9962 réponses à ce sujet

[Tairis Deamhan]

Seracen wrote...

FIRSTLY: I DID NOT POST THIS...LOL
*snip*
Yeah, under those standards, I KNOW there are folks in this board alone who could churn out an amazing product to the masses, if the situation was managed properly.  Therein lies the rub, however...

Weird dunno why it used your name cause I swear I just hit the 'quote' button the post.

My point was regarding the 'no money in amaetur creativity' statement anyways not the fanfic on amazon in particular. There is plenty of opportunity to make money off amaetur creativity if you're willing to work for it was my point.

It is definitely half actual creativity and half management.

[JasonShepard]

So, question: How do you separate your own voice from Shepard's when writing Shepard?

I can write Garrus. I can write EDI. I can just about manage Liara. But if I try Shepard, I get a decent way into it, then realise that I'm basically writing an idealised version of myself.

Now, up to a point, this is still accurate. The problem is that I only determined the thoughts behind Shepard - Bioware determined how he (or she) spoke, the tones of voice used, the mannerisms and choice of words. Bioware had a 'surface personality' in mind when they wrote all that, distinct from whatever the player brought to the table.

My usual approach to capturing a character's voice is to remember their background, and read some of their in-game dialogue. This doesn't work for Shepard because because his background is separated from his in-game voice, and his in-game voice is distinctly variable.

Modifié par JasonShepard, 30 mai 2013 - 07:22 .

[MrStoob]

JasonShepard wrote...

So, question: How do you separate your own voice from Shepard's when writing Shepard?

I can write Garrus. I can write EDI. I can just about manage Liara. But if I try Shepard, I get a decent way into it, then realise that I'm basically writing an idealised version of myself.

Now, up to a point, this is still accurate. The problem is that I only determined the thoughts behind Shepard - Bioware determined how he (or she) spoke, the tones of voice used, the mannerisms and choice of words. Bioware had a 'surface personality' in mind when they wrote all that, distinct from whatever the player brought to the table.

My usual approach to capturing a character's voice is to remember their background, and read some of their in-game dialogue. This doesn't work for Shepard because because his background is separated from his in-game voice, and his in-game voice is distinctly variable.

If the character is working, it's working.  :happy:

Where inspiration comes from don't really matter I don't reckon.

I don't think my own character comes through Shepard, per se.  My own voice will no doubt spread throughout the writing but as Shepard is so far removed from myself, I write from her perspective, or probably more accurately, what I imagine it would be.

Oh, and I'm a bloke writing a female Shepard, whether that makes any diff or not...?

Edit:
Uh-oh, waffle...

I very much have Jennifer Hale's voice in my head when I write her.  And as someone well versed in the art of sarcastic wit, I apply a lot of that to her lines.  Much more so than the other characters for me, when it's a Liara and Shepard scene, and to a large extent Ashley, their voices make it almost easy to write for.  We'll all have certain characters like that I'd imagine.  I overlooked a lot of characters in my ME trilogy Blue because I never really found their 'voice', and that I had no back story or character trait/quirk I wanted to expand on.

Modifié par MrStoob, 30 mai 2013 - 08:26 .

[Ignis Mors]

MrStoob wrote...

JasonShepard wrote...

So, question: How do you separate your own voice from Shepard's when writing Shepard?

I can write Garrus. I can write EDI. I can just about manage Liara. But if I try Shepard, I get a decent way into it, then realise that I'm basically writing an idealised version of myself.

Now, up to a point, this is still accurate. The problem is that I only determined the thoughts behind Shepard - Bioware determined how he (or she) spoke, the tones of voice used, the mannerisms and choice of words. Bioware had a 'surface personality' in mind when they wrote all that, distinct from whatever the player brought to the table.

My usual approach to capturing a character's voice is to remember their background, and read some of their in-game dialogue. This doesn't work for Shepard because because his background is separated from his in-game voice, and his in-game voice is distinctly variable.

If the character is working, it's working.  :happy:

Where inspiration comes from don't really matter I don't reckon.

I don't think my own character comes through Shepard, per se.  My own voice will no doubt spread throughout the writing but as Shepard is so far removed from myself, I write from her perspective, or probably more accurately, what I imagine it would be.

Oh, and I'm a bloke writing a female Shepard, whether that makes any diff or not...?

