McAnally's (The Community Pub) > Author Craft
how to say goodbye
Nawlins34:
So you want a "Happy, but Sad " departure from this particular scene.
In my opinion, (again, it's just that and nothing else, I'm just putting this out there, and hopefully get some feedback that we can all work with here.) I think the 'sad' part won't be an issue; it's the getting his family "happy" about leaving. Which I think their happiness hinges on how realistic are the chances of him coming back to earth. So how REAL is that chance?
You've made it very clear that there is a REAL chance of him being gone forever. I don't/can't see a family walking away 'happy' with 'low to remote' odds presented to them. I see closure at best.
how about these angles to help shape the parting conversation;
1.) Maybe he knows for sure he won't be coming back, but told his family otherwise? (sad for him, happy for them )
2.) Maybe someone in the immediate family has a military background, who has deployed before. This would set the family up to being 'used' to this in a sense, may not result in them being happy about it, but they would have some sense of closure or understanding about it all.
3.) What setting is the departure scene taking place? Will it be in front of a transport ship? in the living room as he's leaving the house with his stuff? The location might play into the emotional value as well. "Home is where the heart is." Might be more emotional saying goodbye to a child as they leave the house they grew up in vs. watching them walk on a transport ship bound for space.
Anybody else see something that could help the dialogue or setting for his scene?
the neurovore of Zur-En-Aargh:
--- Quote from: Nawlins34 on April 27, 2010, 04:24:51 PM ---So you want a "Happy, but Sad " departure from this particular scene.
In my opinion, (again, it's just that and nothing else, I'm just putting this out there, and hopefully get some feedback that we can all work with here.) I think the 'sad' part won't be an issue; it's the getting his family "happy" about leaving. Which I think their happiness hinges on how realistic are the chances of him coming back to earth.
--- End quote ---
Well, could you play it as him getting to leave Earth in this way is a huge honour which his family think is just totally awesome, enough that even though they miss him they are still overjoyed at him getting to do it ?
meh:
--- Quote from: neurovore on April 27, 2010, 04:44:28 PM ---Well, could you play it as him getting to leave Earth in this way is a huge honour which his family think is just totally awesome, enough that even though they miss him they are still overjoyed at him getting to do it ?
--- End quote ---
This is what I was getting at when I questioned whether the family thinks the boy will live up to alien expectations.
Nickeris86:
i don't really want a happy good bye, as many of you have mentioned a military type send off works. that's what i am shooting for that they aren't happy about him leaving the planet but they are proud of him at the same time, for being part of of something greater than himself.
you guys have all been a great help.
Murphy's Stunt Double:
The USO is not just for Entertainment. They provide services and support to the families of those who have shipped out. Perhaps they have message boards like this where people will talk about their send offs and what it was like for them if you are respectful and ask from a research for writing point of view?
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