You Can’t Talk Like A Writer

You Can’t Talk Like A Writer - Jack Grapes

Рет қаралды 52,136

3 жыл бұрын

Jack Grapes is an award-winning poet, playwright, actor, teacher, and the editor and publisher of ONTHEBUS, one of the top literary journals in the country. He has won several publishing grants and Fellowships in Literature from the National Endowment for the Arts. He's also received nine Artist-in- Residence Grants from the California Arts Council to teach writing in various schools throughout Los Angeles. He is the author of 13 books of poetry, including TREES, COFFEE, AND THE EYES OF DEER, and BREAKING DOWN THE SURFACE OF THE WORLD. A spoken-word CD, Pretend, was recently issued by DePaul University. He is also author of a chapbook of poems and paintings titled AND THE RUNNING FORM, NAKED, BLAKE. His most recent publication is LUCKY FINDS, a boxed set of 50 cards that extend and parody the dynamic artistic productions of high-modernist poets such as Ezra Pound and Charles Olson. For more information on Jack's classes, please visit: jackgrapes.com/classesgeneral...
BUY THE BOOK - METHOD WRITING: The First Four Concepts
amzn.to/39l0NX1
BUY THE BOOK - ADVANCED METHOD WRITING
amzn.to/3tFJqrq
CONNECT WITH JACK GRAPES
jackgrapes.com
WATCH OUR LAST VIDEO:
• How To Know If You Hav...
(Affiliates)
►WE USE THIS CAMERA (B&H) - buff.ly/3rWqrra
►WE USE THIS EDITING PROGRAM (ADOBE) - goo.gl/56LnpM
►WE USE THIS SOUND RECORDER (AMAZON) - amzn.to/2tbFlM9
►WRITERS, TRY FINAL DRAFT FREE FOR 30-DAYS! (FINAL DRAFT) -
SUPPORT FILM COURAGE BY BECOMING A MEMBER
/ @filmcourage
CONNECT WITH FILM COURAGE
www.FilmCourage.com
#!/FilmCourage
/ filmcourage
/ filmcourage
/ filmcourage
BUSINESS INQUIRIES
bit.ly/22M0Va2
SUBSCRIBE TO THE FILM COURAGE KZfaq CHANNEL
bit.ly/18DPN37
LISTEN TO THE FILM COURAGE PODCAST
/ filmcourage-com
PROMOTE YOUR MOVIE, WEBSERIES, OR PRODUCT ON FILM COURAGE
bit.ly/1nnJkgm
Stuff we use:
LENS - Most people ask us what camera we use, no one ever asks about the lens which filmmakers always tell us is more important. This lens was a big investment for us and one we wish we could have made sooner. Started using this lens at the end of 2013 - amzn.to/2tbtmOq
AUDIO
Rode VideoMic Pro - The Rode mic helps us capture our backup audio. It also helps us sync up our audio in post amzn.to/2t1n2hx
LIGHTS - Although we like to use as much natural light as we can, we often enhance the lighting with this small portable light. We have two of them and they have saved us a number of times - amzn.to/2u5UnHv
COMPUTER - Our favorite computer, we each have one and have used various models since 2010 - amzn.to/2t1M67Z
*These are affiliate links, by using them you can help support this channel.
#writing #writers #screenplay

Пікірлер: 154

@DeidreaDeWitt 3 жыл бұрын

This explains why I hate my own poetry when I'm trying to be "professional." Great video.

@therunawayrascal 3 жыл бұрын

“talking” and “pontificating” was helpful for me to understand the distinction he’s getting at

@danieljackson654 2 жыл бұрын

"They're a con man and they're flummoxing with jibberjabber. " Well worth the entire interview. This has been a problem with all my writing over last twenty years. I start writing and suddenly it is not me; it's the PROFESSOR. I HATE that voice. I have a Kerouac style hipster voice (from my youth) that I hate almost as much. Too much education. It gets in the way of authenticity. At least for me.

