A Noob Ready for Hazing
Hi all,
I'm a writer in Minneapolis, or at least I like to consider myself a writer. Perhaps it's only delusion, since I haven't sold a damn thing. Yet.
I've been writing for years, having chosen screenplays as my craft a long time ago. I could never afford school, so I taught myself by reading up on the craft and writing a number of bad screenplays. Then I gave up for a while, convinced that I wasn't cut out for writing.
Thing is, I'm a horror fanatic and have been since I was a child. I absorb horror.
All those practice screenplays were for every genre BUT horror. I'd written at least six bad comedies, two bad sci-fi scripts, and one comedy/sci-fi/fantasy/WTF? story. Why didn't I write horror? I'm not really sure. Perhaps, deep down I thought I wouldn't be able to cut it as a horror writer. Either way, I became discouraged.
I picked it up again some years ago and worked on several abandoned non-horror projects, further discouraging myself. Eventually, a voice in the back of my head said, "You should at least TRY writing a horror story. It's the genre you know best. At least try." Shock of shocks, that horror script was one of the easiest things for me to write. The feedback was not gushing, but I was definitely on to something, so I wrote more.
I've since written three horror screenplays, and the majority of the feedback has been positive. As of now, I have one script 100% completed -- it took about four drafts. I have one script stuck in 2nd-draft limbo. And I have my most recent one -- my favorite story to date -- between drafts 2 and 3, currently under construction.
Now I'm coming to the realization that I may not be able to do much with these scripts unless I can somehow produce one myself or move to L.A. I don't know if either of those things will happen, though. After the scripts are 100% complete, I'm going to move forward with a Plan B of sorts.
I'd like to write some long-form fiction.
I wrote a number of short stories a while ago, but I'm probably rusty at best. I have multiple novel ideas banging around in my head, all I have to do is pick one and run with it.
Should I tackle a few short stories first, just to hone my long-form writing a little bit? Or should I just GO FOR IT? I'm stuck on the precipice of this decision.
What do you good people think?
And now, the (probably) obligatory list of my favorite authors:
Kurt Vonnegut
Cormac McCarthy
Stephen King
Richard Matheson
H.P. Lovecraft
And some guy you may have heard of, by the name of Chuck Palahniuk. He's a little obscure though, so I won't hold it against you if you haven't heard of him. 
All those practice screenplays were for every genre BUT horror. I'd written at least six bad comedies, two bad sci-fi scripts, and one comedy/sci-fi/fantasy/WTF? story. Why didn't I write horror? I'm not really sure. Perhaps, deep down I thought I wouldn't be able to cut it as a horror writer. Either way, I became discouraged.
I felt this exact same way at a certain point.
I was writing out of my element, because it was ten times easier to be critical of my work, although this was back when my skin was much thinner. It's easy to avow a shitty peice of work, when it's a genre outside of your self-prescribed direction. Finally i smartened up. Point ebing, i feel you here.
When the last living thing Has died on account of us, How poetical it would be If Earth could say, In a voice floating up Perhaps From the floor Of the Grand Canyon, "It is done. People did not like it here"
Keep your stick on the ice.
If you really live in Minneapolis, you probably live within ten minutes of me. Where abouts do you live?
I read like, 5 sentences out of that whole thing. But welcome!
Welcome! Yah, so the forum is great expecially the Writer's Workshop ... helps keep the juices flowing and there are some pretty smart people to help you resolve issues. I believe they just started a screenwriting part too. Anyhow, have loads of fun and keep writing!
Cheers
Get the sugar. Get the sugar. Get the sugar.
i saw hazing and i got excited...i guess i like torturing people.
regardless of that nonsense... welcome
i think i am too new to haze anyone yet, but hey it's the thought that counts.
I don't want to believe that horror is dead, but the last horrifying film for me was Night of the Living Dead. The only horrific book I've ever read is House of Leaves [radiohead's hail to the thief is a perfect accompaniment - I have to wear headphones to read, although I understand the opposite is true with some].
I love horror. I just hate the quality of the general majority.
I hope you make it happen.
this is communication.
