My Thoughts on the Inciting Incident

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"A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step." ~ Chinese Proverb

While I was in the writing program, I had the opportunity to read Syd Field's The Foundation of Screenplays. That book made quite a lot of sense to me but it doesn't "click" until one puts it into action.

Take the inciting incident. Why exactly is it important?

I know I asked that question when I read the book the first time and even did my research to get the opinions of other writers. But after I started noticing it in other scripts (and my own) I knew why. Sure, my way of describing the inciting incident might not be as lengthy, but I think it makes sense.

The best way to describe the inciting incident is by comparing it to a domino effect. Before the dominos begin to fall something has to hit the first domino. It's that first incident that sets the story into motion.

For example:

If my story is about a guy who gets into this one unexpected adventure after he gets to prison, I need to figure out what made him land in prison in the first place. And that's the inciting incident. 

It doesn't have to be a big event, it has to be that one thing that changes my protagonist life (for better or worse).

As writers we learn from trial and error.

But we also have to help each other out. Which is why I wanted to write about the inciting incident. It may not sound as much, but it will make the story flow like it should.

Oh, and if you haven't read any of Syd Field's books you should. But that's a personal recommendation.

Till next time,

Eva

Where I Come to Realize

Credit to creator

" The human mind always makes progress, 

but it is a progress in spirals." ~Germaine De Stael

A few weeks ago I was fortunate to land a job, which means I can pay my bills and go on with my life. And no, it's not a writing job...

Now lately I've been neglecting my writing (I've been trying to get the hang of things at work), but today there was this small incident that made me realize how much I want to write for a living.

And this is when I came to realize that I need to push myself more.

After all, I believe everything that happens to us can helps us achieve our ultimate goal, whatever that might be. So during lunchtime I decided to start working on a few loglines for a contest I've been contemplating on.

The way I see it is, we as people tend to become comfortable doing or being in a particular spot that we tend to forget what we really are after. Which is why being reminded  is always a good thing.

So remember that.

Till next time,

Eva

Where She Revisits an Old Tale

"Learn as though you would never be able to master it; 

hold it as though you would be in fear of losing it."~ Confucius

Now that I have quite an amount of time to spare, I have decided to go back to the basics. As I've mentioned before, the script I created for school will be rewritten from scratch and be told by another character. I believe it will work better that way, but before I do such a thing there is something I want to revisit...

The Hero with a Thousand Faces is the book that takes the protagonist piece by piece. It's a book that lets us understand the hero. Quite frankly I need to reread it. I need to understand the hero and study it. Just because I finished school doesn't mean I stop learning.

In a way it has become a goal of mine as a writer and student.

Till next time,

Eva

Where I Tried to Write a One Panel Comic Scene

I love to read graphic novels and mangas but I just can't draw. Even if my life dependent on it (isn't that just sad!).  But I came up with this one panel scene, even though writing comics is new to me, and if I knew how to draw I would've sketched it.

Enjoy! And if you think you can draw it, I would love to see it.

PAGE ONE (ONE PANEL)
A black and white splash. We see a park. We can tell it’s fall by the way the leafs are falling down due to the breeze. There’s a bench in the middle. BRENT, a bum, is laying down on it facing the sky. A newspaper is on his chest, but he’s sleeping.

SFX:
Swoosh!

1 CAP:
It’s not that I am a bum. The economy is just not helping me find a job.

~*~*



Till next time,

Eva

A Day when my Imagination wouldn't Stop

"Listen to the voices." ~William Faulkner

Today was a day when my imagination was running wild. A few months I got an idea for a new script but because I was busy working on my thesis script, I actually placed it aside. I did write the idea down though. However, the more I neglect this new story, the more it comes to torment me (in a good way). Sure, call me crazy. I am after all a writer.

If that's not enough, now that I have finally finished writing my thesis script, I am actually going to rewrite it. From another character's point of view that is. Isn't that the whole point of rewriting anyways?

