9960 réponses à ce sujet

[nrobbiec]

Sorry hot_heart I'm not having a brain day can you explain what you mean in your qotd?

[Ignis Mors]

hot_heart wrote...

Ha, couldn't resist using a blunt Ship/person analogy like the one seen at the end of Serenity with Zoe. I wonder if it'll be as plainly obvious to the reader.

Essentially, it's:
"Why's it so dark in here? That's not good for morale."
"The Normandy was undergoing a retro-fit on Earth when the Reapers attacked. Other maintenance and repairs have since taken precedent."
That was months ago. I understand that the Normandy has been rushing about the galaxy, aiding the war effort, but you still have to look after your basic needs.
"Hey, Randa, want something to eat?"
"Not yet, I have something I need to do first."

So, QOTD, do you ever employ those sorts of literary techniques yourself? When, how, why? Share!

I don't know if I've done anything like that, but I know I spent an entire chapter filling in plot holes that I didn't know I'd left in it. 

[dpMeggers]

hot_heart wrote...

So, QOTD, do you ever employ those sorts of literary techniques yourself? When, how, why? Share!

I don't know how often I use analogies - I can't think of any specific examples so probably never. As for metaphors and similies, I think I mainly use them in dialogue but I also don't really think about them. I can actually only think of one example of a similie I've used, referring to Shepard "you fight like a rabid wolverine."

If your question is how often do you make (intentional?) references to other works the answer is infrequently but only becuase I really couldn't resist. I probably make a ton of unintentional references as well...

Edit: I've also managed to write in some accidental foreshadowing...does that count?

Modifié par dpMeggers, 28 mars 2013 - 05:04 .

[hot_heart]

Sorry, was on lunch at work and got interrupted before fleshing out my post. I guess I mean things like subtext. In my example, Miranda's thoughts about the Normandy echo her disregard for her own wellbeing, though she's unaware of it. In Serenity, Mal asks Zoe how the ship's doing and she responds with something like, "She's taken a beating but she'll hold together" with that as a comment on her own state of mind.

So I guess I mean, have you ever used things...to mean other things?

[enayasoul]

hot_heart wrote...

Sorry, was on lunch at work and got interrupted before fleshing out my post. I guess I mean things like subtext. In my example, Miranda's thoughts about the Normandy echo her disregard for her own wellbeing, though she's unaware of it. In Serenity, Mal asks Zoe how the ship's doing and she responds with something like, "She's taken a beating but she'll hold together" with that as a comment on her own state of mind.

So I guess I mean, have you ever used things...to mean other things?

Yes.  I love it when I can write a piece of dialog that can mean two different things.  Keep them guessing.  Maybe it gives a certain kind of tension/implications or whatever...  I think that is really good.  I've seen it done elsewhere and love it, personally.   (If I am correct in what your saying/describing...)

Not sure if I've used that kind of example you've described about the person's state of mind though.  But I think it's great when  you can examine other movie/tv shows and learn from them.  For example, I use to listen to the podcasts from the executive producers (creater and producer for Grey's Anatonmy) They would talk about last week's episode and where they saw the characters and how it all came about and where the characters might be going through in next week's episode but left it with a lot of questions... It was fun listening to their input and where they wanted to go with the season.
 

[dpMeggers]

I...not that I'm aware of? I don't think it meshes well with my writing style. (I don't know how I would describe my writing style...other than straightforward maybe?).

[hot_heart]

dpMeggers wrote...
I...not that I'm aware of? I don't think it meshes well with my writing style. (I don't know how I would describe my writing style...other than straightforward maybe?).

Yeah, I imagine that most people write like that, and that's perfectly fine. It's hard to work that sort of stuff in anyway, so I was interested to see if other people had attempted it before.

