The Amityville Horror - remake

[Gehanna]

A quick link for those of you unfamiliar with the history of The Amityville Horror : http://www.prairieghosts.com/amityville.html
(http://www.prairieghosts.com/amityville.html)
A link to the movie site : http://www.amityvillehorrormovie.com/

Doing a Google search will pull up tons of info about this subject.



Do you believe? ...



Gehanna

[Joe Calabrese]

A good friend of mine, Peter Jordan, was one of the original paranormal investigators who checked out the house. He says there was nothing to be had.

[Gehanna]

I don't believe it but at the same time, I wouldn't spend the night alone in that house either! :D

Gehanna

[Celeste]

Do you believe? ...

Gehanna

Oooh! Frreeaky!

I never knew that this story was based off of real events (so they say). I'd seen the cheesy movies. But never knew that it was in fact a real house!

The other night, my son was watching TV and the commercial for the new released version of the movie that's in theatres now come on. He got all excited and said..."We gotta' go see that! Ya know it's a true story?" I told him it's just a remake of the older movie and that it's not a true story. I had no idea. Now, I guess we will have to go see it. I'm curious now. And I love a good ghost story!

Do I believe it? I don't know. I've heard of strange paranormal things happening. And I do believe in ghosts, demons,...

When I was 14, I belonged to a Baptist church youth group. The Deacon of the church led the youth group. One night, he played a tape for us that was recorded from a live religious radio broadcast show. The radio show was hosted by a minister who would counsel people who called into the show asking for help with problems, etc...On this tape he played for us was a conversation between the host of the show (the minister) and a very disturbed woman, who claimed she was possesed by demons. She was asking for help to rid the demons out of her. So, the minister began praying with her and reading out of the Bible. While he was doing this the woman's voice changed from a soft womanly voice to this evil sounding demonic voice. Think of the Exorcist. It was the craziest thing I'd ever listened to. To this day, I'm not sure I believe it. But then I think why would a minister and the leader of our youth group play it for us and tell us it was for real, if it weren't. I do know that it scared the sh** out of us, though. It was the freakiest thing to listen to. Still makes me wonder...

But, yes, I do believe. In the Amityville story? I'm not sure I'm convinced. But like I said, I do believe in ghosts and demons.

All the deaths that were mentioned about the people other than the family in the article you gave the link to is a bit strange, though. Could just be a coincidence, I guess. But have you heard about the stories of the deaths that occured during the making of The Exorcist?

celeste

[soloset]

I remember reading an expose on this, actually -- apparently, it's pretty obvious from the evidence that the family who claimed to be haunted faked the whole thing for financial reasons.

http://www.csicop.org/si/2003-01/amityville.html

Which isn't to say it won't be a scary movie, heck, I'm not going to go see it.

[Gehanna]

In response to the post by Celeste.

During my years of experience working in the psychiatric field, I've been witness to some very bizarre things. I would like to be able to say, "I've seen and heard it all." ... Unfortunately, I have yet to discover a limit to evil's inventiveness.


Gehanna

[sthrnwriter]

I did an entry about the Amityville Murders on my blog a few days ago. If you want some info on Butch DeFeo and The Lutz family as well as history about the house go to Ric Osuna's website.

www.amityvillemurders.com (http://www.amityvillemurders.com)

He wrote a book called The Night the DeFeo's Died I don't believe any of its true about the house being haunted. I think it was all made up for money.

[Liam Jackson]

Saw The Exorcist: the Beginning (ETB) last week. I only hope the production of TAH was handled with greater care.

EtB was pretty bad.

[MacAllister]

Sthrn--you blog haunted houses, right? So what do you think the public's everlasting fascination with haunted places really boils down to?

[Celeste]

Saw The Exorcist: the Beginning (ETB) last week. I only hope the production of TAH was handled with greater care.

EtB was pretty bad.

I watched The Exorcist: the Beginning a few weeks ago. I was all excited to see it. But I was very disappointed with it too.

