Storytelling... references?

[jamontoast98]

When I draw I use references a lot, surely like many others do. I've been wondering for a while if there's any similar method when writing stories? Like having a load of books to look at or something...

[TimCaloweh]

Yeah. When people are coming up with a form of description or certain systems like magic, currency, etc. Plus figuring out how to develop a character, and how not to develop a character. Cliches, anti-cliches. Cartoony dialogue, authentic dialogue, or the balance of both. In order to fine tune our stories we need to sand out the rough edges by comparing them to other stories in terms of format, performance, and presentation. Or don't and just shoot that dart into the unknown until you get writers block.

[vothnthorvaldson]

I have an good amount of books on ancient art. They are a never-ending source of visual stimulation and ideas. I find ancient art particularily interesting because it depicts real life, yet in a way that is difficult for us to grasp. We as artists can see it (and use it) as a link between the modern life we live , and a fantasy world we invent.

[jamontoast98]

how ancient are we talking? i find greek statues to be fascinating, though not sure how ancient they are XD

[vothnthorvaldson]

Starting as ancient as art is available, and then as late as art feels different enough from modern life as one lives it, I suppose.
Ancient Greece fits the bill, yes.( I tend to gravitate around the Mediterranean Basin, the Arabic peninsula and Persia, so Greece is a big influence for me).

[DokiDokiTsuna]

Oh yeah, I often use books as 'tone references' to get me in the right mood to write a certain story, or to re-teach myself how to sound like a 'quaint' or 'edgy' narrator when I haven't written that way in a while.

It's like listening to someone's speech before you try to do an impression of them; it gets your brain in the zone. ^^ Sometimes I even use comics as tone references, if a certain character's dialogue is impactful enough.

[Lucca_Vendramel]

Not sure if it counts, but for my third chapter I made a scene heavily inspired by one in the movie "The Count of Monte Cristo" where after escaping prison the MC finds a bunch of pirates and has a chance to join their crew by fighting against one of them

Everdream: Stars Hold no Boundaries. | Tapas

[DasIstWunderblyat]

So... Even storytelling aspect needs reference?
I have been doing it wrong I guess

[bakasama25]

So you thinking of painted Greek statues or the plain looking ones.

[jamontoast98]

ah cool, i'll give this a read soon!

[Maps]

I was influenced to write my story by a series I read online called “In the Company of Shadows” by Sonny and Ais. I really liked their writing style but I mainly appreciated their unapologetic plot, which was super dark and gritty and sort of triggering in a way? I was so addicted and invested in the characters that I was clocked out for like two weeks trying to finish the whole series. So in a way my writing has taken on a reflection of their style.
But, generally I don’t try to use reference for my stories because there are way too many writing styles out there and I don’t want to start getting influenced by the different styles and having my work feel uneven or choppy if my style started to become influenced by what I read. Also, I just tend to have a lot of ideas in my head already for my stories so I just go with them.
Obviously I’ve been influenced by all books, movies, and shows I’ve seen. There’s no way someone can really write a story without having experienced many others, I’d say.
But generally I try not to read or reference too much when I’m in the middle of writing.

[RestartingServer]

When I write for my comic, I tend to look at how people structure novels!

It's never- perfect. Drawing a comic and writing a novel are very different, but I find that it helps. I personally the '3 Act Structure', '7-Point Story Structure', and '12 Hero's Journey Steps' to help me when I write. Here's some links!

How To Plan Your Novel Using The Three-Act Structure • Writer's Edit

Revisiting the 7-Point Story Structure | Critique Circle

http://www.movieoutline.com/articles/the-hero-journey-mythic-structure-of-joseph-campbell-monomyth.html

They don't conform to /every/ story, (especially mine, oof), but I've always found them helpful as some kind of guideline when I feel lost when writing my story, and things to keep in mind to put into my story.

I hope this is what you're talking about- reading all the other comments I'm not sure it is LMAO- but I thought I'd share anyway! : D