@andrewgraeme8429 2 жыл бұрын

Jack Grapes comes closer to the essence of real writing than anyone I have ever listened to. I spent many years as a professional writer and he nails what it means to write with every statement. In this piece, he actually explains why good writing entertains as well as explaining or telling a story. We veer between a chatty voice and a formal voice. When I am writing a piece on the economy, I may even write something like "Now where was I? Ah, yes! Money supply and velocity!" and off I go. A chatty style to break up the formalities of explaining monetary theory - or whatever it might be. PG Wodehouse used this device to great effect.

@meg-k-waldren 3 жыл бұрын

He's definitely spot on. Reminds me a former college professor of mine always used to say that if you can't explain it in layman's terms to your grandmother, you probably don't understand it that well yourself.

@chellya2004 3 жыл бұрын

That's einstein I think!

@toddmg 2 жыл бұрын

Another one is "If you can't draw it, then you don't understand it". (draw = create a visual description)

@DailyPassenger 3 жыл бұрын

This is my favorite KZfaq channel and is very underrated

@filmcourage 3 жыл бұрын

We appreciate it, thanks for your support!

@DeidreaDeWitt 3 жыл бұрын

Same!!!

@soulvisionz1041 2 жыл бұрын

Same. I watch daily

@zoezhu123 Жыл бұрын

Agreed

@RyanFagan_RealEstate Жыл бұрын

Facts!

@1805movie 3 жыл бұрын

My grandmother, who was a grammar teacher, always said, "write as if you're talking".

@funkymunky 3 жыл бұрын

Ah, synonym rolls... Just as grammar used to make 'em.

@corposap 2 жыл бұрын

I don't really understand this. Writing and talking are mediums. Why would you imitate one when you're doing the other?

@ignoblesavage5559 2 жыл бұрын

@@corposap because many writers are attempting to capture a particular voice (see Irvine Welsh's novel Trainspotting, where not only is the dialog identifiably Scottish--Edinburgh--brogue & slang, but the narration is as well). However, it is a long-recognized function of literature that standard narration is often NOT the same as standard speech. And then there are ppl like me over the years I have lost my separation btwn what I write vs what I speak. I tend to speak the way I write, using action verbs and consulting my mental thesaurus so as to express in 1 or 2 words that which would normally be expressed in 4 or 5 words...

@mrbouncelol Жыл бұрын

@@corposap i think some writers need to be told the advice shared here, and he would know as a professional coach, but I can't help but think that some writers need to be told to read more widely and perhaps open a dictionary. Bigger words and more complicated syntax aren't just there to hit the recipient hard, a real intellectual shock and awe, they're used because they can communicate a lot of meaning in a way that may otherwise just not be the same.

@buggobricks Жыл бұрын

Wut r u sayin thet yer grandma sed?

@peter_parkour Жыл бұрын

"Write drunk, edit sober" is the creative writing advise that got me through most of highschool. This is a great series because it is very intuitive for me. I'm definitely buying Jack's books 😅

@Anthony-pq4vr Жыл бұрын

The part where he was pontificating as if he were the defense lawyer who had memorized a script and got fully into character was the moment I went to amazon and bought his book lol

@erskinhansen1715 3 жыл бұрын

This guy is a handful, he really nails his points and goes the distance to drive it home. One of my favorite videos so far.

@tanyascott1338 2 жыл бұрын

This Guy is REALLY REALLY GOOD!!! Keep Him Coming BACK, To Your Program!!! He Can Help People in So Many Way's.

@insightdesignusa Жыл бұрын

You and Jack Grape together make the best of this series.

@hannahwright4694 2 жыл бұрын

I always struggle to have my voice when I am trying to impress myself. It's so contrived. Its when I write in a fury what I need to say, regardless of whether its pretty or not, where it feels authentic. There is always more nuance in truth than in lies

@BrandonCase 3 жыл бұрын

He was great - would enjoy hearing more on the literary voices he referenced

@filmcourage 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Brandon, check out this clip to hear Jack talk more about the 5 basic voices - kzfaq.info/get/bejne/jNaUbKd7seCbmHU.html

@BrandonCase 3 жыл бұрын

@@filmcourage - Awesome, thanks!

