Man disappears in Florida Sinkhole

[freedomforall]

Could be a guy from the inner earth that had no idea he was from there. Perhaps clues lead him to the inner earth where he divulges all the wicked acts of the outer world to his new countrymen. Maybe there are others that join him from different parts of the world.
Or maybe he's a lone wolf with super powers. The plot has a wide variety of avenues.

I like that. Good scenario.

Anyway, a movie script is different from a written novel isn't it?. If you have any idea how to write a script...you've got something.

I've done NaNoWriMo three or four years in a row (writing a novel in November). They have a spring counterpart about writing scripts (Script Frenzy). I tried that a year ago and didn't like it. It was easy to crank out the pages, but the scene directions and not being able to get into the characters' heads drove me bonkers. (I used a script-writing program that automatically set the formatting.) Perhaps, if I had been taught how to do a "proper script" it would have been different, but what I got out of that experience is that someone else can write the scripts.

Perhaps all the sinkholes are caused by inner earth people in their seeking out certain people they want to join them. The outer earth people have no idea there are inner earth people right below their feet running around in tunnels and caves. The inner earth people want no part of the wicked world above them; they are civilized, don't like war and conflict but will defend when the need arises.. But they are not without their own kind of challenges. Being in darkness most the time their eyes be super sensitive to light. Their hearing is acute. And sometimes a tunnel or cave is destroyed by outer earth drilling. Fortunately, the inner earth people have learned to adapt by having alternate pathways like ants do. And they know how to block off any water or oil that gets to flooding any portion of a tunnel.

A story always has to have a conflict of some kind. Maybe they have their own set of enemies to contend with.

Anyway, you may come up with something

[A Random Phrase]

What if a particularly curious inner earth person finds his way to outer earth, and conflicts arise? Either through the person's interaction with the outer earth people, or in his attempt to find his way back home?

Or the outer earth person who fell into the sinkhole and was dumped into the mouth of the tunnel is the one with the conflict as he comes to terms with where he now finds himself?

There could be preexisting conflict in inner earth. The idea of someone trying to take over is a story that has been used a zillion times. I know of no unique spin on that. Perhaps their inner inner earth has a monster/beast of some kind that has crept through the cracks and is attacking. Dragons might be a nice spin to add. The sinkhole - It was asleep and the bed fell on its nose, awakening it, and it was not in a good mood, because its nose was hurting.

A stereotypical flying saucer goes in through the invisible hole at the north (or south) pole, flies right through the center of the earth, and wakes up the fiery giants that have slumbered there for the last three thousand years. Dragon-like creatures, perhaps, with wings that glint in light as if the animals were bedecked with diamonds.

[freedomforall]

What if a particularly curious inner earth person finds his way to outer earth, and conflicts arise? Either through the person's interaction with the outer earth people, or in his attempt to find his way back home?

Or the outer earth person who fell into the sinkhole and was dumped into the mouth of the tunnel is the one with the conflict as he comes to terms with where he now finds himself?

There could be preexisting conflict in inner earth. The idea of someone trying to take over is a story that has been used a zillion times. I know of no unique spin on that. Perhaps their inner inner earth has a monster/beast of some kind that has crept through the cracks and is attacking. Dragons might be a nice spin to add. The sinkhole - It was asleep and the bed fell on its nose, awakening it, and it was not in a good mood, because its nose was hurting.

Another spin is that the conflict is undergoing by two sides, both in error, both not understanding the true meaning of freedom or liberty or even having and maintaining a good society. Therefore, the new guy could see what's going on and plays devil advocate and helps both sides lose by playing one side against the other just for fun. Perhaps even seeking a selected few outer earth people to help him. He and they soon learn and know how to stay invisible to the inner earth people. Later they discover a small number of inner earth people that are good and want nothing more than to be free of all the rest, and to live peacefully. They become allies and then as they seek to find a place where they all can dwell together the end of the world transpires.

A stereotypical flying saucer goes in through the invisible hole at the north (or south) pole, flies right through the center of the earth, and wakes up the fiery giants that have slumbered there for the last three thousand years. Dragon-like creatures, perhaps, with wings that glint in light as if the animals were bedecked with diamonds.

I wonder, Dragons have been used over and over again. But Langoliers with oily, dripping fur might work.

The Northern Lights are even mentioned in the movie.

