Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Monday, September 29, 2014
Story Direction and First Rule of Improv
There was a humor blog I used to read religiously (it was a religious humor blog) that had a few in-house characters developed by the creator of the site. Many times a certain follower would try and change the direction of the storyline by denying what the author had stated.
Examples:
Author - "Well, I hate to report this, but Sonny Day has died by spontaneous combustion. He was a great jokester. Last time I saw him, he was on fire."
Follower - "No, he didn't die. I saw him two minutes ago at Starbucks!"
Author - "Our friend, Dorky LaMancha, has been kidnapped! Give me some time to do some of my famous detective work and I'll keep everyone informed of my progress. Don't worry, we'll find him!"
Follower (commenting as Dorky) - "Hey! It's okay! I escaped and I'm back at home!"
Keep in mind that the creator of the blog had already planned, in both senarios, to progress through a plot that would keep the readers on a certain track. He may have even pre-posted the entire story a month in advance. The follower, not knowing better, actually sabotaged the storyline.
To avoid this kind of thing from happening, use the "Yes, and..." rule of improv. It will, not only carry the story along but gives the author freedom to continue his direction unabated.
Examples:
Author - "Well, I hate to report this, but Sonny Day has died by spontaneous combustion. He was a great jokester. Last time I saw him, he was on fire."
Follower - "Yes, he was. I saw that same act. He was smokin' hot!"
Author - "Our friend, Dorky LaMancha, has been kidnapped! Give me some time to do some of my famous detective work and I'll keep everyone informed of my progress. Don't worry, we'll find him!"
Follower - "Oh, man! I hope you find him! He has my Pipi Longstocking DVD!"
Examples:
Author - "Well, I hate to report this, but Sonny Day has died by spontaneous combustion. He was a great jokester. Last time I saw him, he was on fire."
Follower - "No, he didn't die. I saw him two minutes ago at Starbucks!"
Author - "Our friend, Dorky LaMancha, has been kidnapped! Give me some time to do some of my famous detective work and I'll keep everyone informed of my progress. Don't worry, we'll find him!"
Follower (commenting as Dorky) - "Hey! It's okay! I escaped and I'm back at home!"
Keep in mind that the creator of the blog had already planned, in both senarios, to progress through a plot that would keep the readers on a certain track. He may have even pre-posted the entire story a month in advance. The follower, not knowing better, actually sabotaged the storyline.
To avoid this kind of thing from happening, use the "Yes, and..." rule of improv. It will, not only carry the story along but gives the author freedom to continue his direction unabated.
Examples:
Author - "Well, I hate to report this, but Sonny Day has died by spontaneous combustion. He was a great jokester. Last time I saw him, he was on fire."
Follower - "Yes, he was. I saw that same act. He was smokin' hot!"
Author - "Our friend, Dorky LaMancha, has been kidnapped! Give me some time to do some of my famous detective work and I'll keep everyone informed of my progress. Don't worry, we'll find him!"
Follower - "Oh, man! I hope you find him! He has my Pipi Longstocking DVD!"
The reason I post this is because I am concerned that I may have offended one of my CC members. At this time, I am pre-posted up until the end of October. My direction is deliberate. One of the comments was written as Benny Finney when I announced his death by SCUD missile, stating that he was still alive.
Please don't take it personal. For my storyline arc to be successful and continue with the pre-posted and pre-planned events, I was forced to delete the comment.
I absolutely treasure each and every comment made on CC and would love to see many more. I have said this before...comments are like putting tips in a tip jar or money in a hat of a street entertainer. I really appreciate it.
FYI, when I was taking an improv class many years ago, the first thing I did when I got on stage was to deny what someone had stated. I didn't realize what I was doing. The instructor stopped everything and educated me on the spot. I have never forgotten that lesson...nor the fact that he still has my Pipi Longstocking DVD.
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Saturday, September 27, 2014
FREE Book that's Loser Friendly!
"A sympathetic exploration that to me felt like an expansion of the excerpt about Solomon from Matt Chandler's "Explicit Gospel". (perhaps in the reverse). The book acknowledges what our church culture in the west seems to avoid - walking as a disciple doesn't equate to "your best life now" and no spiritual gymnastics will ensure you or your family a "lake woebegone" life experience. What impressed me most was that Daniel wrote with honesty and diplomacy. While I found myself wincing as I read about his circumstances that led to the book, my heart response was prayer, repentance and a nudge towards submission. Significance - as pointed out by the author - comes from being part of the Kingdom and in God's story. This isn't an in depth theological study and it isn't triumphalist (except that God can do anything to advance His kingdom with any vessel He wants and He seems to choose a lot of broken ones)." by Lynn Comp
Friday, September 26, 2014
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
FREE! Not Joshin' ya.
You might want to click HERE for the book.
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Monday, September 22, 2014
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Saturday, September 20, 2014
No Sola Bootstrapa
Because of the tragic accident involving the termination of Sola Bootstrapa, I have decided to post Monsters of the Deep cards instead. Click on each to better read its scientific contents. Thank you.
By the way, the last entry, the Whale Shark, could very well be the kind of fish (even called a "whale" but isn't) that swallowed Jonah. National Geographic had an issue on this giant and stated it could easily swallow two men. The article even mentioned Jonah.
Friday, September 19, 2014
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Monday, September 15, 2014
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Mission - Control
For more info click on: Sola Sisters
Saturday, September 13, 2014
Friday, September 12, 2014
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Monday, September 8, 2014
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Saturday, September 6, 2014
Friday, September 5, 2014
Thursday, September 4, 2014
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