After all, a script is not perfect-- it's a work in progress.

Besides, I feel that it will be better that way anyways. Call it a gut feeling. So now I have two different stories in my hands and it will go something like this: While I wait for my-now-protagonist to speak to me and tell me how the story should go, I will begin the research phase on my other story and this includes coming up with the bios.

I think I will be able to manage it, and now that I will be officially done with school I will have time to write and create.

Don't you just love inspiration?

Till next time,

Eva

When She Realizes that Changes are Coming

"All changes, even the most longed for,have their melancholy; 

for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die

 to one life before we can enter into another!" ~Anatole France

As I'm listening to Pandora I'm trying to see how to begin today's post. The music is catchy though, makes me think of those days when swing was in. So, I shall start with something like this...

Today I realized that it's not just me anymore. M (my boyfriend) and I have been dating for a few months. It is officially a serious relationship. Well, at least in my book. You see, I am a little afraid of being serious with someone. I've always had.

The many responsibilities that come with it. The fact that it's not just my choice anymore. Whatever I do will and does affect him. Meaning my actions, which bring consequences, are his in some odd way.

Relationships are complex.

Now how I came to realize this was rather simple. I asked M if he could do me a favor, and he told me that he would gladly do it, but we need it to discuss it. It is kind of a big deal so it makes sense, but you see, when I heard his response I didn't know how to react.

Usually if someone can or can't do a favor they will tell you. But nobody has told me, "I would gladly do it. We just need to discuss this. Is it alright?"

Yes, it took me awhile to process it. Fine, a few hours. Almost the entire afternoon. And this here is when I realized it's not just me anymore.

It's unknown territory for me. I've been running away from such a thing that now it's new and it brings mix feelings.

Sure, I might be leaving a part of me (the one that used to make choices that affected just her) but I'm obtaining a part of him.

It's new. I need to adjust. I'll be okay.

Till next time,

Eva

The Road of Uncertainty

"There is really nothing more to say--except why. But since why is difficult to handle, 

one must take refuge in how."~ Toni Morrison

Ah, yes. It will be almost a month now since I've started looking for a new job. Yes, I've had the few opportunities to meet for an interview, but that's as far as I've gotten. Yet, I know I'm not the only one. There are many of us who are looking for a new job. A new opportunity. I hope mine comes soon.

Hey, I need to stay optimistic.

I will say, it's been hard to not go crazy or depressed. Especially when I start thinking about why it is that I still don't have anything--when I start questioning everything.

If I could, I think I would've already pulled my hair out, out of mere frustration of course. Yet when I start reflecting, I can't help but put a smile on my face. I have a family that supports me and encourages me. I have friends that always try to remind me of how smart and talented I am--maybe they are just being sweet but I am grateful--and I have a boyfriend that does all of the things I've mentioned and more.

Earlier today I told him just how happy I was for being with him, and truth be told, if I wasn't with him and going out, even if it's just for dinner, I would've gone crazy or depressed by now. Hmmm... I don't think either one is good.

Yes, my world is full of uncertainties, and even my writing has been affected by the event, but I believe that somewhere down the road it will get better. I need to believe and think positive. Maybe this is one of the many lessons in life we have to learn from. Maybe.

Now I am aware I'm not the only one who feels this way; at least I hope so. Yes, it's tough. Frustrating. Meaningless even, but we must remember things happen in life (all the time!) and we must stay strong. Maybe this road of uncertainty will soon make sense to me and to you.

Till next time,

Eva

My Thoughts on...

So this was the last week in my Script Analysis and Criticism class, and you know what? I learned so much from it!

I learned that no matter the length of a script, or who wrote it, if there is no clear Act I: inciting incident, that sets off the key incident, that would then move the story to  plot point I, then the rest of the Acts would definitely not work.

Oh the ways of screenwriting.

This of course I was able to see through reading Rob Zombies script, House of 1000 Corpses. Frankly I had a very hard time reading this...