[Fatiguesdualism]

@hot_heart:  I'll admit to being envious of people who can make stuff like that work.  Creating dialogue that can work at several different levels at once is way beyond my talents though (heck recognising stuff like that is mostly beyond me! )  Can't stand symbolism/subtext much though, (kinda related) especially in scenes which only really work if you analyse it to death, (Yes my knuckles do get concrete burn as I walk )
Writer's dilemma:  Had a nice little scene to close my current chapter, all out-lined, reasoned etc, went and checked the Wiki page - lore problems (again!).  Now do you (a) throw your scene out the airlock,  ( stand by your idea and try to ignore that dirty feeling of violating lore for cheap emotional drama,  © swear  a lot.
PS - ignore © it's not really a solution, more of a lifestyle choice!

[MrStoob]

On the subject of sub-text/metaphor.

I don't think I often consciously use such techniques, though to be able to do so is admirable.

Generally, I'm feeling my recent lack of writing starting to drift away a bit. Typed a few things today I may or may not use, but at least words are hitting the document. Up'n'down like a fiddler's bloody elbow my output lol.

On a different note, tried to create some 'stills' from Skyrim to have a go at creating a sort of comic of a story I'd done and bugger me, Lydia's a bigger pain in the arse than I thought. Would she do as she was told so I could take the screenies? Grrr, frustrating woman. Before I could lock her AI and her position she'd be off to sit on a bench, or look at the sky, or face the other way. Will try again at some point but gave up our of frustration on that first sorta trial run. Anyhoo...

Modifié par MrStoob, 28 mars 2013 - 11:28 .

[nrobbiec]

@Fatiguesdualism it depends on the nature of the lore breaking, you haven't said what your scene actually is. If explained headcanon can cover everything. I mean, I covered EDI and the Geth surviving destroy with having her name on the memorial wall and explaining why the Quarians were wearing enviro-suits in the slide despite the Geth therapy.

[Ignis Mors]

 Just posted the last chapter of Meus Mundus I am going to write for a while. Just, haven't really been feeling that Mass Effect vibe. Luckily, I still have some stuff that I can write, or I'd go completely insane. Still, I'm so sad. Really enjoyed writing the last chapter, largely because it was all headcanon, but now, it's back to mostly canon, and I just... I can't get into the mood to write the canon. I had a lot of trouble with the chapter before this latest one for precisely that reason.

[Seracen]

enayasoul wrote...

hot_heart wrote...

Sorry, was on lunch at work and got interrupted before fleshing out my post. I guess I mean things like subtext. In my example, Miranda's thoughts about the Normandy echo her disregard for her own wellbeing, though she's unaware of it. In Serenity, Mal asks Zoe how the ship's doing and she responds with something like, "She's taken a beating but she'll hold together" with that as a comment on her own state of mind.

So I guess I mean, have you ever used things...to mean other things?

Yes.  I love it when I can write a piece of dialog that can mean two different things.  Keep them guessing.  Maybe it gives a certain kind of tension/implications or whatever...  I think that is really good.  I've seen it done elsewhere and love it, personally.   (If I am correct in what your saying/describing...)

Not sure if I've used that kind of example you've described about the person's state of mind though.  But I think it's great when  you can examine other movie/tv shows and learn from them.  For example, I use to listen to the podcasts from the executive producers (creater and producer for Grey's Anatonmy) They would talk about last week's episode and where they saw the characters and how it all came about and where the characters might be going through in next week's episode but left it with a lot of questions... It was fun listening to their input and where they wanted to go with the season.
 

Metaphors and similes are so ingrained in my modes of speech and thought, I rarely even notice when I do it anymore...

As such, I simply write in turns of phrase.  I have to force myself to tone back sometimes, otherwise it tends to get a bit overwhelming.

[Fatiguesdualism]

[Post deleted.  Because it really was too stupid to leave )

Modifié par Fatiguesdualism, 29 mars 2013 - 09:08 .

[Seracen]

Fatiguesdualism wrote...

Apologies for the following text wall: 
@nrobbiec:  Basically disgraced/pre-trial Shep's stealing the mid-refit Normandy from Arcturus before Cerberus does.  Shep takes the Normandy outside because Cerberus has control of the Arcturus com-network and EDI needs a direct line of sight to a transmitter to raise the alarm - none inside sealed hangar, (kinda like Cerberus coup situation).  From there I need to get Shep moving to the Citadel so two options. 

