Author: Fallton Havenstonne

Movie Sequels

Fallton Havenstonne

I’m fascinated by movie sequels for several reasons. There existence at times seem unnecessary, trivial, yet at other times, they combine to create a cohesive narrative.

One question I ask myself is why they’re made in the first place?

Is it because a singular movie wouldn’t be long enough to cover the story? Or is the sequel more of an after thought, whether it was made because of the first film’s success, or because of audience demand?

The sequels I enjoy the most are when they are self-contained films (i.e. The Star Wars series and The Hobbit films), where they could exist on their own with or without a sequel. But when a movie ends inconclusively, almost abruptly, then it feels as if the movie is incomplete.

I think the same is true for books. No matter how good a book is, if it doesn’t have an ending but ends abruptly, it’s as the author didn’t finish the book.

But I digress.

My focus on the topic is what justifies a sequel. Is the purpose simply profit? In that case, might the sequel be the same as the first movie, but with better special effects, CGI, etc.? Is the sequel showing us something new? Is it advancing the story, leading us to the overarching conclusion?

I think the problem that a series can fall into is using the same formula again and again. Is the sequel merely a stage for new action scenes? Is the outcome always the same?

Good stories surprise us, and go beyond what’s formulaic and predictable. Sequels tend to fall in the trap of rehashing the same formula again, giving us the same movie but with a new cast or with new scenery. But if sequel can stand on its own, then it does two things: it advances the overarching narrative, and shows us something new.

Coffee or Tea?

Fallton Havenstonne

Which do you prefer? Which of these gets you ready for the day? 

Perhaps the question is more about needing caffeine or preferring a certain taste. 

Which of these jolts your nerves and sparks your creativity and productivity? 

Perhaps the need for caffeine is just a myth and all you need is a glass of cold water to start the day. 

Hmmmm . . .

I’m a coffee drinker—drink it almost every day unless I’m feeling ill. If I don’t get my coffee, I feel empty. It’s almost a necessity at this point—something I look forward to when I wake up. 

If I don’t get my cup of coffee, I feel like my day has been thrown for a loop. I won’t feel refreshed. Nothing seems right. My ability to function is off kilter.

It’s as if I’m going through a physiological reaction when I’m without coffee. I need it to satisfy my taste buds, my nervous system. And it’s not just having any kind of coffee. It has to be bold—dark. 

Decaf or medium just won’t do. Drinking those will feel like I took the wrong medicine. I’ll know because my nerves won’t be jolted, my mind won’t be as active. 

And the creamer has to be just right. It can’t be half and half or 2% or any of that nonsense. It has to be my preferred brand and flavor (sweet creamer). 

Once I have my cup of coffee (or two), my day will start off well. Even if I’m stuck in traffic or going through a rough morning, coffee will get me through it. The slow start won’t really matter so much, since I know I can sip it away. 

How Many Edits Until a Story is Finished?

Fallton Havenstonne

Normally, it takes me about 5 edits to finish a story. It could take more, of course, but that is the average for me. I’ll describe the process below.

The first edit consists of rewrites and changes to the story. I might change the characters names, the location, and even the turning points. It’s about looking at the overall picture, to make sure that the story is cohesive and that it has a clear beginning, middle, end. The first edit is a structural analysis of the story.

The second edit consists of working on the details and adjusting the scenery, fixing the pacing, etc. It’s not as intensive as the first round of editing, but a lot of edits are still made. I might delete entire paragraphs and change the sentences around. The second edit is about making sure the story is communicated properly.

The third edit focuses on flow and word usage. I pay more attention to homonyms such as “they’re,” “their,” “there,” and I tighten up the dialogue and the paragraphs. It’s basically a refinement edit.

The fourth edit is more like a proofread where I’m checking for spelling, punctuation, and grammar. I can’t begin to tell you how many times I drop words even though I will have read a passage 3 or 4 times already.

The fifth edit is a comparison edit, where I compare the 3rd and 4th drafts using the “Compare Documents” feature in Microsoft Word. I look for the edits I made in draft 4 and decide if I should keep them or revert back to the original (the 3rd edit). It’s a buffering and shining edit.

And before I publish (especially on Amazon), I usually send my story to a reader to have another pair of eyes on it, to see if the narrative makes sense, as well as to check for spelling/punctuation and grammar errors.

With each published story. I continue to improve my writing. I learn from my mistakes and carry the lessons I’ve learned onto the next story. It takes a lot of work and time to revise and edit a story, but it’s worth it to have a polished story in the end.

Thinking of an Idea for a Story

Fallton Havenstonne

I used to find it difficult to think of an idea for a story. Later, I realized that the trick is to not try and think of the idea. Rather, it’s letting the idea come to me.

For example, I come up with many of my story ideas when I’m doing something mundane such as washing the dishes, folding clothes, or taking a walk. The idea usually takes on a life of its own once it strikes my mind. It see it play out like a movie, and imagine all the nuances and possibilities of the story.