@LAURIEGELTMANmusic 2 жыл бұрын

Take his class and you'll get homework assignments on each one. It takes some reading, getting inside the new voice and practice!

@darkscorpion6534 2 жыл бұрын

Film courage gonna be able to open a film school one day! You guys have so many talented people on here who give us such wisdom...

@alexandrastandish5454 3 жыл бұрын

You had me at “intestinal fortitude.” Hilarious!!! I’m going to sign up for your class.

@CarmenPerez-kz6rw Жыл бұрын

You hear that in the Army all day long.

@brittanysaukel6544 3 жыл бұрын

He kills me! Such a great communicator.

@goldeneddie 3 жыл бұрын

Oh sh*t. Better go back and rewrite some of my stuff. If not all of it. _I muttered sheepishly_

@thechrislewisssss 7 ай бұрын

This is game changing information ! A lot of people fall into the loop of trying to write for talking when the truth is you need to write how you speak for how you’ll speak! As redundant as that sounds. Anything written for speaking must be written from the mind of speaking. If it’s strictly for reading than typical writing suffices. I love this video! Helped me a ton!

@Inkironnrum Жыл бұрын

Jack Grapes has changed the way I write. His knowledge from all of his videos is a treasure trove of expertise and experience. Also, how he explains his knowledge is clearly and carefully -said. Thank you, Film Courage, and Jack Grapes!

@jacendress7190 Жыл бұрын

Thank you Thank you Thank you.

@You_Tube000 2 жыл бұрын

The interviewer just doesn’t get it. I always use Robert Di Nero’s advice “don’t do anything. When I act I hardly do anything I use dialogue and my facial expressions convey all that needs to be.” This transfers to writing, when I write I simply focus on dialogue and what a person is doing and how they say things I do not describe feelings

@brrryan2908 3 ай бұрын

Another FANTASIC video! Thank you for sharing it.

@ferinzz 2 жыл бұрын

One of my favorite characters that I would RP was a super casual nonchallant sort of guy who doesn't really get shocked much by the oddities around himself. His voice, the spoken word was much more 'authentic' as Mr Grapes is describing, but as I would begin to describe his actions, his surroundings, it would more often be as the writer.

@pacificostudios 3 жыл бұрын

I think the word he is seeking is "versimilitude." Dialogue is as important as costume and props to maintaining versimilitude.

@linkow 3 жыл бұрын

Loved this guy.

@shanebakerstudios 2 жыл бұрын

His adlib story is more intriguing than most story writing I've read recently.

@douwnel753 2 жыл бұрын

this interviewer is underrated

@DANTICVS Жыл бұрын

I love mr grapes

@undefinedvariable8085 2 жыл бұрын

Man, all this talk of "pontificating" is really reminiscent of Dead Wood's dialogue. Sublimely superlative.

@eeman13 2 жыл бұрын

I would love to attend his classes.

@woodsonsworldedutainment8028 2 жыл бұрын

Man! I can listen to this dude all day. I need to know when the long version come out.

@filmcourage 2 жыл бұрын

We're trying to get there. Gradually getting closer.

@LucianoCantabruel Жыл бұрын

the best, he is like a clutch hitter in baseball, he shoot right on the essence , clearly and simply explained exactly what writing is, and what I need to know.

@kirkwagner461 Жыл бұрын

Love this conversation. I don't know if I'm good at applying it, but I am constantly seeing written (or acted) dialog that is in no way how people really talk.

@bobdhshshxhzvs2314 2 жыл бұрын

This plus the video on the 5 tones, really helped me to unchain myself.

@azv343 3 жыл бұрын

That Network scene was beautiful!!! I remember seeing it for the first time. I was like: I would definitely do that in real life.