(A) Reapers arrive, blow the hell out of everything, survivors run away (not first choice), or

( Cerberus sics an Alliance cruiser on Normandy (Die Hard 4? F-35 situation - compromised comms) Shep talks the cruiser captain down but Cerberus ship shows up & one-shots the cruiser (intact Collector base so tech advantage Cerberus).  Normandy's in no state for a fight (mid re-fit) so Shep runs hoping to draw off the Cerberus ship/other motive.  Go direct to Citadel.

The problem with ( is Shep doesn't know all that many Alliance personnel who could conceivably be the cruiser captain (Hackett/Anderson/Hannah Shepard my in-game list).  Hackett's CO of the 5th fleet - already mentioned in fic plus I listed 1st fleet as guarding Arcturus (goofed up there), and Anderson's on the Citadel as Udina's advisor - plot reasons.  Was going to use Hannah as the poor, doomed captain (for bonus villain points  was thinking of suggesting Miranda could be the Cerberus captain - MShep/Miri relationship more strain)

Looked up wiki for Hannah's ME2 listed command (wanted the name), turns out she's the captain of the 5th fleets flagship dreadnaught.  Doesn't seem right Hannah would be 'demoted' to a cruiser captain in another fleet, especially as Hackett's just received the nomination for Head Admiral of the entire System Alliance Navy. 

But have difficulty working ( without a familiar face for Shep to 'talk down'  Kaiden died on Virmire (sorry!) and Ash is only being bumped up to Lt (might leave her as chief though).  If Hannah stays on established command, can't see the navy approving the expense of bringing a dreadnaught all the way to Arcturus just to transport one admiral, also hesitant to give Cerberus the fire-power to one-shot an Alliance dreadnaught.

Don't particularly want to do a lot of exposition for a new char/change of established lore, personally feel it breaks pacing at the end of a chapter, plus it's already overdue and much longer than it's predecessors.

PS: It's ten past two here and I need to get sleep before getting back up, so sorry in advance if I don't reply

Sorry about the reformatting, I needed to do so in order to parse the questions.

Anyhoo, there are a few people you could use, actually.

From ME1: rear Admiral Mikhailovic (demoted perhaps), Zabaleta (reinstated perhaps)

Most fitting, IMO: an understudy of Adm. Kohoku, and you can create your own char this way...they'd trust Shep and hate Cerberus too.

From ME2: there were a few side missions (one offs) where you did missions for the Alliance Brass.  I can't remember the name of the officers, but it was one of the N7 Missions, and the leader of a "Battle Group."

If you look up the MEHEM mod, this battlegroup is used to "Save Shepard" at the end.

I imagine anything from ME3 is pointless, timeline wise, so you could also always draw from the books and comics...perhaps Jack Harper's CO, or an understudy of Adm Grissom (and thus, a friend of Kahlee Sanders).

Fatiguesdualism wrote...
PPS: How the goodness did it just take me nearly an hour to type thjis?  Actuqlly just ignore this post. I'll dekete it in the morning.

HAHAHA!!! 

Modifié par Seracen, 29 mars 2013 - 02:45 .

[Seracen]

Ignis Mors wrote...

 Just posted the last chapter of Meus Mundus I am going to write for a while. Just, haven't really been feeling that Mass Effect vibe. Luckily, I still have some stuff that I can write, or I'd go completely insane. Still, I'm so sad. Really enjoyed writing the last chapter, largely because it was all headcanon, but now, it's back to mostly canon, and I just... I can't get into the mood to write the canon. I had a lot of trouble with the chapter before this latest one for precisely that reason.

I understand completely.  My current fic was originally going to be "deleted chapters" that took place over the course of ME3.

During conceptualization, I found I had no passion for this approach, even though I had fully crafted an ending that satisfied me.

Hence what I am doing now.  Even still, it's hard to focus on it sometimes, distractions abound!

You should only do it if you enjoy it, but hHere's hoping you find the spark you need.

Modifié par Seracen, 29 mars 2013 - 02:49 .

