(Note: This entry deals with lines, not stories as a whole.)
Chao- It's easy to fall into clichés; they're not too hard to think, and many people are already familiar with them.
"The apple of my eye"
"Different strokes for different folks"
"As old as the hills"
Chao- What do any of these mean? Don't people write them because they hold truth? "Different strokes for different folks" means people like different stuff, like activities and interests. Why is it bad to write clichés?
YChao- Because it's cheap writing?
Chao- Actually, yeah, you are right.
YChao- I am? Yay, me.
Chao- Stories are meant to be original. Every word used must count. After all, for every cliché, there is an answer to them.
Cliché 1: The sky is the limit.
Rebuttle 1: We already made footsteps on the moon.
Chao- If you write cliches, it distracts readers from your original ideas. It's awesome to read original analogies or ideas.
Cliché 2: Criminals always return to the scene of the crime
Rebuttle 2: Not if they don't want to get caught
Chao- OBVIOUS! So how can a cliché be broken? Take this one:
Cliché 3: Yugi stared off into space.
Chao- One way to break a cliche is to understand its meaning. Once you do, it'll be easier to write the meaning in your own way.
Better: Yugi lifelessly positioned one hand underneath his chin. He tapped his pencil dully, creating the most interesting sound as oppose to his teacher's tedious lecture. His eyes crawled out the window. Even an empty view of a tree's leafy branches blowing in a gentle wind seemed more interesting compared to school.
Chao- This is just one way. It's nice, though, because it gave readers more a visual to a story rather than reading a single bland line.
Exception: Speech is different from narration. If a character decides to say it, it's fine because authors also allow them to speak in different dialects and phrases that are not grammatically correct. They may also be used for a theme or lesson.
Chao- Hope this helped those who are interested in improving their writing!.... Heh, the title for this entry is kinda funny. If there was a grammar show on TV, there would probably be a mock video of this to Breaking the Habit by Linkin Park.
YChao- For a kid's show?
Chao- Sure, just like Biz Kid$ or Bill Nye the Science Guy. Those shows rule!
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Monday, January 21, 2013
Picking Characters Meme 2
Choose your 12 favorite Characters from any fandom in no particular order. Answer each question with the numbers corresponding to each question. No peeking ahead!
1. Danny, Cats Don't Dance
2. Yugi, Yu-Gi-Oh!
3. Phineas, Phineas and Ferb
4. Nny, JtHM
5. Yami/Atem, Yu-Gi-Oh!
6. Dr. Doofenshmirtz, Phineas and Ferb
7. Sawyer, Cats Don't Dance
8. Devi, JtHM
9. Pudge, Cats Don't Dance
10. Kaiba, Yu-Gi-Oh!
11. Candace, Phineas and Ferb
12. Squee, JtHM
1. Have you ever read a Six/Eleven fic (Dr. Doofenshmirtz/Candace)? Do you want to?
Chao- Think so. It'd be nice to read them in the character slots that didn't involve some weird pedophile thing. Although some stories involve Doofenshmirtz somehow being Phineas and Candace's dad. It'd be pretty cool if that was canon, but Disney doesn't roll that way. Plus it's just fun to watch the sillyness of it all with little drama.
2. Do you think Four is hot (Nny)? How hot?
Chao- It depends if you think a noodle person serving as a homicidal maniac is.
3. What would happen if Twelve got Eight pregnant (Squee/Devi)?
Chao- Wouldn't be surprised if alien technology was also involved.
4. Can you recall any fics about Nine (Pudge)?
Chao- He started out as a typical bird named Tyler. If you look at the photos on the wall at Farley Wink's Animal Agency, you can see an early sketch of him
5. Would Two and Six make a good couple (Yugi/Dr. Doofenshmirtz)?
Chao- No, no they wouldn't.
6. Five/Nine (Yami/Pudge) or Five/Ten (Yami/Squee)? Why?
Chao- Yami would be pulverized for bestiality or being a pedophile. He would not survive.
7. What would happen if Seven walked in on Two and Twelve having sex (Sawyer/Yugi/Squee)?
Chao- Just so you know, Sawyer, there's such a thing called Photoshop.
8. Make up a summary for a Three/Ten (Phineas/Kaiba)
Chao- "Working on his latest invention for the day, Phineas winds up in a virtual world controlled by these strange monsters. Will he survive a new gaming world controlled by a master of evil?" ….. That actually sounds kinda cool.
9. Is there any such thing as One/Eight fluff (Danny/Devi)?
Chao- Nope.
