Writing Courses #1 – Udemy

Want to learn from writing courses to improve your work?

Whether you’re studying writing during school, university, or not at all, there are many courses out there waiting to be discovered.

My recent discovery, Udemy, has led to a wide variety of writing, and other, courses. I find it extremely useful as I can browse through a variety of courses and, with the app, save them to my wishlist, picking and choosing when to start.

However, these courses aren’t free. But if you keep checking back, and time it right, you can purchase them at a reduced price. I have been lucky so far, and have purchased two courses at a reduced price. I haven’t actually started them yet, but there’s no pressure, as I have lifetime access to the courses I’ve paid for.

Better yet, there’s a certificate of completion at the end.

And for any budding editors or publishers, there are Adobe courses – Adobe InDesign! – teaching you how to use the programs.

Know of any courses that have been worth your while?

Let me know,

VixenRose

 

Review: Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom

When the island’s dormant volcano begins roaring to life, Owen and Claire mount a campaign to rescue the remaining dinosaurs from this extinction-level event.

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

 

It was fantastic to be able to see this film the day after its release. So, initial thoughts…

The film otself was very well done, however, I did find that there was something lacking… Don’t get me wrong, it was a great film that I would happily see again, but I found that the main, shall we say, foe a.k.a. dino, was beaten very simply. Somehow this spoiled the film for me, leaving me confused. And I’m still not 100% sure how I feel about it now.

Current thoughts: the first film (of the reboots) was still better, but the second outing is still very good. And yes, I believe there is a third film due.

 

BE WARNED – SPOILERS AHEAD!

Great news folks, Blue is still alive! I must admit that I’m rather fond of her. And we get snapshots of the raptors as babies.

 

What’s the film about?

The film is set 3 years after the events of the first film. Isla Nublar’s ‘inactive’ volcano has roared to life and threatens the remaining dinosaurs on the island. Claire Dearing has had a change of heart and now seeks to save the dinosaurs from a second extinction. She is approached by Eli Mills who offers her a way to save the dinosaurs, in exchange for access to the dinosaurs trackers, and the successful capture of Blue. Yep, no hidden agenda there whatsoever…

Anyway, NOTHING GOES WRONG and the next thing we know, the dinosaurs are being aautioned off to the highest bidder with good ‘ol Dr. Wu back in the picture. Things seem relatively safe – stupid – but safe, until a new creature is brought out for viewing – the Indoraptor, anew hybrid – the first male dinosaur in the Jurassic films – designed to be a weapon. Clearly, nothing bad ever comes from money…

Long story short, he escapes. And he is an evil dino.

Is it worth a watch?

Definitely.

If you loved the first film, dinosaurs, the original trilogy, then this is worth a watch. Whilst it left me a little unsatisfied, I would watch it again.

4/5

V

 

Image Credits: IMDB courtesy jettyimages.com

Identity Construction in YA fiction – How does it affect how we construct our own identity?

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Whilst identity construction continues to be something we create for ourselves throughout our lifetimes, we begin to question who we really are when we hit adolescence; how will our identity affect us? How will our identity affect the course of our lives?

Our identity is not only something that we craft for ourselves, it also develops in response to external factors.

I believe that authors have changed the way in which they write their characters and construct their identities in fiction. Could this be due to societal changes?

Young Adult fiction has become an increasingly popular genre, dystopic fiction in particular, and it has almost begun to reflect changes in today’s society.

 Young adult fiction “increasingly reflects the changes taking place in society”

“Teens in today’s society are different than the teens of previous generations. The issues they deal with on a day-to-day basis tend to be harsher, which…

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Competitions #3 – Academy Nicholl Fellowship & Scriptapalooza Screenplay

the writing corner

Her’s the next couple of competitions: Academy Nicholl Fellowship and Scriptapalooza Screenplay!

Academy Nicholl Fellowship

The Academy Nicholl Fellowship is an international screenwriting competition. It is great for new and emerging screenwriters and aims to recognise talent.

