Friday, May 20, 2011
Cliffhangers
Ya know, as a reader, one thing that really irks me about writers is when they stop a chapter right before the good part. And, then they have the audacity to make the next chapter about someone else in the group who is not even in the same location. Now I have to wait even longer to find out what happened. What kind of crap is that. Well, turns out, it's an effective technique to get your readers to keep turning the page. Works on me.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Conveying action
Aside from writing, another one of my hobbies is 3d rendering. One of my friends was in the middle of creating a scene with a tank. He wanted to show the muzzle flash, but it would be terribly difficult. I suggested showing some smoke trickling from the end of the barrel which would make the scene more dynamic. I thought about this for a few minutes and figure out that it related to my writing.
In order to convey action in a story we write in the past tense. The phrase "John punched Bill in the face." conveys more action than "John is punching Bill in the face." The same holds true for single frame drawings. The image of a main character in the act of throwing another shows action, but showing the end of that scenario where in the background the main character is bent over in half with arms outstretched and the poor bastard who was thrown flying through the air upside down towards the camera. Showing the end of the action is always preferable in writing, and as it turns out that translates well into art too.
In order to convey action in a story we write in the past tense. The phrase "John punched Bill in the face." conveys more action than "John is punching Bill in the face." The same holds true for single frame drawings. The image of a main character in the act of throwing another shows action, but showing the end of that scenario where in the background the main character is bent over in half with arms outstretched and the poor bastard who was thrown flying through the air upside down towards the camera. Showing the end of the action is always preferable in writing, and as it turns out that translates well into art too.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Valentines day 2011
It's Valentines day once again. As always, most men struggle to find "The Perfect Gift". I'll tell you a secret. You can't find "The Perfect Gift" in any store. If you are struggling to find something for your special someone. Why not try making something with your own two hands, or your brain. Since I have a passion for writing. The easiest thing for me to do is write something for my wife. She deserves much more, but alas I am neither a stone mason nor a carpenter. So her castle will have to wait. ;)
Valentines day
Love is a wonderful thing.
It can make you fly,
it can make your heart sing.
Valentines day is here at last.
Time to celebrate love,
a feeling that can't be surpassed.
Time for sending loved ones candy or flowers.
A thing of beauty for one of beauty,
too bad their life can be measured in hours.
Be careful which present you send.
Everything can have a double meaning,
and you don't want to upset your best friend.
Flowers wither and die quite fast.
She might think you're not serious,
and you love is fleeting and fast.
Candy is sweet, no doubt about that.
If she is concerned about her wieght,
she may think you are trying to make her fat.
But, sometimes a girl just likes to get flowers.
A box of candy is a delicious treat,
and finding the right gift, shouldn't take you hours.
So give without regret.
If your gift comes from the heart,
she will love it, no matter what you meant.
Before you go I'll tell you this.
If your gift comes from your hand,
your day will surely end with a kiss.
Valentines day
Love is a wonderful thing.
It can make you fly,
it can make your heart sing.
Valentines day is here at last.
Time to celebrate love,
a feeling that can't be surpassed.
Time for sending loved ones candy or flowers.
A thing of beauty for one of beauty,
too bad their life can be measured in hours.
Be careful which present you send.
Everything can have a double meaning,
and you don't want to upset your best friend.
Flowers wither and die quite fast.
She might think you're not serious,
and you love is fleeting and fast.
Candy is sweet, no doubt about that.
If she is concerned about her wieght,
she may think you are trying to make her fat.
But, sometimes a girl just likes to get flowers.
A box of candy is a delicious treat,
and finding the right gift, shouldn't take you hours.
So give without regret.
If your gift comes from the heart,
she will love it, no matter what you meant.
Before you go I'll tell you this.
If your gift comes from your hand,
your day will surely end with a kiss.
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