[A Random Phrase]

Another spin is that the conflict is undergoing by two sides, both in error, both not understanding the true meaning of freedom or liberty or even having and maintaining a good society. Therefore, the new guy could see what's going on and plays devil advocate and helps both sides lose by playing one side against the other just for fun. Perhaps even seeking a selected few outer earth people to help him. He and they soon learn and know how to stay invisible to the inner earth people. Later they discover a small number of inner earth people that are good and want nothing more than to be free of all the rest, and to live peacefully. They become allies and then as they seek to find a place where they all can dwell together the end of the world transpires.

I like that plot. It catches my imagination.

[A Random Phrase]

The whole movie? Wow!

On a red eye flight to Boston from LA 10 people wake up to a shock. All the passengers and crew have vanished. When they try to contact the ground they make no connections. They land the plane only to discover that things haven't changed. But its like the world is dead. No one is there, the air is still, sound doesn't echo, the food is tasteless. And a distant sound is heard coming closer. A race of monstrous beings bent on their destruction is heading for them, eating everything in sight.

[freedomforall]

The whole movie? Wow!

On a red eye flight to Boston from LA 10 people wake up to a shock. All the passengers and crew have vanished. When they try to contact the ground they make no connections. They land the plane only to discover that things haven't changed. But its like the world is dead. No one is there, the air is still, sound doesn't echo, the food is tasteless. And a distant sound is heard coming closer. A race of monstrous beings bent on their destruction is heading for them, eating everything in sight.

Am I to understand you hadn't seen the movie before? It's an eye opener, huh? The Langoliers remind of a the Pacman game, only the pacmen have sharp, indestructible teeth.

[A Random Phrase]

Am I to understand you hadn't seen the movie before? It's an eye opener, huh? The Langoliers remind of a the Pacman game, only the pacmen have sharp, indestructible teeth.

I've never even heard of it, let alone seen it. I've got it open in a tab, so I can watch it when I'm finished going through LDSFF.

[freedomforall]

Another spin is that the conflict is undergoing by two sides, both in error, both not understanding the true meaning of freedom or liberty or even having and maintaining a good society. Therefore, the new guy could see what's going on and plays devil advocate and helps both sides lose by playing one side against the other just for fun. Perhaps even seeking a selected few outer earth people to help him. He and they soon learn and know how to stay invisible to the inner earth and outer earth people. Later they discover a small number of inner earth people that are good and want nothing more than to be free of all the rest, and to live peacefully. They become allies and then as they seek to find a place where they all can dwell together the end of the world transpires.

I like that plot. It catches my imagination.

You are welcome to use the plot any way you wish. I just threw in a few ideas that was different from the overworked plots like you mentioned. After bouncing the plot around for a while let me know what you come up with. I'm lacking in that type of ambition these days.

Come to think of it, the plot is more real than I thought. The two groups having the conflict is likened to our Republicans and Democrats, one with a Far Left, the other a Far Right...both having a socialistic belief. Then you have the Saints come along and save the day, preparing the world for the Savior. Only the book plot would not refer to any one group as being either political or religious...just factions of good vs evil in a somewhat subtle way by not using religious doctrine.

[A Random Phrase]

I might do that.

[freedomforall]

I might do that.

Oh, and the guy may have a wife and maybe some kids. He'll have to figure a way of getting them down with him. Otherwise, if he is single, he'll probably meet some pretty inner earth woman. And maybe she's an expert in the art of escape and evasion tactics. And bringing down the bad guy...in this case...bad guys. He just had his brain rattled and remains somewhat confused for a while, let alone ending up in a foreign way of life that he'll have to have a lot of time adjusting to. So she could be a great helpmeet.

[A Random Phrase]

I like the idea of meeting someone down there, better.

[freedomforall]

I like the idea of meeting someone down there, better.

The story line has a multitude of avenues. But a good storyline always has conflict, good times and the ability to keep readers guessing. And as you know, a story must stimulate all five senses as though the reader is experiencing them as read. Not sure about a movie script.
Fiction always has some truth in it, but since this story is based on underground activity, one better have a good imagination and cause things to seem real even if not.

While in the process of taking a home study course for writing children stories, I wrote a story about a girl gymnast competing in a tumbling competition. I described her footing, what she wore and the movements during her performance. The instructor back east said I did a wonderful job describing what I saw, as seen. Little did he know, I hadn't attended any such competition, merely imagination. So I received quite a compliment. Sometimes it's much easier to make stuff up than to write down what is actually seen...or not seen in the case of this story.

