Hello. I’m Bob Pastorella, co-host of the This Is Horror podcast, website manager for This Is Horror, and writer. I’m the author of Mojo Rising, They’re Watching (with Michael David Wilson), and have numerous short-stories and non-fiction online and in print in various publications.
Previous newsletters can be found here.
Updates:
My current WIP novel is shelved (kinda) for the time being while I work on a super-secret project with Michael David Wilson. We are not able to discuss this project now, but I will say it’s very exciting, especially if our venture finds its way into the right hands. We’re both learning new skills that can only improve our writing while looking at story in different ways. We have lots of work ahead of us, so expect a little more radio silence than usual from us while we work to make this project something a lot of people will hopefully enjoy.
I am also working on the screenplay for The Small Hours. The novel is done and subbed, but I feel this book would make an awesome film, and I want my vision of how that would go down to have a chance, so here we are. The work is frustrating at times, but it’s that good kind of frustration, the kind that pushes you forward instead of holding you back.
Therefore, but …
If you’ve followed me or listened to me on the podcast for any length of time, you’ve probably heard me talking about But and Therefore. The phrase comes from a plotting strategy I heard about from Matt Stone and Trey Parker of South Park fame when they crashed a screenwriting class. (Click the link and watch, it’s two minutes) The concept is simple to explain and easy to master, and it will make a direct and measurable impact on your storytelling ability immediately.
I don’t outline novels. I used to. In fact, I used to write these beautiful handwritten multiple page outlines in my neat block handwriting detailing the story I eventually wanted to type out on the page, complete with dialogue and setting/character descriptions, motivations for pivotal scenes, the secret story that’s all subtext until it rears its ugly head, everything.
And when I was done with the outline I was done.
Done with the whole thing.
No need to write the story.
I already did that.
Of course, you can’t sell an outline, unless it’s some kind of experimental writing thing that becomes a gimmick, and that’s not me. More power to you if that’s your gig, but I don’t feel I can do that kind of thing justice.
Though I don’t outline, story strategy and plot are important to me. I pull those things from the characters and the “what if …” statement that propels the story forward, and when it comes together, it happens organically. This way, I can still have the freedom of losing myself in the words without feeling like I already wrote the damn thing with an outline. I do have notes, which are character and setting descriptions, but that’s it. Please note that this is NOT how I work when collaborating with another writer. Pantsing it with another writer probably won’t work for too long. One of you is going to head down a tangent to a point of no return, and the other writer will have to reel you back in from the treacherous waters, creating extra work and time lost.
Once I get into that Zen writing stage, when the story comes to me naturally and organically, that’s when I start in Therefore and But sequences. Momentum brings the story beats, and if you’re listening to your characters, they’ll tell you how the beats go. If you’re thinking of your story beats in terms of and then this happened, and then this happened, and then this … you’re not telling a story. Story is about conflict, and no matter how big or small or external or internal the conflict is, characters react to things, and what you are writing is an account of those character reactions. So if it’s all just a series of static events inching you closer to a final showdown, you’re going to bore the shit out of your reader until the end, if they make it that far.
Instead of and then … and then … etc., try to work the story to whenever your character encounters conflict (the but … of the situation), they counteract it with a solution (therefore … ). Also, your antagonist should react similarly … for every but, there should be an appropriate response from your protagonist (therefore).
It’s not as simple as it sounds, but once you get the hang of it, just like anything else it will begin to come to you naturally. You can see this dynamic working in most good books and movies, and you’ll also start to recognize the lack of the but and therefore dynamic in books and movies that maybe didn’t work out for you.
GHOULISH
I had the awesome privilege of attending the first Ghoulish Book Fest in San Antonio a few weeks ago, and it was spectacular. Max Booth III and Lori Michelle knocked it out of the park with an open-to-the-public vendor room, readings, panels, and spooky events that kept attendees on their toes and craving more. Special guests of honor Cynthia Pelayo, Laurel Hightower, and Shane McKenzie were in attendance as well, with readings of their own and appearances on multiple panels. This was my first con in two years for obvious reasons, so it was really cool to see old friends, meet friends in person for the first time, and make some new friends as well.
Set in San Antonio walking distance from the riverwalk, there were many fine places to eat close by. Me and John Foster (Rooster, Leech) went to Gus’s Fried Chicken and ate some of the best damn fried chicken I’ve ever had. So good.
It’s looking more and more like they’re going to do it again next year, though nothing official has been announced, so watch this space for news as it happens.
Music: Nine Inch Nails. All of it.
Films: I did catch The Batman, really enjoyed it, and will probably watch it again soon.
TV: I need to get back on From. I finished Yellowjackets … wow, so good. Back on Ozark.
Books: I’ve been reading a lot of book about writing screenplays, and reading screenplays as well, so not so much reading for pleasure lately. Still reading Our Lady of Darkness by Fritz Leiber (all most done, and it’s amazing). King’s ‘Salem’s Lot to get that inspirado for my other vampire WIP. .
Next Issue: I might post about some of the things I’ve learned about writing screenplays.
peace&love
Bob.