I do hope that this new version of Amityville is good.

celeste

[Joe Calabrese]

I'm saw Exorcist too and I agree it was pretty bad, although it had a nice look at times. There is another version directed by Paul Shrader which is being released in theatres now on a limited release and soon on DVD. I'm curious to see how he did it-- first.

After they fired him (because he wouldn't do studio mandated changes) they practically re-filmed the entire movie with almost a whole new cast and director and script.

[sthrnwriter]

Sthrn--you blog haunted houses, right? So what do you think the public's everlasting fascination with haunted places really boils down to?

My personal opinion is that it's the aspect of fear and the adrenaline rush you get from it. For example, the roller coaster. You are riding something that gets up to speeds of 50 to 60mph and your going around curves and up and down hills and loops and so on. But what makes you go back and ride it again is the adrenaline high you get from it, well for some people that is. Ghosts and haunted houses are practically the same thing. Not being able to explain why an object moved by itself and strange images in pictures and on videotape gets some people curious and others obsessed.

I'm one of the people that is just curious about haunted places. I"m more fascinated about the history of a place rather than trying to determine if a place is haunted or not. Plus, I don't really put all the focus on haunted places. I'm also interested in mythical creatures and urban legends and their possible origins.

[Celeste]

There is another version directed by Paul Shrader which is being released in theatres now on a limited release and soon on DVD. I'm curious to see how he did it-- first.



Hmmm...I'll have to check it out. The original Exorcist is my all time favorite. I tried for the first time to watch it when I was 12. I couldn't get through it, it scared the crap outta' me. Lol... It wasn't until I was 19 before I finally watched it all the way through. Now, it's my fav.

celeste

[Celeste]

In response to the post by Celeste.

During my years of experience working in the psychiatric field, I've been witness to some very bizarre things....

Gehanna


Oooh! Do tell! I'd love to hear a story..or two. :)

celeste

[Liam Jackson]

The orginal make of the Exorcist remains my all-time favorite. The style and cinematography were light years ahead of its peers. Saw it aT the drive-in on the first night of nation-wide release. You know, usually the drive-in served as mutlti-purpose tribal gathering place. That night, I don't think anyone went for popcorn, drinks, or condoms after the first 15 mins. Remarkable.

OTC- I just caught the Dre Barrymore/Jimmy Fallon "unscripted interview" for the their new movie. Fallon is either the "dumbest 20-something nice guy" since Keaneau Reeves, or he's the world's greast actor. He actually made Drew seem thoughtful and intelligent! Who knew??

[Celeste]

The orginal make of the Exorcist remains my all-time favorite. The style and cinematography was light years ahead of its peers. Saw it aT the drive-in on the first night of nation-wide release. You know, usually the drive-in served as mutlti-purpose tribal gathering place. That night, I don't think anyone went for popcorn, drinks, or condoms after the first 15 mins. Remarkable.


Oooh! That woulda' been excellent seeing it at a drive in! I think the last time I remember seeing a movie at a drive-in I must've been 12. I miss those! I wish there were still drive-ins around! Why'd they have to ruin that???

[Joe Calabrese]

Check out http://www.DriveinMovie.com/mainmenu.htm
for current drive ins in the us.

The magic is still alive, but you may need to drive a while (or fly) to get to one.

Joe

[firehorse]

I have to see/review this on Monday night. As someone who scares very easily and has never written horror, I might not be the most reliable source regarding accuracy, adherence to conventions, etc. But I can tell you whether it's an engaging movie or not, whether it's well-acted, directed and all that stuff.

I remember hearing that it was all an urban legend.

[Celeste]

Check out http://www.driveinmovie.com/mainmenu.htm
for current drive ins in the us.

The magic is still alive, but you may need to drive a while (or fly) to get to one.



Way cool! I found two in my area! Thanks!

I'm so excited to go now!

[Renee]

I don't believe it but at the same time, I wouldn't spend the night alone in that house either! :D

Gehanna

I agree! I didn't know that it was all a hoax, well then again that still makes the killing part true! Wow! I read the entire story. Thanks for the link.