Story ideas can also be inspired by something in our lives. It could be something we’re going through, or something we wish we could fix or that we had (i.e. magic or special abilities). It could be inspired by what we saw on the news or sparked by something that happened to us.

The idea for a story is something that can come to us from anywhere, but we just have to be ready for them when they arrive. And once they do, we must be ready to cultivate them into stories.

Summer

Fallton Havenstonne

Summer is the season of travel and adventure and the outdoors. 

That season when we can spend all day hiking on trails and in the woods and explore nature up close in spite of bug bites and the blistering heat.

That time of year when the ocean waves draws us in, when the lake and rivers tempt us to jump in, and we don’t want to leave the cool waters. 

That time of year when we blast the A/C in our homes and cars and then go outside into the hot summer sun like there’s no tomorrow. 

That time of year when the birds and insects and critters roam freely from sunup until sundown, and when the greenery calls us to sightsee and relax in the shade as we delight in nature’s arms.   

Spring

Fallton Havenstonne

Spring is the season when the flowers begin to bloom, when trees begin to sprout, when the insects come out to pollinate and get some fresh air. 

That time when allergy season is in full effect, causing our to eyes itch and our noses to run and sneeze. That time when we take Benadryl or Claritin as if our life depended on them. 

That time of year when the weather warms up, but when it’s also cold, and we’re not sure what to wear outside.

That time of year when we start our plans for the summer, when the weather gets warmer week after week, when there is so much promise in the days to come. 

That time of year when the insects and critters crawl out from their burrows, when they welcome the greenery once again.

Completing a Story

Fallton Havenstonne

When I complete a story, it feels like a weight has lifted off my shoulders. The completion gives me an inner sense of peace and happiness. All of the hours of work that went into the story has finally come to fruition, and now it’s time to take a break.

To varying degrees, it’s probably the same for people that have completed an arduous project or a work of art. They’re proud of the work they created, but they also feel relieved that it’s finished. The work is an embodiment of their skill and creativity–all the hours they’ve put into it. The same is true with completing a story. It’s something to be proud–an embodiment of an author’s craft, style, and ideas.

But for me, the irony with finishing a story is that the feeling of relief doesn’t last very long. In the back of my mind, there is always the next story to write. The backlog of ideas that I’ve stowed away want to come out. They’ve been waiting in line, patiently, and now it’s their turn.

Sometimes when I complete a story, I say to myself: “No more. This is the last one.” Especially if it was a story that involved extensive edits, depleting my energy and will. At that point, I’m ready to throw in the towel. But in a few days, I’ll pick up writing again.

Hour of Writing

Fallton Havenstonne

There is an hour in which a writer writes at their most productive and creative level. Of course, they might write for several hours during the day, but I believe there is a specific hour in which they write at their best. Even if they’ve been writing for hours, it might the second hour of their session or at the end of it. Maybe it’s a specific time during the day, such as 8 a.m. or 9 p.m.

I used to write the most in the evening, but more recently, I’ve started writing in the morning. This is based on when I’m able to concentrate and write the most. It used to be in the evening, since I had put pressure on myself to create/write as much as possible before going to sleep.

But now I prefer the mornings because it sets the tone for the day. It’s a great feeling when I complete a chapter before, say, lunchtime or the afternoon. Even if I don’t write for the rest of the day, at least I had accomplished something earlier.

We’re all constrained by a schedule or work routine. This bears a great influence, since good writing can only be done when it’s uninterrupted. Perhaps a deadline puts pressure on a writer to write feverishly. A deadline can also have the opposite effect on a writer.

Another important thing is a good work environment. Having an environment that’s conducive to writing (i.e. a clean and organized desk), regardless of what time it is, let’s the imagination roam free. But if there is an hour where one writes at their best, they should stick by it.

Dystopian Fiction

Fallton Havenstonne

In dystopian fiction, we read about worlds where the new normal is something akin to survival of the fittest, when human interaction is tainted with distrust, when danger lurks around every corner. Some novels that come to mind are The Hunger Games, 1984, Anthem, and Fahrenheit 451. Each novel presents a view of society that is grim and dark, but where there is also hope in the protagonist to stand up against the darkness.

Even though we know those worlds are a far cry from our present reality, they pique our interest because they show us “what ifs”, because we’re curious with what’s unfamiliar to us. Perhaps we’re not too far from such a reality if something were to go terribly and horribly wrong in a nightmarish kind of way. 

Each author in the dystopian genre brings their own vision of such a world, where the perilous conditions can bring the worst or the best out of people. These stories remind us how fragile and delicate humanity is, and how we must choose to hold onto our own humanity as well.

Short Story: Road To Nowhere

Fallton Havenstonne

You can read my short story, Road To Nowhere, on my website now. It can also be found under the short stories tab, which is located below the header.

This short story is about two people, Locke and Martha, who wake up one evening on a desolate road. They don’t know how they got there, nor do they know what road they’re on. Road To Nowhere is a mystery story that will leave you guessing until the very end. I hope you enjoy it.