#chris colfe

[letsindiebands]

Ah, push it, push it real good!

[klaine8468]

We begin in the Swiss Alps, in the village of Gstaad in the perfectly-appointed living room of Kurt Hummel and Blaine Anderson’s chic swank chalet. The tree, towering and opulent. The fireplace draped in garlands. The stockings, bejeweled. Kurt and Blaine, the perfect hosts, have invited their friends to drop in for an evening of Noël Coward-esque banter and fun happy cheer-filled songs.

[gwydionmisha]

Chris Colfer Wrote A Dark 'Candyland' Fan Fiction Musical

[therezastarman]

Have you ever laughed and then been like why tf did that sound like Chris Colfe's laugh, and then contemplated it for like two hours, because same.

[migleefulmoments]

Oh, Abby...you are so lost.

* Everyone has a right to an unconventional celebration of a significant life event. Even so, this looks pretty undignified. Yes they do...there should be no “but” in that sentence and yet with the cc fandom there is always a “but”.  It’s how you convince yourself you are “woke” while being complexity judgmental shrews. 

* I am surprised that there were no tickets on sale to the general public, given the capital made on other aspects of this event.  You sound like a jealous 14 year old trying to diss someone you are jealous of. I guess, add 30 years and it’s accurate.

* There has also been public criticism of such a blatantly heavily sponsored spectacle. Who cares if they got free stuff? that is the world we live in now...celebes get free stuff. Get over it.. 

* Should your wedding be treated as just as another opportunity to showcase your talents? YES YES YES. WTF is wrong with you?  Darren lives to connect through music. Isn't surprising that he chose to connect this way during his own wedding.  

* What is with the ’ signals’ (EJ ring etc) from DC, as interpreted from some recent photos? Does this indicate total disrespect for his new wife? Or are these just hooks to string along CC fans? Either option puts him in a very bad light. Neither Abby, it is called “wearing jewelry I like- by Darren Criss”.

* C/ Colf/er has kept a dignified distance from this mess. As have some others. Don’t blame them one little bit. I love this. More accurately, Chris has kept a “dignified distance” for over 4 years.  In fact, one might say Chris doesn’t give a fuck what Darren does.  This claim is a brilliant strategical move on your part- your tropes will aways be true if the premise is that Chris is keeping a “dignified distance”. 

[ajw720]

Over the course of an exhausting and obsessive search for the truth, the Book Huggers make the greatest discovery of their young lives.

Chri/s Colf/er, TLOS, The Ultim/ate Book Hug/gers Guide

[its-a-writer-thing]

How to Give Your Villain an Emotional Backstory That Isn’t Tragic

In crafting a villain’s backstory, we often want the origin to be as powerful as the character themselves. As Chris Colfe says, “A villain is just a victim whose story hasn’t been told.”

Unfortunately, however, tragic backstories become tedious. Oh, of course their parents were eaten alive in front of them, their home was foreclosed on by a corrupt institution, the love of their life betrayed them, their favorite TV show was canceled, and they couldn’t get the last scrap of mayonnaise out of the jar. Someone get the fainting couch, quick.

At a certain point, it’s no longer a backstory – it’s a sob story, which quickly transforms our empathy into pity, and finally into boredom. We roll our eyes and wish the villain had kept the melodrama to themselves.

On the other side of that coin, having a character who stomps on bunnies for no reason isn’t exactly relatable, and a well-rounded character can’t just burst into existence one day fully formed. Everyone has a history. 

So how can you give your villain a backstory that tugs on readers’ heartstrings, without making it a sob story?

For this, we’re going to use Epic of Lilith as an example once again (How to Make Your Villain Domestic but Still Evil), as well as Megamind briefly. Some of these tips can also be applied to heroes, but we’ll stay villain-centric for now.  