[sthrnwriter]

Has any of you seen the movie Session 9? It's quite interesting.

[Kevin Yarbrough]

Session 9 was a trip. It was good, but could have been better. The acting was good at least and for that I am thankful. If the acting sucks then no matter how good the story is I won't be able to watch it.

[Liam Jackson]

Anyone seen "Grudge"?

[Celeste]

Haven't seen Session 9. But I have seen Grudge. I liked it. I thought it was cool. I expected just a little more, but it was still good.

Have any of you seen Saw? Now that one was cool! When I rented that movie, I must've watched it ten times before returning it. Lol..

What'd you all think of it?

celeste

[sthrnwriter]

Session 9 was a trip. It was good, but could have been better. The acting was good at least and for that I am thankful. If the acting sucks then no matter how good the story is I won't be able to watch it.

The first time i"ve ever heard of it was a few days ago. I think it was ok. You know that they originally had an old homeless woman cast in the film that in the end killed Gordon after he killed everyone else but they cut her out of the movie. I don't know it may have been better with her in it.

[sthrnwriter]

I've seen the Grudge which I thought was pretty good but I haven't seen Saw yet. Some people have told me it is a decent movie. I guess I'll have to buy one day soon and watch it.

[Celeste]

I've seen the Grudge which I thought was pretty good but I haven't seen Saw yet. Some people have told me it is a decent movie. I guess I'll have to buy one day soon and watch it.

You've gotta' see it (Saw)! It's pretty trippy! Totally unexpected ending. :Thumbs:

[jdkiggins]

I went to see The Grudge. I was bored. I think we mentioned this in another thread. Haven't seen Section 9 yet. I watched SAW on cable a week or so ago. I won't say anything here to ruin it for those who haven't seen it yet, but man I loved that movie. Excellent! It was the best I've seen in quite a long time. I would recommend it.

[Joe Calabrese]

After all of your praises, I rented Saw last night and I was impresed-- except for one major logic flaw.

[jdkiggins]

And of course, Joe, we can't get into that here, because everyone hasn't seen it. Darn! We'll have to rejuvenate this thread after everyone tells us they've watched it. :)

[Celeste]

After all of your praises, I rented Saw last night and I was impresed-- except for one major logic flaw.

What was the major flaw? I'm curious what you didn't like about it.

I thought it was excellent. Did you all expect the ending? I surely didn't see it coming!

[Celeste]

And of course, Joe, we can't get into that here, because everyone hasn't seen it. Darn! We'll have to rejuvenate this thread after everyone tells us they've watched it. :)

Yeah, she's right. Don't want to ruin it for others who haven't seen it yet. But it was good, though! :Thumbs:

[Joe Calabrese]

I sent you a PM Celeste.

[Celeste]

Got it and replied. :)


I will say this about the movie. One of the parts I liked best was of the girl who had the 'thing' on her head and what she had to 'do' to get the key. Whoa! That was a trip!

Could you? Lol..Whew!

[Jeff]

A quick link for those of you unfamiliar with the history of The Amityville Horror : http://www.prairieghosts.com/amityville.html (http://www.prairieghosts.com/amityville.html)

I've got Kaplan's book in my bookshelf. It is a pretty good read and he does a good job demolshing the whole thing as a scam.

[sthrnwriter]

Ok I think I'm the only one who hasn't seen Saw yet. I'm buying the movie tonight and watching it since y'all are high praising it. I'll let you know what I think of the movie.

[Renee]

Ok I think I'm the only one who hasn't seen Saw yet. I'm buying the movie tonight and watching it since y'all are high praising it. I'll let you know what I think of the movie.

Nope you aren't the only one. I haven't seen it either. Not sure I can handle it from what I hear. LOL..

[Celeste]

Watch it, renee! It's a trip!

