Because it's part of the journey. Part of the process. And sometimes we can't just go from A straight to B. Sometimes, we have to go A to Z to M to C to B. And the work is better for it.
Often enough? We see each other and usually shuffle through the same series of questions. I don't mind it, of course. This place has a way of getting into people's heads and so a little repetition just is par the course. I mean! I tried to tell you how you get, but we breezed past that, didn't we? And that still is just a beloved character I played. :) But I'm happy to be helpful.
Peanuts are salty!
[ Zane laughs to himself, amused with his little joke, but sure that Alan won't appreciate it as much as him. ]
Anyway, sure some pieces are missed! It's part of it all. But so long as you can imagine it, it'll be. That's the power of this place. Enough suspension of belief and it'll just be how it always was.
[ Which probably is what is the scariest thing. If they imagine enough, if they write it enough, reality will warp that it really will be how they said it was. Flashbacks can be idealized versions of the past so long as the person is fond and gentle with them. But they can also be vicious mockeries of what has transpired. ]
I know you're making sense but it's so easy to get lost along the way. And I have someone to worry about. I could start small. Something fun but not too fun.
That explains the deja vu. As long as you don't mind. That would probably grate at me. We did... Not you but also not not you helping then because it's your character so [ What? ] There's a string of logic here I'm sure I can make sense of later.
If you say so.
No, no. I don't want to change it up by accident. I want it exact.
[ The horror of it all was realized, even if it was unknown to the extent of it all. That the world around could distort to fit the words on the page, as if they became law. Writing stays an most terror, despite it being vital. One wrong sentence and something can change in a way that ruins it forever. Or get it killed. ]
It doesn't save that much time. You get it, Alan. I've tried it. There are certain topics I know I have to ease into talking about with you, too. I went too fast one time and we ended up almost enemies. That was a sad run.
[ Certain topics like how he's dealing with Scratch.
That had ended very poorly, but it usually does. ]
It's a good one, right? :) One of my favorites.
Not at all, my friend! With film, you can give in to certain lies. But you don't enjoy lying to your audience. However, sometimes with my films, there have to be a few lies here and there to make it compelling. Not a mystery but a deliberate ruse put in so the audience is surprised and maybe even scandalized later.
And you’re not going to tell me any of these topics if I ask, are you? I never liked Groundhog Day all that much.
The character was a little too cryptic with me though.
Visual media is a whole different thing. The mystery is what I was doing. I mean, I need I WANT the reader to have that moment with a reveal where they realize they could’ve cracked the entire case wide open with all the clues dropped along the way. The subtle bread crumbs. A few red herrings because it can’t be too easy to make it boring. But nothing that makes it unsolvable. The “twist” wasn’t a blindsided move. The pages never lied. It was right under their nose the entire time.
Absolutely. It's the best way to conjure up ideas!
Nope. I've learned my lesson. :) Wish I could be more helpful but I can only help this much. Doing more or less tends to backfire on us.
[ He might get the sensation - like a flash of Tom in the apartment - bobbing his head side-to-side as he agrees that the diver may have been too cryptic. But he flashes a smile to show that he still loves the character. ]
And that is why you're my favorite author. I hope I can be your favorite auteur. Even if my medium does have some lies in it.
I don’t know about that but I certainly was writing on them in the past. One of those Night Springs episodes was honestly nothing but cocaine but apparently everyone loved it so…
Couldn’t hurt. Unless I’ve been looping a hangover this entire time.
[ . . . has he?
Anyway. ] What’s your poison?
Glad to know I wasn’t doing it in vain. I’ll have to watch more of your films to return the compliment but I can overlook a lie or two if it pays off.
You're invited to my next one. Not that I plan on doing lines anytime soon.
You can edit that out? Neat. Just don't skip too hard that I don't remember it happening at all. That's becoming too big of an issue.
Yeah? Classy. I've always just ended up drinking straight out of a bottle somehow. Actually, have you ever mixed bourbon and coffee together before? Not bad. Maybe I could invent a cocktail.
To take a page out of your book, if it isn't enhancing the story or adding to a scene I'm planning on, no reason to keep it in. But if you want to have some of it, we can have some of it. I'm flexible with making sure my collaborators are happy!
I've mixed a lot of stuff over the years. That's a pretty good one, too. But! If you made a cocktail, what would you name it?
Right??? They're a great amount of fun. Everyone gets to relax and be however they wanna be. All in good fun, of course.
I'd say what about a detective story during Halloween? I can imagine there'd be people who'd like to read Casey in that sort of situation and see what happens. There are beats that every story has to have to feel right, but a twist to them can make those beats feel fresh and exciting!
Boo - shame that Springs did one before. I'd like to see what you'd do with a masquerade.
There's a chapter in one of them set during Halloween to get the victim dressed like an angel for the metaphors and what not. Couldn't get him in the costume though, as much as people would enjoy that. It's not his character. There's a whole strip club scene in that book later though so I think it still evens out.
