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Drama: March 23, 2016 Issue [#7515]

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Drama


 This week: Getting Started
  Edited by: Creeper Of The Realm 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

It begins with a character, usually, and once he stands up on his feet and begins to move, all I can do is trot along behind him with a paper and a pencil trying to keep up long enough to put down what he says and does.
~ William Faulkner


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Letter from the editor

Most people will tell you that the first page has to hook a reader in order for them to continue. Perhaps the first paragraph? No, the first sentence. If it doesn't hook them by the end of the first page, your character is doomed, your story is doomed and there goes all your hard work. Right? In today's day and age, everything is timed. There isn't any room for enjoyment. Results are expected from the start.

Say it isn't so. Let's say that the character matters more than the first line or paragraph or page. Shouldn't they?

A reader will always look for some kind of connection with the character - a trait they can relate to. No matter how much we want to escape reality, the truth is, we always need a lifeline to it. Your character can provide that. You as a writer can produce a character who will have a hold on them. Remember, once the familiarity is established, the world you created becomes the reader's world.

We all have different tastes in genres and the types of writings we prefer. Same with the hook. Starting with a long winded description of something such as the surroundings will most likely cost you a few readers at least. They are eager to start a story rather than be lost in a place they aren't familiar with.

That is why your focus has to be on target and when creating a character whom the reader is supposed to cheer for you have to be careful when deciding on their traits. More positive then negative, but always in moderation. No one likes a know-it-all either. *Smile* It isn't easy creating the right recipe no matter what anyone tells you.

Best way to go about it is to create a character spread sheet, making notes of anything which might be important or may play a role in the story to come. Even perfection has its faults. *Wink* If you do decide to go with the traits which completely stabilize your character than you must create conflict which they will face throughout the story.

No matter which road you take, do bring your character to life and don't make them a shadow of a person. Their emotions are important and need to be seen by the reader. Without it, you won't establish the right connection and no matter how hard you try and create the best story you possibly can, if their personality is lacking something important because you dismissed it, your reader will dismiss the story itself.

Escaping the reality is only a mirage. We all want to belong somewhere and the attraction of books is where we find ourselves in. Make it last.

'til next time!
~ Gaby *WitchHat*


Editor's Picks

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#2078946 by Not Available.

 Aegis of the Skies Open in new Window. (13+)
A short story inspired by the Ace Combat series created by Namco and Project Aces.
#2064919 by Mista Winstrom Author IconMail Icon

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#2031651 by Not Available.

 
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The Last Prophet Open in new Window. (18+)
Evil never wins, it only makes moves.
#2078292 by Eric Wharton Author IconMail Icon

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#2078860 by Not Available.

 The Royal Curse  Open in new Window. (18+)
A Witch is forced to marry a witch killer.
#2073870 by cecilia-mar Author IconMail Icon

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Amarissa Open in new Window. (18+)
she was the moon's daughter, he was an outcast...
#2059665 by Jim Hall Author IconMail Icon

 
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Lysais' Story Open in new Window. (18+)
Lysais hates drinking blood. Not a good thing for a vampire.
#1935084 by Osirantinous Author IconMail Icon

 
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Ask & Answer

Editors love feedback! Don't be shy. Share your thoughts and writing with us. We look forward to hearing from you.


From my previous Drama Newsletter...

Quick-Quill Author Icon wrote:

Drama equals emotion. Conflict can be external or internal. Its what happens when the internal emotion is SHOWN. Two people vow to meet at a place in 10 years. What happens in those 10 years and the emotions the writer conveys leading up to the moment they or one arrives is DRAMA!


Sounds like you've written the story. *Bigsmile* Care to share? Kidding aside, that is true. Internal emotion is always important.

SkyHawk - Into The Music Author Icon wrote:

Gaby,

You are right that drama is important and shouldn't be avoided. I would, however, make one counterbalance to what you're saying here. That's to include properly-timed comedy. It doesn't need to be big; sometimes it's just the right quip at the right time. Example -- In the movie "Apollo 13," at one point it looks like the crew will run out of oxygen. One of the crew members realizes he miscalculated. Another (who was a last minute replacement) quips, "Does that mean I have to hold my breath?" Little bits of comedy like that can,if used right, heighten the drama in a story.


I'm not good at comedy whatsoever! *Laugh* I can do a lot of sarcasm though. Mixing genres is part of writing, the only difference is the main focus of your writing. There are plenty of sub-genres in each story. I just hope I don't have to do a whole lot of comedy. *Wink*

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