Reading all these posts, I wanna' see it again! Damn video store's closed. Garsh darnit! :(

[Joe Calabrese]

Anyone see Audtition? It's an Asian film out on DVD. It is so disturbing. I can't believe this was made. It borderlines a snuff film. Creepy and very graphic. This film really scared the **** out of me.

[Celeste]

joecalabre
Anyone see Audtition? It's an Asian film out on DVD. It is so disturbing. I can't believe this was made. It borderlines a snuff film. Creepy and very graphic. This film really scared the **** out of me.

Hmm... Sounds creepy! I'm curious now. I think I might have to check it out.

[Joe Calabrese]

It's slow for the first hour, not really boring, more kinda thoughtful slow, but still creepy. The last 20 mintues or so is what really gets me. You won't believe your eyes to what this sweet young girl will do.

[sthrnwriter]

Nope you aren't the only one. I haven't seen it either. Not sure I can handle it from what I hear. LOL..

Oh sorry thought I was the only one.


ok so I've seen it. I think its good but could have been better. I don't really care for the ending.

[sthrnwriter]

Anyone see Audtition? It's an Asian film out on DVD. It is so disturbing. I can't believe this was made. It borderlines a snuff film. Creepy and very graphic. This film really scared the **** out of me.

I haven't seen it but I think I've heard of it. Wasn't it on that Bravo's 100 scariest movies list or whatever?

[Joe Calabrese]

Yes it was (I think top 10), so I netflixed it and saw it the other night.
I doubt its many local video stores, but since I joined netflix I barely go to Blockbuster anymore.

[sthrnwriter]

I thought so. Them showing that one scene out of the money was enough to get me interested. I may have to see if I can find that movie somewhere.

[sthrnwriter]

Ok Joe..what was the major logic flaw in Saw? I think I saw quite a few things that if they had changed would have made the movie better.

[Joe Calabrese]

Not everyone has seen it, so you'll have to wait a PM.

[Celeste]

I was going to try to find Audition last night, but didn't. Now you all have me really curious to see it! I'm going out to get it!

Joe...

You say it's just short of a 'snuff' film.. Will I be able to find it at the video store -- Block Buster, etc..?


celeste

[maestrowork]

Just saw Amityville. You can read about what I think in my upcoming review. In summary: I wonder why they had to keep remaking this...

[fxfiregrrrl]

Does anyone know if billy, chelsea, and michael are the real children's names? I really don't think they are. If anyone knows the real kids' names, please post it if you will. Thanks!

[sthrnwriter]

Does anyone know if billy, chelsea, and michael are the real children's names? I really don't think they are. If anyone knows the real kids' names, please post it if you will. Thanks!

I could only find one of the kids names. One of their sons is named Matt so that tells ya that they aren't their real names. At least, they had enough sense to change them.

I wonder why they had to keep remaking this...

I can think of two reasons. 1. They didn't have anything better to do. So why not remake an older movie. It beats having to actually come up with something original. and 2. The fact that they can put "It's a true story" on it even though it isn't or I don't think it is. But you know there are going to be people out there that's going to believe it is. I mean come on. How many people actually believe that The Night of the Living Dead was a true story? So that means more money for the Lutz family. Well Kathy won't be enjoying any of it considering she died while they were making the movie.

[Joe Calabrese]

I'm not sure, but I don't think George Lutz is getting any money from this. There's some lawsuit going on. As for using his name, it's public domain because he is a public figure and the events are publicly known. Jay Anson is probably the only one who got money from this film.

[sthrnwriter]

I'm not sure, but I don't think George Lutz is getting any money from this. There's some lawsuit going on. As for using his name, it's public domain because he is a public figure and the events are publicly known. Jay Anson is probably the only one who got money from this film.


Are you talking about the lawsuit between him and weber or a different one?

[Joe Calabrese]

I think between him and MGM.

[sthrnwriter]

I think between him and MGM

well thats not surprising. What is this? this second or third lawsuit now?

[Joe Calabrese]

I saw it last night and I got to say I wasn't impressed.

Acting and dialog way over the top and the scares for the most part were the same as in the original film.