10. Suggest a title for a Seven/Twelve hurt/comfort fic (Sawyer/Squee).
Chao- Healing the Hurt Heart.
11. Does anyone on your friends list read Three het (Phineas)?
Chao- Well, there are plenty of Phinbella fan fics out there, so...
12. Does anyone on your friends list write or draw Eleven (Candace)?
Chao- Probably. She's the easiest to draw in that family.
13. Would anyone on your friends list write Two/Four/Five (Yugi/Nny/Yami)?
Chao- If you cut out Four/Nny... Wait, are talking about as a pairing or character choices? Meh, either way, it'd be the same.
14. If you wrote a Song-fic about Eight (Devi), what song would you choose?
Chao- Probably something by Evanescence.
15. If you wrote a One/Six/Twelve (Danny/Dr. Doofenshmirtz/Squee) fic, what would the warning be?
Chao- Minor swearing, dark humor.
16. When was the last time you read a fic about Five (Yami)?
Chao- About every fan fic.
17. One (Danny) and Seven (Sawyer) are in a happy relationship until Nine (Pudge) runs off with Four (Nny). One (Danny), brokenhearted, has a hot one-night stand with Eleven (Candace) and a brief unhappy affair with Tweleve (Squee), then follows the wise advice of Five (Yami) and finds true love with Three (Phineas). What title would you give this fic?
Chao- Trolling with Characters
18. How would you feel if Seven/Eight was canon (Sawyer/Devi)?
Chao- That would make no sense whatsoever.
1. Danny, Cats Don't Dance
2. Yugi, Yu-Gi-Oh!
3. Phineas, Phineas and Ferb
4. Nny, JtHM
5. Yami/Atem, Yu-Gi-Oh!
6. Dr. Doofenshmirtz, Phineas and Ferb
7. Sawyer, Cats Don't Dance
8. Devi, JtHM
9. Pudge, Cats Don't Dance
10. Kaiba, Yu-Gi-Oh!
11. Candace, Phineas and Ferb
12. Squee, JtHM
1. Have you ever read a Six/Eleven fic (Dr. Doofenshmirtz/Candace)? Do you want to?
Chao- Think so. It'd be nice to read them in the character slots that didn't involve some weird pedophile thing. Although some stories involve Doofenshmirtz somehow being Phineas and Candace's dad. It'd be pretty cool if that was canon, but Disney doesn't roll that way. Plus it's just fun to watch the sillyness of it all with little drama.
2. Do you think Four is hot (Nny)? How hot?
Chao- It depends if you think a noodle person serving as a homicidal maniac is.
3. What would happen if Twelve got Eight pregnant (Squee/Devi)?
Chao- Wouldn't be surprised if alien technology was also involved.
4. Can you recall any fics about Nine (Pudge)?
Chao- He started out as a typical bird named Tyler. If you look at the photos on the wall at Farley Wink's Animal Agency, you can see an early sketch of him
5. Would Two and Six make a good couple (Yugi/Dr. Doofenshmirtz)?
Chao- No, no they wouldn't.
6. Five/Nine (Yami/Pudge) or Five/Ten (Yami/Squee)? Why?
Chao- Yami would be pulverized for bestiality or being a pedophile. He would not survive.
7. What would happen if Seven walked in on Two and Twelve having sex (Sawyer/Yugi/Squee)?
Chao- Just so you know, Sawyer, there's such a thing called Photoshop.
8. Make up a summary for a Three/Ten (Phineas/Kaiba)
Chao- "Working on his latest invention for the day, Phineas winds up in a virtual world controlled by these strange monsters. Will he survive a new gaming world controlled by a master of evil?" ….. That actually sounds kinda cool.
9. Is there any such thing as One/Eight fluff (Danny/Devi)?
Chao- Nope.
10. Suggest a title for a Seven/Twelve hurt/comfort fic (Sawyer/Squee).
Chao- Healing the Hurt Heart.
11. Does anyone on your friends list read Three het (Phineas)?
Chao- Well, there are plenty of Phinbella fan fics out there, so...
12. Does anyone on your friends list write or draw Eleven (Candace)?
Chao- Probably. She's the easiest to draw in that family.
13. Would anyone on your friends list write Two/Four/Five (Yugi/Nny/Yami)?
Chao- If you cut out Four/Nny... Wait, are talking about as a pairing or character choices? Meh, either way, it'd be the same.
14. If you wrote a Song-fic about Eight (Devi), what song would you choose?
Chao- Probably something by Evanescence.
15. If you wrote a One/Six/Twelve (Danny/Dr. Doofenshmirtz/Squee) fic, what would the warning be?
Chao- Minor swearing, dark humor.
