Commentary
By LMReviews on Jul 12, 2009 in Writing/Freelancing
A few weeks back I spent several weekends watching the entire six seasons of Sex and the City. Several of the episodes had a writer’s commentary. We’ve all heard of director’s cuts and commentaries as well as actors sharing their two cents. But, this was the first time I had a chance to hear a writer talk about the writing of an episode and how it fits in the overall series. Instead of a commentary panel, it was the actual episode with voiceover from the Executive Producer and writer, Michael Patrick King.
The commentary was very useful because unlike others, King discussed what was written from dialogue, setting and characterization and also matched up the director’s interpretation of what the writers created.
King also discussed symbolism in the behaviors of the women and how it changed over time as well as their challenges. Its what made a good series and frankly it is what made the show much better than the book.
As a writer, I enjoyed how King illustrated how the actors personified different emotions and character traits in performing the characters. Things like having Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker)’s hair change lengths and colors as well as her battle with smoking and her weakness with Mr. Big.
King also talked about how each of the women represented different view points in society on any given topic they would discuss around the table or on their walk through the city.
Since setting isn’t my strongest point when writing, it really helped to hear how a writer made it another character in the story. New York is definitely the fifth sustaining character in the series, but because like the women it is always there.
Want to grasp greater depths in your writing? Think about how it would play out in front of a camera, because while your books may not have pictures, your readers will being picturing your story in their heads.
Since setting isn’t my strongest point.
Want to grasp greater depths in your writing? Think about how it would play out in front of a camera, because while your books may not have pictures, your readers will being picturing your story in their heads.
One of the things I do when I write is to first visualize the scene and then try to put it in writing. That’s how I did my first book, SENTI. It also makes it easier when it’s time for me to go back to edit. I see the scene and hear the dialogue and then I can check it against what I’ve written.
There are plenty of good books on this subject, but the bottom line is you have a place for your characters to play in.
One instructur started a lecture off by saying. Your book doesn’t take place in a total void. Your characters do not live in one either. They have to have a place to live, a place to play and it will help define who and what they are. This is what a setting is. A setting can also help create a mood or tone for what is going on or what is about to happen. It can help make or break your story. That really caught my attention. I hope this helps’
G W Pickle
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