[dpMeggers]

hot_heart wrote...

dpMeggers wrote...
I...not that I'm aware of? I don't think it meshes well with my writing style. (I don't know how I would describe my writing style...other than straightforward maybe?).

Yeah, I imagine that most people write like that, and that's perfectly fine. It's hard to work that sort of stuff in anyway, so I was interested to see if other people had attempted it before.

I think part of it is also a matter of perspective/characters?

IIRC you write in first person as Miranda, so that gives you a bit more room for idiosyncratic narrative, because it's an established character doing the narrating - almost more like a monologue with dialogue rather than narrative with dialogue. As well, Miranda is a highly educated and intelligent woman who spent years working for a secretive organization and she's got massive trust issues, so she would probably have developed the ability to say things by saying other things fairly early on.

I write in more of a third person limited perspective, which limits my opportunties to be all fancy-like to dialogue. As for my characters, Shepard is a self-educated street rat with a fairly literal mindset (blunt), Robbie is a Navy brat, marine and a people person who wears his heart on his sleeve (no filter) and Tess is an angry, laconic teenager (doesn't talk much or temper rants). Because of their upbringings/personalities they're all fairly straightforward people.

Another part is that I can't be arsed. I'm writing a buddy-fic (or I was trying to...somehow it got much more serious than I originially intended) so I focus more on the characters and their interactions than silly things like plot. 

That being said I do make use of foreshadowing if you look for it. Or I will, when I finish the next couple of chapters (that is to say, the foreshadowing is there, but the events that were foreshadowed have not yet occured). 

To Ignis Moris and Mr. Stoob: a recommendation that worked for me - if you're not feeling the vibe, take a break. Take as long as you need. It took me 8 months between my most recent chapter and the chapter before that. I lost my passion for the project, and it took that long to get it back. Now I'm writing again and enjoying it, even if it is kicking my butt, I'm bound and determined to see it through, but it took me a while to get back to that point.

[MrStoob]

dpMeggers wrote...
To Ignis Moris and Mr. Stoob: a recommendation that worked for me - if you're not feeling the vibe, take a break. Take as long as you need. It took me 8 months between my most recent chapter and the chapter before that. I lost my passion for the project, and it took that long to get it back. Now I'm writing again and enjoying it, even if it is kicking my butt, I'm bound and determined to see it through, but it took me a while to get back to that point.

I do take 'breaks' as it were though technically involuntary, but always at the back of the mind is the niggle that I should be writing something.  I do seem to have peaks and troughs of writing, sometimes outputing several chapters a day for a few weeks then nothing.  It happens.  Generally creatively low atm, barely touched me guitar of late.  Like I said, I'm at least getting something down at the mo, and stupidly posted the beginnings of an alternative project I was thinking of doing to try and spur myself to get back into that one too.  I love a challenge, me. 

[hot_heart]

dpMeggers wrote...
I think part of it is also a matter of perspective/characters?

Oh, there is that, too. However, it's not just limited to dialogue/monologue; it can include the environment or actions.

In my example, Miranda is actually unaware of the relation between the two; I find it useful because it's not quite as blunt as outright stating it.

I'm probably not explaining it very well, but essentially it is another form of analogy/metaphor/allegory/symbolism. Just another way of presenting a theme/idea in a more subtle manner.

Fatiguesdualism wrote...
( Cerberus sics an Alliance cruiser on Normandy (Die Hard 4? F-35 situation - compromised comms) Shep talks the cruiser captain down but Cerberus ship shows up & one-shots the cruiser (intact Collector base so tech advantage Cerberus).  Normandy's in no state for a fight (mid re-fit) so Shep runs hoping to draw off the Cerberus ship/other motive.  Go direct to Citadel.

The problem with ( is Shep doesn't know all that many Alliance personnel who could conceivably be the cruiser captain

Would Shepard necessarily have to talk down the Alliance captain? Would be a little more shocking if perhaps Shepard failed and Cerberus 'saved' them with a surprise attack at the last moment.

