Archive for the ‘writing’ Category

Lyric writing

Monday, November 3rd, 2008

Writing lyrics can be difficult initially, but by practicing for some time, the quality of the lyrics will improve and they can be written in a shorter time.

To write lyrics the song writer has to :

  • decide on the type of music rap,hip hop, pop rock, R&B or country music
  • decide the subject of the song
  • write the story of the song
  • put in rhyming words to make a song
  • frame the words in the song, by adding more words till they make sense
  • extend the song to put in more lines

When the lyric writers frame the song in tune and make the musics,the attention of the audience is distributed among music and the voice of the singer. The singers voice will sound better with the music.

Story Subject

Sunday, November 2nd, 2008

While choosing the subject of a story, the author has to consider

  • the target audience and market demand for fiction in that field
  • the personal preferences of the author.

Reading a lot of books will help the author get new ideas.  Other methods of research are:

  • Observing people
  • Talking to people
  • Reading newspapers and magazines
  • Checking online message boards and forums

Screenplays

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008

Screenplays are either written on assignment  or are speculative depending on how they are commissioned. Many established screenplay writers work on assignment basis.

Assignments for writing screenplays are commissioned by production studios on the basis of the story idea provided by producers or books the studio has purchased the film . The assignment may be for an original screenplay or a  screenplay based on a novel, short story, comic book, real life incident or a video game. Sometimes, the assignment may be for  rewriting the script , so that it is approved by the producer.

Speculative (or “spec”) scripts are written independently by screenplay writers, so that they can sell it to studios after it is ready. Some writers get a better price for a spec script than a script written on assignment . The writers of spec scripts also have more creative freedom. Writer directors who are making a low budget film may also write a spec script.

Scripts

Tuesday, October 21st, 2008

A script  is an outline of  a film or television program. The terms script and screenplay are often used interchangeably for visual arts. It is similar to a story which has a plot, characters and setting. However, it includes a visual element as the characters emotions, actions and dialogs are also included, unlike a story where the reader has to use his or her imagination.

A screenplay may be original or may be based on a story or novel. When it is based on a story,  the author may be paid a  substantial amount for the television or movie rights of the story. The screenplay may be written by another person, but the author is often consulted. In the movie credits, the writer is only credited with the story for the movie, if the screenplay is written by someone else.

The format of  a script or screenplay varies , but depends on where it is used. Scripts written for films follow a standard studio format  which stipulates how dialogs, action, characters and other elements should be presented on a page. The scripts for television follow a similar format.

When is a story unfinished ?

Wednesday, October 1st, 2008

Many people like writing and plan to write a story. But writing is a creative process, and writing a novel is a time consuming process. The author has to be very disciplined and write a few pages everyday. Many times the writings may not be up to the standards of the author, due to which they may have to be written. Since few people are full time writers and usually hold a conventional job, at some stage they may give up on writing the novel or put the writing on hold, planning to complete it at a later date when they have more free time.

The beginning and end of a novel are the most important parts and play an important role in the success or failure of the novel. The beginning of a novel is important as it has to grip the attention of the reader and tempt him or her to continue reading the novel. The end of the novel or story creates a lasting impression on the reader and influences his or her recommendation of the book to his or her acquaintances and friends.

Experienced writers often experiment with different versions of the beginning and the end . They get feedback from the target audience and modify it accordingly. The literary agent or publisher who have a significant stake in the publication of the novel or book may also suggest modifications. Some times,the writer may not be satisfied with the ending of the novel and keep it unfinished till he or she gets a better idea.

Facts vs Fiction

Tuesday, September 30th, 2008

True stories are based on facts and there is always some closure. It is a sequence of events that has actually taken place at some time. Though collecting factual information can be a time consuming process, there is little scope for distortion of facts.

Newspapers and news magazines are supposed to report news stories based on facts. However, the news stories can paint an incorrect picture  by providing only partial information or highlighting only the negative aspects. The personal prejudices of the editor and the business interests of the publisher also affect the bias in the media. For many news stories, there is no right or wrong, it is up to the reader to read between the lines and make his or her judgment about what works and what does not.

Fiction consist of stories which are made up by the author. While the written word in the form of stories and novels is considered fiction, most people create a lot of works of fiction  in their life, in the form of stories they tell each other. Many fabricated tales (or lies) in real life remain unfinished, to cover up for one story, you tell another and there is never an end to the stories you make up, unless you admit your mistake.

Unfinished tales

Sunday, April 27th, 2008

Though oral communication skills are overvalued today , especially in offices, the spoken word is not binding and many times promises are very conveniently forgotten.

The written word endures, and remains an unambiguous method of communicating facts, ideas and thoughts.

Unfinished Tales explores the unfinished tales by the English author J.R. Tolkien as well as the various aspects of fiction and non-fiction writing.