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

[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).

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by GDIwriter

Also, what are the books out there that you feel portray Greek Life realistically? (I know someone mentioned there are such books out there, but who is the author and stuff so I can look it up)

As said above:

Originally Posted by honeychile

If you really feel the need to have a GLO background, read a few books by Anne Rivers Siddon. She's one of the few who uses sororities & fraternities in her novels without offending.

And I'd say the political/the-Greeks-run-the-school or are-the-access-to-real-and-secret-power has been done to death, too.

[Leslie Anne]

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

[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?

[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.

[Xidelt]

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

[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.

[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...

[GDIwriter]

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")?

I would never portray a Catholic Priest in a scandalous light.

[LatinaAlumna]

Originally Posted by GDIwriter

I would never portray a Catholic Priest in a scandalous light.

Okay, what about sorority women?

Like the others have said, I don't see any need for your characters to be Greek, and your ideas thus far seem like they have been "done" and "redone." Try to think up something with a new angle.

[GDIwriter]

Like the others have said, I don't see any need for your characters to be Greek, and your ideas thus far seem like they have been "done" and "redone." Try to think up something with a new angle.

What about going for more a political angle? I know at the university I attended, SG was dominated by Greeks and there had been unsuccessful attempts by Non-Greeks to run for high office in SG.

Also, what are the books out there that you feel portray Greek Life realistically? (I know someone mentioned there are such books out there, but who is the author and stuff so I can look it up)

[LatinaAlumna]

Originally Posted by GDIwriter

What about going for more a political angle? I know at the university I attended, SG was dominated by Greeks and there had been unsuccessful attempts by Non-Greeks to run for high office in SG.

Also, what are the books out there that you feel portray Greek Life realistically? (I know someone mentioned there are such books out there, but who is the author and stuff so I can look it up)

I don't know if an on-campus struggle for student government control would be of interest to the masses. I also come from California, where greeks generally do not occupy most of the higher student government positions (not for lack of trying). This is probably a regional thing.

I have not yet come across any book, TV show, or movie that portrays my experience in greek life, but this is because I belong to a national Latina sorority. Still, I would tend to believe that depictions of NPC-style sororities that I have seen are not very realistic. I think a person really has to be a member in order to be able to write a realistic book or movie script about greek life.