16. When was the last time you read a fic about Five (Yami)?
Chao- About every fan fic.
17. One (Danny) and Seven (Sawyer) are in a happy relationship until Nine (Pudge) runs off with Four (Nny). One (Danny), brokenhearted, has a hot one-night stand with Eleven (Candace) and a brief unhappy affair with Tweleve (Squee), then follows the wise advice of Five (Yami) and finds true love with Three (Phineas). What title would you give this fic?
Chao- Trolling with Characters
18. How would you feel if Seven/Eight was canon (Sawyer/Devi)?
Chao- That would make no sense whatsoever.
Friday, January 18, 2013
Building Suspense: PnF Edition
Chao- While taking a few English classes over the past few semesters in college, Chao has had a couple of teachers who had offered some very good tips on actual writing, whether for short fiction or academic papers. Most of us get that for any proper English sentence it needs a subject and a verb. There are different ways to write out what we want each sentence in each story to say.
Example 1: Phineas grabbed hold of a hammer. He held a nail in hand and slammed the head of the hammer on top of the head of the nail. He heard his name being called. He stopped his motion to see who was addressing him. He smiled seeing his good friend, Isabella.
Chao- This example is something found for an everyday action. But every sentence is written with a Subject/Verb/Direct Object content in the beginning. There's nothing wrong with this form, but it's good to give readers a variety.
Example 2: Phineas grabbed hold of a hammer. Grasping a nail in his hand, he slammed the head of the hammer on top of the head of the nail. He heard his name being called. Stopping his motion to see who was addressing him, he smiled seeing his good friend, Isabella.
Chao- So that's one way to go about. How can this be applied to something for action?
Example 3: Perry raced to his machine. He jammed his key and started the engine. He had a good grip on the steering wheel. His hat flapped as the machine sped him through the air. He kept his focus on his mission. He needed to arrive at Doofenshmirtz Evil Incorporated to stop the mad doctor's latest plan.
Example 4: Perry raced to his machine. Jamming his key inside the proper hole, he started the engine. He had a good grip on the steering wheel. With his hat flapping as the machine sped him through the air, he kept focus on his mission. He needed to arrive at Doofenshmirtz Evil Incorporated to stop the mad doctor's latest plan.
Chao- In Example 4 some sentences began with a dependent clause (a clause that cannot stand by itself alone least it be a fragment), and they are added to an independent clause (a clause that can be a sentence on its own) with a comma. Why else does this matter? To build suspense! It’s good for writers to find ways to write in new styles. Readers may not know exactly how you made something so interesting, but it’s good to have different patterns even if it’s just for something as simple as switching around subjects and verb spots. This is what’s called suspense; it’s created very easily just by positioning the subjects and verbs. They can be simple like in these examples, or very long like done in some Edgar Allen Poe works. (He’s the one who wrote The Raven, yes?) It just depends on what you, the writer, like. (Unless it’s an academic paper, in which case you’re better off writing just what the teacher wants to hear.) Hope this helped!
Example 1: Phineas grabbed hold of a hammer. He held a nail in hand and slammed the head of the hammer on top of the head of the nail. He heard his name being called. He stopped his motion to see who was addressing him. He smiled seeing his good friend, Isabella.
Chao- This example is something found for an everyday action. But every sentence is written with a Subject/Verb/Direct Object content in the beginning. There's nothing wrong with this form, but it's good to give readers a variety.
Example 2: Phineas grabbed hold of a hammer. Grasping a nail in his hand, he slammed the head of the hammer on top of the head of the nail. He heard his name being called. Stopping his motion to see who was addressing him, he smiled seeing his good friend, Isabella.
Chao- So that's one way to go about. How can this be applied to something for action?
Example 3: Perry raced to his machine. He jammed his key and started the engine. He had a good grip on the steering wheel. His hat flapped as the machine sped him through the air. He kept his focus on his mission. He needed to arrive at Doofenshmirtz Evil Incorporated to stop the mad doctor's latest plan.
Example 4: Perry raced to his machine. Jamming his key inside the proper hole, he started the engine. He had a good grip on the steering wheel. With his hat flapping as the machine sped him through the air, he kept focus on his mission. He needed to arrive at Doofenshmirtz Evil Incorporated to stop the mad doctor's latest plan.
