Just in case you were interested, here is my writing To Do List. I'm mostly posting it here for my benefit, but perhaps some of you will find it interesting. In no fixed order (although priorities are generally near the top)...
Fanfiction:
- Last chapter of 'Magnetic Resistance' (Law and Order: SVU)
- Finish 'It Happened One Night' (Law and Order: SVU)
- Finish 'Exhibitionist' (Law and Order: SVU)
- Start sequel to 'Magnetic Resistance' (Law and Order: SVU)
///// Half-started ideas /////
- Twilight: The Descent Into Madness (Legally Blonde/L&O:SVU/Twilight crossover)
- By Courier (Devil Wears Prada/L&O: SVU crossover)
- Unnamed Devil Wears Prada fic
- Unnamed Jane Rizzoli/Maura Isles smut (Rizzoli & Isles)
- Unnamed KIGO fic (Kim Possible/Shego... yes, I am a total dork)
Original Fiction:
- The Witch's Daughter (2 more chapters to go...)
- Senator's Daughter (needs a title!)
///// Half-Started Ideas/////
- Lilith's Redemption (new supernatural-themed original fiction novel)
- Murder, Lies, Statutory Rape, and Madison Rose (drama/romance)
///// Other Plans /////
- The two other books in the Chopin universe
- The last book in the Amendyr universe
That list probably makes very little sense to you, but it's good to have goals. Lots of goals. And NaNoWriMo is coming up, so that will be a splendid time to knock out some writing and hit some big word count numbers.
Showing posts with label fanfiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fanfiction. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Tags
I have a terrible cold today, but that hasn't stopped me from writing! I churned out around 6,000 words, including 2,000 for The Witch's Daughter, 2000 for Magnetic Resistance (my L&O fanfiction), and 2000 more for my newest fanfic, It Happened One Night. How did I get so productive today? I have no idea. Once it started, the writing bug just refused to leave.
Today, I am going to talk about 'dialogue tags'. They are the little blurbs scattered throughout your dialogue that basically work as "he said" or "she said". That is a very simplistic explanation. The tags do not need to describe the voice, but they usually contain an action that refocuses the reader's attention on who is speaking and what emotions are passing between the characters. Here are some examples of dialogue tags from my work today.
First, you have to come up with the dialogue. Here is the first line of dialogue from chapter fourteen of Magnetic Resistance, which I wrote today.
Now, we have to clarify who is speaking, how they are speaking, what they are doing... just something to give the reader a mental image. To do this, we are going to add a 'tag' onto the end of the piece of dialogue. The following is the actual first line of the chapter.
This is a pretty standard dialogue tag. Tags can be either long or short. For example, I could have clipped the sentence at 'Olivia asked.' If you add too many long tags, it will get boring, but adding too many short ones is equally distracting. You want a balance. Similarly, you do not want to use the same words for all of your tags. Alternate between 'said', 'asked', 'whispered', 'shouted', 'confessed', 'pleaded', ect. However, do NOT overuse your tags and flood the reader with unnecessary words. It is a fine balance.
I generally do not put more than three tags in a row unless I am writing about a large group. I like to use two and then insert a line of pure dialogue, like so...
Tags can also precede a piece of dialogue instead of following them. This type of tag is rarer than the first one (tags that follow the dialogue). Here is an example of a dialogue tag that comes before the spoken words. It is from The Witch's Daughter.
Just for kicks, here is a second example from Magnetic Resistance
Like the first example, these tags can be clipped or stretched based on the writer's preference. I could have stopped it at 'I groaned' before going in to the dialogue.
There is one place where I do NOT recommend using tags: instances of rapid, back and forth dialogue between two people. Here is an example. The speakers have already been identified earlier in the scene, and no tags are needed.
Finally, here is a longer chunk where you can see dialogue tags in action!
Today, I am going to talk about 'dialogue tags'. They are the little blurbs scattered throughout your dialogue that basically work as "he said" or "she said". That is a very simplistic explanation. The tags do not need to describe the voice, but they usually contain an action that refocuses the reader's attention on who is speaking and what emotions are passing between the characters. Here are some examples of dialogue tags from my work today.
First, you have to come up with the dialogue. Here is the first line of dialogue from chapter fourteen of Magnetic Resistance, which I wrote today.
"Hey, Elliot, do you know any French?"
Now, we have to clarify who is speaking, how they are speaking, what they are doing... just something to give the reader a mental image. To do this, we are going to add a 'tag' onto the end of the piece of dialogue. The following is the actual first line of the chapter.
"Hey, Elliot, do you know any French?" Olivia asked as she walked in to the bullpen, a cup of coffee clutched in her right hand...
This is a pretty standard dialogue tag. Tags can be either long or short. For example, I could have clipped the sentence at 'Olivia asked.' If you add too many long tags, it will get boring, but adding too many short ones is equally distracting. You want a balance. Similarly, you do not want to use the same words for all of your tags. Alternate between 'said', 'asked', 'whispered', 'shouted', 'confessed', 'pleaded', ect. However, do NOT overuse your tags and flood the reader with unnecessary words. It is a fine balance.