To be eligible, you have to have earned no more that $25,000 for work for film and/or television.

Up to 5 winners are selected, and receive $35,000.

To find out more and view entry requirements/guidelines, follow this link.

Scriptapalooza Screenplay

Scriptapalooza Screenplay is another competition for – yes, you guessed it – screenwriters!

Again, this is another reputable competition, seeing winners signed, and their scripts made into films.

If you’re ready for your work to be seen, be sure to check out these competitions, and good luck!

V

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Writing Competitions #2 – Book and Script Pipeline

the writing corner

Here’s the next two competitions!

Book Pipeline

Book Pipeline was launched in 2014. It looks for material that can be adapted for film and television.

Types of work accepted include:

• Novels
• Non-fiction
• Plays
• Graphic novels and comics
• Proposals
• Short stories

Script Pipeline

Script Pipeline host several competitions a year, looking for material for film and television – if you’re a screenwriter, then this is a great site to check out.

I happened upon a great resource for screenwriters a week or so ago; a 2018 Screenwriting Competitions Calendar. This is well worth looking into if you have aspirations to enter competitions, and it covers some great competitions. It includes links to competition web pages, and the cost of entry.

And lastly, if you’re interested, I have finally set up my ‘author’ Facebook page!

But be warned – it’s still a work in progress!

More on the way,

V

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Writing Competitions #1 – NaNoWriMo and Inkitt

the writing corner

How do you know when a competition is legitimate?

How do you know if they’re worth your time?

Whilst there aren’t many ‘fake’ competitions out there, it is always worthwhile to see what you’ll be getting out of it.

For instance;

• If there is a publishing deal, where and how will your work be published?
• Who is judging, or critiquing, your work?
• Will the competition boost your writing resume?
• Is entry free, or do you have to pay?
• What will you get out of the competition?

These are just some of the questions that should be addressed when choosing which competitions to enter.

NaNoWriMo

Now, whilst NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) is exactly a competition, I use it to help me get some work done – I find that deadlines help me to get a project draft completed.

The aim is to write 50,000 words during the month of November…

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Review: I Heart Vampires

Yes, I know, I know. Two posts on vampires in one day?! What is wrong with me?

Well, I thought I’d share I Heart Vampires, stylised as I < 3 Vampires, with you.

I discovered it many years ago by accident, but thought ‘why not?’

It was created by Take180, but I can’t seem to find out whether they’re still going – somehow I think not.

Essentially, it was a weekly web show consisting of short videos of roughly 4-8 minutes, where the viewers had to ‘tell’ the cast what to do next. Nothing like a show that gets the viewers involved, hey?

I’ll throw you a carrot though, so bear with me.

The show starts with two friends who LOVE vampires. They run their own fan site, a.k.a. vlog. When the chapters of the latest Confessions of a High School Vampire are sent to Corbin and Luci, Corbin decides it’s a good idea to post them on her vlog – by the way, NOT a good idea. The author then announces that she will not be finishing the book, so Corbin and Luci set out to find her and apologise in the hope that she’ll finish the book.

 

 

I Heart Vampires Episode 1

The show consists of two seasons, as well as a couple of side videos of other cast members.

 

 

Nick: Into the Darkness Episode 1

 

 

Wyatt the Vampire Hunter Episode 1

I actually still enjoyed watching the series over again after so many years. It’s a shame that it didn’t last longer though…

The acting wasn’t too shabby either, it felt like ‘real people’ in a weird situation.

Have a watch. What do you think?

Perhaps I should start up a web series myself, as a writer and all, I’ve got that covered…

V

Review: Liar, Liar, Vampire

I thought I’d write about something a little different this week – I watched Liar, Liar, Vampire a day or so ago – part-research, part-boredom induced.

Considering it’s a film for teenagers, it actually wasn’t too bad. I couldn’t help but laugh at the parallels/parody of current vampire films, such as Twilight.