I'll scale it back some... Still room for some edits.
That's a shame - about the costume. If you could get him into one, what'd you think he'd dress as? Will you dress as like it for the party??? Yeah. Things always even out with a little skin shown.
Hold on a second there. I meant crazy as in murders and horrific implications. The party turns into a ritualistic sacrifice crazy. You don’t have to tone the actual fun crazy down. I’m not a buzzkill, Zane.
See? That’s an interview question I would’ve liked to be asked. He wouldn’t go outlandish or really think too hard on it. A cowboy. He could keep a gun holster on, it would look good, and he’d enjoy the hat. Me as Cowboy Casey? Is that why I haven’t seen you keep your shirt on?
Let’s see if it comes to me. You going to film it?
Oh! No, no, no, it's a regular crazy party! I thought you might want to take things easier. But this is great. Your mind will really be open after this.
But if I was an interviewer I fear we wouldn't be on such good terms. A cowboy! That's novel. I like that a lot. Yes, yes, you as Cowboy Casey. And yes. ;)
I'd love to. Filming for Night Springs sounds like it'd be great fun.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
@because
Because it's part of the journey.
Part of the process. And sometimes we can't just go from A straight to B.
Sometimes, we have to go A to Z to M to C to B.
And the work is better for it.
Often enough?
We see each other and usually shuffle through the same series of questions.
I don't mind it, of course.
This place has a way of getting into people's heads and so a little repetition just is par the course.
I mean! I tried to tell you how you get, but we breezed past that, didn't we?
And that still is just a beloved character I played. :)
But I'm happy to be helpful.
Peanuts are salty!
[ Zane laughs to himself, amused with his little joke, but sure that Alan won't appreciate it as much as him. ]
Anyway, sure some pieces are missed!
It's part of it all.
But so long as you can imagine it, it'll be.
That's the power of this place.
Enough suspension of belief and it'll just be how it always was.
[ Which probably is what is the scariest thing. If they imagine enough, if they write it enough, reality will warp that it really will be how they said it was. Flashbacks can be idealized versions of the past so long as the person is fond and gentle with them. But they can also be vicious mockeries of what has transpired. ]
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I could start small. Something fun but not too fun.
That explains the deja vu.
As long as you don't mind. That would probably grate at me.
We did...
Not you but also not not you helping then because it's your character so
[ What? ]
There's a string of logic here I'm sure I can make sense of later.
If you say so.
No, no. I don't want to change it up by accident.
I want it exact.
[ The horror of it all was realized, even if it was unknown to the extent of it all. That the world around could distort to fit the words on the page, as if they became law. Writing stays an most terror, despite it being vital. One wrong sentence and something can change in a way that ruins it forever. Or get it killed. ]
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We all need our touches to make the process an enjoyable one.
[ There is a nod that is felt more than anything. ]
I don't!
It's why I always ask you if you know who I am when I call.
I can only imagine how scary that is to hear.
The string is there and it'll fit together nicely.
At the end or later.
Doesn't matter.
It's also beautiful as is.
Right.
To be true instead of leaning a little into a suspension of disbelief.
Guess that's the difference between us!
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I just need to think of something fun.
[ Why is that easier said than done? Maybe a musical number? Nah... ]
You could actually tell me right away when I don't know, you know. Save some time.
Or did you try that and I didn't believe you? Shit.
It's not great.
I liked the visual.
The diver bathed in light.
Are you calling me uncreative?
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That's the spirit. Maybe a night of drinking!
It doesn't save that much time.
You get it, Alan. I've tried it.
There are certain topics I know I have to ease into talking about with you, too.
I went too fast one time and we ended up almost enemies.
That was a sad run.
[ Certain topics like how he's dealing with Scratch.
That had ended very poorly, but it usually does. ]
It's a good one, right? :)
One of my favorites.
Not at all, my friend!
With film, you can give in to certain lies.
But you don't enjoy lying to your audience.
However, sometimes with my films, there have to be a few lies here and there to make it compelling. Not a mystery but a deliberate ruse put in so the audience is surprised and maybe even scandalized later.
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Want to go on a bender with me?
And you’re not going to tell me any of these topics if I ask, are you?
I never liked Groundhog Day all that much.
The character was a little too cryptic with me though.
Visual media is a whole different thing.
The mystery is what I was doing.
I mean, I need
I WANT the reader to have that moment with a reveal where they realize they could’ve cracked the entire case wide open with all the clues dropped along the way.
The subtle bread crumbs. A few red herrings because it can’t be too easy to make it boring. But nothing that makes it unsolvable.
The “twist” wasn’t a blindsided move. The pages never lied. It was right under their nose the entire time.
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It's the best way to conjure up ideas!
Nope. I've learned my lesson. :)
Wish I could be more helpful but I can only help this much.
Doing more or less tends to backfire on us.
[ He might get the sensation - like a flash of Tom in the apartment - bobbing his head side-to-side as he agrees that the diver may have been too cryptic. But he flashes a smile to show that he still loves the character. ]
And that is why you're my favorite author.
