Excellent thread on writing

[elisi]

Want to know why Game of Thrones *feels* so different now? I think I can explain. Without spoilers. /1#GameofThrones #GoT #WritingCommunity

— Daniel Silvermint (@DSilvermint) May 7, 2019

Comments

[promethia_tenk]

Yup . . . exactly why I don't really need/want an ending to this thing. The thing that makes it great effectively makes it un-endable.

[elisi]

*nods*

The nature of the world is such that just because they 'end up' with a 'good ruler' doesn't mean that everything will then go on happily ever after.

[promethia_tenk]

Relevant: https://thkingslayer.tumblr.com/post/184808806824/to-my-fellow-fanfic-writers

I laughed so hard.

The nature of the world is such that just because they 'end up' with a 'good ruler' doesn't mean that everything will then go on happily ever after.
Well, that and the character-driven nature of the writing means it's only going to want to grow and resist any kind of coming together.

I think I'm relatively happy with the compromise they've come to in this last season, which involves great character scenes strung together with ridiculous time jumps and plot contrivances that require some massive reading between the lines to get said characters from point A to point B. But at least I feel like the points we're getting between are substantial.

[elisi]

I laughed so hard.
Oh god.

Well, that and the character-driven nature of the writing means it's only going to want to grow and resist any kind of coming together.
That's sort of what I meant - like when Daenerys frees all the Unsullied and kills some of the rulers, and they just get a whole bunch of new kids and start all over? And who's to say that the nice new ruler won't get assassinated 5 minutes after the credits roll?

But at least I feel like the points we're getting between are substantial.
I'm glad someone's happy, most people seem disgruntled.

[promethia_tenk]

Oh god.
That's up there with 'You are not acting like the person Mr. Rogers knew you could be' for soul-wrenching statements. The notes are good too. "I have never known truer fear."

That's sort of what I meant - like when Daenerys frees all the Unsullied and kills some of the rulers, and they just get a whole bunch of new kids and start all over? And who's to say that the nice new ruler won't get assassinated 5 minutes after the credits roll?
Heck, maybe they'll get assassinated 5 minutes before the credits roll.

I'm glad someone's happy, most people seem disgruntled.
First Thirteen and now this. I'm just turning into you in my old age.

[elisi]

That's up there with 'You are not acting like the person Mr. Rogers knew you could be' for soul-wrenching statements. The notes are good too. "I have never known truer fear."
Daaaamn. I'm looking at my novel in a whole new light. :O

Heck, maybe they'll get assassinated 5 minutes before the credits roll.
... Or it sends on the assassin, with the knife and then - credits. I kinda love that. ♥

First Thirteen and now this. I'm just turning into you in my old age.
And here I am, unable to relate to Sabrina and bitching about Chibnall... Yes, the world is upside down!

[promethia_tenk]

Daaaamn. I'm looking at my novel in a whole new light. :O
Heard you needed some motivation ; )

And here I am, unable to relate to Sabrina and bitching about Chibnall... Yes, the world is upside down!
Here, you'll need this icon.

[elisi]

Heard you needed some motivation ; )
... I sure did!! D:

Here, you'll need this icon.
Ta. <3

[yourlibrarian]

I agree, an interesting read on the process and trade offs. Plus, I would add that something like GoT is still a rarity on TV. First of all they inherited a long story with a lot of characters instead of being able to devise their own story from the beginning with the limitations of TV in mind. Secondly it is an entirely serialized show. Most programs that are highly serialized have fewer characters and a smaller canvas (Killing Eve, for example) or are serialized season by season rather than for their whole run.

[elisi]

Secondly it is an entirely serialized show. Most programs that are highly serialized have fewer characters and a smaller canvas (Killing Eve, for example) or are serialized season by season rather than for their whole run.
*nods* And they didn't have imminent cancellation hanging over them, so could take their time...

[promethia_tenk]

It's a good point. This was the famously 'un-filmable' story. There were good reasons for thinking that that went beyond money.

[sea_thoughts]

Very interesting and explains a lot of the problems some fans are having with Endgame.

[elisi]

Oooh. Interesting. I've managed to stay clear of all Endgame spoilers (yay!), but am thankfully not invested enough in MCU to care much. :) ETA: I care enough not to want to be spoiled. But have no particular investment in characters/arcs to be bothered about whatever they do with them.

[sea_thoughts]

Yes, I think that's probably the best way to be!

[elisi]

Tony is my darling, and I became attached to Peter as well, and Antman is a delight, and Thor is just fabulous and Bruce just needs all the hugs, but overall... I'm there to be entertained, and my expectations are low.

just dropped in to see what condition my condition was in

[(Anonymous)]

I care enough not to want to be spoiled. But have no particular investment in characters/arcs to be bothered about whatever they do with them.
Huh, that is precisely my relationship with both Marvel and GoT. Though with Marvel it's one step more, I don't even mind spoilers ;)

Re: just dropped in to see what condition my condition was in

[elisi]

I'm the opposite! I have read the first three GoT books, so I know most of the characters and am basically now just reading through everyone's reactions to these last few GoT episodes. :)

Wrt MCU, then I have seen... most of the films? Like, over half. My favourite characters are Tony Stark (always. He's just head & shoulders above anyone else), Thor (no need to explain that one I'm sure), Bruce Banner (just because he always seems to be in need of a hug) and the new teeny tiny Spiderman, whom I've only see in Infinity War, but totally won me over. <3

[greensword]

The MCU has the constraints and challenges of Game of Thrones plus the fact that most of the movies have different writers and showrunners, and many of the actors have different lengths on their contracts and need to be written out more frequently. I'm not a fan of the MCU as a whole, but I can admit that the writers and showrunners are working through an incredibly challenging format. I certainly couldn't do anything satisfying with it myself!

[sea_thoughts]

Yes, it's even harder when actors have a set contract and need to leave.

[silverusagi]

Want to know why Game of Thrones *feels* so different now?

Oh, this makes a lot of sense.

[elisi]

Good isn't it? And the story vs character driven distinction has rarely been laid out so well. :)

[ragnarok-08.livejournal.com]

That's very interesting, with a lot of good points there.

[elisi]

I think the main issue is that it's switched - most shows are one or the other, but a change will feel like the foundations have taken a hit.

[a-phoenixdragon.livejournal.com]

*HUGS*

[elisi]

♥

[poniesandphotos.livejournal.com]

I like this explanation. I've been saying something similar though less well thought out for this entire season.

[elisi]

It's essentially 'character driven' vs 'plot driven', but it's very well formulated. :)