Chao- In Example 4 some sentences began with a dependent clause (a clause that cannot stand by itself alone least it be a fragment), and they are added to an independent clause (a clause that can be a sentence on its own) with a comma. Why else does this matter? To build suspense! It’s good for writers to find ways to write in new styles. Readers may not know exactly how you made something so interesting, but it’s good to have different patterns even if it’s just for something as simple as switching around subjects and verb spots. This is what’s called suspense; it’s created very easily just by positioning the subjects and verbs. They can be simple like in these examples, or very long like done in some Edgar Allen Poe works. (He’s the one who wrote The Raven, yes?) It just depends on what you, the writer, like. (Unless it’s an academic paper, in which case you’re better off writing just what the teacher wants to hear.) Hope this helped!
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Adverbs Create a Point: PnF Edition
Chao- Many of us have heard all writing is an argument. Chao is one to agree. Although many of us see an argument to mean a debate and carrying views that are one sided, that is not the case.
Agent Daisy- (raises eyebrow)
Chao- Writing is an argument because authors need to prove their points. It doesn't have to be about politics or religion, but if a writer is making a claim, then it's important to use descriptions in action and dialogue to prove a point.
Agent Daisy- ......
Chao- Well, here are some examples.
Example 1.
A. Baljeet followed.
B. Candace agreed.
C. Dr. Doofenshmirtz smiled.
Chao- Because many of us have seen the show, we are already familiar with each character and their image to this simple action. But adverbs are the part of speech used to modify a verb, adjective, or other adverb. If you have a character that is typically cheerful, adding adverbs help out show your readers that. If not, then the act can be interpreted as weak.
Example 2.
A. Baljeet followed sadly.
B. Candace reluctantly agreed.
C. Doofenshmirtz smiled wickedly, or Doofenshmirtz smiled gleefully.
Chao- Just adding these adverbs really improved example 2C. Doofenshmirtz is evil, but he is also a goofball. There are times when he smiles for his schemes or when he's truly happy, like placing his daughter first. These adverbs show different aspects to the same character, but they show he did more than just smile. Readers need to understand how a character does something, especially if it's OOC.
Agent Daisy- (raises eyebrow)
Chao- Writing is an argument because authors need to prove their points. It doesn't have to be about politics or religion, but if a writer is making a claim, then it's important to use descriptions in action and dialogue to prove a point.
Agent Daisy- ......
Chao- Well, here are some examples.
Example 1.
A. Baljeet followed.
B. Candace agreed.
C. Dr. Doofenshmirtz smiled.
Chao- Because many of us have seen the show, we are already familiar with each character and their image to this simple action. But adverbs are the part of speech used to modify a verb, adjective, or other adverb. If you have a character that is typically cheerful, adding adverbs help out show your readers that. If not, then the act can be interpreted as weak.
Example 2.
A. Baljeet followed sadly.
B. Candace reluctantly agreed.
C. Doofenshmirtz smiled wickedly, or Doofenshmirtz smiled gleefully.
Chao- Just adding these adverbs really improved example 2C. Doofenshmirtz is evil, but he is also a goofball. There are times when he smiles for his schemes or when he's truly happy, like placing his daughter first. These adverbs show different aspects to the same character, but they show he did more than just smile. Readers need to understand how a character does something, especially if it's OOC.
Sunday, January 6, 2013
XYZ Part I, II, III or XYZ Part 1,2,3?
Chao- Some chapters
for fan fics are in more than one part. Sometimes the same subject, like an
epic fight, an important event, or a great journey, is broken down into chapters. These
chapters are given the same title but are also added numbers, so readers know the
following chapter is part of the same mission.
Example 1:
"Knowing Himself Part 1"
"Knowing Himself Part 2"
"Knowing Himself etc"
"Knowing Himself Part II"
"Knowing Himself part Three"
Chao- It's odd seeing a set of Roman numerals alongside a typed out number and lower case P, right? But whichever you do choose, keep any numbers the same for the whole story. Fans may not detect this, but as a writer it is your job to provide consistency. It looks cleaner and more professional if you stay with either all cardinals or Roman numerals. Hope this helps!
Example 1:
"Knowing Himself Part 1"
"Knowing Himself Part 2"
"Knowing Himself etc"
Chao- The chapter
gives the clue these sections are dedicated to a character knowing himself.
It's different from the whole story as maybe the character is dedicating a few
reflecting moments about himself, or he is on a side mission to learn something
about himself. Since it differs from the rest of the story, these chapters are
given the same title. And people like different ways of keeping track of them.
Example 2:
"Knowing Himself
Part I"
"Knowing Himself
Part II"
"Knowing Himself
Part III"
Chao- So which one
should be chosen? It honestly depends on your style. It's important to
remember, though, that what you choose you must continue with that style. It'd
be pretty strange to see different numbers in different spots.