Don't get me wrong, there were some jumps, but few an far between. It did have that 70's look pegged though, even it the style of filmmaking.

I give it a C-.

[Celeste]

Hey, Joe...

I can't find the movie "Audition". Where did you rent it from? Or did you buy it somewhere?

I'm wanting to watch it, but can't find it anywhere! :Shrug:

celeste

[Joe Calabrese]

NETFLIX. The only way to get over 40,000 titles delivered right to your door. Better selection than Blockbuster or any other place.

http://www.netflix.com/Default

I'm not a paid endorsee, I just love it.

[sthrnwriter]

I checked on amazon.com to see if they had Audition and you know how much it costs to buy a used copy of the movie? It costs about $28 for VHS and $90 for DVD. That is one expensive movie.

[Celeste]

I checked on amazon.com to see if they had Audition and you know how much it costs to buy a used copy of the movie? It costs about $28 for VHS and $90 for DVD. That is one expensive movie.

Whoa! Wasn't expecting it to cost that much! Wow!

I'll check out that 'NetFlix' link, Joe. Thanks! :)

[sthrnwriter]

Did y'all know they are coming out with a Saw 2? It's suppose to be in theaters this October.

[Joe Calabrese]

I'm worried. Very worried.

Written and directed by a guy who until this has done virtually nothing.

They might as well have handed over the project to the checkout girl at the supermarket.

No offence to any checkout girls in the forum. :Smack:

[maestrowork]

It seems like a lot of movies (horror?) now are directed and writter by people with very few credits. For example, the guys behind Amityville Horror...

[Liam Jackson]

It seems like a lot of movies (horror?) now are directed and writter by people with very few credits. For example, the guys behind Amityville Horror...

I would think it's all about budgetary constraints. Unknowns have a lower price tag, so, more bucks for SFX and perhaps one well-known name. The original movie was number one at the box office for a few weeks and it sure as hell wasn't because of James Brolin.

I'm betting the studio banked on the drawing power of the movie's title, and saved a load of cash on the budget for the director and cast.

[Celeste]

Did y'all know they are coming out with a Saw 2? It's suppose to be in theaters this October.

No way! Are you serious!? Cool! I loved that movie. But the only thing about sequels is they start to get dumb and ruin it. Although, they did a good job
on Resident Evil 2. Who's seen that one? Probably most of you, huh?

I'm a huge Resident Evil fan. I play all the Resident Evil video games like a kid does. I'm addicted. :Shrug: I cheat, though. I put in the cheat code for unlimited ammo. Lol...:guns:

[Liam Jackson]

No way! Are you serious!? Cool! I loved that movie. But the only thing about sequels is they start to get dumb and ruin it. Although, they did a good job
on Resident Evil 2. Who's seen that one? Probably most of you, huh?

I'm a huge Resident Evil fan. I play all the Resident Evil video games like a kid does. I'm addicted. :Shrug: I cheat, though. I put in the cheat code for unlimited ammo. Lol...:guns:

I'm a major RE addict. I'd move to Racoon City if I could find it on the damn map!

[Celeste]

I'm a major RE addict. I'd move to Racoon City if I could find it on the damn map!

All right! Cool! Another Resident Evil addict! I love those games. Which one's your favorite? I've bought and played them all, but I don't know which one's my favorite. They all are way cool!

I don't know...Thinking about it more, I might lean toward the first one in the mansion is as the best.

:guns: http://pages.prodigy.net/rogerlori1/emoticons/fant74.gif

[Liam Jackson]

I thought Nemesis was fun because of the expanded platform. More territory, some nifty special effects, etc...

For sheer game fun, I think it's hard to beat the first. Remember the first time those damn dogs came crashing through the windows? :)

[Celeste]

Yep, that's what I'm talking about is the first time playing Resident Evil -- the first one. The Dobermans crashing through the windows, those 'licker' things.
Couldn't think of another name for those creatures with the tongues, so I've always called them the 'lickers'. Lol.. It was that unexpected scare ya get playing the first one for the first time. It was awesome! Ya know what I'm sayin'..?