Liar, Liar, Vampire Trailer

I expect all of us have been in a situation where we’ve had to move somewhere, or to something, where we don’t know anyone – essentially where we become the ‘new kid/person’. (I, myself, am starting a new job next week!)

The story follows the ‘new kid’ who is mistaken as a vampire. So, what does said kid do? He makes everyone look like idiots by going along with the ruse.

Including sparkles!

Twilight-ish anyone?

 

 

Actors/Actresses

Davis Pell – Rahart Adams

 

I’ve actually seen Rahart in action before in the BBC show (I was still in the UK at the time, I know the BBC don’t own it) Nowhere Boys.

Rahart has great charisma, and it’s infectious!

Vi – Brec Bassinger

I don’t actually know any of the other actors from before the film, though they did a pretty good job.

 

 

Caitlyn Crisp – Tiera Skovbye

 

 

 

 

 

 

Opinion

Despite the film’s target age group, I did find it a refreshing take on the ‘vampire thing’ (and I say that as someone who reads vampire novels). The film tries to show that moving and change isn’t always a bad thing, and that everyone is still trying to figure out who they are whilst growing up.

Overall, not bad.

4/5

 

V

Writing the Synopsis

So, what is a synopsis?

A synopsis is basically a summary of the plot and characters. It gives an overview of the narrative arc.

For example:

Talon – Julie Kagawa

In Julie Kagawa’s groundbreaking modern fantasy series, dragons walk among us in human form. Long ago, dragons were hunted to near extinction by the Order of St. George, a legendary society of dragon slayers. Hiding in human form and growing their numbers in secret, the dragons of Talon have become strong and cunning, and they’re positioned to take over the world with humans none the wiser. Ember and Dante Hill are the only sister and brother known to dragonkind. Trained to infiltrate society, Ember wants to live the teen experience and enjoy a summer of freedom before taking her destined place in Talon. But destiny is a matter of perspective, and a rogue dragon will soon challenge everything Ember has been taught. As Ember struggles to accept her future, she and her brother are hunted by the Order of St. George. Soldier Garret Xavier Sebastian has a mission to seek and destroy all dragons, and Talon’s newest recruits in particular. But he cannot kill unless he is certain he has found his prey—and nothing is certain about Ember Hill. Faced with Ember’s bravery, confidence and all-too-human desires, Garret begins to question everything that the Order has ingrained in him— and what he might be willing to give up to find the truth about dragons.

Read More

 

Power Rangers – IMDB Synopsis

The film opens in the Cenozoic Era on Earth. A great battle has just taken place. The Red Ranger, Zordon (Bryan Cranston), crawls over to a dying Yellow Ranger crawls to him and de-morphs. Before she dies, Zordon apologizes for his failure to save them. After she dies, he communicates with Alpha 5 to send a meteor to destroy all life on Earth, and demorphs as he sends his and the rest of the Ranger’s power coins away, instructing them to seek those who are worthy of them. The Green Ranger, Rita Repulsa (Elizabeth Banks), appears to him, stating that with the Zeo Crystal, he and her can rule the Universe and the World. He tells her that will never happen. After telling him that he will die, he responds that they will die together. A huge blast then goes off, sending Rita into the ocean along with her power coin.

Continue Reading

 

The synopsis essentially tells the reader/viewer/agent/etc what they are about to read/watch – and this is important when trying to sell anything.

The Synopsis

Include:

Narrative arc

Active voice

Unique point of view

Story advancement

Clear writing

Avoid:

Too many characters/events

Too many details about plot twists

Details/descriptions/explanations that are unneccesary

Writing a back cover copy (a.k.a. blurb)

 

Be sure that your synopsis is clearly structured and easy to follow.

Writing the synopsis

 

V

 

Review: Ready Player One

So I finally made it to the cinema last week to see Ready Player One, and I wasn’t disappointed!

As someone who still enjoys The Matrix, it’s refreshing to see a new kind of film, unlike others that are currently out at the cinema.

Every now and again, something new, and unexpected (for positive reasons of course) pops up.