At least for me I've found that writing for a female Shepard is a lot easier than a male one 'cause all my male shep's tend to be almost exactly like me. Which makes them not very interesting people. 

[MrStoob]

Writing a female Shepard, I'm much more comfortable writing emotional scenes, be they loving ones or teary sobbing ones or whatever. Not sure I could pull it off with a male character.

A RL friend had read a few bits and bobs of my FF and correctly noted that in general, there were not many male characters in my writings at all. And yea, I think I am more comfortable writing female characters in general. I've not yet... had a female reader say, "OMG! You so don't know women... stupid man!"

Make of all this what you will...

[hot_heart]

JasonShepard wrote...
So, question: How do you separate your own voice from Shepard's when writing Shepard?

By using the ME3 version.

[Drussius]

MrStoob wrote...

Writing a female Shepard, I'm much more comfortable writing emotional scenes, be they loving ones or teary sobbing ones or whatever. Not sure I could pull it off with a male character.

A RL friend had read a few bits and bobs of my FF and correctly noted that in general, there were not many male characters in my writings at all. And yea, I think I am more comfortable writing female characters in general. I've not yet... had a female reader say, "OMG! You so don't know women... stupid man!"

Make of all this what you will...

I tend to write female characters a lot too, as anyone who read my fic probably realizes. But then I think my tendency to appreciate and identify with female characters so much comes from life experience. My best friend as a child was the girl next door. In fact, the only other boy in my neighborhood as a child was my younger brother, but there were plenty of girls around. And all through junior high and high school more of my friends were girls than guys. I also have two daughters. So I guess I just have a lot more life experience with girls to draw on in my writing.

[Seracen]

I believe it's a matter of what's in your headspace in the first place. As Stoob said, it it works, use it.

I never really felt like I was Shep though. As such, I see my personal influence on him to be about as much as any other character I am writing. You can't help but put a bit of yourself in there, but I don't see that as anything wrong.

[Arcian]

I have no idea if this question is even applicable here, but here goes:

Does anyone have a clue where to find a reliable conversation editor like the ones available in the NWN Editors (1 and 2)? AFAIK BioWare used those exact conversation editors for Mass Effect dialogue, but I can't find them as separate programs anywhere.

[MrStoob]

Arcian wrote...

I have no idea if this question is even applicable here, but here goes:

Does anyone have a clue where to find a reliable conversation editor like the ones available in the NWN Editors (1 and 2)? AFAIK BioWare used those exact conversation editors for Mass Effect dialogue, but I can't find them as separate programs anywhere.

Not sure on programs but are those like the colour coded ones?

[Seracen]

Arcian wrote...

I have no idea if this question is even applicable here, but here goes:

Does anyone have a clue where to find a reliable conversation editor like the ones available in the NWN Editors (1 and 2)? AFAIK BioWare used those exact conversation editors for Mass Effect dialogue, but I can't find them as separate programs anywhere.

There was a program I saw a while back for something like this.  IIRC, they were generally packaged with toolkits, or were plugins for such.  As such, you may be hard pressed to find them for BW works, as the closest thing to a TK is Gibbed, and that's only a save editor.

You may look at some of the stuff they made for FF7 and FF8 on PC.  There were quite a few fan-brew programs that were created to modify text files, etc.  Some of that stuff may carry over, depending on engines and such.

Barring that, you could also look at the script editors in general.  I think it'll work as long as it's Unreal Engine compatible.  Alas, the most robust toolkit I've ever used is for Oblivion and Skyrim; and I doubt that'll help.

EDIT: you may want to get in contact with some of the PC Modders for ME3.  There have been new CG cutscenes, as well as unvoiced dialog (or voice clipped dialogue) added in.  Ofttimes, however, I beleive this was as much photo/video shop as anything else.

I got in contact with quite a few of them during a compilation I was working on, so it's still worth checking out.

Modifié par Seracen, 02 juin 2013 - 02:23 .

[AustereLemur799]

JasonShepard wrote...

So, question: How do you separate your own voice from Shepard's when writing Shepard?

I can write Garrus. I can write EDI. I can just about manage Liara. But if I try Shepard, I get a decent way into it, then realise that I'm basically writing an idealised version of myself.

