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Standard Format Study/Reference Notes
2 years ago
Indent at the start of each paragraph except when the paragraph begins with " . (does not always show on a .txt file)
Paragraph break when scene, topic, or speaker changes. The indenting is no longer required (I think) but familiar from my school days as something I was reminded to do when I forgot to. Getting back into the habit of indenting paragraphs helps me feel as if I'm getting back into learning productively.
Important, understand that tagging a " " line isn't a bad thing but should not be done often. Do so when tone changes or words are joined by plot essential action. For example, if a character is gonna use a tool in an upcoming paragraph and prepares it during dialogue it's alright to tag the words in which such happens. Another example would be a cornered character drawing a weapon behind their back so as to conceal it from an agitator before utilizing it to escape.
As much as it pains me, trimming down (but not completely cutting out) character defining expression and behaviorisms is apparently the norm in order to show rather than tell. This is still a confusing concept for me to grasp do to the literal understanding of showing rather than telling as literature is a visual rather than auditory artform but the more I work with standard format the more I should grow accustomed to it.
*Personal note - There are auditory and visual learners, the way my mind visualizes a scene likely differs from the means in which an auditory learner does so. This is more of a personal theory as I'm not able to gaze into another's mind but, it's a theory that is helping my drive to keep this up. Where as I visualize a scene and then animate with sound others likely mentally conceive the sound and visualize motion and surroundings around such and in doing so a scene materializes in their mindscape.
Note; you CAN use more than just 'said'. The important aspect of using words other than said is to know when to. Asked, questioned, insisted, shouted, etc are all acceptable. Colorful expressions such as 'roared' or 'hissed' are where it gets tricky and one should keep in mind the previous (non-personal) note when utilizing these.
Paragraph break when scene, topic, or speaker changes. The indenting is no longer required (I think) but familiar from my school days as something I was reminded to do when I forgot to. Getting back into the habit of indenting paragraphs helps me feel as if I'm getting back into learning productively.
Important, understand that tagging a " " line isn't a bad thing but should not be done often. Do so when tone changes or words are joined by plot essential action. For example, if a character is gonna use a tool in an upcoming paragraph and prepares it during dialogue it's alright to tag the words in which such happens. Another example would be a cornered character drawing a weapon behind their back so as to conceal it from an agitator before utilizing it to escape.
As much as it pains me, trimming down (but not completely cutting out) character defining expression and behaviorisms is apparently the norm in order to show rather than tell. This is still a confusing concept for me to grasp do to the literal understanding of showing rather than telling as literature is a visual rather than auditory artform but the more I work with standard format the more I should grow accustomed to it.
*Personal note - There are auditory and visual learners, the way my mind visualizes a scene likely differs from the means in which an auditory learner does so. This is more of a personal theory as I'm not able to gaze into another's mind but, it's a theory that is helping my drive to keep this up. Where as I visualize a scene and then animate with sound others likely mentally conceive the sound and visualize motion and surroundings around such and in doing so a scene materializes in their mindscape.
Note; you CAN use more than just 'said'. The important aspect of using words other than said is to know when to. Asked, questioned, insisted, shouted, etc are all acceptable. Colorful expressions such as 'roared' or 'hissed' are where it gets tricky and one should keep in mind the previous (non-personal) note when utilizing these.