I generally do not put more than three tags in a row unless I am writing about a large group. I like to use two and then insert a line of pure dialogue, like so...
"What does that mean?" Olivia asked.
"It means, 'what would I do without you?'"
"And this one? Je t'aime means 'I love you', right?"
"Yeah," Munch confirmed. "And Amour de ma vie means 'love of my life'.
"It means, 'what would I do without you?'"
"And this one? Je t'aime means 'I love you', right?"
"Yeah," Munch confirmed. "And Amour de ma vie means 'love of my life'.
Tags can also precede a piece of dialogue instead of following them. This type of tag is rarer than the first one (tags that follow the dialogue). Here is an example of a dialogue tag that comes before the spoken words. It is from The Witch's Daughter.
I groaned, giving my head a brief shake to try and clear away the blurriness at the edges of my vision. “A good shield in the wrong place is not very helpful.”
Just for kicks, here is a second example from Magnetic Resistance
"And how many people know that you like it to hurt a little?"
This time, it was Alex's turn to blush. "A grand total of one. You think I let myself trust just anyone?"
This time, it was Alex's turn to blush. "A grand total of one. You think I let myself trust just anyone?"
Like the first example, these tags can be clipped or stretched based on the writer's preference. I could have stopped it at 'I groaned' before going in to the dialogue.
There is one place where I do NOT recommend using tags: instances of rapid, back and forth dialogue between two people. Here is an example. The speakers have already been identified earlier in the scene, and no tags are needed.
"Aw, that was years ago. Get over it."
"Don't you have some kind of gun rally to attend, some death penalty case to support, or some woman in DC to screw?"
"Nope! I have nothing but time for you, my dear Alex. You know you're my favorite."
"Don't you have some kind of gun rally to attend, some death penalty case to support, or some woman in DC to screw?"
"Nope! I have nothing but time for you, my dear Alex. You know you're my favorite."
Finally, here is a longer chunk where you can see dialogue tags in action!
"Don't worry about it, Alex, she's definitely interested," Abbie said, picking up on her friend's dazed and slightly confused expression. "I've watched her watch you for years. Given the chance, that woman would beat you like a rented mule." When two blue eyes widened, she added, "would you prefer ride you hard and put you away wet?"
Alex groaned. "I don't know which of those two was worse. Drop it, Abbie, or I'm going to stab you through the hand with my fork!" She brandished the utensil in a threatening manner until a throat cleared loudly beside them.
"Ya need some more water, hon?" asked their waitress.
Alex kept her composure. Now that Olivia Benson was not in the room, it was easier to remain calm and professional. "Yes, please," she told the waitress, purposely not reacting to the loud smack of her gum. "Thank you," she added when the waitress took her glass.
Once they were alone again, Abbie started laughing. Alex shot her a pointed glare. "I think you make a game of embarrassing me, Charmichael, and you probably even keep score."
Abbie didn't deny it. "I'm just trying to help you loosen up, Cabot. But since Olivia Benson was sleeping in your bed last night, maybe she'll do the job for me."
Alex groaned. "I don't know which of those two was worse. Drop it, Abbie, or I'm going to stab you through the hand with my fork!" She brandished the utensil in a threatening manner until a throat cleared loudly beside them.
"Ya need some more water, hon?" asked their waitress.
Alex kept her composure. Now that Olivia Benson was not in the room, it was easier to remain calm and professional. "Yes, please," she told the waitress, purposely not reacting to the loud smack of her gum. "Thank you," she added when the waitress took her glass.
Once they were alone again, Abbie started laughing. Alex shot her a pointed glare. "I think you make a game of embarrassing me, Charmichael, and you probably even keep score."
Abbie didn't deny it. "I'm just trying to help you loosen up, Cabot. But since Olivia Benson was sleeping in your bed last night, maybe she'll do the job for me."
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Letter
Just a little something I wrote while feeling frustrated today. Might send it, might not, but if I do, it'll be edited again first. I know that it sounds a little "whiney".
Dear Mr. Wolf,
First of all, I wanted to thank you for creating several amazing television shows, including my favorite, Law and Order: SVU. I am not sure if you will ever read this letter, as I am sure that you receive many others, but I had to write it for myself anyway.
In addition to being a writer, an artist, and a musician, I am also a lesbian. I should probably add that I am a diehard Alex Cabot/Olivia Benson fan. I was disappointed with the whole Babs Duffy thing (she was pretty annoying), but usually, you’ve got a friendly attitude towards the LGBT community, and we appreciate it.
However, every time I watch Law and Order: SVU, no matter how much I enjoy it, there is an ache in my chest. It is an ache that all gay, bisexual, and transgender people carry around with them. A longing.
When I was little, I searched for role models just like other young girls. I loved Disney movies, but wanting to be a princess and marry one as well confused me. At twelve, I spiraled into a deep depression. Over the next two years, I attempted suicide twice. Only the love of my best friend, who is now my girlfriend of six years, saved me.
