Plotting...

[fajrdrako]

This evening I went to a NaNoWriMo plotting workshop at the public library. And it was very useful.

In manageable groups, we discussed our general plot and and our plotting problems, and did some brainstorming on the subject. I don't know about the others, but for me it was extremely useful. I talked about my story - historical adventure - and the comments, questions and suggestions really helped me put a shape to my ideas.

At one point, though, diurnal_lee said, as we discussed my story ideas, "I keep thinking of Francis Crawford."

Headdesk.

Really. I'm trying to write original, fresh, creative stuff. moved by all sorts of influences. And the influence of Dorothy Dunnett is so strong it shows up in casual conversation about my story?

I'm not sure whether to wail or be proud.

Comments

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Yes, the icon is John Barrowman. I don't know what it's from but I would guess it's a slightly younger John Barrowman, done up for either musical theatre or a panto. I'd like to find out. It reminds me of the pictures we're seeing now, in his advertising for Aladdin next month.

[mmegaera.livejournal.com]

Is it based on the Disney version or the original stories? I can't tell from the pictures on his website.

I've heard about panto (mostly from my Branagh fandom, and his movie In the Bleak Midwinter, but I've never seen one.

I have to say he looks rather feminine in that icon. I like him better when he looks more male [g].

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Is it based on the Disney version or the original stories? I can't tell from the pictures on his website.

Definitely not Disney. It's panto, so the characters are probably inspired by the original, but any storyline would be pretty much unrecognizable. Or maybe recognizable, but still way over the top. Last year Barrowman did "Jack and the Beanstalk". I love it that he keeps doing characters named "Jack". He was Jack in "De-Lovely", too.

mostly from my Branagh fandom, and his movie In the Bleak Midwinter

Do you mean A Midwinter's Tale? I don't remember a panto in that. I was telling myself just the other day that I wanted to see it again. Loved that movie! But I don't actually own a copy. I put it on my Christmas list, then crossed it off.

Anyway: I saw a panto once when I lived in Engand - don't even remember what it was - and saw one once in Ottawa, I think. Every decade or so someone stages one, presumably British expats doing it for British expats and hoping it will catch on. We don't have anything like it, really.

I have to say he looks rather feminine in that icon. I like him better when he looks more male [g]

He has many guises! I like the Captain Jack Harkness look best myself, with the braces and the boots and the greatcoat and the dark shirts.

[mmegaera.livejournal.com]

It's panto, so the characters are probably inspired by the original, but any storyline would be pretty much unrecognizable.

Ah. You just about doubled what little knowledge I have of panto, right there [g]. I've never actually seen one.

Do you mean A Midwinter's Tale?

Yes. It was originally released in the UK as In the Bleak Midwinter, and, like Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone that's how my brain thinks of it. It doesn't have a panto, but, since it takes place in the UK at Christmas amongst a bunch of actors, there's more than one mention of panto in the script.

He has many guises! I like the Captain Jack Harkness look best myself, with the braces and the boots and the greatcoat and the dark shirts.

Well, I like that sort of clothes on men in general (as long as they've got the body for it), so I'd have to agree with you. Although I do rather like the whole 18th-century ponytail and breeches thing very well, too...

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

You just about doubled what little knowledge I have of panto, right there [g].

They are very silly and loud and call for audience participation and the main roles involve cross-dressing. Usually. Though not in this case, I believe. Young kids love them, at least in the UK. Lots of slapstick and colourful costumes. A sort of... specialized kind of musical farce.

It was originally released in the UK as In the Bleak Midwinter

Now that you say that, I think I knew that once upon a time. But forgot. "In the Bleak Midwinter" with the British tune is my favourite Christmas song.

Although I do rather like the whole 18th-century ponytail and breeches thing very well, too...

I love that too, and it would suit Captain Jack very well.

[mmegaera.livejournal.com]

A sort of... specialized kind of musical farce.

They sound like a lot of fun.

"In the Bleak Midwinter" with the British tune is my favourite Christmas song.

It's also Kenneth Branagh's -- favorite Christmas song, that is. Which is why gave its name to the movie (he wrote the script as well as directing it). At least that was what I read in an interview back when it came out.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Well, I can't fault Branagh's taste, for sure!