Nemisis is up there too. That one is cool! :Thumbs:

[sthrnwriter]

Since I was sick all week with the flu, I had the chance to watch a few horror movies. I saw Bodypart, Piranha, Webs, Mansquito, Darkness and half of Creepshow. Most of them were pretty good. I think the special effects in Piranha were cute but the rest of the movie wasn't all that great. I think I liked Darkness the most out of the six.

[Gehanna]

Sorry to hear you were sick but I am glad you got to watch a few movies. I still want to see Shaun of the Dead. I was going to watch it one day but they were out of them at Blockbusters.

[Fractured_Chaos]

I hate Zombie movies.

But Shawn of the Dead is awesome! THAT is the way a Zombie movie should be made! :D

[chelle21]

Ok for those who don't know the first every Amityville of horror was dated back and 1979 and its based on a true story about a man who shot and killed his family because the voices told him to do it, this week on the news they showed the boy who lived and the house in now he's taking his stepfather to court because of the remake of the movie today and what happens and the movies wasn't true. I watch the news the other day and I taped the hold thing because of what he said about his stepfather. I hope you all watch the news because that was the first thing that air that day. But I want to do some more research on the story of the killing in that house how do I go by doing that?????/

[MacAllister]

Hiya, Chelle--welcome to the forum. :) There are a ton of sites on the internet--some more reliable than others, obviously--but many links are referenced here in the Horror forum, too...hang on a sec, and I'll go search out a few links.

[Celeste]

Ok for those who don't know the first every Amityville of horror was dated back and 1979 and its based on a true story about a man who shot and killed his family because the voices told him to do it, this week on the news they showed the boy who lived and the house in now he's taking his stepfather to court because of the remake of the movie today and what happens and the movies wasn't true. I watch the news the other day and I taped the hold thing because of what he said about his stepfather. I hope you all watch the news because that was the first thing that air that day. But I want to do some more research on the story of the killing in that house how do I go by doing that?????/

I love researching, writing and reading True Crime stories. A site I read a lot is Court Tv's Crime Library. Here's the link: http://www.crimelibrary.com/

Court TV's Crime Library has several stories to read about Amityville. Here's a link that will take to the page that lists all the stories:
http://ss910.fusionbot.com/cgi-bin/ss_query?keys=Amityville+&submit=GO&ct=10&sitenbr=61032486&searchButton.x=12&searchButton.y=14

Have fun!

celeste

[Trapped in amber]

chelle21, a book was written by the prosecuting attorney on the Defeo Murders, High Hopes, by Gerard Sullivan. It's a fascinating (though at times heartbreaking) read.

[MacAllister]

found this (http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9100)--there is a link to the transcript of the 911 call, the night of the DeFeo murders, and other links, too.

[chelle21]

Ok,ok, ok, ok I visit the links you all gave me now I'm boiling with ideal of a novel I'm writing but I'm afraid to write it. I wanted to know does anybody watch Unsolve Mysteries on Lifetime or The Missing well its title Misssing now but I have this huge ideal of a story I'm writing an what I'm seening now I don't want to write the same story every other mystery writer is writing. I want to tell a story that will scared my readers to sleep and give them nightmares like when I read all of the Carry books from Stephen King's book by the way which I'm a huge fan of his work. I mostly write suspense novels never got a chance to publish them though but anyways how can I make that transection from writing suspense books to writing horror books in stuff like that? Because I'm writing a story now but I don't feel what I'm writing, can anyboy help me please???????

[sthrnwriter]

I use to watch Unsolved Mysteries and there is also another show called Unexplained Mysteries that comes on WGN that talks about ghosts, UFOs and other stuff like that.

The only thing I can tell ya Chelle is to read alot of horror books by different authors. Since you are a Stephen King fan, I suggest you start with his book On Writing. It was recommended to me and I like it.

