Hey AskMetafilter - calling on all writers for help. I write screenplays, and I think my greatest weakness is that I have trouble developing clear, consistent characters in my work. I seem to constantly make characters do things that don't fit their personalities - which creates a lot of confusion for my readers. I need help figuring out how to create well-defined characters who are consistent throughout the text.
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posted by sidi hamet
on Jun 7, 2013 -
24 answers
I'm heading for a career change, and want to get better at my two passions: creative writing (creative non-fiction) and photography. I'm looking for a grad program that helps me integrate both so I can tell both my own stories and other people's (NGOs, Foundations, etc) more persuasively.
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posted by leecohen
on May 10, 2013 -
8 answers
Here's an European writing a book/thesis about storytelling in journalism. What texts (linguistics, literary theory etc – preferably *not* mass communication theory) might help in analysing contemporary changes in that field?
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posted by earthwormsleg
on Jan 24, 2013 -
2 answers
Storytelling as an art form/performance- I can't get enough! Point me towards podcasts, events in NYC, etc.
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posted by showbiz_liz
on Oct 10, 2012 -
14 answers
Looking for lists of memes, themes and repeated elements in children's stories that I can use in entirely new stories I'm making up for actual children.
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posted by booksherpa
on Sep 13, 2012 -
8 answers
My (beloved) mother-in-law died after a year with lung cancer and we will be having a big memorial for her this weekend. What can we do to capture stories and memories from her family and friends?
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posted by Alison
on Jul 31, 2012 -
7 answers
I'm looking for blogs/websites that are great at visual storytelling, regardless of topic or content. (Similar to The Bold Italic)
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posted by petah
on May 14, 2012 -
4 answers
What jokes do you know that absolutely depend on telling a good story?
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posted by cmoj
on May 11, 2012 -
45 answers
How can I better identify and understand "theme" and "subtext" (and "motif"?) in stories and not just take them (as I tend to) as a plot or a bunch of things that happen.
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posted by anonymous
on May 5, 2012 -
22 answers
I'm interested in learning about the experience of watching a movie from other people's perspectives. Do most people become fully absorbed into the movie's story, or remain slightly aloof and analyze the construction of the movie, or varying levels of both, but at what levels?
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posted by dreamyshade
on Nov 11, 2011 -
11 answers
I'm really good at predicting the end of most movies and books. I easily see foreshadowing, symbolism, and archetypes. How can I parlay this skill into a creative job?
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posted by dchrssyr
on Oct 2, 2011 -
27 answers
So, after almost a year of hunting for a full-time job, I've decided to put that aside and try to have a go at digital storytelling as a freelancer. I have a few places I'm getting myself stuck, and I would love some assistance/context in finding 'my people'
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posted by softlord
on Sep 28, 2011 -
8 answers
I love songs where a story is spoken (not sung) over backing music that adds to the story, but doesn't overtake it. Almost a spoken-word narrative over music. Help me find some amazing examples.
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posted by evadery
on Sep 1, 2011 -
73 answers
I've been given a mythology class to teach, mostly to juniors and seniors (at a public high school in California). Yay! However, the previous teacher won't let me borrow her material, and my mythological education was taking one class in college and a lot self-teaching (thus, there are gaping holes in my knowledge). And so, mefites, hope me figure out the best way to teach this class!
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posted by guster4lovers
on Aug 28, 2011 -
36 answers
Since its inception, television has often been criticized for a lack of writing and/or artistic quality when compared to books. What television show made you realize for the first time that television has the potential not only for entertainment but also for quality storytelling?
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posted by schleppo
on Jul 21, 2011 -
72 answers
I'm an awful story teller. When I tell an anecdote I want people to "Ooh", "Aah" and laugh in the right places instead of me having to tell them "That's it, that's how it ends". How do you do it, interesting people of AskMeFi?
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posted by Memo
on Jun 22, 2011 -
37 answers
At our upcoming family reunion (the first in a good seven years), my mother wants to run an audio "story booth" where family members can come and tell stories to be preserved for posterity. Can y'all think of any tips -- before, during and after -- to help this run smoothly and get the most interesting stories?