Don’t Get Grandiose – Simple Can Pack a Punch

If more bad things happen to your villain, they’re more sympathetic, right? It’s a reasonable line of thought, but in fact, tacking more onto your character can make them into an overinflated bundle of Sadness™ that’s less human and more trope. Even more so, an inflated backstory is difficult to follow. The events stop having individual meaning and blend together into a single wall of pity.

Instead, one or two crucial moments is all it takes.

For example: Lilith could’ve been forced back to Adam by the Guardians; he could’ve been physically and sexually abusive; she could’ve been forced to wear a wool shirt for months while locked in a closet until she caved. But the simplicity of her backstory, where subtle behavior and a meaningful conversation – confirming what Adam believed and what she had to look forward to – was enough. This didn’t make her origins less exciting, but instead placed incredible value on what did happen.

Bonus: A simple backstory gives more credit to your villain – because they didn’t need Larger Than Life™ circumstances to become who they are. They owned that talent themselves. Honestly, what’s more scary: An unstoppable antagonist who took years of ill treatment and dozens of atrocities to become unstoppable? Or one who did it because they decided they wanted to?

Unfair is Sometimes Better than Unbearable

In the same vein as above, ‘simple’ is not only good in how many hardships the villain faces – but also in what kinds they experience.

We’ve all encountered some pretty unfair situations in our lives. Whether it’s being overcharged for our rent, getting the silent treatment from a friend, or having to pick up the tab on a date that was supposed to be Dutch Treat, life throws you minor or major irritations you don’t deserve all the time. However, when’s the last time you had your village burned to the ground?

Exactly.

Therefore, if a villain is treated unfairly in a way and on a level we can relate to, we’re more likely to empathize. Cranking it up to 11 won’t make it more heart wrenching – just less meaningful for us emotionally. When we can’t connect emotionally, then we just connect intellectually – making it pity, not sympathy. Sob stories, the worst kind of backstory there is, are all about pity.

It doesn’t have to involve death, it doesn’t have to create a wound that can never be healed – it just has to be unfair. Tragedy doesn’t hit us often, but unfairness is a regular experience.

For example, Lilith was expected to submit to Adam, who refuses to see her as a rightful equal despite her proving her abilities. This is unfair, but it’s not unbearable. How many times have you been undervalued in your workplace, with friends, or with family? That makes it easy to sympathize with her plight – turning each of her victories not into “good for you,” but “good for us.”

Make it the Kickoff Point, but Not the Definition of Their Goals

One event that shapes your entire life and future is something to be pitied. But an event that triggered your greater ambition – that’s worth empathy, and then respect.

Let’s use Megamind as a prime example. This super villain’s journey began with total rejection from his school peers, motivating him to become the best villain there ever was, if he couldn’t be an accepted good guy. Being socially rejected kicked off his journey, but after that, it was never about gaining their approval – it was about accomplishing feats he could respect. This didn’t make us sad for his poor treatment the entire movie – it made us respect what he was accomplishing now.

Similarly, Lilith’s origin begins with social slavery on every side. This motivated her strike out and develop power that rivaled even the angels. But notably, it wasn’t to shove it in Adam’s face; it wasn’t even to prove him wrong, attaching her self-worth to his opinion of her. Lilith left the Garden because she wasn’t being respected as autonomous, so she went to be autonomous somewhere else. It was her desire to be powerful and accomplish greater things that made her demand equality, but receiving equality from Adam didn’t define her or her goals.

Make it Specifically Relevant to Them

Death is probably the most tragic event one can face in life, and that makes it easy to heap on a character in order to give them a profound emotional hit and then a drive forward. But have you noticed how many characters have death in their backstory? Whether it’s family, a lover, or a friend’s death – whether it’s a peaceful one or a gruesome one – death is a universal motivator. When it comes to making a uniquely enticing villain, ‘universal’ is the exact opposite of what you want.

The villain’s backstory needs to be specifically relevant to them. Why would they of all people be motivated by this? How does it tie into their actions later on?  

