 Drama: June 24, 2009 Issue [#3110] |
  Drama
This week: Edited by: StephBee  
More Newsletters By This Editor 
1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions
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  I'd just like to say "good bye" to our sweet little stik Turkey DrumStik  who just recently completed 50 issues of the Drama Newsletter. That's quite an accomplishment. Turkey DrumStik has been an inspiration to me and I found her newsletter chock full o' good Drama stuff. ((hugs)), Smiles, and Best Wishes to Stik as she moves on. - StephBee
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Just how important is setting? It creates a feeling for the reader that they are experiencing a real place right along with real characters. I read and review a lot of stories here on WDC where the setting has been neglected. When I encounter these stories, I feel a little cheated. The characterization might be "spot on," but the story lacked a certain authenticity to it which it would have had if the author had spent some time establishing the setting.
When you get ready to write your story or play, treat the setting as an extra character. Make the setting come alive. As a reader, I want to see it, smell it, and feel it.
When you pick your setting, if you're not familiar with it, you'll need to do research. The Internet can provide a lot of information. There's Google maps, pictures of landmarks, and even checklists about vital statics of your setting.
Say you pick New York City for your setting, but you've never been. Start with Google maps. Then try to find as many pictures of the city that you can on the map. Get a good visual in your mind where your story takes place.
 Next: Tap into your senses.
What's the weather like? Is it summer or winter in New York? How does it affect the citizens? What are the prominent landmarks? What does New York smell like? Are there flowers? Homes? What does the city sound like?
Does researching a setting take a little time?
Yes, but when you weave it into your narrative naturally, you'll have a big payoff for your reader.
 A Note on Mood
Mood is like a movie score - playing in the background, deepening feelings. For example, let's look at Stephen King. His writing is laced with mood - eerie places, dark hauntings, and unusual things. Mood augments a setting.
You can set a story in New York City, but what's the mood? Comedic? Early 1900's? Dark? Light? Are the people celebratory like they were at the end of World War II or is it darker? Do you see shantytowns in Central Park during the Great Depression? All these speak to the mood of the setting.
Action versus Info Dump
When you start a story, you want to go for some type of action. You don't want to start with an info dump on the setting. (Which I see more than I care to admit.) Setting can be marbled in with the action, but let the action grab the reader's attention.
Try the Eyes Closed Exercise
Are you a writer who struggles with setting? Close your eyes. Imagine your setting. Create pictures in your mind. Don't rush the visuals - savor them. Then write it down.
TIPS: Use the five senses to establish setting.
 Don't give generic descriptions.
 Establish a list of words about your story that your characters are going to feel. For example: dark, betrayal, empty, loneliness, guilt. For loneliness, think of quiet, empty, calm, water. Is there a pond in Central Park? Can your main character go there at twilight? Are they going there because they're lonely? Mood and setting nailed in one scene!
Reference for this newsletter: "Revision and Self Editing," by James Scott Bell, FW Publications, 2008.
The Tony Awards
Here's some of the winners for this year's Tony Awards! Congratulations! 
BEST MUSICAL
Billy Elliot
BEST PLAY
God of Carnage
LEAD ACTOR
Geoffry Rush
LEAD ACTRESS
Marcia Gay Harden
BEST FEATURED ACTRESS
Angela Lansbury
NEXT: Beginnings. How to hook a reader with action and avoid the dreaded info dump.
TAKE THE HOT DRAMA POLL
What's important to you when prepping your story?
Setting
Dialogue
Characterization
POV narration
The Beginning
Pop on over to the Poll and let us know.
FEATURED PRODUCT REVIEW
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This week's picks rock setting and mood:
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This item number is not valid.
#822695 by Not Available. |
Set in the south during the Civil War.
Set at the end of World War I, an old oak tree watches a family. Setting & Mood
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This item number is not valid.
#1531003 by Not Available. |
A time traveling story. Set in 1539 and 2009. Elizabeth I has some great descriptions of 2009.
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This item number is not valid.
#1091030 by Not Available. |
This short addresses mood, hinting at sight and smell.
Set in Belfast.
SOME DRAMA ACTIVITIES
Just finished! Check it up and leave feedback:
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For those of us drama queens and kings, a forum to swap writing ideas and post questions
#1394242 by Joy  |
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Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
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mrleopresents
I like this newsletter. I am very interested in writing plays and films. I also like the word 'Anthropomorphism', and now I can rub it in my English teacher's face :)
Ouch! Good luck with your play & film writing.
Acme 
Ace newsletter, Steph, and you managed to get a giggle out of me.
ANTHROPOMORPHISM . . . Often, this technique is incorrectly called personification. Yeah, but I can't spell anthropopopopmerism, so I'll stick with being incorrect Wink Sure, personification should deals specifically with a person being the embodiment of a bigger idea (eg., 'he was evil personified), but most folks accept the error of personal attributes being given to objects as more of personification... but that sounds pants, so they stole the word personified. Only joking Blush But, erm, if you want me to be all proper in a discussion, I'll bring out the big guns and add another fun word to the mix: prosopopeia. It's also from a Greek root, and huddles under that wonderful umbrella of personification. Personification is just a broader term that encompasses both anthropomorphism and prosopopeia. Personified is fine, even when dealing with anthropomorphic personifications 
I love this, Acme. Yes, it's very easy to get confused on these points, isn't it?
faithjourney
Looks like I've used a lot of those, except Literary License. I'd urge caution there. While it can be very effective, some people are extremely offended by it. Be ready to defend it's use if you use it. Write on!
For me, the biggest example I can give reading creative license is the movie Braveheart. Also, recently, Michael Hurst has used a lot of creative license in his Showtime series, "The Tudors." Should creative license be defended? When used effectively, it works well. I would say this - if you do use creative license, then use a disclaimer as well, so the reader knows you've taken some liberties with true facts.
And I know Turkey DrumStik isn't here to put some of these up, so I will.
Coolhand
Greetings Stik,
Your last newsletter on "choices" was excellent. I've always enjoyed your straightforward way of explaination. Good luck with some deserved extra time.
Best regards, Coolhand
Red Writing Hood <3 
You will be missed, Stik. I enjoyed the information you shared in this newsletter! Red Writing Hood
flex
I know many of you are ready to celebrate the fact that I'm stepping down as an editor of this newsletter. And many will miss you, including me.
Dr Taher writes again! 
Dear Stik,
You may get to read these comments at least. If so, please accept my good wishes for a long life and good health. This was one of the best newsletters I have read in quite some time. Thank you for your pearls of wisdom and insight into beautiful writing.
StephBee is a 911 Dispatcher for LAPD. Her book, "Across the Fickle Winds of History," is available from Lulu.com. 3 Stars, Foreword Clarion reviews. "A creative way that solved the mystery of the Romanov murders." |
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