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posted by Madamina
on Jun 3, 2011 -
10 answers
*Spoiler Alert*Never Read This Thread (but none within the question itself): I am hoping to create a set of custom original miniature series "arcs", highlighting various things; characters/topics/ story-arcs/plot-arcs... any sort of "shortening of a longer series" that you love, or like or know.
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posted by infinite intimation
on Feb 12, 2011 -
4 answers
Recommend me a translation of the Bible (New Testament would be nice but optional) that's an engrossing read — if such a thing exists. I want a translation/interpretation that places emphasis on the story being told.
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posted by Rory Marinich
on Jan 4, 2011 -
18 answers
How do working writers digest and dramatize their experiences into working literature (or some close proximity thereof) in such quick order?
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posted by seansbrain
on Dec 18, 2010 -
8 answers
Which stand-up comedians tell personal stories as opposed to gags, one-liners and impressions? (I already know about Louis CK, Ricky Gervais, Woody Allen and Bill Cosby.)
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posted by grumblebee
on Sep 20, 2010 -
57 answers
I'm an engineer wanting to explore my creative side a bit via making short films aimed at online viewing via YouTube or whatever. I've got the high-end Macintosh but I need (1) a camera (hopefully better than my old MiniDV camcorder), (2) software (Final Cut Express or similar, I suppose), and (3) skill in the mechanics of filming and editing and in the technique of story telling. In other words, I need to learn how to operate the camera and editing software but I also need to learn what I want to do with it. I'd appreciate suggestions for any of this stuff but pointers on good books or whatever for learning the skills would be really nice.
posted by LastOfHisKind
on Aug 15, 2010 -
9 answers
I want to be a better storyteller. What qualities do good storytellers universally exhibit? How much does embellishment play a role? Lyndon Johnson was a great storyteller who was also known to pepper his stories with a lot of bullsh*t. Most importantly, where do storytellers get their stories? Have they led lives of extraordinary experience, or have they read a book full of awesome anecdotes? Help me spin some yarn at a party or at the water-cooler.
posted by jasondigitized
on Nov 23, 2009 -
15 answers
What are some great joke books, written with attention to the craft of how a joke or story is told?
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posted by surenoproblem
on Oct 20, 2009 -
5 answers
I'm looking for blogs about psychology, storytelling, emotions, why people do the things they do, the human condition, or just good blogs with people's stories.
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posted by salvia
on Oct 2, 2009 -
8 answers
DatingFilter: Should I leave ex-boyfriends out of the story of my life when dating new people, even if the exes figure prominently?
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posted by anonymous
on Aug 21, 2009 -
25 answers
Is it possible to write a story with no hint whatsoever of any other being but one?
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posted by dnial
on Apr 23, 2009 -
22 answers
When I saw David Sedaris in 2007, he told a story about a monotonous college professor who would overaccent the word 'Nicaragua'. Even Wil Wheaton
liked it. It was my favorite story of the night, and, as far as I know, it was never published. I guess it wouldn't really lend itself to the written page since the hilarity depends upon Sedaris' imitation of his professor, but does anyone happen to know if the full text has been published or, better yet, if there is some kind of recording of him reading the story? It's not in either the printed or audio versions of
When You Are Engulfed in Flames. I did check Google, YouTube, and archive.org but to no avail!
posted by Mael Oui
on Mar 15, 2009 -
4 answers
I want to see more movies that feature a storyteller, similar to movies I've seen recently like "The Man From Earth" and "The Wild Blue Yonder"... Know of some?
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posted by smitt
on Feb 18, 2009 -
22 answers
Something really funny happened to me, but I am at a struggle for communicating with others how funny it was. How can I become a better comedic storyteller?
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posted by weh546
on Dec 22, 2008 -
28 answers
I've got a new mp3 player (hooray!). I love storytelling. Recommend your favorite storytelling podcasts or free downloadables!
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posted by po
on Apr 10, 2008 -
15 answers
Increasingly, marketing is about telling stories. In my downtime (next 1 to 2 months), I'd like to take a course on film making in the DC area. Any suggestions as to where I can do this? Any other suggestions or comments on ways to increase my storytelling capabilities?
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posted by wflanagan
on Jul 31, 2007 -
7 answers