[rich]

I never tell people about what I'm writing. Hell, I don't even show people what I've written. I send to editors and let them decide.

I read "On Writing."--good stuff.

[Liam Jackson]

There's a hell of a chasm that seperates "wanting to write" from "having something to write about". That sounds simplistic, and I suppose it is. It's also very, very true. I don't pretend to be an expert, so take the following with a grain of salt.

When some people complain of writer's block, or when they just can't seem to get started, they're actually saying I have a concept, but that's all I have. Concepts are foundations. You must have a concept, HOWEVER, a concept without direction has no place to go. So it just sits there and you can't seem to get the story started.

If you're writing a novel, start with concept. Let's say, "Missing person."
Now, you must decide why anyone would care. Most humans have feelings for fellow humans, and they'll say, "Oh, I heard so-in-so is missing. How awful." Then they push the bad news away, and move along with their daily lives. The missing person is just a name to us. However, if we KNOW that person, we're suddenly engaged. The tragedy struck closer to home.

You have to give the reader a reason to care about the situation so much, the reader will keep turning pages. A few successful writers are intuitive. They can just sit down with a concept and let the story unfold. However, MOST successful writers will tell you they use an outline.

Outlines come in many shapes and forms, and most writers that use outlines use what works best for them. This is the most simplistic Hero's Journey outline I've ever seen. (Google Hero's Journey. You'll findsome great indepth sites that explain different combinations of plots and themes.)

Step 1. Simple Outline
1. Introduce a character- (other names for charcter-Hero, Good guy, Protagonist(s)) Can be more than one.
2. Character(s) has a problem-
3. Character(s) identifies two possible solutions, starts to solve the problem
4. Something bad happens (usually the bad guy shows up) and ruins the solutions
5. Character(s) tries to get around new problem presented by the bad guy
6. Bad guy gets upper hand on my character(s)
7 Character(s) fights back,finds brand new solution, and saves the day

Now that you have a skeleton outline, go back and fill in all the blanks for each step.

(Remember, you're writing for the primary purpose of engaging the reader ("entertain us" for lack of a better word). So, maybe you want to inform or teach while you're engaging them. Fine, you can do that, too. But, if you don't entertain the readers, they won't finish the story.

Step 2. Filling in the blanks- Go back to the seven steps above and start filling in the blanks

1.So, who is my character(s)? How can my readers relate to my character? Why should my readers care about my character? Where is my chacater located? Other details as you feel appropriate.

Step 2. What is my character's problem? How does it affect my chacter, and how can my readers relate? Who causes the problem? You may not even know the answer to this question for a couple of chapters, but dont wait too long to introduce the "bad guy". Bad guy can be one person, several persons or no persons. It can be a bear, a rabid bat, a snullygaster from the Seven Devils Swamp, or it can be a hurricane or tidal wave. It can also be disease, or emotional illness.
You just need someone or something to provide a "compelling conflict". The source of your conflict is termed the "antagonist" for MOST writers. I've heard a few argue the proper title for the bad guys, but the consensus sticks with Antagonist(s) (if there's more than one)

Step 3. Character (also called the Protagonist) is now caught up in the conflict, (under attack, physically, emotionally, or psychologically) and if you've done a good job of enagaing the readers, (us) we're all going to be worried sick about the character's well-being. We want the character(s) to start looking for a way out of the mess. The character thinks about it, struggles against the bad guy, then all of the sudden, comes up with a great idea (or two, or three) of ways to get out of the mess. What are the ways? How does our character start working on the plans to escape or overcome?

Step 4 OH NO! The bad guys caught us trying to escape or overcome! They foiled our plans, and now we're in even worse trouble. Drat and double drat!
How did they catch our character and what did they do when they caught him/her? How did being caught really affect our character?
(by now, we the readers are starting to think in terms of "WE ARE AGAINST the BAD GUY, instead of just, "THAT CHARACTER is AGAINST THE BAD GUY". And that's the goal Reader is totally engaged and probably already thinking about buying book #2!)

