Action/Adventure: June 01, 2011 Issue [#4429]
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Action/Adventure


 This week: Tropes with Purpose
  Edited by: Leger~ Author IconMail Icon
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Table of Contents

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

About This Newsletter

The purpose of this newsletter is to help the Writing.com author hone their craft and improve their skills. Along with that I would like to inform, advocate, and create new, fresh ideas for the author. Write to me if you have an idea you would like presented.

This week's Action / Adventure Editor
Leger~ Author Icon


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Letter from the editor


A Purpose for Tropes


Have you ever started a story and your character manages to worm himself into a sticky situation? How to extract him? Or have you thought of a great character but really can't think of a great storyline to use her in? I Google the title of the newsletter "action adventure" and found this fun tropes website. http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ActionAdventureTropes The definition of trope in this case: a common or overused theme or device.

While I agree some of the scenarios are cliche or unusable...some could be pretty funny in a story.
Like these:

Futile Hand Reach --- When something bad happens to a character, the protagonist will reach out towards the the character in question.
Almost Out Of Oxygen --- Imminent death by suffocation is always a good way to ratchet up the tension.
Delivery Guy Infiltration --- If you want to get into the enemy base, just pose as a delivery guy.
No Plans, No Prototype, No Backup --- Any dangerous device or technology owned by a villain is one-of-a-kind; there are no design notes, no prototypes, and no backup copies.
Drool Hello --- The first inkling that a monster is above you? That yucky liquid splashing over your shoulders...
Paper-Thin Disguise --- An extremely transparent disguise that anybody in their right mind could see through, yet the on-screen characters can't.
Removing The Earpiece --- When an agent or operative removes their communication earpiece, they're going to disobey an order, go rogue, or say something "off the record."
Shoot The Fuel Tank --- In fiction, shooting a fuel tank makes it explode.

So next time you take on a super-villian, remove your earpiece and blow him to smithereens.

This week's question: Which trope was your favorite? Have you used these?
Send in your reply below! *Down*


Editor's Picks

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1112654 by Not Available.

Excerpt: He opened eyes that were gritty and dry, staring at the ebony dark that surrounded him. In the distance, he could hear the faint echoes of muffled voices approaching. Finally – guests! he mused, trying to stifle his excitement.

 Riff Tennyson in Invasion Protocol Open in new Window. (13+)
This is a spy spoof story and is my longest attempt at a comedy/action genre.
#1131994 by Owen Latchkey Author IconMail Icon

Excerpt: Riff ran across the rough asphalt of the warehouse parking lot with his standard issue Colt .45 fit snug in his hand. The warehouse was old and smoke had darkened the bricks into indistinguishable forms laying under a labyrinth of rusty stairs and walkways. A dog barked somewhere and Riff slipped into a narrow alley between two loading docks. He checked his watch. Good, I’m only a couple of minutes behind. Looks like this time I can get out before the fireworks go off.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1060988 by Not Available.

Excerpt: The Doubter's Dell was pleasant enough, made from meadowland and standing rocks with thick glades and a healthy stream surrounding the three rings of mercen boxes. But the dell offered something unnatural, too. Something dark and dreaded, and useful all the same. Its discovery convinced Den's father he should claim the dell for his own, and the dell would stay with Den's band as long as they could defend it.

 How Sailor Moon Saved My AP Grade Open in new Window. (ASR)
Based on a true story.
#815833 by Funky Scribbles Author IconMail Icon

Excerpt: Terri didn’t know what to think. The digestive system was such a complicated process, what with so man enzymes to memorize and all the macromolecules to track...a person needed more than two nights of cramming to hope for a good grade. But then, Terri hadn’t crammed at all. There was pre-calc homework to do and a German test to prep for. And of course, one mustn’t forget the three pages due on the evils of overseas sweatshops.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1081227 by Not Available.

Excerpt: It was a dark and stormy night…
Actually, the rains had stopped, and the cloudy sky was tinged with an orange haze from the lights downtown. A full moon peeked through the clouds, now and then, its intermittent light making the billows and wisps appear to race across a field of black velvet, punctuated by the few stars bright enough to compete with the big city lights on the horizon.


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The Writer's Cramp Open in new Window. (13+)
Write the best poem or story in 24 hours or less and win 10K GPS!
#333655 by Sophurky Author IconMail Icon

Enter to win 10,000 GPs!

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1774964 by Not Available.

Excerpt: A man dressed in a long black cloak with a hood that covered his face kicked him in the leg, causing him to fall to the stone cold floor. His attacker placed his foot on Thomas’ chest, the weight crushing his feeble body.
“Tell me where the Ruby Rose is, now!” Liam Thorston demanded, drawing a pistol from his cloak and aiming it at Thomas Peterson’s head.


 Cerriddwyn's Fire Open in new Window. (13+)
Gethen rode for his life. . . .
#1548077 by beetle Author IconMail Icon

Excerpt: He knew there was no way to avoid it if it wanted him, but he had to try. Hadn't the Foys always said: "We are, each of us, unable to change our natures."


 
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Ask & Answer

This month's question: Which trope was your favorite? Have you used these?

Replies to last month's question: What is your favorite kind of dragon?


Yui Author Icon: My favorite kind of Dragon is any dragon that is lazy and has the "Y'know, I really don't care" attitude.

Angelica Weatherby- Grateful28 Author Icon: WereHybrid Dragon! *Delight* Okay there are too many dragons to pick from... LOL

BIG BAD WOLF Feeling Thankful Author Icon: My favorite kind of dragon is one who does not destroy my house, does not eat my livestock, and, most importantly, does not make off with my wife! Uh oh! He's here again! Where's my sword at now?

A thinker never sleeps Author Icon: The Guivre flees in the presence of a nude person? Who knew getting naked was a way to fight a dragon? lol. Great newsletter.

writetight: Why, Leger, you left out the mythological creature I know best: The Myassis Dragon.

*Laugh*!



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