Writing style...

[MasterY001]

Even though I am fully capable of writing stories in a traditional format...

MasterY001: I prefer this style. It somewhat resembles a movie script.

The author of this post pauses and strokes his cat thoughtfully.

MasterY001: In my opinion, this format allows me to focus more on characters and increases immersion. For me, it's also easier to write what I want this way.

However, it also creates issues in terms of conveying a setting or emotional dynamics. I often have to create small sections that provide just enough information to keep the story going.

Still, what do you all think? Please, let me know.

 

[Mystic_Grasshopper]

I think the further you stray from the modern common writing trends and styles, specifically on web stories, the harder it is to build an audience from the start. You've got to be realistic about these things, some people just like turning their mind off(thinking brain) and read a story for comfort and escape(dreaming brain). By all means I believe in the expression of oneself and their art through the medium which they wish to convey it in. I'm just saying I see what you're doing and think it's readable but I wouldn't read it when other stories feel easier to get into.

In more technical terms it feels like you've separated a consistent narrative voice for the purpose of giving more weight to dialogue and treat the lines between the dialogue as set dressing rather than as a combined narrative so the storytelling of it is forced to take a backseat to be more telling than story. That's just what happens in movie scripts though it works to give a director and actors a better idea of the scene but you don't get to rely on the acting and display that comes with an actual movie or play, it's all imaginative and you're forcing the reader to fill in more gaps.

 

[MasterY001]

That's just what happens in movie scripts though it works to give a director and actors a better idea of the scene but you don't get to rely on the acting and display that comes with an actual movie or play, it's all imaginative and you're forcing the reader to fill in more gaps.

You pretty much described the entire reason I had to take up art and create dossiers of every character. The ultimate silver lining is that I can flex my creative muscles more.

 

[ignova]

My personal opinion is that a movie script format is for works that are destined to become movies. If that isn't a realistic aspiration for you, it would be better to just use a novel format for a novel.

Some kinds of uniqueness are innovations; some are just out of place. Formatting gimmicks are unlikely to add to readers' enjoyment, or (if applicable) artistic appreciation. The key is that you're writing for readers, not just yourself. So you have to think about the benefit to them, rather than you.

 

[MasterY001]

My personal opinion is that a movie script format is for works that are destined to become movies. If that isn't a realistic aspiration for you, it would be better to just use a novel format for a novel.

Some kinds of uniqueness are innovations; some are just out of place. Formatting gimmicks are unlikely to add to readers' enjoyment, or (if applicable) artistic appreciation. The key is that you're writing for readers, not just yourself. So you have to think about the benefit to them, rather than you.

It is among my top 5 life goals to go into show business. I forgot to include this, but another reason why I use this format is to avoid rambling (which I have a bad habit of doing) by condensing everything into boxes. As for formatting gimmicks, I like how they look, but I know not everyone does. And that's all good.

 

[laccoff_mawning]

"The example you've show isn't large enough for me to get a good grasp on what you mean."

Laccoff_Mawning scratches his head in confusion. Then continues speaking, clearly unmoved from the argument.

"Like, what's the difference between this post here and the style you've given at the top of the thread? Is it just the fact that your speech bubbles use colons and have the character's name before them?"

If it is just the inclusion of the character's name before they speak, I think that would be mostly fine. But I would suggest you also use quotation marks as well, so it would be:

Character_1: "Hey, I'm character one!"

It would have an advantage of being easier to write many-people conversations that way. However, it would also come off as slightly clunky for dialogues or monologues. Taking your example the normal way, we would write:

"I prefer this style. It somewhat resembles a movie script." MasterY001 pauses and strokes his cat thoughtfully.

Secondly, I would advise not using italics for actions. It would be annoying to read. The colons and quotation marks already indicate speech, so adding italics for everything that isn't speech isn't going to help clarity in any way.

 

[owotrucked]

I like script.

novel format can be clunky too when you insert long sections that distract from the conversation.

Everything is a trade off, and you don't have to stick to only one style. For instance, you can make a dialogue in a script format and relay the characters feelings at the end. It's like delaying the emotional process at the end of the conversation. You can do those introspective breaks in different checkpoints of the conversation too.

There are some artists that paint everything in one layer, and others that do everything in separate layers before blending

 

[MALEVOLENCE69]

Even though I am fully capable of writing stories in a traditional format...

MasterY001: I prefer this style. It somewhat resembles a movie script.

The author of this post pauses and strokes his cat thoughtfully.

MasterY001: In my opinion, this format allows me to focus more on characters and increases immersion. For me, it's also easier to write what I want this way.

However, it also creates issues in terms of conveying a setting or emotional dynamics. I often have to create small sections that provide just enough information to keep the story going.

