  Drama
This week: The Final Word Edited by: zwisis
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| Writing is hard work. I often wonder how many reader appreciate the hours of work that go into producing a single chapter, never mind an entire novel. Oh how I envy prolific writers like Stephen King or Barbara Cartland their ability to write books that appeal to millions of people, and to enjoy doing it. I love writing, and I love reading, but lately reading has taken up far more time than writing... one reason I've decided to stand down as a newsletter editor. I need to write more, and the research I've done during my time editing a Drama Newsletter has given me inspiration. Thank you all for reading my newsletters. |
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During my time as a Drama Newsletter editor I’ve gained a new appreciation for the genre. The visual media has hijacked the word "drama" to such an extent it’s almost become synonymous – and I know I’m generalising here – with the trials and trivialisations of daily life. Once upon a time drama, for me, meant depressing stories filled with misery and human suffering. Writing and researching these newsletters has shown me the Drama Genre is anything but dramatic.
What the visual media has done is dropped the first four letters from the word “melodramatic”, making the toughest and most negative aspects of the genre represent this category. Yet, the drama genre is anything but depressing. Historically, drama embraces all literary genres, from comedy to tragedy and suspense to fantasy and horror. So for this, my final newsletter, I want to share some of things I’ve learned during my time writing about the Drama Genre.
Characters
Make them believable and make them human. All characters, even heroes, are allowed to make mistakes and have disagreements with those close to them. While this is an important element for mystery and suspense it can be used in all genres. In fact, their mistakes can be used to create some truly memorable stories. And it’s acceptable to create tension between a hero and his compatriots – or a villain and his team. Think real life, and use all relationships to create tensions or harmony between characters. After all, they’re the ones telling your story!
Plot
On order to appeal to your readers your story must be interesting. Think about the reading audience you’re targeting, and make sure your story will appeal to those readers and hopefully attract more of them. Any compelling and engaging story will work, but don’t force your writing. Let the words flow so your characters tell your story. Readers are not stupid - the minute you begin forcing words onto the page or screen you risk losing your audience.
Relationships
Whether you’re writing horror, fantasy, comedy, war or romance, relationships are what make your story work. Nothing should be easy for your characters. In writing conflict is good – it holds your readers’ attention and maintains interest in the story. Think about romance – perhaps parents or relatives are opposed to a potential union between two people meant to be together. Sometimes an event like a war, a flood/earthquake/tsunami or a previous love can intervene to separate the couple. Consider another issue, such as a law that makes it illegal for two people from two different areas, to be together… or a scheming relative who has everything to gain by keeping the couple apart.
Twists
How many of us were prepared for the twists in “Mockingjay”, the final book in Suzanne Collins’ “Hunger Games” trilogy? Those two main developments re-enforced for me that life is never perfect, and we don’t always get the things we expect. Think about the worst and/or most unexpected thing that could happen to your character, and see if it fits your story. Introducing an unexpected twist into your story can raise the impact of your whole story on the reader. Just make sure the potential for the unexpected appears earlier in your story, otherwise it will not be believable and can ruin your entire story.
Write
All too often we writers spend too much time editing and cleaning up our story rather than just letting the words flow from the pen or keyboard. I’m guilty of this, and the main problem is I get so bored with the constant editing and spellchecking I lose interest in my story, and it never get finished. All the editing and correcting can be done when the story is completed. The most important thing is to get the story to flow and finish the writing that really is the soul of your story. Editing and correction are easy; creating the story is the real tough part of any writing experience.
Stephen King may not be everyone’s favourite author, but he’s one of the world’s most successful writers. His “On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft” is filled with excellent advice for any writer – not just those looking to write suspense or horror. One of my favourite of his quotes is this one:
“Write with the door closed; rewrite with the door open.”
Good advice! Thanks for reading and remember to WRITE ON!
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When he broached the matter of switching careers, invariably Victoria flew into a rage, questioning his judgment and sanity. To keep the peace and placate her, Sean put the subject on the back burner, hoping she'd eventually come around and see things his way, but she hadn't and it didn't seem as if she ever would.
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Sandy’s eyes started to swell as she looked toward his grave. Stuffing her hands deeper into her front pockets, she readjusted her posture and shifted her weight to her other side.
“We used to take walks together,” she started, “He always reminded me of how it was ‘easy money just to accompany the boss on his voyage through the park.”
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Irritation laces her voice. It replaces the soft, lilting tones I used to know. I turn at her question, trying to keep the pain from my eyes as our gazes connect. Those deep cobalt pools no longer look upon me with affection. They reflect the inner turmoil within as disease ravages her mind. A constant state of suspicion, anger, and accusations replaces any semblance of love.
"Why are you crying, Mommy?" came my youngest daughter's voice behind me.
I snatched a napkin from the lazy Susan and wiped my tears. "A young girl passed away yesterday." My daughter came closer to look at the paper. I pointed at the picture.
"Did you know her?"
I thought for a moment, "I like to think I did."
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He sat for a while with his head back, eyes focused on the dancing branches above. Somewhere beyond the dark green canopy, a noisy crow broke the silence of the lazy Monday afternoon. A little red Honda rounded the curve in the driveway in front of him and sped up the hill. He recognized the woman in the car as one of the aides on his floor, and for the first time he realized that he was somewhere he shouldn’t be.
He saw her name on the visitor's clipboard this morning. Mariana. She was interested in adopting a boy between the ages of five and ten. Jeremy was eight. There were two other boys in the orphanage between those ages. Jeremy prayed Mariana would choose him. He was tired of living in the orphanage. The other boys were brothers so unless Mariana wanted to adopt two children, Jeremy was the obvious choice. |
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ANN Counselor, Lesbian & Happy 
You did a lot of teaching in this newsletter and I believe you stirred up some new plots for drama and stories. Way to go!!
Thank you for your support! I hope the words are flowing from your pen onto the page!
Quick-Quill 
The last two books on your list are on my To READ list. My parents were married 65 years and I've been married 41. This was a heartbreaking NL as I thought, "This is the norm for this era. Sad but true."
Thank you for all the support you've given me during my time as a Drama editor. May all your writing dreams be realised! |
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Drama: August 13, 2014 Issue [#6485]
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