But now I am able to detect the inciting incidents, key incidents, plot point I, mid point (around page 60 or 60 minutes into the movie), plot point II, and finally the ending...

Boy... that was a mouthful.

I realize that what I now know will definitely be an advantage for me when it comes to not only reading other writer scripts, but when I write my own as well.

This new knowledge will also help me when I start writing my comic script...

Now For...


Tomorrow I begin my class on Film Screenwriting and Story Boarding...

YUP! I shall be using Toon Boom... sure I know that some of my classmates will see it as a waste of time and you know what, that's fine...

After all everyone has a right to have their own opinions on the matter...

But I see this with an open mind and also as a way to expand my skills...

Hmm...

I might just be a hungry writer that likes to learn from anything that is giving to me. 

Till Next Time

With a Little Perseverance

As I have mentioned previously, my Character Development course was extremely hard, and no matter what I did, somehow it wasn't good enough, or at least, that's how I interpreted my professor's feedback. Now I am well aware that a character's backstory is very important. It's what makes him or her a real person. See, I knew that, but it just wasn't being reflected on my work.

I was getting frustrated and there were times when I thought I would have to retake the course. No joke! But today, after many days of obsessing over my school email, I received an email with my professor's notes on my characters portfolio.

Yes, my heart was thumping and I was thinking the end of the world was approaching, but one thing is certain, I didn't expect what I read.

My professor loved it!

He loved my protagonist backstory and history as well as my antagonist backstory and history. In fact, he felt my antagonist bio was touching.

Gosh, I felt accomplished after reading that.

I guess it's true what they say about not giving up and giving it your all.

Little by little, I feel I'm getting there, wherever there is.

Till Next Time

About a Book and Nonsense

I know, I know... I haven't post it anything, but I do have a good excuse! errr... okay, I don't 

So what I wanted to write about today was the book I am reading for class this month, Heroes & Villains. I will admit,  I'm the type of person that will give a book a chance, but once it looses my interest I really don't open it again. This was one of the books that lost my interest. I mean I read half of the book, but there were just parts that lost me, plus it had bits and pieces of theology (something I'm not interested in...) so maybe I was just being bias? I mean, we can't all like the same thing right?  

Personally I think they should've chosen a book like Campbell's The Hero With A Thousand Faces. This was a character development course and I think his book would've been a better choice.  

Just saying...

About Nonsense  

So as I was driving to work this past week I started to reminiscing about my childhood, well parts of it :laughs: I don't know about any of you, but when I was in elementary school, and it was vacation time my parents made us copy words from the dictionary and made us do one or two paragraphs on a country or animal we didn't know about... Yup! my parents loved to buy those darn encyclopedias .

There were times when I personally hated it but it was challenging so maybe it was a 50-50 feeling. A love/hate relationship?

But now I see kids and well they don't get challenged at home. One is lucky if they pick a book to read or if the parents make the kid pick a book to read. It's just interesting how times have changed...

A short post but I do hope it was at least fun to read :)

Till next time,

Eva

My First Post About School

No one ever said that writing was easy, or that becoming a creative writing student was easier. I've written fanfiction and prose but never in my entire life (so far), ever considered writing a screenplay. That's a whole new world for me. A whole new ballgame!

Did You Know?

• That a screenplay has to be 120 pages.
• That a page has to not look crowded.
• That one has to be able to point out where plot point I and plot point II are.

There is so much that I'm learning that it becomes overwhelming.  I've made some mistakes already but who hasn't right?

What I Learned This Month:

I learned to write and realize the importance of a character full biography. Believe me, the more you get to know your main character, the more alive they become and the more they write the story and not you.



I also was sleep deprived :p. Not fun since I'm a morning person and that means heading to bed early. But no, not this month and I doubt that will happen for a very long time.

And hello :). If you've read this post then nice to meet you.  Monday I start my new class: Multimedia Terms and Genres. I'm excited! :)