This week: Earth is the Biggest Gangster Edited by: NaNoNette  
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Bad things do happen in the world, like war, natural disasters, disease. But out of those situations always arise stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. ~ Daryn Kagan
You have no control over a natural disaster. That's what's scary about it. You're helpless. That feeling of helplessness is really scary. ~ R. L. Stine |
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Earth is the Biggest Gangster
The usual notion of an action/adventure story is that it involves the typical hero's journey. In reality, action/adventure heroes have entirely different story arcs.
Natural disasters happen all over the world. We call them natural disasters because nature comes at humanity with erupting volcanos, swirling hurricanes, and raging wildfires - and there is nothing we can do to stop them from happening.
Humans are always relegated to a reactive position. There is very little even the biggest hero can do prevent any of these events. As it turns out, those the most likely get through natural disasters are those who quietly prepare, get out of the way when that's the last resort, and then rebuild as needed.
As action/adventure writers, try to look away from such loud and unrealistic heroes as John Wick (of John Wick), John Carter (of Mars), John Anderton (of Minority Report), or John McClane (of Die Hard).
Instead, imagine how much grit and guts it takes to deal with the reality of a natural disaster, how to get through it, and what to do afterward. There are a lot of small details that come out of natural disasters that aren't gory or scary. Don't even look for storm chasers or other people who intentionally get in harm's way.
Just listen to the stories of people who survived any natural disaster and the things they say later on. Sift through the footage until you hear a mother say, "The power was out, so I cooked up all the food on the gas stove before it went bad."
or a teenager say, "I swept the backyard when we were in the eye of the storm." (there's no wind at that time)
Once you've found these regular heroes, fictionalize their story and give them an action/adventure. You will write high stakes peril and find many acts of bravery and determination to report about. While any action/adventure hero can run through a hail of bullets and miraculously come out without so much as a hair out of place, it's those normal, day to day people who are the only ones capable of holding their own when the biggest gangster tries to shake them up.
Just one rule: You can't call any of your fictionalized real life heroes John.
Would you trust a dormant volcano? |
| |  | Over the Edge (13+)
Sarge in pursuit. Noah and Jacob had only 400 feet to escape, but one had other plans...
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| | | Lucy (E)
A girl sneaks into a house to steal a trading card
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| | | Cave Hunters (E)
A trio of children explore a flooded cave...although one has a different idea of fun.
#2250056 by Wintersage |
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Replies to my last Action/Adventure newsletter "Predictable Plotlines" that asked: Do predictable plotlines kill a story? Or can even a small unexpected element make the whole story new and different?
Elfin Dragon-finally published wrote: I don't think predictible plotlines kill a story. There's something comforting in predictible plotlines. And yes, those small unexpected elements do make an old story new.
Take for instance how Disney takes many fairy tales that often end up with the main characters dying and turn them into kid friendly stories. Or look at the TV series "Once Upon a Time". It creates a whole new plotline which begins with Snow White and the Evil Queen. Or my most recent favorite film, "Malefecent", which focuses on who the Evil Queen was. And my favorite Fairy Tale which holds all my favorite components, "The Princess Bride" in which you know where the movie is going but you love it all the same.
Christopher Roy Denton  wrote: Thanks for plugging my story, Annette! :) "Synchronicity "
Monty  wrote: It depends on how the plotline unfolds. |
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Action/Adventure: October 19, 2022 Issue [#11612]
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