Still, what do you all think? Please, let me know.

i like both styles. its interesting to read a story in both styles

 

[expentio]

I often hear my style is unusual, but I can write well like this and am fine with my current audience.

 

[CharlesEBrown]

Even though I am fully capable of writing stories in a traditional format...

MasterY001: I prefer this style. It somewhat resembles a movie script.

The author of this post pauses and strokes his cat thoughtfully.

MasterY001: In my opinion, this format allows me to focus more on characters and increases immersion. For me, it's also easier to write what I want this way.

However, it also creates issues in terms of conveying a setting or emotional dynamics. I often have to create small sections that provide just enough information to keep the story going.

Still, what do you all think? Please, let me know.

Whatever you're more comfortable with is probably how you should write. And "script form" DOES include stage dressing, action notes, etc.
For example

MasterY001: (Assuming a defiant pose) I prefer this style! It somewhat resembles a movie script.
Critic (sarcastically): Why would you write a movie script unless you are planning to sell it?
MasterY001: (Looks pensive for a moment, then brightens) This format allows me to focus more on characters, and increases immersion!
Critic (Looks away, picks up a paperweight from the worn mahogany desk in the room): But what about the setting? And how would you show emotional dynamics?
Observer: Well, you can always use asides.
Narrator: At this point the doorbell rang and the pizza delivery guy arrived so the conversation ends.

 

[Isometric]

You would be losing a huge chunk of an already small audience if you wrote in script format. It's as bad as writing in second person. I consider both of those to be unreadable, and I'm definitely not alone in that.

That said, I'd still recommend writing in your preferred style. Even if you're horribly unsuccessful and everybody hates your work, it's not like you've lost anything.

 

[Zagaroth]

Well, one thing you could do would be to write in your preferred style in order to maintain focus on where you want the focus, and then create a copy of that document.

You then edit the copy into a more traditional style and publish that, which far more people will find casually readable.

Scripts are a very specific format, which usually includes a description of the scene at the beginning of each scene. This gives actors and directors very precise information, while allowing for them to alter some details to fit their stage and other production limitations. It's very readable for clarity, it is not very readable for immersion and story flow.

*Especially* for those of us who hear what we read.

Read your format out loud, *including* things like saying "Narrator" or "MasterY001", and you will have an idea of what I am 'hearing' when I read your format. This is not an immersive experience.

 

[MasterY001]

Whatever you're more comfortable with is probably how you should write. And "script form" DOES include stage dressing, action notes, etc.
For example

MasterY001: (Assuming a defiant pose) I prefer this style! It somewhat resembles a movie script.
Critic (sarcastically): Why would you write a movie script unless you are planning to sell it?
MasterY001: (Looks pensive for a moment, then brightens) This format allows me to focus more on characters, and increases immersion!
Critic (Looks away, picks up a paperweight from the worn mahogany desk in the room): But what about the setting? And how would you show emotional dynamics?
Observer: Well, you can always use asides.
Narrator: At this point the doorbell rang and the pizza delivery guy arrived so the conversation ends.

You just did a perfect me. I probably ordered a large pepperoni, Cinnabuns, and wings from Pizza Hut for the 4 Nations Face-Off (not today though, I already got Chick-fil-A)

Well, one thing you could do would be to write in your preferred style in order to maintain focus on where you want the focus, and then create a copy of that document.

You then edit the copy into a more traditional style and publish that, which far more people will find casually readable.

After reading these comments, I've been inspired to transition to a more traditional novel format for final publishing. I still plan to use my preferred script style at times, but hopefully I can figure out a way to integrate the two.

 

[soupsabaw]

I strongly believe that everyone has their own writing style. If this is what you like, then perfect! That's what you like. Audience is a different story. You're right. This type of style is a little more difficult; I think fewer people like this look of what comes across more as a movie, musical, or stage play script. By no means am I saying I am correct, but maybe you could go about creating a scene that is vague yet descriptive. Give enough to the readers so that they all have the same idea but they have their own different, imaginative ideas. I've seen lots of novels that go with this style (and this is just one of my own characters):

Malaya stood up and walked across the room, stepping up to the edge of her desk. She pondered with her lips shifting in thought and then turned her head, giving the appearance of a thoughtless baby bird.

Malaya: "I'm not sure what you're on about." As confused as she pretended to be, she was not so, but she remained ignorant. "I haven't seen anyone around here fitting that lousy description. You look stupid. You should leave."

Writing this was is one of the ways I think you can make your writing catch the eyes of those who like something in the movie script kind of way and still have some description: removing the "said" "whispered" "spoke" "yelled" and instead doing this "[Name]:" format. This choice will always be yours though.