Author Thoughts - Tumblr Posts
Brain’s spewing out additions, questions, and thoughts to the above point.
Whose life and work is being given value in that statement? “The workers are hard to support because I won’t get_” is someone’s comfort being placed at a higher priority than another person’s life. Stand with the workers. Unions exist because we can never trust the boss to put us first. Every single workplace law and contract is written in the blood of those who suffered before being treated with the dignity owed to all human beings.
Who has the luxuries of time, money, and technology to consume art endlessly? There are plenty of people globally who cannot regularly access any of these, so the most loudly complaining voices just make me think, “You need a reality check.” Make me think of cousins we cannot regularly connect on social media because sometimes, their power is out for weeks. There are more important concerns in life than consuming a new piece of media. Perspective matters: the workers are more valuable than people being able to watch a new story.
What types of art are being set up as superior to others? To the previous point, there are communities that do not have the access that those in the so-called Western world take for granted. Yet they definitely create art, connect to human spirit, and share stories, too, without TV or movies. Independent films and film industries in other countries are still creating art. Hindi and Tamil films, Spanish films, Chinese films… if people want new, there is still new, from writers and artists not currently on strike. Those who are on strike need our support, and those creating media elsewhere should not be devalued simply because they are from elsewhere.
Why are people falling into a fallacy of thinking only new art is meaningful? If people want to be entertained, there are thousands of options that already exist. A massive amount of artistic expression is already out there, more than any one person could ever read, watch, or listen to with their own lifetime. These works are not less valuable just because they have been out for a longer time. And their creators sure would love for people to be invested in them, too.
Ultimately, seems obvious that we can so easily give up something we are simply used to, in order to fight for better conditions for the people who make it.
In fact, I reject the premise that it’s “hard” at all. We are not making any kind of “sacrifice” by not having new media. The writers and the actors are the ones who are fighting, the ones whose careers are at stake, the ones with reprehensible bosses who are not negotiating in good faith and have pushed them to a strike. Even more significantly, this is not the first and nor will it be the last career path impacted by changing technology, greedy bosses, and unjust treatment. We should all be paying attention because the decisions made here will ripple out everywhere.
Anyway. Support these unions, be active in your own union if you are part of one (because it is not separate from you, it IS you) and remember: your boss is never your friend!
seeing people be like ‘I know it’s going to be hard to support the sag strike because movies and shows will stop coming out but-’ is so fucking funny like can I introduce you to a beautiful concept called the million billion movies and shows that already exist that you couldn’t even get through in a lifetime if you wanted. welcome to heaven <3
I hate "Content"
It devalues everything to turn art into a product that must be created every week.
my stupid hot take:
People are shitting on fanfic writers because it's no longer cool to shit on indie authors. The trad authors everyone loved have all switched to indie/hybrid because tradpub is so broken. So now people have to feel superior to someone so they've picked fanfic authors.
oh and people who write fanfics are not "less talented" than people who write original works as their main source of income, by the way. fanfic writers aren't "all children going through a phase". they're writers who put in time, efforts and dedication just like any other writers, the only difference is that, instead of making their writing a career to earn themselves money, they write for free, out of pure passion, because they love the characters they're writing about so much that they're writing novel-length fics about them. you look uneducated af by using "fanfic writer" as an insult to imply fanfic writers aren't as valid or talented as writers who earn money from their works, especially when I've read so many fanfics that are a lot better and more professionally written than some best-selling books out there.
Character-driven vs Plot-driven Stories
What is a Character-driven story?
Character-driven stories gravitate toward intra and interpersonal relationships with the characters. Unlike a plot-driven story, these types of stories focus on how the character(s) arrives at a choice.
Readers tend to enjoy these types of stories because of the realistic characters authors write in those books. It allows the reader to see themselves or others in those characters, developing an emotional connection.
What is a Plot-driven story?
A Plot-driven story gravitates toward the external rather than the internal conflict. Unlike a character-driven story, these types of stories focus on the choice a character must make rather than what they do to get there.
Readers tend to enjoy these types of stories because of the well-constructed plot. Seeing a character in a situation they cannot control may provide a sense of purpose or familiarity for the reader.
(This is something my friend said she likes about plot-driven stories. It may be true for other readers, as well.)
Which is best?
I’m going to let you in on a little secret. There is no such thing as the “best” way to write a story. It all depends on preference.
If you want to write a story for an audience who will analyze your characters, write for that audience. If you want a story for an audience who will gravitate toward your well-constructed plot, write for that audience.
There is somebody out there who will love your book, I guarantee.
If you have any questions, or feel as though I’ve missed something, feel free to let me know!
Genres
What is a genre?
A genre is a category that your story belongs to based on form, style, or subject matter.
Action/Adventure
Your book belongs to this genre if your characters are on a quest or journey to reach a concrete goal. Take The Lighting Thief by Rick Riordan. The goal is to return the lighting bolt to Zeus before summer solstice, or there will be war.
Fantasy
Your book belongs to this genre if the world in your story has a type of magic system, or includes mythical creatures. Think of Dragons, Centaurs, Pixie dust, et cetera.
Mystery
Your book belongs to this genre if the story centers around a question(Who, What, Where, Why, and How). Think of Criminal Minds, Mondays Not Coming, Lucifer, etc.
Romance
Your book belongs to this genre if your story centers around the romantic relationship of two or more characters. Think of Five Feet Apart, To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, Love, Simon, etc.
(Keep in mind, your story can belong to more than one genre. There are no limitations.)
If anyone has any questions, or feels as though I’ve left something out, feel free to let me know!