@gcfournier3386 3 жыл бұрын

This guy is amazing. Great conversation

@JrtheKing91 3 жыл бұрын

A poyson lol. Good interview btw.

@filmcourage 3 жыл бұрын

Ey yo!

@JesseCuster 2 жыл бұрын

This man is amazing.

@muyleche6466 3 жыл бұрын

This was good to watch

@liberalpoet Жыл бұрын

Ha! Love this guy! He's authentic. And is able to bring an understanding of cerebral things, down to useable and actionable knowledge! Great Video!

@j.87558 3 жыл бұрын

Favourite part was the entire video! Amazing!

@filmcourage 3 жыл бұрын

Nice!

@M2BzombieBait 3 жыл бұрын

That was great.

@remylebae3395 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent video! Excellent interview! Excellent guest! Thank you so much for this!!

@elizabethbrown8833 2 жыл бұрын

So writing books really shout on writing proper. That can set you back. To a point of no return. Thank you for your words of wisdom. 🙏

@DoreVibe 2 жыл бұрын

The juxtaposition using Shakespear was very helpful.

@CasperLD 2 жыл бұрын

This guy is amazing

@mechtech220 2 жыл бұрын

Wow..just wow. His will be two more books that I've bought from people interviewed on this channel. Thank You so much Film Courage!

@filmcourage 2 жыл бұрын

Nice. Cheers!

@theordinaryextraordinerdym8527 2 жыл бұрын

Love this man and his personality!! :) Great information in a real and honest manner.

@bossgbini 2 жыл бұрын

I love , love , love this channel!! Great content every single time.

@filmcourage 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Don, you must be clicking on all the right videos. 😁

@WSUGLUE 7 ай бұрын

Give this man a MasterClass already! This channel and these wonderful speakers are underrated, indeed. Thank you for sharing with us.

@philipmann5317 Жыл бұрын

14:24 "I know thee not, old man." I still remember that line, and I saw the movie over thirty years ago. yes, it's quite a line.

@BobbyJ529 3 жыл бұрын

awesome guy

@tylerb1299 2 жыл бұрын

Jack is great if you listen to him. He's literally teaching people that don't recognize actual literature writing that you learn in English class. That you can and how to write stories and still have proper writing technique cause it sounds exactly how it should coming out of the person's mouth whether heard or in text. This is exactly how you pull characters out of the words and into the mind of the person reading with their imagination cause they recognize that it sounds real.

@dennismason3740 2 жыл бұрын

When I interact with people sometimes I remember to breathe and when I do I often talk like a writer. One can really hold a person's attention when ones words are absolutely honest and accurate. Of course the nuances of the character that I am (in real life) often demand a bit o' drama or comedy or both.

@tainadeoliveira 2 жыл бұрын

I really enjoy writing poetically

@seanferguson5460 3 жыл бұрын

Oh, man! This was sooooo good!

@filmcourage 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Sean, we appreciate you watching!

@CastleKingside 2 жыл бұрын

I subscribed because I like this guy. I agree with alot of what he says about the inner voice. Thank you for the contribution. Peace.

@themanhimself5650 2 жыл бұрын

This is such a special place on KZfaq 🙏 thanks guys for the courage 🎬❤️🎥💯

@damiandenver8517 2 жыл бұрын

Karen, thank you for what you do, I've been following your channel for several years and it has been transformative for my writing, keep going! Jack Grapes I could listen to all day, and I commend you for publishing the uncomfortable episode on emotional truth it was beautiful and brave but what it taught, priceless, hope you are well. Damian

@cmac369 Жыл бұрын

I would say a good example would be Jerry Maguire's "you complete me" monologue.

@shaghayegh5711 Жыл бұрын

God i love these conversations😭❤

@christophermoonlightproduction 3 жыл бұрын

Who is this guy? He's great.

@stamina72 3 жыл бұрын

I watch all the video's on this channel, and I always wonder what the interviewer looks like, because she has such a beautiful and soothing voice.