I also live in Minneapolis. If you're among the army of stinky self righteous bicycle riders who think they can zip around in the middle of the road without consequence I wouldn't worry about a hazing, because I'll be pelting you with bricks.
Three cheers for violence.
My friend got hit by a car the other day. You people are reckless and frightening.
welcome to the cult.
If a guy on a bicycle is going faster than you are in a car, don't be pissed at him. Be pissed at traffic, or get a bicycle of your own.
this is communication.
Throwing bricks is just how Mad Dingo shows his love.
Get the sugar. Get the sugar. Get the sugar.
Dennis, the webmaster, made a short horror flick, you can check it out here: http://chuckpalahniuk.net/forum/1000031/my-short-horror-movie-throwaway-...
When he gets back to The Cult (He's back in NY with his gf right now for his birthday ), he's probably going to tell you to move to L.A. when you're ready and serious about selling or producing your screenplays.
As for plan B, working on novels and short stories, well you can do that anywhere.
Good luck, and welcome.
Oh, my hazing days are behind me. I think that cunt, Derek, is in charge of that now. (Derek, you know I love you).
ha! NO! That's the joke. 
*Faintsdead*
You have obviously not been around in the newbie forum. 
Is this a deliberate misspelling, or are you missing a chromosome, or maybe this a character you're testing? Either way, you pretty much fail on all fronts.
Three cheers for violence.
Is this a deliberate misspelling, or are you missing a chromosome, or maybe this a character you're testing? Either way, you pretty much fail on all fronts.
This second communication sample from Mad Dingo is a little more foward than a hug but not quite a full frontal kiss ... more like a squeeze and a peck or perhaps a whispered sweet nothing during the course of a rough hug.
I hug you too, Mad Dingo!
Get the sugar. Get the sugar. Get the sugar.
You should learn how to use a comma.
Three cheers for violence.
Is this a deliberate misspelling, or are you missing a chromosome, or maybe this a character you're testing? Either way, you pretty much fail on all fronts.
This second communication sample from Mad Dingo is a little more foward than a hug but not quite a full frontal kiss ... more like a squeeze and a peck or perhaps a whispered sweet nothing during the course of a rough hug.
I hug you too, Mad Dingo!
pssst, just don't ask him about Chuck ripping off his ideas...
You should learn to lighten up.
Is this a deliberate misspelling, or are you missing a chromosome, or maybe this a character you're testing? Either way, you pretty much fail on all fronts.
This second communication sample from Mad Dingo is a little more foward than a hug but not quite a full frontal kiss ... more like a squeeze and a peck or perhaps a whispered sweet nothing during the course of a rough hug.
I hug you too, Mad Dingo!
pssst, just don't ask him about Chuck ripping off his ideas...
... well, you know, Mad Dingo is just so incredibly intelligent and original (not to mention sexy and orally versatile) how could chuck not?
Get the sugar. Get the sugar. Get the sugar.
... well, you know, Mad Dingo is just so incredibly intelligent and original (not to mention sexy and orally versatile)...
Weird, you're actually right about something for a change. I guess even a busted clock is on time twice a day.
Three cheers for violence.
Are you guys actually sparring or is this just weird forum foreplay?
Oh, I'm just toying with Dingo ... though his loathing of me is sincere. I can't help it if he is so much fun to play with!
Sexy beast!
Get the sugar. Get the sugar. Get the sugar.
Oh, I'm just toying with Dingo ... though his loathing of me is sincere. I can't help it if he is so much fun to play with!
Sexy beast!
OoooooooohWOOF!!
oooooooowwwwwww! ooooooooooowwwww ooooooooowwww! Woof.
Bark at the moon, baby. Bark at the moon.
Get the sugar. Get the sugar. Get the sugar.
Wow, I can't tell you all how proud I am of myself for creating a flame war in my very first thread. YOU'VE ALL MADE MY WILDEST DREAM COME TRUE! Okay, not really.
there's no such thing as a %100 completed script.
So...We are still going to die. Right?
Yeah, who the hell is this Chuck Palahzilaniuk that everyone keeps talking about??
Welcome, man. Perhaps you should think about joining the workshop to work on those short stories. It's the best place to do it.
-B-