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

[GDIwriter]

Originally Posted by Leslie Anne

Well, it might be interesting if you worked on it some more. You've gotta start somewhere.

What would you suggest?

[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.

[Leslie Anne]

Originally Posted by GDIwriter

What would you suggest?

Well, hey, I'm not a writer.

If you're really married to the idea of using a sorority then try to think of a specific reason why it's necessary to the plot.

[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?

[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.

[Xidelt]

This sounds like the Father Dowling version of "I Know What You Did Last Summer" with a side of "Sorority Row".

[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!

[ree-Xi]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

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

Thanks, but I can't take credit. Someone was doing "online research" for a paper and I asked how one would cite an internet forum in a research paper. I can't find the original thread. I'll post it if I find it.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by Xidelt

This sounds like the Father Dowling version of "I Know What You Did Last Summer" with a side of "Sorority Row".

This is exactly what I was thinking.

[GDIwriter]

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:

I was tired last night too. I know the difference between "you're" and "your", but when tired, grammatical mistakes can appear.

[RU OX Alum]

I got called wise.

I'm blushing.

[Save Ferris]

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).

If you can find five news articles that talk about drunk sorority girls running over people, consequently killing them accidentally and then covering it up, I will totally back that this story is realistic. Also, you cannot use reviews from Sorority Row which this plot sounds very close to.

Honestly, the fact that you're claiming to be interested in portraying Greek life realistically but are completely off base is kind of offensive and makes me wonder if this is how we're viewed by many people.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by Save Ferris

Honestly, the fact that you're claiming to be interested in portraying Greek life realistically but are completely off base is kind of offensive and makes me wonder if this is how we're viewed by many people.

I'm curious as to what "realities" he's looking for.

Nothing Greek surrounding this story needs to be realistic for the story to be entertaining. While I didn't see 'Sorority Row', I know the plot and have seen the previews, and I'm guessing that it wasn't accurate (regarding Greek life) in the least. But I know that people went to see it. And even if I did watch it, I wouldn't expect it to accurately portray the Greek system.

Now, if you take the TV show 'Greek', that is something I watch hoping for some detailed facts about Greek life to be mentioned or shown. I mean... the show is CALLED 'Greek'!

Since the OP is looking for a plot that more closely resembles the former example rather than the latter, I'm not sure why he needs any further information regarding Greeks.

He wants a drunk sorority girl to run someone over and hide the body. Why is any "research" needed?

ETA: After going back and reading his original post, these three comments kind of bothered me...

Originally Posted by GDIwriter

I would like to try and portray Greek Life in a more realistic and neutral/positive viewpoint as part of the story.

Positive? Really? Yes, I believe running someone down in the street and covering it up is very positive.

I want to avoid the cliches and stereotypes seen in movies and novels that involve sororities.

So... why are you simply trying to re-make 'Sorority Row' but throw in an extra murder and a priest?

Already, one question I have is what are sorority parties like?

Funny that this was your FIRST question... ya know, after claiming that you don't want to portray any Greek stereotypes in your story...