Richard may never recover…  Or, he just might have said:
     “If you would not be forgotten
      As soon as you are dead and rotten,
      Either write things worthy reading,
      Or do things worth the writing.”


Zaxarus - Hard Shell - A very sweet moment!  Though a literal pearl lay at the center of this story, you still showed Zevran as the master of words and the finer arts of seduction regarding his actual Pearl.  Thank you!


Tryynity - Freedom is a State of Mind - Bittersweet, as epiphany so often can be.  Excellent portrayal of Zevran taking mastery of himself.  I especially liked the wonderful parallel between his thoughts in this scene, and his scene in the Fade during the Mage Tower – same setting, different time, excellent method to show his development as a person.


Herr Uhl - Untitled - It is teh awesome.  What else need be said?


Bitenomnom - Into the Current - Excellent rendition of an off-panel scene during the Blight.  As presented, it is a poignant picture of the self-deprecating nature of Zevran that is so endearing.  I also loved Rima’s introspection and reluctant honesty during that moment that is the core of the central theme around the Grey Wardens: what does death mean if it is chosen?  Lovely.


Klidi - Love Thy Neighbor - Harpies, indeed!  (Although, for some reason, I pictured them as crotchety old men in a balcony somewhere…  and if you don’t get that reference…)  Cleverly written, and of course Zevran still gets in the last word.  Priceless!


Hilde - Drowning in Dwarven Ale - Why are taverns so fun to write scenes in?  I love it!  The interplay between all the characters was fun, and very touching when it came to Elam and Zevran.    But then who wouldn’t want Antivan…advice from Zevran?



Woohoo!  What a week of fills!  Thanks, everybody!  So many excellent fills to choose from!  *shakes fist at Corker*  And you did not make it easy, woman!  Aargh!  (Puts thinking cap on) Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm…

This week I will be giving the nod to Tryynity.   Though the setting was grim, it was an excellent showcase of Zevran: by demonstrating slices of his past and present, the story neatly encapsulated the underlying strength that lies at the core of the character.  Excellent work!  (NOTE: If you wish to claim one of the stipulated prizes, please let me know!)

Though seriously – read them all, folks.  They’s all good.

NEXT:
Not sure who the next prompt should go to... Maybe Tryynity, since Zaxarus just did it last week?

Modifié par tklivory, 25 octobre 2011 - 05:44 .

[Bitenomnom]

Hooray! Congrats, Tryynity! =D

(I think that she and I have both done one prompt, right? Since she's done hers more recently than I did mine, if she wants to take a break I can try to think something up. Otherwise, I'm perfectly content with whoever else taking a turn instead, but I thought I'd put it out there just in case. Are there any not-prompt-newbies around who've gone a large span of time without having a turn while us new people started popping in and stealing all the prompts? =p Corker, Hilde, etc.?)

[tklivory]

Bitenomnom wrote...

Hooray! Congrats, Tryynity! =D

(I think that she and I have both done one prompt, right? Since she's done hers more recently than I did mine, if she wants to take a break I can try to think something up. Otherwise, I'm perfectly content with whoever else taking a turn instead, but I thought I'd put it out there just in case. Are there any not-prompt-newbies around who've gone a large span of time without having a turn while us new people started popping in and stealing all the prompts? =p Corker, Hilde, etc.?)

As the noobiest noob of them all in the prompt business (i think?) I will defer to the long-termers on the board.  As far as I could figure, you, Tryynity, Zaxarus and I have all done one prompt.  Other than that, it was hard to keep track...

[Bitenomnom]

@tklivory: I'm pretty new as well so I'm going to do the same and let somebody who's been around longer figure this out, haha. >_>
(Oh, and I forgot to thank you for saying such nice things about my entry. Aww. ^^)

[Zaxarus]

Congrats Tryynity
But please write a sequel someday. I really can't stand bad endings with Zev, even with epiphany.

I've no idea about a new prompt currently. So if anyone else would be so nice ...