Wednesday, January 7, 2009
A Fiction Writing Technique - Play the "What If" Game
The fastest way to open up a story, unleash the passion of characters and uncover verizon conference call line is to play the "What If" game. For example, your character was in a fight, got scared and ran away. That worked pretty well, but student loan debt consolidation don't know where to go next. Ask yourself, "What if my character doesn't run away? What if she faces down her enemy?" So you try this new "what if", but the passion still isn't there. What next?
Ask another "what if" question, such as, "What if the character pulls out a gun?"
Where did that thought come from? There's not even a potential for a gun in the scene. Aha-what if the character pulls out an emotional gun? For example, if in your first version, the character is silent or passive in the face of a verbal assault, what if he shouts? (Notice that in asking what if, she turned into he.)
What if he screams? Rants and rages?
What if the character is married? What if the character isn't married? Has children? Has just been fired?
What if the character is ten years older? Ten years younger? Has just fallen in love? Broken up with a lover? Divorced? Is about to go into bankruptcy?
What if the character is a hit man? Lives in the country instead of the city? Lives in a poor neighborhood instead of a middle class neighborhood? Is really a writer and not a doctor? Is a homeless woman instead of a wealthy suburbanite? Is a thief? Steals out of necessity? Steals for thrills?
The "what ifs" are endless!
Think of a story or character. It can be one you're working on or you can just make up one right now. Make list of at least ten "what ifs" for the story and character.
Which of the "what ifs" sounds the most exciting? Write the story using that what if and see how the story changes. Invite change. Don't be afraid to overwrite. It is easier to pull back from overwriting than it is to build up from work that is thinly drawn. Expect to write garbage. Don't worry if you find yourself telling instead of showing. In fact, don't worry. If you worry, you won't take chances and you won't have fun.
Emily Hanlon is a writing coach, a creativity coach and novelist.
As a writing coach, I demystify the writing process for you with my two pronged approach of teaching technique and unleashing creativity. I teach you how to defang your Inner Critic -- you know that voice inside your head that berates you with thoughts such, "Who am I kidding? I can't write. I'll never be a writer, so why try..."
My aim is for you to become the writer you want to be.
Join the mailing list and receive a free writing prompt ebook.
Visit my website to see they array of offerings. www.thefictionwritersjourney.comhttp://www.thefictionwritersjourney.com
Accessorizing Video Game Consoles - Cables, Headsets and More
It's 2008 and Viagra gaming world has never looked better. Technological advancements are rapidly changing the way video games are played and experienced. With bold innovation, game developers are channeling the best in hi-tech electronics to deliver mind-blowing video game titles. In addition to the games, video game consoles are now a platform for entertainment in its many forms. Social networking and home theater technology has changed gaming consoles. As a result, video game consoles also come with a host of video game accessories that are not only important for chatting, watching movies or viewing photographs but also enhance game play.
Home theater entertainment is about hi-def and nothing less. HDMI is the new video game cable standard, set by Sony's Play Station 3 and the Microsoft Xbox 360. Characterized by astounding picture quality, high definition games truly introduce virtual reality. Systems using older technology, like the Wii cables, aren't really able to match the quality of a high definition signal. Nevertheless S-video cables, component cables and composite cables, which have all been car direct insurance line in the past, are integral to many video game consoles.
With the advent of multiplayer gaming through Xbox Live and, more recently, the Play Station Network, the need for gamer communication was heightened. A good gaming headset is essential for a hardcore gamer when battling through a multiplayer environment. Keeping in touch with team-mates scattered across the globe is made much easier with a Bluetooth headset. The wireless advantage is obvious - clutter-free convenience. Handheld systems have long relied on headsets to provide the audio output to gamers. The Nintendo DS headsets and PSP headsets are sleek earphones with a microphone for social networking.
As games become longer and infinitely more complex, the need for a storage medium, that is, video game memory, has been felt. The early 8 MB memory cards for the Sony Play Station One have been replaced by 80 GB hard drives that use high speed SATA 2 technology. Multiple flash card readers that support a variety of formats are now the standard for video game consoles. The advantage of a built-in card reader is that the gamer can choose the best memory card, rather than be forced to use a proprietary one. Another advantage of removable storage is the expanded ability of the console to handle videos, photos and music. A memory card can be quickly and easily loaded from a computer, and the multimedia accessed anytime, anywhere. A variety of memory cards for various consoles e.g. GameCube memory card, PSP memory etc. are readily available in the market now-a-days.
About the Author:
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