Example 3:
"Knowing Himself
Part 1""Knowing Himself Part II"
"Knowing Himself part Three"
Chao- It's odd seeing a set of Roman numerals alongside a typed out number and lower case P, right? But whichever you do choose, keep any numbers the same for the whole story. Fans may not detect this, but as a writer it is your job to provide consistency. It looks cleaner and more professional if you stay with either all cardinals or Roman numerals. Hope this helps!
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Updates for January
Chao- It's hard to say what'll happen this month. School starts on the 7th, not a lot of time for relaxing. As far as this year goes, if things do stay on course, Chao will only have three more semesters of school for the undergraduate degree with a Certificate in Writing. Until then, here's a status report for this month with a few goals for this year.
YGO: It's been (more or less) over a year since Where I Belongand Offspring of Heroes have been published. Chao will try and wrap them up. Both are aimed to have at least 20 chapters, maybe more.
Goal for the year: Try and get up a promised sequel to Present With You Always. Also post up other one shots.
PnF: Gonna finish whatever stories have been published, The Value of a Smile and The Mysterious Journal.
Goal for the year: Post an AU chapter length story.
CDD: No current news.
Goal for the year: Post a chapter length story that will hopefully be around 10 chapters. There's also a few one shots that can hopefully be placed up as well.
Reading fan fics: Got a long list of things that need to be read. And for anything that has been read, Chao will leave a review as soon as possible.
PMs: Anyone who sent a PM, Chao will try and reply as soon as possible. Sorry for any delays.
Beat Reading Goals: Anyone who sends a request for Beta Reading, Chao will try and have them returned after a week, assuming it's a good week. If not, then Chao will leave a PM or something and schedule a future due date.
Chao- On a personal note, Chao is making it a goal to clean up Chao's messy room!
YChao- Yeah, like that's gonna happen.
Chao- And how to you know that? Chao has been reading a few articles for organizing stuff.
YChao- Fine then, let's start by clearing out trash.
Agent Daisy- (holding trashcan) (getting ready to throw away old paper)
Chao- Wait! Chao still needs that! It holds important sentimental value and stick figures!
YChao- Sigh....This is gonna take a while.
Chao- No one touches those Popsicle sticks! Chao may need them for a collection or project!
YChao- You can buy those at craft shops!
Chao- But these ones come with half colors and cheesy jokes!
YChao- Then what do you plan to do about the smell!?
Agent Daisy- (choking on toxic fumes from garbage and old clothes)
Chao- Um... (sprays room with Febreze)
YChao- That's an improvement, I guess.
Chao- (continues to spray) Good luck to all who have made resolutions! (chokes on Febreze)
YGO: It's been (more or less) over a year since Where I Belongand Offspring of Heroes have been published. Chao will try and wrap them up. Both are aimed to have at least 20 chapters, maybe more.
Goal for the year: Try and get up a promised sequel to Present With You Always. Also post up other one shots.
PnF: Gonna finish whatever stories have been published, The Value of a Smile and The Mysterious Journal.
Goal for the year: Post an AU chapter length story.
CDD: No current news.
Goal for the year: Post a chapter length story that will hopefully be around 10 chapters. There's also a few one shots that can hopefully be placed up as well.
Reading fan fics: Got a long list of things that need to be read. And for anything that has been read, Chao will leave a review as soon as possible.
PMs: Anyone who sent a PM, Chao will try and reply as soon as possible. Sorry for any delays.
Beat Reading Goals: Anyone who sends a request for Beta Reading, Chao will try and have them returned after a week, assuming it's a good week. If not, then Chao will leave a PM or something and schedule a future due date.
Chao- On a personal note, Chao is making it a goal to clean up Chao's messy room!
YChao- Yeah, like that's gonna happen.
Chao- And how to you know that? Chao has been reading a few articles for organizing stuff.
YChao- Fine then, let's start by clearing out trash.
Agent Daisy- (holding trashcan) (getting ready to throw away old paper)
Chao- Wait! Chao still needs that! It holds important sentimental value and stick figures!
YChao- Sigh....This is gonna take a while.
Chao- No one touches those Popsicle sticks! Chao may need them for a collection or project!
YChao- You can buy those at craft shops!
Chao- But these ones come with half colors and cheesy jokes!
YChao- Then what do you plan to do about the smell!?
Agent Daisy- (choking on toxic fumes from garbage and old clothes)
Chao- Um... (sprays room with Febreze)
YChao- That's an improvement, I guess.
Chao- (continues to spray) Good luck to all who have made resolutions! (chokes on Febreze)
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