Just a suggestion though. [smilie]http://social.bioware.com/images/forum/emoticons/smile.png[/smilie]

Modifié par hot_heart, 29 mars 2013 - 01:53 .

[dpMeggers]

Question of the day time!

Going along with Mr. Stoob and nrobbiec 's photo share a few pages ago, I thought maybe we should have a bit of a 'tell us about yourself' question today.

The question(s): Tell us about your screen name/handle/ whatever you want to call it. How old is it? What does it mean? Do you still like it? If yes, why, if no, why not?

<- name is there
The dp stands for Dread Pirate, so the full name is Dread Pirate Meggers (or, alternatively, Dwead Piwate Meggaws). I've used it as a handle since high school - a friend of mine came up with it for me.

She was bored in biology class, had recently watched the Princess Bride, decided that my limp was like having a peg leg, my glasses were like an eyepatch and suddenly I had cartoons being drawn about me as Dread Pirate me (as you might have guessed, my real life nickname is probably Meggers). I thought it was funny, so I've used it for years.

I'm still fond enough of it that I used one of the cartoons as my 'avatar' for my fanfiction.net account.

[hot_heart]

Mine is a song by Rocket From The Crypt. Came about when I had to make an Xbox ID and didn't want something too long or with numbers and such in it.

My FF.net name is a pun on my real name but also shows my affinity for hard-boiled crime fiction.

[nrobbiec]

my middle name and my first and surname initials. It's still me but gives me anonymity at the same time. My fanfic one, to it's ports I've been is just a quote from a game. I'm not big on like officially owning up to it.

[Ignis Mors]

 I chose cthulu1 because all the other names I tried didn't work, and I'd been playing a lot of Scribblenauts at the time, mainly solving puzzles by summoning cthulu with various adjectives to fit the topic. Ignis Mors, well, I was kinda in a down mood, and had been reading through the Wheel of Time series again, particularly in a balefire heavy use period of it, and I thought, 'Hmm, Balefire is a lot like fire of death. Hey, that'd be a good BSN handle in latin.'  a bit boring motif, but hey, it's all there is. They still fit. Though, I think they should have something about bacon in them. mmm bacon. 

[MrStoob]

My name? It's a variation on my nickname(s). My name is Stuart. When I was very young, about six or something, I saw a pair of 'Stubert' shoes in a shop and thought it said 'Stuart', being young and not yet completely literate. My two older brothers thought this was hilarious and mocked me by calling me Stubert instead of Stuart which at the time, annoyed me and they knew it. It eventually shortened to 'Stub' and that has been my name since. Virtually no-one calls me 'Stuart', almost always 'Stub'.

When in my teens... I had a friend (a bit odd, smoked a lot of dope, not that there's anything wrong with that) who was playing a lot of 'Bubble Bobble' at the time and would variate its name to French sounding things like 'Booblé Boblé' and in turn, 'Stooblé Boblé' and a nickname variation became 'Stoob'. Another was 'Stoob de Boob Toob' but we'll skip that...

So coming here, the username 'Stoob' was already taken and I went with 'MrStoob' lol.

[Obsidian Gryphon]

I've been using the name since the internet went online though I've a couple of others that are different for other forums. but Obsidian Gryphon has always been the main.

Gryphon because I like mythological creatures and I chose it for its symbolism. If I chose to display a gryphon avatar, it's always the one with the wings, not the horn.

Since gryphon is not a unique handle, i had to put in another. Hence, Obsidian, which is known as the Crystal of Truth and a symbol of peace.

Modifié par Obsidian Gryphon, 30 mars 2013 - 12:20 .

[fluffywalrus]

nrobbiec wrote...

my middle name and my first and surname initials. It's still me but gives me anonymity at the same time. My fanfic one, to it's ports I've been is just a quote from a game. I'm not big on like officially owning up to it.

Alan Wake reference? At least, I am pretty sure it is. Wonderful game. Absolutely wonderful.

Mine was spawned from a dream I had of a fluffy walrus that was in my living room, eating pizza with me. It's a memory that's stuck, and a particularly funny one, so I decided to call my username after it.

tl:dr I chose my name because it makes me laugh