Non-Greek Wanting to Portray Sorority Life as Part of Story/Script

[GDIwriter]

No. You say you want to avoid stereotypes and in the next breath, use them. The story would be no different if it was Jane and Jen, two best friends who live in the dorm. The sorority angle is just an attempt to "sex it up" and play to everyone else's stereotypical thinking about sororities.

Remember, isn't the use of any setting and characters an attempt to try and play up the story? I mean Agatha Christie's "Murder on the Orient Express" could have taken place on any old train or not even on a train, just some flophouse that got snowed in.

In terms of plots, there is a limited number of unique plots (Polti claimed 36, I think Aristotle claimed there seven or eight basic plots). In terms of a murder mystery, there are only so many reasons why someone is driven to such an extreme act.

Although the antagonist is depicted as being evil, I will try to portray the sorority women as diverse (like any group: some better than others) and I am thinking it will be another sorority woman that helps the Priest (I come up with names when I start writing) bring 'A' to justice.

[33girl]

Whatever. You're obviously not listening to the advice people are giving you and you're gonna do what you're gonna do anyway.

[GDIwriter]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Whatever. You're obviously not listening to the advice people are giving you and you're gonna do what you're gonna do anyway.

Then how would you do it?

[thetygerlily]

Originally Posted by GDIwriter

Then how would you do it?

I agree with 33girl. There's nothing remotely related to sororities in your plot other than as some sort of hook. Could be any "it" girl. I also think the priest thing seems forced, like you have two scripts shoved together.

If you're going to write about sororities, I would rather see something about recruitment or general house life that is specific to Greeks. Something that actually gets it right. Any time there's a sorority-related movie or show, I watch to see if they manage to get something right. They rarely do.

However, if you can't get the terminology, rules, regulations, ideals, and other factors of Greek life correct- don't do it. You would need to do a lot of research, beyond just message boards, to get it right and do the system justice as you are saying you hope to do.

[GDIwriter]

Originally Posted by Leslie Anne

Oooh, oooh! How much you wanna bet it's a member of the rival sorority?

LOL. I hadn't thought of that.

If you're going to write about sororities, I would rather see something about recruitment or general house life that is specific to Greeks. Something that actually gets it right. Any time there's a sorority-related movie or show, I watch to see if they manage to get something right. They rarely do.

I see you're point, but (and maybe this is an unfair question to ask) how would one market such a plot (whether in novel form, or TV/movie)?

[thetygerlily]

Originally Posted by GDIwriter

I see you're point, but (and maybe this is an unfair question to ask) how would one market such a plot (whether in novel form, or TV/movie)?

Like most of the others in this forum, I'm also not a writer. But I would imagine that you would need a strong plotline, then pick the setting (Sorority event or house or something), and then fill in the details to make the setting enhance the plot. Maybe it's just the way some of this discussion is framed, but I get the sense that you have the setting and are trying to find a plot that works. Marketing doesn't become as much of an issue when you have a strong plot. Perhaps that's why many of the Greek-related productions haven't gone well- they've tried to sensationalize Greeks and use the setting as the catch.

This leads to a larger discussion because I know not everyone agrees, but I like the tv show Greek. They don't get it all right, but they get more than most. They also enforce some stereotypes (like the obsession with cats as the ZBZ mascot) while breaking others (dorky science guy in frat). They don't just reinforce the terrible ones or give a one-sided view. Most of the storylines, though, are really just about college students who happen to be Greek.

I'd love to see a well-constructed book/movie/show about a sorority... I'm just trying to say that it needs a good plot where the Greek pieces enrich the story rather than being the story.

[ree-Xi]

Originally Posted by GDIwriter

LOL. I hadn't thought of that.



I see you're point, but (and maybe this is an unfair question to ask) how would one market such a plot (whether in novel form, or TV/movie)?

ARGH!! There is so much wrong with all of this, and not just a "writer" who doesn't know the difference between "your" and "you're". Adding onto/repeating some of the other feedback:

As a sometimes-writer (trained and paid), you are ignoring the basic rule for (especially first time) writers: write what you know. You have no knowledge of Greek life, and no apparent knowledge of Catholicism, the two "worlds" of your main characters.

Second, "research" done on the internet doesn't count. Usually, writers will immerse themselves in various elements, conduct personal interviews, spend time with real people who embody some of the characters traits/jobs/hobbies. For example, to learn how crimes are investigated, talk to police detectives. To learn more about how a Catholic priest "works", spend some time learning about what his daily life is like (I'm not sure if you know anything about Catholic priests, because a priest is not going to be intimidated by a bunch of college girls. He's ordained as a vessel of God - he will not lack confidence in the sense that you are intimating).

Third, you are forcing two worlds together. You have not found a NATURAL intersection of worlds. Gimmicks are cheap and easily seen through. You know one when you see one.

Fourth, you have no idea where your story is headed. You can't just start to write "It was a dark and stormy night". Until you know where you are going, you can't start "at the beginning". There is no point B, so you can't have a point A.

Fifth, can you sum up the story in a few sentences? It's called a "pitch". Look it up.

I had a long day yesterday and my brain is fried. I'm up way too early and had too little sleep. You obviously haven't done your homework (in terms of how to write, or your intended subject matter). Until you do, you likely will not have success with this endeavor. Take the advice or leave it - after all, we are only strangers on the internet who took the time to give you honest feedback.