@mechtech220 2 жыл бұрын

she's beautiful. i was curious as well. lol.

@lisagauvin 3 жыл бұрын

This was awesome.

@filmcourage 3 жыл бұрын

We are glad this one found you Lisa!

@ChristianHohlfeld 3 жыл бұрын

Omg. this is so good. Thanks!

@filmcourage 3 жыл бұрын

Cheers Christian!

@James_Bowie 3 жыл бұрын

Top drawer interview.

@therealmogod 3 жыл бұрын

He the best....

@pruthvinani4518 3 жыл бұрын

Bold Guy ❤️

@bungasafhira8453 Жыл бұрын

Thanks

@filmcourage Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much Bunga! We love to see others finding value in these videos!

@dcgarrett68 2 жыл бұрын

He's the man.

@Trinbagodreamer 2 жыл бұрын

when he did the defense attorney that took me out........ and I got it finally ROTFL

@G-Blockster 3 жыл бұрын

This was so helpful and makes sense to me. Compare the dialog of the Star Wars prequels with anything written by Elmore Leonard.

@buggobricks Жыл бұрын

I think you underestimate the prequel’s power.

@tamarM7_ 2 жыл бұрын

🖤

@DavidLeidy 2 жыл бұрын

Ideally you align the two forms of oratory and literary. That’s what I’ve been trying to do for years now. People make fun of me sometimes because I use words like verbose. It’s just how I express myself though. Both on the page and in my speaking. Generally simpler speech is better and more commonplace speaking tends to be more emotionally stimulating (was going to say poignant but wanted to land home my point). I think the two forms can be quite integrated contrary to how we’re taught

@ambrosewetherbee8301 2 ай бұрын

An example of writing unlike how you'd talk is purple prose.

@bond12 2 жыл бұрын

She Said, I Don't Like You, and I Retorted, Buy I Like You!!!!

@MCSorry 2 жыл бұрын

What does he mean when he says "lost world" and "absence of field"? I haven't been able to find anything about them online

@TreburSteelnervs Жыл бұрын

I finally feel like it can be expressed how "true" my debut novel feels, even though it's entirely fiction.

@BruceRF 2 жыл бұрын

I'm guilty of using unconventional dialogue tags. I see this more often in Young Adult, but I digress. Most of the time I write he said/she said. And the more I study CMOS, I find myself leaning on he said/she said. Still, there are times I break up the monotony with she replied, or asked, or questioned. Dan barked with harsh words -- that sort of thing. And yes, I know Dan didn't actually bark but bark adds flavor to the text without having to write extra lines to convey that Dan was yelling in an angry voice. To add to that, I also use adverbs. I use them less these days but I'll still sneak in, Sally walked silently, or swiped swiftly in place of writing extra lines. When word counts are important, adverbs can be a friend as long as they're not in excess. But that's my opinion. Others will disagree. And before someone says "Sally could have crept," I know ;)

@TheJadedFilmMaker 3 жыл бұрын

haha this is awesome

@skiziskin 2 жыл бұрын

Hahahaha... that's exactly how my uncle the trial lawyer talked. ;-)

@elizabethbrown8833 2 жыл бұрын

I don't even want to talk anymore... 😱

@eeman13 2 жыл бұрын

The title of the vedio is true voice. So, Does it mean that true voice us shifting between writing tones in the one a writer finds suiting? .

@therunawayrascal 3 жыл бұрын

great video! though, it would have been nice if he dove into the other side of it where people seem to often look at it as unintentional inconsistency that pulls them out, instead of a deliberate decision that pulls them further in-but i guess this likely comes from misuse/overuse of the writing voice. so scratch that, it would have been even more helpful if he addressed more thoroughly how to use switching between the two voices effectively and how not to use it detrimentally, above just the difference between the talking and writing voices. regardless, this gave me a lot to chew on! a video i probably need to watch multiple times, as well as his other ones. thank you both!

