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SimplyScripts Screenwriting Discussion Board  /  Screenwriting Class  /  Navel Gazing
Posted by: Sandra Elstree., August 21st, 2008, 1:30am

We've most likely all done our share of navel gazing. It's a term used to describe a character so deeply immersed in his/her feelings and to such an extent that they never really meet anyone on "the outside". These characters wind up existing in a vacuum. Their  existence seems eternally destined to loneliness-- (LOL) I think it's the writer's typical path-- that they pass through this tunnel-- and realize, they are indeed a loner in a sea of loners.

I think this might be one of a writer's banes: losing the vacuum and joining other developed characters.  

Since I do a lot of critique work, I meet these lonely characters often; so I thought I'd bring "the lonely guy" up for discussion.

Sandra
Posted by: ReaperCreeper, August 21st, 2008, 8:17pm; Reply: 1
There has always been a feeling of "distance" in me when I'm writing. What's weird is, I've got lots of friends and I am close to my family. But there is a certain "something" than keeps me afar from the others when I write.

I am very secretive and protective of my writing, and the only people who know that I write is the simplyscripts community and a couple of people who discovered it by accident.

I simply like isolation and peace when it comes to writing, and I'm sure many other writers feel the same way. I am not ready to "show" my work yet. I believe this feeling is bound to reflect on page sooner or later.

The only reason I put my work up on simplyscrits is because I want feedback to help me hone and improve my skills, not because I want to show my work off or "publish" it.




--Julio
Posted by: eric11, August 27th, 2008, 3:10pm; Reply: 2

Quoted from Sandra Elstree.

We've most likely all done our share of navel gazing. It's a term used to describe a character so deeply immersed in his/her feelings and to such an extent that they never really meet anyone on "the outside". These characters wind up existing in a vacuum. Their  existence seems eternally destined to loneliness-- (LOL) I think it's the writer's typical path-- that they pass through this tunnel-- and realize, they are indeed a loner in a sea of loners.

I think this might be one of a writer's banes: losing the vacuum and joining other developed characters.  

Since I do a lot of critique work, I meet these lonely characters often; so I thought I'd bring "the lonely guy" up for discussion.

Sandra
Yes, it's human nature to digress from the outside world, though characters often reflect the tendencies of the writer. In alot of ways we write our own biography. I would argue that the lonely character is infact the writers' conscience. Since stories deal with right and wrong life questions, the characters resolve or typify the problem "what would he do"? What would he do indeed.

But only the good characters we see in movies are introspective. Cliche' written characters often absorb and spit out their familiar surroundings. They aren't necessarily at odds with it or challenge it.

No matter what genre we may write in. I firmly believe the notion that is paramount to all others is a compelling character often embodies the conscience of the audience.

"Grapple with my idiosyncrasies, then I will be interested in your hero's journey".

As for myself, I am not private about my writing. I write for the audience not for myself. I exibit love for making the audience the forth wall.

I get no pleasure writing for myself. I am a storyteller and stories need an audience.
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