If you could apply that backstory to any other character in the story and it’d still make that character’s action and goals the same, then it needs tweaking. ‘This is a sad thing to happen to them,’ can’t be the answer. ‘This is exactly what it’d take to make this character specifically act the way they do,’ should be.

So, All That Said

A villain’s backstory can still tug on our heartstrings, maybe driving us to wrap them in warm blankets while petting their hair softly. Yet the trick to keeping readers from rolling their eyes is the balance between ‘Poor Thing’ and ‘Poor Baby, boo hoo.’ These tips should help you strike the right measures.

If you’re interested in an exciting read involving a Sci-Fi/Fantasy retelling of the Lilith mythos – the world’s first female villain – then take a look at Ivars Ozols’ Epic of Lilith. Featuring the ‘true story of the Grim Reaper,’ a unique take on the world’s creation and the powers that keep it spinning, and freaking steampunk metal angel wings, support a fellow debut author and give it a read!

Happy writing.

[thenovl]

Happy Galentine’s Day, NOVLers! Today we’re celebrating friendship in all its forms, from unexpected connections to complicated high school cliques to closer-than-siblings bonds and more. In case you need a little themed reading material or a last minute Galentine’s Day gift for your BFF, we’ve compiled a list of our six favorite friendship reads:

1. The Unlikelies by Carrie Firestone

Summer in the Hamptons isn’t looking so dreamy for Sadie, whose BFF is away at camp. But after she rescues a baby and a video of her good dead goes viral, she meets five very different teens also heralded as “hometown heroes”. Together, can they actually make the world a better place?

2. Stranger Than Fanfiction by Chris Colfer

Bestselling author and actor Chris Colfer’s funny and fast-paced novel is all about the power of fandom to create friends for life. The four protagonists are a  band of misfits linked by their love of the hit television show Wiz Kids. When one of them jokingly invites the star of the show on their road trip, they’re shocked when he actually agrees. The vacation quickly becomes a messy whirlwind adventure that will put their bond to the test.

3. Those Girls by Lauren Saft

With a tagline like “Some girls will always have your back, and some girls can’t help but stab you in it”, you already know this book isn’t pulling any punches. But the truth is, the closest of friendships can get messy—especially in high school. Alex, Mollie, and Veronica may be BFFs on the outside but deadly secrets and drama just might tear them apart unless they can confront their demons.

4. Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger

Read about the adventures of the students at a boarding school for young ladies, where they learn all about dance, dress, death, and diversion. To make it as a spy in this steampunk Victorian world, Sophronia won’t just have to ace her very unusual lessons—she’ll have to learn rely on her fellow classmates and new friends.

5. Define Normal by Julie Anne Peters

From National Book Award Finalist Julie Anne Peters comes a quick read about a very unlikely friendship between a punk and a prep—perfect if you’re busy but still want to squeeze in some Galentine’s Day reading!

6.  Invictus by Ryan Graudin

There are crews and there are crews. Farway Gaius McCarthy, captain of a black market time-traveling space ship, puts his life in the hands of his loyal squad every day as they traverse the galaxy. But when a mysterious girl sabotages a mission on the Titanic, this colorful cast has to really stick together to unravel the conspiracy threatening to tear them apart.

[ajw720]

I was just reminded of this quote:

Over the course of an exhausting and obsessive search for the truth, the Book Huggers make the greatest discovery of their young lives.

Chri/s Colf/er, TLOS, The Ultim/ate Book Hug/gers Guide

Makes this IG post even more significant and telling. Are you listening?  the truth will be discovered, just like the Blakc Hole was finally photographed.

Thank you @notes-from-nowhere for sparking my memory without even realizing it!!!

chriscolfer This is so cool. 🤗🤓 #BlackHole

[firstdraftpod]

Selling Your Book (Part 2)

  Track Changes: Selling Your Book (Part 2)

Listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher

Read the transcript

In the second look at how books get sold, former Little, Brown and Delacorte senior editor Kate Sullivan, Senior Content Development Manager for New Leaf Literary & Media, walks us through all the steps an editor takes between receiving an agent’s pitch and signing a deal memo to acquire a book. Acquisitions meetings, P&L statements, and TI sheets, oh my!