Now, up to a point, this is still accurate. The problem is that I only determined the thoughts behind Shepard - Bioware determined how he (or she) spoke, the tones of voice used, the mannerisms and choice of words. Bioware had a 'surface personality' in mind when they wrote all that, distinct from whatever the player brought to the table.

My usual approach to capturing a character's voice is to remember their background, and read some of their in-game dialogue. This doesn't work for Shepard because because his background is separated from his in-game voice, and his in-game voice is distinctly variable.

Shepard is a tricky one. On the one hand I think that writing for Shepard has the most freedom; I see where you're coming from when you say that Bioware laid out certain paths - but again I see these as guidelines. The other characters such as Garrus, Liara, Tali etc are more linear.

I think that the fact that we have the opportunity to pick different backgrounds and different careers for Shepard gives a lot of leeway. Really, Shepard is whatever you make him/her. You can pretty much write anything beyond and in between whatever Bioware has given us.

While Shepard has the most freedom to write for, I think it's also the most difficult. As I've said before; Shepard is my least favourite character to write for. Whether you choose to write a truly challenged, troubled, PTSD character or someone more balanced who has simply found themselves in weird and wonderful circumstances; there is a lot to think about.

For me, I think it's a personal inhibition that I have. I am someone who hates making the tough decisions (I've played Fallout: New Vegas five times and I've never finished it because I can never decide what to do). I'm happy to take orders - I like others to take that responsibility and I'm happy to follow their orders. But if it's all left up to me, I'm wishy-washy.

Shepard is like that, for me. It's like opening a can of worms.

[AustereLemur799]

Drussius wrote...

MrStoob wrote...

Writing a female Shepard, I'm much more comfortable writing emotional scenes, be they loving ones or teary sobbing ones or whatever. Not sure I could pull it off with a male character.

A RL friend had read a few bits and bobs of my FF and correctly noted that in general, there were not many male characters in my writings at all. And yea, I think I am more comfortable writing female characters in general. I've not yet... had a female reader say, "OMG! You so don't know women... stupid man!"

Make of all this what you will...

I tend to write female characters a lot too, as anyone who read my fic probably realizes. But then I think my tendency to appreciate and identify with female characters so much comes from life experience. My best friend as a child was the girl next door. In fact, the only other boy in my neighborhood as a child was my younger brother, but there were plenty of girls around. And all through junior high and high school more of my friends were girls than guys. I also have two daughters. So I guess I just have a lot more life experience with girls to draw on in my writing.

I think this is cool . Reminds me of my dad. He grew up with two sisters and was always more comfortable with girls than he was with boys. I was his only child; a girl. He always liked books, films and video games with strong female leads. I've always admired his empathy with women - which is far superior to mine .

I grew up with two boys who were my best friends and like brothers to me. I didn't have many female influences in my life and was always down with the guys. Consequently I find it easier to relate with guys than girls.

My earliest writing was to do with male leads; I felt more readily able to identify with them. It was only since I grew up and was supposed to be a 'lady' that I thought I should at least try and relate to my own gender. I think I've done a crappy job so far. The day I'm able to get inside a woman's head...I wish!

[AustereLemur799]

Drunken fluffiness aside, I'd just like to thank everyone on here for being a great source of inspiration, support and interesting discussion (for all the times when I've run away or lurked).

On the day I publish my latest chapter (it's been over six months in the making due to my stupid personal problems and whatnot getting in the way), I hope you'll all join me for a celebration at that time. If I don't get it out by my birthday in about three weeks time, then I'll officially be utterly worthless (if I'm not already).

Anyways, thanks again for being my port in the storm - not to mention the one safe haven on the whole of the BSN .

[Dark Satris]

well, been a long time since I've payed everyone here a visit... how goes, y'all?

And Lemur, don't say you're worthless, no one is is ever worthless. You're too hard on yourself, my friend

Modifié par Dark Satris, 02 juin 2013 - 04:46 .

[AustereLemur799]

Dark Satris wrote...

well, been a long time since I've payed everyone here a visit... how goes, y'all?

And Lemur, don't say you're worthless, no one is is ever worthless. You're too hard on yourself, my friend

Thanks for the kind words, mate .

I actually just got around to reviewing your latest chapter (I'm aware that you published it ages ago and that it took me this long to get around to it, sorry!). I meant to keep up with things, but it's just been difficult these last few months. 

