Blogocentric Formulations

Links

A couple of great writing-related links today:


25 Things You Should Know About Antagonists:

http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2012/07/24/25-things-you-should-know-about-antag...

FAVORITE EXCERPT: "23. THE "KICK THE CAT" MOMENT. In Blake Snyder’s books, he speaks of giving the hero a “Save the Cat” moment — meaning, we get to rally behind the protagonist early on as we get to see just what he’s capable of because, y’know, he rescues the cat from the tree (metaphorically). Antagonists need the reverse: one requires a “Kick the Cat” moment (see also: “Detonate the Puppy,” “Machine Gun the Dolphin,” or “Force the Baby Seal to Watch a Marathon of the Real Houswives of Fucking Anywhere Ever” moment). We need to see just why the antagonist is the antagonist — show us an act that reveals for us the depths of his trouble-making, his hatred, his perversion of the ethical laws and social mores of man."

The 22 Rules of Storytelling, According to Pixar:

http://io9.com/5916970/the-22-rules-of-storytelling-according-to-pixar

FAVORITE EXCERPT: "#13: Give your characters opinions. Passive/malleable might seem likable to you as you write, but it’s poison to the audience."

And, for the visually minded, The 22 Rules of Storytelling, According to Pixar, Illustrated with Lego:

http://slacktory.com/2012/07/pixar-story-rules-illustrated-by-icanlegothat/