Step 5. Character learns from the past mistakes and tries to escape or fight back, again. New and Improved plan but we're still in grave danger.

Step 6 OH NO! NOT AGAIN!!! The bad guys caught us trying to escape or overcome! They foiled our plans a second time, and now we're in even worse trouble. Drat and double drat! Triple drats, even!

So, how did they catch us and what did they do afterwards? It must have been something terrible! How did being caught really affect our character? We're on the verge of pulling our hair out, now. Can't turn pages fast enough! What to do, what to do???

Step 7. Final showdown, final triumph. The reader has stayed with you all the way, and now wants justice and satisfaction!

Just when all seems lost, we fight back time and time again. Each time, the character grows a little smarter, or a little braver, or a little luckier. It's time for the grand finale. We're going to face down the bad guy one last time. And... WE WIN!!!! Yeah!!! But how did we win? Winning can be measured in different ways. (Always keep that in mind) What happened to the bad guy? Did we really win the whole war or just a major battle? Do we know what happens next, or do we just live happily ever after? If this part is handled correctly, the reader isn't "thinking" about buying book #2. The reader is already on the way to the bookstore :)

Once you've gone through all the steps listed above, you might have a one page outline, or a 20 page outline. I've seen a 65,000 word outline, once. No fooling. Published author, too. Yes, he sold the story. My outline was about 3 pages. Sold the book(s), so you just never know.

If you find anything useful in the info above, use it. If you can't, no worries. Just keep moving forward. Whatever you do, just keep moving forward.

LJ

[Fractured_Chaos]

Liam, that was well-described! I even saved it to refer back to later, if I think I might be going off-track :D

[Liam Jackson]

TY, Drgnlvr. There's so many ways of going about the process of storytelling. I think many of us get so caught up in "process", we forget the essentials of just telling the story.

[rich]

Lordy, Liam. Where'd you get that gruesome face?

(Personally, I think it's cute, but you might be upsetting the newbies.)

[Liam Jackson]

Uh, that's my muse, (he prefers the title, "co-conspirator") We don't want to upset the new folk so I'll switch Avatars to something a bit more inspirational. :)

[jdkiggins]

I just read in the local paper that George Lutz has filed suit in Los Angeles County Superior Court on June 10 against Dimension Films, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and others, including two screenwriters, for libel and breach of contract, claiming this year's movie remake of The Amityville Horror makes him look like a "homicial maniac."

[sthrnwriter]

That doesn't surprise me. I actually thought he would file sooner, but oh well.

[aspiringwriter]

I remember when the original Amityville Horror came out, didn't know much about it then...Well a few years later it came on what I call "regular" t.v.... and watched it..it scared me to a degree. Fast forward 20 years later...One night I was watching crime files on A&E I believe it was and ironically it was about the DeFeo family and sure enough it actually happened... I do believe the DeFeo family was murdered by the son....as for the Lutz's...well i'm not completely sure, but then again i'm not dispelling the myth or validity... In other words, I do think the house was haunted....and the Lutz's were forced out of their homes... Just my two cents on the conversation...:)

[Albedo of Zero]

I don't even remember how old I was when I read Amityville Horror, but I do know that as I read it I would not (could not) look up from the book and look at any windows.

Months later I gave the book to my youngest brother. He read it at night while completely draped in a blanket until...

One night I asked my oldest bro to go outside the house to a side window with 2 lit cigarettes and puff on them when I opened the curtains.

Then, I convinced my little brother to take his nose out of that book (AH) and look at something out the window. My poor brother, still draped in the blanket (I'm giggling here just as a mean old sister would), walked with me to the window and peered out of his blanket and out the window just as our brother puffed on those cigarettes.

What my little brother thought he saw was those glowing pig eyes... he sucked in so much air, his eyes expanded so fast they hurt me to look at them and I think the only thing that kept him from fainting was me laughing.

IMO, that was one scary book. By the way, Saw was a very good movie but The Grudge disturbed me and I turned it off about 20 minutes into it.