I'm pledging to turn over a new leaf though and shape up.

Hopefully I didn't say anything to stupid in my review to you. I'm not that good at these things .

[Dark Satris]

hey, if it's anything like your last ones, you're fine, don't worry

[MrStoob]

AustereLemur799 wrote...

JasonShepard wrote...

So, question: How do you separate your own voice from Shepard's when writing Shepard?

I can write Garrus. I can write EDI. I can just about manage Liara. But if I try Shepard, I get a decent way into it, then realise that I'm basically writing an idealised version of myself.

Now, up to a point, this is still accurate. The problem is that I only determined the thoughts behind Shepard - Bioware determined how he (or she) spoke, the tones of voice used, the mannerisms and choice of words. Bioware had a 'surface personality' in mind when they wrote all that, distinct from whatever the player brought to the table.

My usual approach to capturing a character's voice is to remember their background, and read some of their in-game dialogue. This doesn't work for Shepard because because his background is separated from his in-game voice, and his in-game voice is distinctly variable.

Shepard is a tricky one. On the one hand I think that writing for Shepard has the most freedom; I see where you're coming from when you say that Bioware laid out certain paths - but again I see these as guidelines. The other characters such as Garrus, Liara, Tali etc are more linear.

I think that the fact that we have the opportunity to pick different backgrounds and different careers for Shepard gives a lot of leeway. Really, Shepard is whatever you make him/her. You can pretty much write anything beyond and in between whatever Bioware has given us.

While Shepard has the most freedom to write for, I think it's also the most difficult. As I've said before; Shepard is my least favourite character to write for. Whether you choose to write a truly challenged, troubled, PTSD character or someone more balanced who has simply found themselves in weird and wonderful circumstances; there is a lot to think about.

For me, I think it's a personal inhibition that I have. I am someone who hates making the tough decisions (I've played Fallout: New Vegas five times and I've never finished it because I can never decide what to do). I'm happy to take orders - I like others to take that responsibility and I'm happy to follow their orders. But if it's all left up to me, I'm wishy-washy.

Shepard is like that, for me. It's like opening a can of worms.

I treat most of the characters like a blank slate, apart from the obvious canon traits.  I think the games/books/comics give certain characteristics to the characters but really, there's still a lot of space to play with.  For eg, in my ME1>M2 arc, Liara is messy, greedy and lazy, and acts a bit of an uppity brat at times.  The food obsession I gave her just sort of happened after food came up in her tales a couple of times so I expanded it as I thought it humorous that she was a 'greedy pyjack', and it did make for a few funny scenes later on.  My fave being when Shep manages to get a real Earth chocoloate fudge cake with help from Anderson, then Liara eats the whole thing and makes herself sick.

"I feel really sick."
"I'm not surprised, you big fat pig!"
"Uugh, I tried to stop, Shepard, honestly I did. I said to myself 'this is the last forkful Liara, then no more', but...ooh!" she winces a little, "...it was just too nice. I just kept having 'one more forkful'. Then it was gone. Oooh."
Verity holds up the empty box.
"You licked. The base. Clean. You're one messed up asari, T'Soni."

Modifié par MrStoob, 02 juin 2013 - 09:40 .

[MrStoob]

Seracen wrote...

I believe it's a matter of what's in your headspace in the first place. As Stoob said, it it works, use it.

I never really felt like I was Shep though. As such, I see my personal influence on him to be about as much as any other character I am writing. You can't help but put a bit of yourself in there, but I don't see that as anything wrong.

I never felt like I  was Shepard but I did heavily RP ME, so that helped with the writing.  My most played and favourite character, colonist, soul survivor, adept Verity Shepard, is the basis for my fictional Shepard.  So how she felt about certain events or characters was pretty much already set in my head.

[hot_heart]

Near finishing a huge chapter centred around Miranda and Oriana. It's close to 9k words and I still feel like maybe I've missed something... I'm alright thinking up general ideas, but when it comes to writing them and the actual details...

Oh, well, it was hard enough balancing the tone towards slightly lighter without becoming too much like the Citadel DLC. I'll see what lillitheris thinks after this first edit, as she's always very helpful. Tried to get that done yesterday but the new GoT episode took a little while to process.

[Seracen]

hot_heart wrote...

