The waiting & writing game
I’ve had a few ( of you ) Bloggers ask me to keep you updated with how my MA is going in Creative Writing.
One TMA (tutor marked assignment) emailed and submitted to the Open University .
Now I await the results.
I ended up doing 10 re-drafts!
My commentary had to focus on the creation process.
This is what I had to say – 500 words – this was the maximum word count we were allowed to write on 8 weeks of study, writing and personal research.
I won’t post the entire first 20 pages of my script ‘URBAN JUNGLE’
I will put down what I wrote in my commentary.
TMA 1- COMMENTARY – THE CREATIVE PROCESS
My passion in script writing lies in writing about themes, which affect society-politically. I want to raise awareness of this theme retaining social realism without it becoming an Agit -prop piece. I used more naturalistic theatre devices to engage an audience by appealing to emotions.
An audience needs to feel empathy. I expanded the piece into a love story, with the centralized characters having obstacles and goals that were not solely restricted by their homeless situation, but because of their own personality traits and motives. An example is Desire is naturally a caring and ambitious person. Leo is charming, has addiction issues and is more of an idealist.
Aspects of dramatic methods, which appeal to me, is the visual narration of the play. I use Brecht-like devices such as projectors, audio, light to govern the mood and reveal the story. I used episodic scenes to illustrate Desires flashbacks to when she lived at home. This doubles as an exposition tool to reveal backstory and create a sense of the inner and emotional conflict Desire is going through –personally and within the larger themes of the play.
I deliberately did not use many stage directions because I visualise this piece performed in an immersive theatre environment.
When I have performed in plays in this format as actor – the blocking scenes are the directors and actors job.
Tools that have helped me develop this script has been using a writer’s journal. The conception for this play came about when I was walking my local town, I walked past someone who looked homeless, was begging and he was texting on his mobile phone. My initial judgement was ‘how can a homeless person afford a mobile phone?’
This led me to reflect on my judgments and explore the true homeless crisis issue in our society.
Other obstacles I found challenging was plotting scenes. I use the flash back device, which resulted in the opening scene. I took the approach of David Mamet ‘get in the scene late, get out early’ (Neale D, A creative writing handbook-developing dramatic technique, individual style and voice pg. 87). I am receptive to advice given by Forum members about the plausibility of characters illnesses and researched this (please see bibliography) and amended character details in the Cast list. My characters and their lives required thorough research and aided me in realizing my characters.
I researched extensively on homeless teens, young carers, Herbie, and Marjorie’s disabilities (please refer to Bibliography, secondary resources)
This is a continuing piece, which I intend to develop further for my EMA. I decided an effective way to end the TMA was by adding an obligatory scene-usually used at the end of a play. (Polsky M., You can write a play, pg. 83) The mini obligatory scene in the library to end scene two, is a contrast in the environment and to the centralised characters situation. I found using the Librarian role character an effective way to create a dramatic clock, to conclude the end of the scene.
WORD COUNT 506
By Natasha Sonia Bodley ( Holliday)
10 days until I get my results.
WRITERS REMEDY TO EVERYTHING!
Onto the next block – Part one of this TMA is to write a short fiction piece of 2000 words
Anybody know if Flash fiction can be 2ooo words ?
Does anyone have any ideas on a style of short story fiction I can concentrate on?
Has to be 2000 words (give or take 10% more or less.)
Mini LIFE UPPDATE : NEW TATTOOS
Catch up soon!
❤ ❤ ❤
Posted on 2016-11-23, in INSPIRED BY MY MUSE, WRITE TO RECOVER and tagged education, Education OU, Goals, motivation, self-belief, Stage scripts, Writing challenges. Bookmark the permalink. 31 Comments.
Lovely blog. Thank you.
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Hi Martin, Thank you so much for taking the time to check out my blog. I’m playing catch up in the blogging world so will check yours out and return the favour soon 🙂 Take care 🙂
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Thank you
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beautifully written Daisy. well done. Actually i’m new on wordpress. I’ve written my first ever article on UK’s top mobile development company.
https://lifeofapeter.wordpress.com/2017/01/02/why-appshah-is-the-kings-of-apps/
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Hiya peter. So glad you have started a blog on WP- first blog ever? I will defo check out your blog. I wish you ALL the success and prosperity in what you set out to achieve in 2017 and beyond. 🙂 Thank You so much for taking the time to read my work .:)
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Editing written work can be a pain in the butt. Well done 🙂
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Yup – justifying our writing sucks lol Thanks xxx
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Reblogged this on wwwpalfitness.
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Thanks Paul, how are you ?
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You’re welcome. I’m somewhat better. I left 90 percent of my life behind and have some waiting to be shipped and I’ve found that the place I’m living at the roommate has violated things and is being evicted. Now instead of saying we will have unpaid rent waived to be out by a certain day she wants my rent to have her able to have money to put down its shady.
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Sounds pretty horrific, Paul. I can’t imagine what you are going through. We need to catch up . Sending good vibes your way.
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Great! All shall be well, I’m sure!
P.S. I’ll be off soon……Take Care! Hugs! ❤
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Eeek how exciting! be safexx
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Hugs…… ❤
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The waiting is the worst,but, you will be fine, my clever friend, lots of love xx
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Ty Brooke. 😙😙😙😙😙😙
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🙂
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Aww what a beautiful read my friend. Waiting is so frustrating but all will be fine 🙂 All the best. Hugs xxx
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Thanks Lynne. I know but onto the next one – lol xxxx
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Best of luck, my friend. You can always find writing prompts on line. I sometimes search Tumblr for ideas – photos and phrases to build a story around.
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Cheers, Meg. That is a great idea. I just thought it might make my commentary more interesting if I focused on particular style if short fiction writing that inc. the 2000 word count. So my research has begun. I’m defo to take a look at Tumblr and online for visual prompts xxxx
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Welcome, love! xxxx
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I think your essay is excellent !
I like the idea that your writing hooks the reader with the characters, emotion, love story etc
but educates the reader at the same time about challenges facing society: disability, addictions, problems…
Dave 🙂
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Cheers Dave. Fingers crossed for me please 🙂
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Fingers crossed. The waiting game can take a toll outta you. Best of luck.
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T Y SJ17 xxx hope all is well?
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Yes, my fingers are crossed, good luck !
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Thank you so much ,Dave. )
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So beautiful those tatoos
tahnk you for sharing
kisses back to you
Anita
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TY ❤ for reading Anita xxx
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you’re so welcome
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