I hope I can be your favorite auteur.
Even if my medium does have some lies in it.
[ More than some, but eh... ]
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One of those Night Springs episodes was honestly nothing but cocaine but apparently everyone loved it so…
Couldn’t hurt.
Unless I’ve been looping a hangover this entire time.
[ . . . has he?
Anyway. ]
What’s your poison?
Glad to know I wasn’t doing it in vain.
I’ll have to watch more of your films to return the compliment but I can overlook a lie or two if it pays off.
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A jump-cut here and there; you'll never even feel that hangover.
[ ANYWAY! ]
Cocktails.
I'm a sucker for them.
They're too tasty for their own good.
You weren't. I felt there was always meaning in what you did.
AND! I'll hold you to that, Alan!
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You can edit that out? Neat.
Just don't skip too hard that I don't remember it happening at all.
That's becoming too big of an issue.
Yeah? Classy.
I've always just ended up drinking straight out of a bottle somehow.
Actually, have you ever mixed bourbon and coffee together before? Not bad.
Maybe I could invent a cocktail.
Thanks.
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More for me, I guess. (^_^)bbb
To take a page out of your book, if it isn't enhancing the story or adding to a scene I'm planning on, no reason to keep it in.
But if you want to have some of it, we can have some of it.
I'm flexible with making sure my collaborators are happy!
I've mixed a lot of stuff over the years.
That's a pretty good one, too.
But! If you made a cocktail, what would you name it?
:)
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Lol. Who taught you emojis?
Fair enough.
I don’t want the headache and I don’t miss them at all.
A short montage of aftermath. Can you do that? Just to keep my ducks in a row.
Bet you have some wild stories.
“Metaphor” and it would knock you on your ass.
1/4
Who? Well
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@because - was thinking about that joke all day
Right???
They're a great amount of fun.
Everyone gets to relax and be however they wanna be.
All in good fun, of course.
I'd say what about a detective story during Halloween?
I can imagine there'd be people who'd like to read Casey in that sort of situation and see what happens.
There are beats that every story has to have to feel right, but a twist to them can make those beats feel fresh and exciting!
Boo - shame that Springs did one before.
I'd like to see what you'd do with a masquerade.
no subject
Just the party.
There's a chapter in one of them set during Halloween to get the victim dressed like an angel for the metaphors and what not. Couldn't get him in the costume though, as much as people would enjoy that. It's not his character.
There's a whole strip club scene in that book later though so I think it still evens out.
I know.
I think I could've killed it at the time.
no subject
Still room for some edits.
That's a shame - about the costume.
If you could get him into one, what'd you think he'd dress as? Will you dress as like it for the party???
Yeah. Things always even out with a little skin shown.
Always time to write another script...
no subject
The party turns into a ritualistic sacrifice crazy.
You don’t have to tone the actual fun crazy down.
I’m not a buzzkill, Zane.
See? That’s an interview question I would’ve liked to be asked.
He wouldn’t go outlandish or really think too hard on it.
A cowboy. He could keep a gun holster on, it would look good, and he’d enjoy the hat.
Me as Cowboy Casey?
Is that why I haven’t seen you keep your shirt on?
Let’s see if it comes to me. You going to film it?
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No, no, no, it's a regular crazy party!
I thought you might want to take things easier.
But this is great.
Your mind will really be open after this.
But if I was an interviewer I fear we wouldn't be on such good terms.
A cowboy! That's novel. I like that a lot.
Yes, yes, you as Cowboy Casey.
And yes. ;)
I'd love to.
Filming for Night Springs sounds like it'd be great fun.
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Everything sucks. I don't want to take it easy.
Do you have anything hard hitting?
That's true. They're irritating.
I'll find a hat.
You know what, I can't even argue.
Good thinking.
I had a great time working for them, actually.
The actual filming part is probably more exciting. I didn't get to walk the sets.
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Quite a few things!
It'll be a party to remember AND forget.
I'm excited.
Now I have to think of a good outfit.
Not a diver!
You can't see it, but I'm wagging a finger.
If we can get a script, you can get to walk the set.
It'll be a good distraction or way out!
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I wasn't going to suggest a diver.
You wouldn't be able to drink with that helmet.
You have any ideas?
I've tried a Night Springs a few times as a way out and it hasn't exactly worked.
But maybe going it alone was why it wasn't.
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Bit of a bummer to think about otherwise.
True, man, true.
Maybe a vampire!
Actually, yeah, that'll be fun.
Never hurts to bring a friend!
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Let's just forget it for now.
You'll need a cape.
Okay. Let's give it a go then.
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What were we talking about?
I'll find one.
Yes.
And thinking about it!
That'll be the best setting of the masquerade.
Lots more people to add to it!
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No, I actually forgot. Shit. Ha ha ha.
We can put in a costume room.
Hm. That could take a turn for the macabre really easily but you’re not wrong.
It would work.
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