Near finishing a huge chapter centred around Miranda and Oriana. It's close to 9k words and I still feel like maybe I've missed something... I'm alright thinking up general ideas, but when it comes to writing them and the actual details...

Oh, well, it was hard enough balancing the tone towards slightly lighter without becoming too much like the Citadel DLC. I'll see what lillitheris thinks after this first edit, as she's always very helpful. Tried to get that done yesterday but the new GoT episode took a little while to process.

Bwaha!  Read the books sooo long ago.  I am saving up the season, then will binge watch it!

Totally hear you on chapters that are difficult to balance.  I like to set my chapters for certain lengths, yet I inevitably get some that are the length of two chapters.

[Dahlia d'Arque]

Hi everyone!

I'm new to writing Mass Effect fanfictions, and I was wondering if any of you guys could give me some constructive criticism on this piece I wrote? http://www.fanfictio...Never-Lose-Hope   I had to write a short story for my high school Latin class last year and my teacher let me submit this piece of fanfiction.

Thank you in advance for any replies.

[enayasoul]

hot_heart wrote...

Near finishing a huge chapter centred around Miranda and Oriana. It's close to 9k words and I still feel like maybe I've missed something... I'm alright thinking up general ideas, but when it comes to writing them and the actual details...

Oh, well, it was hard enough balancing the tone towards slightly lighter without becoming too much like the Citadel DLC. I'll see what lillitheris thinks after this first edit, as she's always very helpful. Tried to get that done yesterday but the new GoT episode took a little while to process.

Sweet! Looking forward to reading it when you post it.  I really enjoy your writing.  I can learn from it. 

GoT = Game of Thrones?  If so, I can't believe I missed it!   I'll have to catch the repeat airing... So focused on homework...

I've been so swamped with my Interactive Authoring II (Adobe Flash class) I haven't had time to really sit down and write.  I did some... about 7 pages... My chapter will be late.   I have a lot of it written bits and pieces.  Just have to decide how I want it to all fall into place.  Going to be a couple of tense chapters for Shepard, Miranda and Ashley. heh. With Orianna(yes, I intentionally spelled it differently) sprinkled in.

Thankfully, it's my last day of that class.  Yahoo!   30+ hours of class work a week and 29 hrs or so of work is a bit much... nearly a few hours free time with less sleep.  Had to ditch work a few days to maintain my A in the class but it's close... 90% (was a 92)  Waiting to see how the last two assignments figure in one of which is my final project..  Prays it goes higher. 

[MrStoob]

Caedis Lupa wrote...

Hi everyone!

I'm new to writing Mass Effect fanfictions, and I was wondering if any of you guys could give me some constructive criticism on this piece I wrote? http://www.fanfictio...Never-Lose-Hope   I had to write a short story for my high school Latin class last year and my teacher let me submit this piece of fanfiction.

Thank you in advance for any replies.

I was disappointed.  It's not written ALL in Latin.  

Had a quick read of the opening and scanned the rest but I'll read it properly before commenting apart from to say that your layout/formatting/grammar/punctuation/blah all seemed fine, though I'd expect that from a student of Latin.  So many ways to construct a sentence with experience of Latin.  I did 'A' Level Latin in Sixth Form (UK schooling system, 17-18 years) but did not finish it in the end.  Enjoyed it though.

[hot_heart]

enayasoul wrote...
Sweet! Looking forward to reading it when you post it.  I really enjoy your writing.  I can learn from it. 

GoT = Game of Thrones?  If so, I can't believe I missed it!   I'll have to catch the repeat airing... So focused on homework...

Thank you! And you're the second person to say they're learning from my writing. Now I'm worried.

And, yes, that was Game of Thrones. They always tend to save the big stuff for the ninth episode. Funny thing is, I'd lost track of what number episode it was, which must be a good sign. Last season I recall thinking that certain bits were too drawn out and a lot was building towards one big moment, whereas this season has been consistently strong.

Anyway, my advice is to steer clear of the internet as well, since so many people seem keen to spoil it. I'm very thankful to all my friends and people I know who had read the books and didn't reveal a single thing.

Also, congratulations on the grades! Those are very impressive and you should be pleased whatever the ultimate outcome.

Modifié par hot_heart, 04 juin 2013 - 11:41 .