Ready Player One Trailer 1

Yes, there is a heavy focus on CGI and special effects – but think about it, what do we see in video games? Visually, the movie was fantastic.

What’s the film about?

Ready Player One is set in the dystopic future of 2045. It’s overcrowded, and people escape reality inside the OASIS – virtual reality. As Halliday – the creater of the OASIS – died without an heir, he designed a scavenger hunt for a hidden ‘Easter Egg’ in the game world – whoever finds this hidden egg becomes the owner of the OASIS and inherits Halliday’s fortune.

Wade, a.k.a. Parzival, happens to solve the first clue and becomes a target – he not only becomes famous amongst fellow gamers, but draws the unwanted attention of the ‘Sixers’.

Pop culture

The film boasts many references to pop culture – the iron giant being one of them.

How many can you spot?

The actors

Wade Watts/Parzival – Tye Sheridan

Samantha Cook/Art3mis – Olivia Cooke

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I-R0k – T.J. Miller

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sorrento – Ben Mendelsohn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMAGE CREDITS: Gage Skidmore

 

Helen/Aech – Lena Waithe

 

Daito – Win Morisaki

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sho – Philip Zhao

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ogden Morrow – Simon Pegg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

James Halliday/Anorak – Mark Rylance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The verdict

5/5

Time wasn’t wasted – we were introduced to the conceprt, and the characters, very quickly, and it didn’t take long for the main storyline to commence. No time-wasting filler scenes.

The film spent most of its time in the OASIS, so the visuals needed to be good. The scenes in ‘reality’ were merged to create a seamless film that flowed well.

Visually fantastic!

I’m now waiting for the DVD…

Have you seen it yet? What did you think?

V

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Review: TMI – Cassandra Clare

Cassandra Clare is one of my favourite authors, and I absolutely love The Mortal Instruments series – I think that part of the engagment came as I was reading the series before, during, and after my move to Australia, which was a stressful time for me.

The Books

Why do they have to be over?!

City Of Bones by Cassandra Clare, published 2007 by Margaret K. McElderry Books

 

For me, Clary’s journey spanned over the course of several years as I anticipated the next book release.

I enjoyed the story as an escape from everday life, and would often stay up late with a torch to read (back in the days when I had a curfew).

The story follows Clary Fray as she learns of her nephilistic ancestry, her father, and who she is destined to become, alongside her best friend Simon.

 

City of Bones (Film)

The film didn’t do as well as it could have, apparantly…

I was thoroughly excited, and insisted on seeing it whilst on a holiday to Australia (before the move), as it came out in cinemas the day we were flying. And when it was released on DVD, of course I bought it.

I found the actors/characters to be really likeable – particularly Clary, Jace, Jocelyn, Luke and Valentine. Each of them did a good job, and I was hugely disappointed to learn that there wouldn’t be any more films.

However, I did find it frustrating when *SPOILER ALERT* Hodge told Valentine to tell Jace and Clary that they were related… Duh, you just told everyone the biggest spoiler going… This awkward relationship spanned the course of several books and was thoroughly (for me) frustrating, annoying, devastating! But it was executed well, and tied into other plotlines. The big reveal was a moment of joy! Which was ruined in the film, but I could’ve overlooked that.

Image Credit: Gage SkidmoreGage SkidmoreGage Skidmore

Vs Shadowhunters

Okay, so, in my opinion, the tv series – or season one at least – isn’t particularly great. I found the acting to be extremely wooden and forced from some of the characters *cough couch* Clary *cough cough*.

Despite this, I persisted.

A lot of the major events in the books are in strange (wrong!) orders in the tv version. (Something do to with Rights, I believe. But, we’ll not go into that).

Again, I persisted.

I argue that if you watch the series as a separate entity to the books, it can be good. My advice – get past season one, or definitely the first couple of episodes, and it does get better.

That’ll have to be it for now as I haven’t seen the latest season – Sebastian arrives!

Image Credit: ABC Family, Constantin Film

 

What are your thoughts?

V