Thinking Back…

First storytelling lesson. Not entirely what i expected. Ingrassia Ryan Scott. Hmm.. Interesting, i thought. Storytelling techniques? Eugh! I was right about Ryan. Interesting man. Excellent teaching style. Storytelling techniques was not that bad. It was very captivating. I might go as far as saying that it is my favourite module.. or “favorite” module. Ryan kept the entire class ‘involved’ in the participation of the lesson. Everyone was paying good attention. I especially love the idea of having a blog to submit work on rather than handing in paperwork. Since birth, me and paper, we don’t match.

We started the first lesson on a very good note. We had some ice breaking activities. And when we were all acquainted and comfortable, we dove straight into the lesson. We started off with, wait let me check my notes, ah, Proper Writing Format. I learnt that for this module, we write in the Present Tense, Third-Person P.O.V and using the Active Voice. And i learnt the reason for that too. I thought it made sense to write in that format. But when it actually came to writing like that, it was not that easy. I started out strong. But as i wrote on, i kept reverting to the past tense. The thoughts in my head formulate in the past tense. But by the end, i got the hang of it. The Unusual opener was very interesting. I think having something to start with, no matter how ridiculous, helps alot. It gave me the flow to start writing. I have a feeling that this is the start of a very good experience. Storytelling Techniques. Maybe it should be known as “The Art of Storytelling” or something like that.

MY LECTURE NOTES

Proper writing format

-Present tense, third person and active voice.

Example: Mark picks up the gun and holds it in his hand. It begins to tremble, as if alive.

Screenplays follow this format.
Presents immediate urgent feel.

PASSIVE VOICE

Uses a weak voice.
Tell rather than show.
Distance the reader.

ACTIVE VOICE

Uses stronger voice.
Show rather than tell.
Conveys story in a livelier manner.

THE SKY WAS BLUE WITH A LOT OF WHITE CLOUDS.
THE SKY WAS BLUE WITH MOVING WHITE CLOUDS.

Excuses for procrastination
I got hospitalized after an accident.
I got paralyzed.
I wasn’t in the right state of mind

-TIPS FOR WRITING-

Don’t stop in the middle of the night.
Do not sleep on a problem..
Just start even if you have nothing to write. Just start type.
You will soon get into your rhythm.

That’s all i wrote down.

And this is my completed “Unusual Opener” story.

Dominic puts on his hula girl outfit and enters the temple. He hides behind every pillar he sees before running to the next one. He tries to remain hidden. He stops at a gap in the pillars. He has a large area to cover and there are many people watching. He does not want to be seen. He takes a deep breath. He pulls his skirt over his face and runs across the gap and into a chamber leading underground. Once inside, he breathes a sigh of relief. He pulls off his hula girl outfit. He then takes a black bag from behind a rock in the chamber. He takes out a pair of black trousers and a jacket from inside the bag. He puts them on. He takes out an intercom from his bag and inserts the earpiece into his ear. He fiddles with the intercom. He then says into it, “I’m in!” He puts the hula girl outfit and the bag back behind the rock. He then proceeds deeper into the chamber leading underground. He stops at the mouth of a tunnel and peeks in. He can’t see anything because of the darkness. He reaches into his pocket and takes out a lightstick. He breaks it and it glows bright green. He holds it between his teeth. He draws out a dagger from a sheath in his boots. Armed with the dagger, he enters the tunnel. Water trickles down from the ceiling and hits Dominic in the face. He does not bother. Dominic is vigilant. He suddenly hears something. He turns towards the direction of the sound. He takes a left turn and runs ahead. He stops again at the mouth of another tunnel. This one is better lit. He puts away his lightstick. He tightens his grip on the dagger. He walks cautiously into the tunnel. He takes small steps making sure he makes no noise. The water from the tunnel ceiling continues to hit the floor with steady taps. Dominic takes long breaths. He reaches a bend in the tunnel. The tunnel turns right. Dominic stands at the bend and presses himself against the wall. He can hear a man on the other side of the tunnel, just after the bend. He readies himself. He raises his dagger in his right hand. He takes a deep breath and poises for the strike. Quick as a snake, he strikes. He dives out from the blind spot and he plunges his dagger into the neck of the man on the other side. With his other hand, Dominic covers the mouth of the man to stifle his cries of pain. Blood gushes out. The warm blood drenches Dominic’s shirt. He feels the man’s body go limp. He slowly puts the man down and he sheathes his dagger. He looks around and finds a door. He goes into the room and he finds what he is looking for. He takes out a precious diamond from within a drawer in the room. He then goes back to the chamber, draws out the black bag, puts on the hula girl outfit and he leaves the temple, but his time, with the black bag. Once outside the temple, he takes out his intercom and says, “Mission accomplished!!”

Thank You! (Exit stage right)

Breathe the fresh air.

Welcome to Dipsville.