PS. Take a class or two in writing. Find some books on how to write for reading/film/tv. There are some very subtle differences, as well as some major ones. Also look into the industry standard on marketing your writing.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by ree-Xi

ARGH!! There is so much wrong with all of this, and not just a "writer" who doesn't know the difference between "your" and "you're". Adding onto/repeating some of the other feedback:

As a sometimes-writer (trained and paid), you are ignoring the basic rule for (especially first time) writers: write what you know. You have no knowledge of Greek life, and no apparent knowledge of Catholicism, the two "worlds" of your main characters.

Second, "research" done on the internet doesn't count. Usually, writers will immerse themselves in various elements, conduct personal interviews, spend time with real people who embody some of the characters traits/jobs/hobbies. For example, to learn how crimes are investigated, talk to police detectives. To learn more about how a Catholic priest "works", spend some time learning about what his daily life is like (I'm not sure if you know anything about Catholic priests, because a priest is not going to be intimidated by a bunch of college girls. He's ordained as a vessel of God - he will not lack confidence in the sense that you are intimating).

Third, you are forcing two worlds together. You have not found a NATURAL intersection of worlds. Gimmicks are cheap and easily seen through. You know one when you see one.

Fourth, you have no idea where your story is headed. You can't just start to write "It was a dark and stormy night". Until you know where you are going, you can't start "at the beginning". There is no point B, so you can't have a point A.

Fifth, can you sum up the story in a few sentences? It's called a "pitch". Look it up.

I had a long day yesterday and my brain is fried. I'm up way too early and had too little sleep. You obviously haven't done your homework (in terms of how to write, or your intended subject matter). Until you do, you likely will not have success with this endeavor. Take the advice or leave it - after all, we are only strangers on the internet who took the time to give you honest feedback.

PS. Take a class or two in writing. Find some books on how to write for reading/film/tv. There are some very subtle differences, as well as some major ones. Also look into the industry standard on marketing your writing.

ree-Xi, I just read you siggy...I had to chuckle. Nice!

[Leslie Anne]

Originally Posted by GDIwriter

Although the antagonist is depicted as being evil, I will try to portray the sorority women as diverse (like any group: some better than others) and I am thinking it will be another sorority woman that helps the Priest (I come up with names when I start writing) bring 'A' to justice.

Oooh, oooh! How much you wanna bet it's a member of the rival sorority?

[LatinaAlumna]

Originally Posted by Leslie Anne

Oooh, oooh! How much you wanna bet it's a member of the rival sorority?

You're probably right. And then at some point, said sorority girls will make-out.

As someone else mentioned, OP is probably only interested in having sorority characters to "sex up" the plot. And is the priest going to get involved with one of the girls ("Thorn Birds")?

Most movies that are centered around a sorority end up tanking...because they are LAME.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by 33girl

No. You say you want to avoid stereotypes and in the next breath, use them. The story would be no different if it was Jane and Jen, two best friends who live in the dorm. The sorority angle is just an attempt to "sex it up" and play to everyone else's stereotypical thinking about sororities.

Originally Posted by GDIwriter

Remember, isn't the use of any setting and characters an attempt to try and play up the story? I mean Agatha Christie's "Murder on the Orient Express" could have taken place on any old train or not even on a train, just some flophouse that got snowed in.

You're definitely not understanding what 33girl was saying.

The point is... why do they have to be sorority women? There isn't anything about the story that requires Greeks to be represented. Most movies that portray Greeks are ABOUT Greeks. Or they have parts of the plot that are more focused on Greek life (even if they're stereotypical or innacurate).

You just came up with a story about a girl being drunk and running someone over, and decided to throw some Greek letters on it.

[GDIwriter]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

You're definitely not understanding what 33girl was saying.

The point is... why do they have to be sorority women? There isn't anything about the story that requires Greeks to be represented. Most movies that portray Greeks are ABOUT Greeks. Or they have parts of the plot that are more focused on Greek life (even if they're stereotypical or innacurate).

You just came up with a story about a girl being drunk and running someone over, and decided to throw some Greek letters on it.

I guess I thought it would be interesting.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by GDIwriter

I guess I thought it would be interesting.

Which is exactly what you said you DIDN'T want to do (make it "interesting" by having Greeks involved).

That's what everyone here is saying... people always try to make things "interesting" when portraying Greek life by throwing in stereotypes, inaccuracies and exaggerations. You asked how not to do that. But now you admit that you thought a drunk girl running over a person and covering it up would be more entertaining if she had some letters on her shirt.

I guess I just don't understand what you're aiming for here.

[GDIwriter]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

Which is exactly what you said you DIDN'T want to do (make it "interesting" by having Greeks involved).

That's what everyone here is saying... people always try to make things "interesting" when portraying Greek life by throwing in stereotypes, inaccuracies and exaggerations. You asked how not to do that. But now you admit that you thought a drunk girl running over a person and covering it up would be more entertaining if she had some letters on her shirt.

I guess I just don't understand what you're aiming for here.

Well, I would like to, in the story, portray Greek life realistically, but within a larger plot (a murder mystery in this case).

[Psi U MC Vito]

Originally Posted by GDIwriter

Well, I would like to, in the story, portray Greek life realistically, but within a larger plot (a murder mystery in this case).

But why?