This episode is brought to you by The Slow Novel Lab, a six-week creativity and writing course from Printz-winning novelist Nina LaCour. For the summer session, beginning June 7, Nina will donate 50% of profits to Direct Relief, a humanitarian aid organization working with underserved communities. Learn more and sign up for the Slow Novel Lab here.

Catch up on the series so far:

Episode 1: Publishing 101

Episode 2: Agents: Who Are They, What Do They Do, And How Do You Get One?

Bonus Episode: Publishing in the time of COVID

Episode 3: Selling Your Book (Part 1)

The following agents were interviewed for this episode:

We meet Jennifer de Leon as she prepares for the release of her debut young adult novel, Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From, on August 4. Though Jennifer has been writing for years, she quickly learns that there’s a lot about Capital-P-Publishing that she doesn’t know. (Hear her First Draft interview here.)

Kate Sullivan is the Senior Content Development Manager for New Leaf Literary & Media. For 13 years, Kate worked in the editorial departments of three separate Big Five publishers, eventually becoming a senior editor.

Discussed in this episode:

Faye Bender, partner and founder at The Book Group, is Jenn’s agent.

Caitlyn Dlouhy, publisher of Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books at Simon & Schuster

Holly Root, literary agent and founder of Root Literary

Seth Fishman, literary agent at The Gernert Company

Chris Colfer, actor and author of Land of Stories

BookScan

More Information:

“The Book P&L: How Publishers Make Decisions About What to Publish,” by Jane Friedman

“What Book Editors Do” by Nathan Bransford

“Publishing Myth: Editors Don’t Edit” by Nathan Bransford; good follow: a Q&A with Peter Ginna, who has 30 years of book editing experience and put together the collection What Editors Do: The Art, Craft, and Business of Book Editing

“PubCrawl Podcast: Publishing 101 Submission and Acquisition” featuring Sarah Jae-Jones and Kelly Van Sant

“How to Handle an Editor’s Call With an Offer” by Kristin Nelson, founder of Nelson Literary Agency and one of the agents we spoke to in the Bonus Episode of Track Changes (Publishing in the Time of COVID)

“First Book: Acquiring Minds” on NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour blog

“The Waiting is the Hardest Part” by Joanna Mackenzie on the Nelson Literary Pub Rants blog

  Want more information? Sign up for a free 30-day trial of the Track Changes newsletter, which goes a step (or two) further behind the scenes into the publishing world.

Support First Draft by subscribing to the podcast wherever you listen (on Apple Podcasts, Spotfiy, Stitcher, or elsewhere), and leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts. You can donate to the podcast, on a one time or monthly basis.

Track Changes is produced by Hayley Hershman. Zan Romanoff is the story editor. The music was composed by Dan Bailey, and the logo was designed by Collin Keith.

Listen now!

[peetaparkker]

if quarantine ends before may 27, do y’all think chris colf will have a 30th bday party and invite all the glee cast 

[peregrinelight]

God I’m so glad g/lee is fucking done mainly bc Chris colf/er and everything about him on that show was fucking obnoxious as hell

[klaine8468]

June, I’m-I’m so sorry, I-I just had to. 

No, no, no. You two were terrific. They loved you. And I’m gonna take credit for all of this. It’s been a long time since anybody’s proven me wrong.

[sadlessway]

Chris Colfer appreciation post

[lostdelphinidae]

http://www.eonline.com/news/524128/alpha-male-madness-2014-officially-begins-vote-in-round-1-now?cmpid=tweol-manual Vote Chris Colfer please. He deserves this.

[churroscolfer]

M lfiE IS UFKCIN' COMPLETSE

WHAT OSMH CHRISTPEHER YOUR BODY COMH IC AN'T EVEN