@filmcourage 3 жыл бұрын

More context if you check out this previous video - kzfaq.info/get/bejne/jNaUbKd7seCbmHU.html

@therunawayrascal 3 жыл бұрын

@@filmcourage mahalo mucho!

@Thenoobestgirl 3 жыл бұрын

This conversation is very meta

@ashishranglani 2 жыл бұрын

Next time anybody says don't be jack of all ..make sure they meet this Jack ..

@cave_dweller6 2 жыл бұрын

I can't believe she made fun of the way he said 'person' right to his fucking face and laughed. I'm dead.

@hisalexness8478 2 жыл бұрын

I’ve just realised that I wrote my novel in my Mickey Mouse voice.

@matthewgordonpettipas6773 2 жыл бұрын

Duuuude....Disney gonna sue haha.

@EdwardLindon 2 жыл бұрын

This argument seems to boil down to the American macho contempt for articulate speech. All sorts of people "talk fancy", but mainstream culture regards them with suspicion (hence the effete, intellectual or British villain so beloved of Hollywood cliché). Outside modern Anglo culture, fine speech is often valued and even rewarded. You don't have to talk like a trucker or a cowboy to be authentic.

@tigerbunny6778 3 жыл бұрын

Speak as each character would. Proper or no.

@ShootMeMovieReviews 3 жыл бұрын

He's not just talking about dialogue. He's talking about the prose. Like the "he said" thing vs "he remarked" or whatever.

@filmcourage 3 жыл бұрын

What was your favorite part of this video? And if you want more context on this material, please check out this previous video with Jack Grapes - kzfaq.info/get/bejne/jNaUbKd7seCbmHU.html

@Nimora 3 жыл бұрын

My favourite part of the video is the interviewer lady! She shows her strength here too with the quality of questions and quick interpretation of the answers!

@kristakaufman8527 3 жыл бұрын

The part on changing tones was great. That is the most difficult part to insert the theme and make it insightful rather than just entertaining. His acting is great too! Was he trained at doing Shakespeare?

@kristakaufman8527 3 жыл бұрын

So is he saying do not write in the formal voice because it distances the audience? Is that why he only wants to write in the casual voice? (I agree with him it makes it more relatable.) Also I disagree with his assertion that you can not talk like a writer, because if in a formal setting or around elitists they will discriminate and ostracize people if they don't in certain eschelons of society. It seems to me some of the executives that are from Ivy league schools look down on writers and scripts that do not use formal language and that tries to make it relatable to everyone. The script readers that work for them seem to really use it as an excuse to reject stories and language that is more common and working class. They seem to be only choosing aspirational characters or stories that are from the upper echelons as escapism because maybe it sells better. The all american working class story often gets rejected, though I know someone will say Hillbilly Elegy just got nominated but look at the TITLE for goodness sakes , they even used -- ELEGY-- in it as if it indicates we are the elite we only present this story as a sociological observation of our society and its conditions which must be addressed. Do you not see what I mean, even their TITLES will not allow it to be just what it is , as it is, and accept that, because truth be told they don't! So while I want to agree with Jack as he is trying to get people to be more authentic but what do you do when they reject that as they do not want to curate it as a story reflecting the canon they want to create for the era rather than turn the light to examine what is really going on. It seems to me literature and novels will have to capture it and then a later generation trying to understand why events in history and times changed will then adapt it and make it in future. Maybe time and distance will make it palatable or maybe they will just consider them more ......ELEGIES? Mourning for the long dead generation.

@ConsecrationChronicles 3 ай бұрын

12:40

@Ihsaan_ASMR 8 ай бұрын

7:12 that's how Jordan Peterson talks😅

@michaellowe2305 2 жыл бұрын

He nailed Buckley

@Nautilus1972 2 жыл бұрын

Quality. She is referring to Quality, or Arete, from the Greek. People know and understand intuitively and evidentially ... what is Quality and what is not.