During my recovery, one of the things that helped me was fanfiction and original fiction about lesbians. It might seem silly, but it eased my pain to imagine that somewhere out there was a strong, confident woman who was like me. In my slice of WASP suburbia, I was the only lesbian I knew apart from my girlfriend. The internet was a safe way to share my secret dreams and hopes.
Although it helped me, becoming a fangirl of lesbian pairings (especially Alex/Olivia) was a two-edged sword. I gained confidence, but I knew that my dream would never become a reality no matter how many stars I wished on. I longed for one – just one – gay role model that wasn’t from a soap opera like The L Word.
No matter how many stars I wish on, I know the whole Alex/Olivia thing is never going to happen. Stephanie March is gone (again), and television has always been cautious about giving us lead roles. I suppose we crash ratings or something. But I wanted to spread a message.
Somewhere, a young gay teenager just like me is desperately searching for a role model she will never find. Maybe suicide wouldn’t have seemed so attractive if I had been able to watch a gay character on TV and envision a future like theirs – a successful future instead of a painful one. It would have been like a light at the end of the tunnel. It would have helped me forget the pain of breaking my parents' hearts, having to choose between missing prom and going alone, and the constant bullying.
This isn’t a demand or a plea... I guess I just wanted to let someone in the whole TV/Movie industry know how we feel (and judging by the fan websites out there, there are a lot of us)! We’re still waiting for the first mainstream show to have a central lesbian character/relationship. No, The L Word totally doesn’t count – it’s basically a bunch of hot women sleeping around and causing unnecessary drama. Definitely not the kind of role models I want.
Maybe someday (assuming you actually read this letter), you will be in the position to mention it to the boring old “men in black suits” that make the money decisions and select pilots. Maybe someday, we’ll go farther than Xena, Warrior Princess ever could. Maybe someday, a teenager will be able to envision a better future for herself.
Thanks and best wishes, your faithful fan,
Rae D. Magdon
Dear Mr. Wolf,
First of all, I wanted to thank you for creating several amazing television shows, including my favorite, Law and Order: SVU. I am not sure if you will ever read this letter, as I am sure that you receive many others, but I had to write it for myself anyway.
In addition to being a writer, an artist, and a musician, I am also a lesbian. I should probably add that I am a diehard Alex Cabot/Olivia Benson fan. I was disappointed with the whole Babs Duffy thing (she was pretty annoying), but usually, you’ve got a friendly attitude towards the LGBT community, and we appreciate it.
However, every time I watch Law and Order: SVU, no matter how much I enjoy it, there is an ache in my chest. It is an ache that all gay, bisexual, and transgender people carry around with them. A longing.
When I was little, I searched for role models just like other young girls. I loved Disney movies, but wanting to be a princess and marry one as well confused me. At twelve, I spiraled into a deep depression. Over the next two years, I attempted suicide twice. Only the love of my best friend, who is now my girlfriend of six years, saved me.
During my recovery, one of the things that helped me was fanfiction and original fiction about lesbians. It might seem silly, but it eased my pain to imagine that somewhere out there was a strong, confident woman who was like me. In my slice of WASP suburbia, I was the only lesbian I knew apart from my girlfriend. The internet was a safe way to share my secret dreams and hopes.
Although it helped me, becoming a fangirl of lesbian pairings (especially Alex/Olivia) was a two-edged sword. I gained confidence, but I knew that my dream would never become a reality no matter how many stars I wished on. I longed for one – just one – gay role model that wasn’t from a soap opera like The L Word.
No matter how many stars I wish on, I know the whole Alex/Olivia thing is never going to happen. Stephanie March is gone (again), and television has always been cautious about giving us lead roles. I suppose we crash ratings or something. But I wanted to spread a message.
Somewhere, a young gay teenager just like me is desperately searching for a role model she will never find. Maybe suicide wouldn’t have seemed so attractive if I had been able to watch a gay character on TV and envision a future like theirs – a successful future instead of a painful one. It would have been like a light at the end of the tunnel. It would have helped me forget the pain of breaking my parents' hearts, having to choose between missing prom and going alone, and the constant bullying.
This isn’t a demand or a plea... I guess I just wanted to let someone in the whole TV/Movie industry know how we feel (and judging by the fan websites out there, there are a lot of us)! We’re still waiting for the first mainstream show to have a central lesbian character/relationship. No, The L Word totally doesn’t count – it’s basically a bunch of hot women sleeping around and causing unnecessary drama. Definitely not the kind of role models I want.
Maybe someday (assuming you actually read this letter), you will be in the position to mention it to the boring old “men in black suits” that make the money decisions and select pilots. Maybe someday, we’ll go farther than Xena, Warrior Princess ever could. Maybe someday, a teenager will be able to envision a better future for herself.
Thanks and best wishes, your faithful fan,
Rae D. Magdon
