Various

[altariel]

Hmph. Almost a month ago, I noted how grumpy short story writing was making me. Yesterday afternoon (thanks, mraltariel), I finally worked out what the story was that I was trying to tell. I've had four separate run-ups at this damn thing now, none of which have stuck, but this morning I scribbled down an Actual Framework for the damn thing, and now all I have to do is the Actual Writing - which is, of course, the easy part.

Wah, short-story writing is hard! Nothing like writing lovely Tolkien vignettes, which I can conceive of and execute in the space of two days (or used to be able to do). This has taken roughly eight weeks, and loads of different iterations. *plaintively* Is this normal? Am I doing something wrong? Does it get easier with practice? Have my magic powers gone for good? Is this the end?

Yesterday I finished rereading Watchmen, which I hadn't read since college *cough*ty years ago (eighteen). Now I'm trying to decide whether I should go and see the film, but I'm put off by the fact that it's apparently two-and-three-quarter hours long. Two-and-three-quarter hours! No film should be that long, except The Fellowship of the Ring. Anyway, I can't make decisions, so Speak You're Branes, f'list, and do say why in comments if moved.

[Poll #1364164]

Comments

[communicator.livejournal.com]

I was wondering last night why you had been so quiet on lj - well, you plus a few others (not stalkering you in particular). I wonder if this story was tough for you to write for some personal reason?

I think all creative people think they have lost their magic all the time - that's why so many turn to drink.

[infinitlight.livejournal.com]

Yes, yes, go see it. It is long (*too* long, I think, probably could have been cut by twenty minutes), but it's interesting.

I read the comic several years ago and had managed to pretty much entirely forget what happened (reflection on my retention skills or on the strength of the story--you be the judge). I vaguely remembered who the bad guy was, but that was it (1).


(1) But I do associate anyone interested in ancient Egypt with pure evil anyway--all the fault of Young Indiana Jones and a Tintin comic that SCARRED ME FOR LIFE. Also, pulling people's brains out through their noses (yeah, I know they were already dead, but I need my brain! And my nose!) and sending dead slaves into the afterlife with their king. I don't want to go serve my boss in the afterlife! I don't even like doing what he says now.

Um, tangent.

I've forgotten what I meant to say about Watchmen now.

[sherlock1.livejournal.com]

It doesn't feel like 2 hours 40 mins. Che Part I did, and it wasn't. Does that make sense?

Jackie Earl Haley was brilliant, as was Patrick Wilson. Great film. Though sadly the credits sequence is probably the best bit, so it does peak a bit early...!

[manna]

I haven't read the book or seen the film, but the general opinion on the City of Heroes board was that it was very good, and a surprisingly faithful adaptation where most changes were necessary for the translation to screen. With regards to length, a few people were hoping that at some point there's be a director's cut DVD with various scenes added which were filmed but which had to be cut for length.

[greylin.livejournal.com]

I've awarded myself a Mental Health Day today and going to the cinema would definitely be on the list of things to do, so yes, I think you should go. And good luck with the story!

[executrix.livejournal.com]

I think Archimedes' Law of writing is that the harder it is to write whatever it is you're writing now, the easier you remember writing the stuff you used to write was.

[ex-naomi-ja.livejournal.com]

Yes! Absolutely go and see it. I went last night and am still buzzing. Admittedly, I am the lowest common denominator when it comes to films - throw in some explosions and car chases, and I'm sold. But it was brilliantly shot and as faithful to the comic book as was possible. And Jackie Earle Haley is amazing.

[toft-froggy.livejournal.com]

I'm going to see it tonight, and would love to know what you think of it!

[tiggymalvern.livejournal.com]

I reread the graphic novel just last week before I went to see the film :-)

It really doesn't feel as long as it is, and my only real complaint was that in one or two places the film was *too* faithful to the comic - dialogue lifted straight from the written page doesn't always work as well in the mouths of actors XD Yes, a lot of detail was cut, and some beautiful background commentary was missing, which was inevitable, but the director didn't do a bad job.

Me, I just want to see the four hour director's cut!

[katlinel.livejournal.com]

I think you should go and see it, and then say insightful things about it so I can end up knowing about it, without actually having to read or watch it myself. *is lazy*

Ex-colleague M (the only positive thing about Picklepoo) is going to see it again today having seen it at the weekend because she thinks it's worth at least two viewings.

[katlinel.livejournal.com]

And from what I recall about authors talking about writing short stories, I think I've seen many that say it's harder than writing novels. I can't remember if that's from the perspective of authors who wrote novels first.

And anyway, just because this story took this long and this much work, doesn't mean the next one will. Maybe some of the groundwork here will spark off something else later. Possibly the groundwork needed to be done, but it may not be that much every single time. And go you for having persisted and worked and got there in the end.

[gair.livejournal.com]

Hooray for progress with short-story writing, is the motto I am taking from your post. I am RESOLUTE AND CHEERFUL.

gerald and I watched Citizen Kane the other week, and it is completely fucking awesome and one hour fifty-two minutes long. We have decided that all film-makers should henceforth be required to fill in a lengthy application form and submit it to hostile scrutiny before they are allowed to make a film even one minute longer than that (and of course really 100 minutes is the right length for a film).

[espresso-addict.livejournal.com]

Don't know Watchmen (says EA sheepishishly) but the trailer used large amounts of Glass from Koyaanisqatsi, which has to be a good thing.