Wolf Of Penumbra
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Hey, I’m gonna bitch for a bit here.
🕑 Added 2023-05-17 16:24:18 +0000 UTCSo something has been bothering me for quite some time now and it's come into full swing since I’ve posted the professionally edited episodes I have done of Wolf of Penumbra. People seem to hate script format. Like actually vehemently hate it.
It's been incredibly demotivating to post something I've been working on for years and put so much love and even money into for people to literally ask me to re-write it. Yes, I’ve actually been asked on story sharing sites to “fix” the story by rewriting the whole 84K thing I have done so far. 3 separate times directly, and 1 indirectly.
It's also why I’ve gotten a little more private with my writing, putting off formatting for eps 7-12 to give myself an excuse to write freely without people spitting not on the content of the story (I love that actually, call me a masochist) but the format it's written in.
Did you know most story sharing sites like Inkitt and even fanfiction.net consider it a rule violation to post in script format? The format is considered childish and skilless, compared to chat room fiction. But 2nd person, the type of story format solely for self insertion, with “you” and “your” being the character calls, is totally fine. 2nd person is rare and mostly used for fanfiction but it's allowed and script isn't, even though I find scripts on these sites all the time…
I have always loved reading scripts because it gave me a “what if” factor, like what if one day this was actually made? There's also a lot in the format you simply can't do in normal prose. I have a reading disability as well and reading normal prose is such a challenge I actually can't most of the time, I have to use audio books. The format of a script is like it's designed for people like me.
I tend to just find limited 1st person books obnoxious and limited 3rd person to be digestible. Omniscient 3rd has always been my preference. Then with the text looking like
Example: This is an example.
Instead of
“This is an example,” Example said.
Why do we structure our language so who is talking and how they are saying it is at the END of the sentence? That throws me as well as how in conversations it's not always pointed out who says what so you're left guessing which can cause issues because every reader misses different details. Skipping vital info happens the least in script format. I know because I have written and experimented in different formats. I spent a long time trying to figure out how I wanted to write my series and chose the one I thought made the most sense.
Scripts are also the most convertible form of text. Part of the reason movie or show adaptations aren't as great is because the perspective they are written in is impossible to replicate in a movie format. It's a medium difference.
I thought I was stronger than this. I didn't think this would wear me down as much as it has.
Don't worry, I’m not gonna stop working on the project or posting it online, no, you will get the story no matter what, no matter how long it takes. I stake my life on that. I will however be taking a while to try and settle my mind. Like, maybe there is a reason people don't write script series themselves… I’m still going to do it, I don't care. I do care that people seem to have an inherent hate for the format though.
I’m just… bitter and upset because of this. Nothing I've ever done is conventional. Even when I draw, people say I only do so because I can't do realism. Maybe I just like cartoons?
I needed to post this online because doing so makes me feel better about leaving you hanging for so long. Still sucks that you're so generous and I’m really not putting a lot up here but promises. I genuinely hope one day I can blow all of you away with this story.
Comments
LittleDevil-888
Oh, oh my god you just ripped a boulder off my back! I didn't know you came from over there lol thank you! Ahh the harassment over there has actually been where a ton of my stress has been coming from. Talked to them directly and wow it was a mess. Really uh, snobby to say the least. That is actually really relieving knowing they have a history. As for details and hollowness, yeah I actually agree a good bit there. I really was afraid of overwriting so I stuck with a page limit and yeah I did end up having to cut things. I had a good ol' cry but now I'm thinking maybe this restructuring I want to try may end up saving me. Been getting into the dragon series "Wings of Fire" and actually rewrote some parts of it in an experiment I'm gonna ask about impressions on that soon. I still think each episode shouldn't really be any longer than 8k words otherwise I really will get in the woods with stuff. I hate that I am doing this after the editor and such and going on about how I'm "done" only to go back yet again... Uck. I hope this just turns out well. Thank you for your input. Seriously you helped me a lot.
Twebster9000
I've always felt that script style writing is inherently a more lazy style of writing -and I think that's also the viewpoint of the FF.net admins as to why they don't allow it. (btw, the guys other there pestering you about it are known as Critics United. they are universally hated by the entire site) it's harder to pack all the details you want into a script by itself, which is why movie directors exist, and when something is ONLY a script it feels more hollow than more classic styles of writing. So, lazy and hollow, I'd say are my gripes with Script-style. Though, as I always say, all things are enjoyable when done well. it's just that not a lot of people do it well.
LittleDevil-888
There is no way I stop. That's not on the table. Just a format change maybe.
Lui
Me personal i like script format as someone who used to write scripts i find it interesting. But i get people can not enjoy it. But hope you continue to keep going
LittleDevil-888
Don't worry lol I didn't take it as aggressive. I do feel like most fall in your camp though. Can I ask you what about the scrip format is a turn off? Like scene headings, the dialogue being in the middle with speech below, etc? I'm honestly considering adding more prose elements but I'm on the fence about what exactly because this does mean a format change for the whole thing. < That is something I'm probably gonna do regardless of what you say btw so don't feel pressured.
Twebster9000
personally, I'd prefer if WOP was not a script, but I'm not going to DEMAND you change it. No, I'm going to take what I'm given because writers aren't obliged to listen to their audience. (is that too passive-agressive? I struggle with tone in written form sometimes -_-) (to be clear, I'm not trying to be mean here, just stating my personal belief)
