Snippet of the article I'm writing: · 6:05am Aug 3rd, 2017
"Talon Ted: that’s when a tannish yellow Earth Pony with a short brown mane and a Cuitemark in the picture of a spotlight"
Concept Art of my narcissistic brother, I didn't have time to draw the background, but at least this gives you an idea of what he looks like.
Emotional Resonance vs Emotional Manipulation
I believe all stories, regardless of the medium and the concepts it uses, has the capability to become memorable, but not every writer whether professional or novice can pull it off. To start with, this essay will not teach you about the technicalities of writing, but to give you an understanding of what makes a story relatable in contrast to a message being shoved down our throats. In other words, let me help you recognize the difference between evoking emotions and manipulating your audience.
To begin with, no matter how cool the scene, or how beautiful the prose, if it doesn't touch the audiences' heart then it will soon be forgotten. But isn't this common sense? you ask. Continue reading and I'll tell you why it is not. When the public reads, views or watches your work, you are making a metaphorical contract with them, that you can entertain them with your art, and storytelling is an art form, it has structure and composition. However if you underestimate the comprehension skills of your audience, then more likely, you will soon break their trust, and because of that, the bookmark will not reach the final chapter, or they will not see the end of your show.
Evoking emotions is like delivering a performance or creating a painting. We judge by the details, how it was crafted and how meaningful it was presented. Watching contestants from any genre of reality TV shows, is an example on how we consider the likability of the candidate rather than the talent. When we speak of an event happening to another person, we don't go from step one to the beginning of the narrative, we go to the meat, near the emotional side of the story.
As storytellers you are in the business of delivering emotions. When you touch the heart of your audience, whether through pain or pleasure, will have a lasting effect, moreover they will be more forgiving of your beginner mistakes in the execution. Stories are suppose to be problem solving or at least what not to do in a situation, because people go to fiction to make sense about their lives. They subconsciously want to believe that if this character can win despite tremendous odds, and achieve it in a believable way, then they too can do it. Likewise, change doesn't have to be simplistically negative or positive, it can be about spiritual or physical oppressive liberation; alternatively you can be your own worse enemy. You have to let your audience see the brighter future or help them realize, if they are in the path to self destruction.
We as storytellers have an agreement with our audience, to deliver what they came to expect. Supposing we disregard emotions, then what we are writing about is not a story, rather what we are writing about are events, text books, news articles or uninspired fan fictions; these won't attract your target audience. On the contrary, even memoirs have characters in it, despite being in the non-fiction genre. We pick it up because we are interested in what happened in their lives. Telling a story is all about enthralling your audience in your world, and this is a performance in itself.
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Forgive my spelling errors or grammar, this essay is still a work in progress, and this is just the "word vomit" (sporadic writing). When I was doing this for my article, I felt like I was back in college doing research and mind maps again.
Fifty-percent of my time went to research: I had to watch hours long of compiled videos, read articles and take notes. I didn't expect this simple topic to be this lengthy, I feel like I can exceed over fifty or even eighty pages. I have to cut down information, so it won't exactly follow my mind maps. I still have work to do, that I don't even have time to read fics and novels anymore. I don't know how long it will take me to finish this article.
To give you an idea of my process.
Research: Done
Organization of Information: Done
Word Vomit: Pending
Revision: Pending
Layout in Adobe InDesign: Pending
Adding Visual Aids in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop: Pending
Will this be for free? Absolutely, if possible I will try to prepare a pdf file in Deviant Art, you can download it and read it on your mobile devices. I don't know if DA accepts E-book files.
How long will you finish? Not sure, it depends on my free time and how much effort I put into this.
Why the effort? It's charity, people online has been good to me, so it's time I give back to the community. Also this helps me as well, I'm learning to be a better graphic designer and storyteller with this pet project of mine.
Are you still going to fix the Friendship is Failure story? Yes, after all this. I still haven't had a clue on how to end it and I have no structure yet.
I do need help, on what visual aids to add though.
Very well established.
You've certainly done your research.
I look forward to the results.
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Thanks, I hope it will help you guys, because I'm learning with my audience as well.
On a side note, I checked that man-child's account and noticed that he created two new stories. I read one chapter and concluded it's another demonization, well I know it's not fair to make an immediate verdict, however based on the premise, how it's structured and the narrow characterizations. I'm convinced it's another whine fic. It's seriously another brother and sister fic, and I'm pretty sure, it will end with the self-centered brother being "in the right," regardless of how unrealistically biased the narrative was written.
It's creeping me out how overzealous this guy is, and yes I know "cringe" is already a misused word, but I think it's appropriate to apply it here. The ignorance of the author dumbfounds me enough that it's hurting my IQ. I'm aware I should simply just focus on this pet project of mine and develop a thicker skin, but having a long and tiresome day only to discover this, really ruins my mood.
I should stop myself from looking at his profile and thinking about it. It's time I move on and progress, lest I end up like him, and that is a horror story I do not want to happen.
I've been reading your fan fics and it's really good. You already have an unconscious knowledge in structure and composition (or so I think.) The only thing I think you need is to put more meaning in your fics, I don't know if my essay will provide the answer, as it's more general. Next time, maybe I'll try to learn about themes and do an essay about it
4622821
Thanks. I think I can learn a lot from you.
I'd just treat Mykan's work like the claptrap it is.
I think it only highlights the fact that he knows his work won't measure up to yours, so he's aiming for quantity over quality.
Hasn't helped him so far. It won't start now.
I think it takes a seriously disturbed individual to end like him. I wouldn't worry.
Glad you like my work. I look forward to the comments when you're free.
4622919
Thank you Purple
Please dont fall in the mistakes of demonization
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Don't worry I've done my homework