Questions 3: More on Drama and Melodrama

jdsawyer Nanocast December 8, 2015 December 6, 2015

What’s the difference between melodramatic and melodrama proper?
Do characters REALLY have to change?

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jdsawyer

After a childhood in academia, J. Daniel Sawyer declared his independence by dropping out of high school and setting off on a series of adventures in the bowels of the film industry, the venture capital culture of silicon valley, surfing safaris, bohemians, burners, historians, theologians, adventurers, climbers, drug dealers, gangbangers, and inventors before his past finally caught up to him. Trapped in a world bookended by one wall falling in Berlin and other walls going up around suburbia and along national borders throughout the world, he rediscovered his deep love of history and, with it, and obsession with predicting the future as it grew aggressively out of the past. To date, this obsession has yielded over thirty books and innumerable short stories, the occasional short film, nearly a dozen podcasts stretching over a decade and a half, and a career creating novels and audiobooks exploring the world through the lens of his own peculiar madness, in the depths of his own private forest in a rural exile, where he uses the quiet to write, walk on the beach, and manage a production company that brings innovative stories to the ears of audiences across the world. For news and free stories, sign up for his occasional newsletter. Or find his contact info, podcasts, and more on his home page at http://www.jdsawyer.net

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5 Comments

In an earlier episode or two, you mention the five-act structure. Now, I’ve heard of the three-act, which is used a lot in film. And I’m familiar with the Shakespearean five-act play. But I don’t think I’ve encountered it as a template for writing stories, especially not novels. Do you think you could talk a little more about how the five-act structure compares to the three-act and even the seven-point plot?

Thanks!

Rob Cornell

December 8, 2015 at 2:52 pm 9 years ago

Reply
I couldn’t do the NaNoWriMo because I had already signed a writing contract to write in another authors universe. Basically I was mid story and couldn’t start another one and using the NaNoWriMo would be cheating if I was already X words in when the month started. Since I already have a writing contract before the first book is even finished, I find that sometimes my fear that the work will stink gets in the way. And writers block is an even bigger deal because I have deadlines. My question to you is what you do in these situations if you are already under contract? Every set back seems more monumental, every question or concern is bigger etc. Hope that makes sense and I look forward to your reply!

Miss Priss

December 9, 2015 at 8:14 pm 9 years ago

Reply
How do you go about finding expert sources? Since I am a new writer, I don’t have the credibility behind my career to garner someone’s willingness to assist to that level.

SGT MIKE

December 9, 2015 at 8:16 pm 9 years ago

Reply
I recently scored a writing contract for my first novel, which unfortunately hasn’t been written yet. Now that I have deadlines and such, how do you recommend overcoming the pressure to produce? Now every set back, every second away from the keyboard, seems like a huge deal. Help!! 🙂

Miss Priss

December 9, 2015 at 8:18 pm 9 years ago

Reply
As an unpublished author, working on your first work, how do you find subject matter experts to assist? Without examples to show them, how do you find experts to help when you need help?

SGT MIKE

December 9, 2015 at 8:56 pm 9 years ago

Reply

jdsawyer

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