The homework is just a dialogue piece. At a loss to know what to write. One guy there always mentions ChatBots in response to my efforts as if he thinks I 'cheat'! Like to do something which hits him gently in the back door. Ideas welcome.
I go to a U3A writing group.
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Coming from a family who's lived around the sea a lot, how about a conversation on board a ship? Either a sailing ship for fantasy, a cargo ship if contemporary, or a spaceship if science fiction.
You don't need to know much about the sea or space. You can have the age-old convo about how boring it can be, how the food is repetitive (even more ironic if they're transporting foodstuffs which can't be touched (needs prep, are vital supplies for a town/planet,etc.)), how they miss people at home, or miss 'luxuries' such as their own bed.
You can also have the alternate point of view that there's always fresh bread, as there's a baker on board, that they get paid without anything to spend it on whilst on board so it's building up in the bank. And, there's the ever popular those in command are unfair, tough, etc., but they would never say it to be overheard.
From that, you could build a whole story about the voyage, what it's for, and where it's been and is going to. I'm sure you can add your own to this.
You don't need to know much about the sea or space. You can have the age-old convo about how boring it can be, how the food is repetitive (even more ironic if they're transporting foodstuffs which can't be touched (needs prep, are vital supplies for a town/planet,etc.)), how they miss people at home, or miss 'luxuries' such as their own bed.
You can also have the alternate point of view that there's always fresh bread, as there's a baker on board, that they get paid without anything to spend it on whilst on board so it's building up in the bank. And, there's the ever popular those in command are unfair, tough, etc., but they would never say it to be overheard.
From that, you could build a whole story about the voyage, what it's for, and where it's been and is going to. I'm sure you can add your own to this.
sule
"What I do is me: for that I came."
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Perhaps you could spend ten minutes brainstorming up a series of "catchy" conversation/argument starters; something like "I've told you never to leave the gate unlocked," or "The zoo had a new dragon today," then after you've stormed up a few (or several) take some time, pick out your favorites and dig a little deeper: who is saying this, who are they saying it to (and what's their relationship), where are they. Alternatively, you can pick your favorite and freewrite a conversation using it as your starting point, then go back and ask the deeper questions.
If you're looking for inspiration, maybe read some plays.
If you're looking for inspiration, maybe read some plays.
Wayne Mack
Well-Known Member
Some different dialog scenarios:
I hope this helps.
- Two people arguing about some fact in their world.
- An interrogation of a prisoner. One person asking questions and the other answering and not answering.
- A planning session for a mission. One person can go around the room and have a set of short sequential discussions about each person's role.
I hope this helps.
On a separate note (I hope you don’t mind me mentioning this): one thing we hear time after time on writing podcasts, from how-to books and so on, is the importance of choosing or finding the ‘right’ writing group.
Support and encouraging feedback is a priority. This other member does not fit that, and I wonder how much damage this may do to your growth not to mention self esteem.
It sounds like classic passive/aggression and the best way to stem that is to call it out. If I were in your position, I would ask him outright why he keeps mentioning AI to you, and see what he says. There’s actually nothing he can say to justify his behaviour, and you can let him know you don’t appreciate the insinuation.
If he denies it and tries to gaslight you, just say fair enough (a narcissist will lie), but you’ve brought it up and know that he’ll not be able to do it again.
I hope you don’t mind me saying this but it’s important to have complete understanding, confidence and trust in your group.
Support and encouraging feedback is a priority. This other member does not fit that, and I wonder how much damage this may do to your growth not to mention self esteem.
It sounds like classic passive/aggression and the best way to stem that is to call it out. If I were in your position, I would ask him outright why he keeps mentioning AI to you, and see what he says. There’s actually nothing he can say to justify his behaviour, and you can let him know you don’t appreciate the insinuation.
If he denies it and tries to gaslight you, just say fair enough (a narcissist will lie), but you’ve brought it up and know that he’ll not be able to do it again.
I hope you don’t mind me saying this but it’s important to have complete understanding, confidence and trust in your group.
Swank
and debonair
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Agreed; don't let someone ruin your hobby.
That said - this is your interest. Presumably you have aspirations to write something you care about, and are trying to build your skill set to make that happen. So there ought to be some kind of story in you that you can tap into when it comes to writing assignments, instead of asking other people for ideas.
The book you want to write has characters, those characters talk to each other. What is it they are going to need to talk about? There are conversations that they have to have, and there are conversations that might just fill the time. Can you write one of those?
I wouldn't worry about what the conversation is about. If you want to impress, make the way the conversation happens interesting. An out-of-left-field change of subject, a moment of odd humor, a confession, a plea. Put something in this passage that would stick with the characters just as much as the reader. Make it memorable to them, or a turning point in their trajectories.
That said - this is your interest. Presumably you have aspirations to write something you care about, and are trying to build your skill set to make that happen. So there ought to be some kind of story in you that you can tap into when it comes to writing assignments, instead of asking other people for ideas.
The book you want to write has characters, those characters talk to each other. What is it they are going to need to talk about? There are conversations that they have to have, and there are conversations that might just fill the time. Can you write one of those?
I wouldn't worry about what the conversation is about. If you want to impress, make the way the conversation happens interesting. An out-of-left-field change of subject, a moment of odd humor, a confession, a plea. Put something in this passage that would stick with the characters just as much as the reader. Make it memorable to them, or a turning point in their trajectories.
Wayne Mack
Well-Known Member
One of the useful features of a writing group is the ability to ask follow-up questions. While I agree that referring to chatbots is a snarky response, I'd suggest ignoring the tone and ask the responder what he or she finds to be chatbot-like in one's writing and perhaps ask for some suggestions as to how to improve. As a result, one may either receive useful comments or cause the person to shut up until he or she has a helpful comment.
IF I decide to respond (rebuff) then I might suggest I use a private Chatbot called Chat<my name> and point to my head with a smile. I was attending another writing group but it was too 'soft' on critique and no homework. This one is a better challenge. I like the Spaceship suggestion so a dialogue from my novel would help in both ways. Thanks all.
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