It could start out as a short story and then be expanded as new ideas come to mind to give more substance.

[freedomforall]

Man looses footing under his home, then a hole surrounded by dirt falls down around him making escape impossible.

[A Random Phrase]

I like the idea of meeting someone down there, better.

The story line has a multitude of avenues. But a good storyline always has conflict, good times and the ability to keep readers guessing. And as you know, a story must stimulate all five senses as though the reader is experiencing them as read. Not sure about a movie script.
Fiction always has some truth in it, but since this story is based on underground activity, one better have a good imagination and cause things to seem real even if not.

While in the process of taking a home study course for writing children stories, I wrote a story about a girl gymnast competing in a tumbling competition. I described her footing, what she wore and the movements during her performance. The instructor back east said I did a wonderful job describing what I saw, as seen. Little did he know, I hadn't attended any such competition, merely imagination. So I received quite a compliment. Sometimes it's much easier to make stuff up than to write down what is actually seen...or not seen in the case of this story.

It could start out as a short story and then be expanded as new ideas come to mind to give more substance.

I have tried several stories about being inside the earth, but I can never grasp anything that works for me. I have the same issues with a couple other topics.

Once I wrote a poem. I had a best friend/roommate who was crazy about Bubble Yum (do they still make it, I wonder?), so I wrote the poem about her "addiction" and only revealed it was Bubble Yum gum in the last line. My sister, who had known real drug addicts (I had not, at that time), read the poem and was shocked because the perspective of the poem fit true addiction.

I also wrote a dark story about a kidnapping. It needs polishing, but the story scares me so I've not done much with it. My stories are not normally dark (my oldest daughter says that is why I cannot find a storyline for vampires).

I have a difficult time slowing down enough to be very descriptive. This is one of the gifts that being part of NaNoWriMo has given me. Being pressed to come up with a minimum of 50,000 words, I've found myself describing things in more detail. It's great practice.

I am also extremely leery of sharing anything I write. I had a blog for a short time that had a story or two on it. At least that was the intent: the stories in installments. I found that so tedious that I ended up putting a link to the stories instead. I don't think I have that blog any longer. It's like my stories are my precious babies. I consider you very brave to share your story on this thread - and the thread you began in another part of the forum. Even though I have been lauded throughout high school, college, and even adult years, I honestly do not think I am that good of a writer. There are far too many out there who are better (and far too many who publish who don't really know how to write - too many inconsistencies in their plots).

[freedomforall]

I like the idea of meeting someone down there, better.

The story line has a multitude of avenues. But a good storyline always has conflict, good times and the ability to keep readers guessing. And as you know, a story must stimulate all five senses as though the reader is experiencing them as read. Not sure about a movie script.
Fiction always has some truth in it, but since this story is based on underground activity, one better have a good imagination and cause things to seem real even if not.

While in the process of taking a home study course for writing children stories, I wrote a story about a girl gymnast competing in a tumbling competition. I described her footing, what she wore and the movements during her performance. The instructor back east said I did a wonderful job describing what I saw, as seen. Little did he know, I hadn't attended any such competition, merely imagination. So I received quite a compliment. Sometimes it's much easier to make stuff up than to write down what is actually seen...or not seen in the case of this story.

It could start out as a short story and then be expanded as new ideas come to mind to give more substance.

I have tried several stories about being inside the earth, but I can never grasp anything that works for me. I have the same issues with a couple other topics.

Once I wrote a poem. I had a best friend/roommate who was crazy about Bubble Yum (do they still make it, I wonder?), so I wrote the poem about her "addiction" and only revealed it was Bubble Yum gum in the last line. My sister, who had known real drug addicts (I had not, at that time), read the poem and was shocked because the perspective of the poem fit true addiction.

I also wrote a dark story about a kidnapping. It needs polishing, but the story scares me so I've not done much with it. My stories are not normally dark (my oldest daughter says that is why I cannot find a storyline for vampires).

I have a difficult time slowing down enough to be very descriptive. This is one of the gifts that being part of NaNoWriMo has given me. Being pressed to come up with a minimum of 50,000 words, I've found myself describing things in more detail. It's great practice.

I am also extremely leery of sharing anything I write. I had a blog for a short time that had a story or two on it. At least that was the intent: the stories in installments. I found that so tedious that I ended up putting a link to the stories instead. I don't think I have that blog any longer. It's like my stories are my precious babies. I consider you very brave to share your story on this thread - and the thread you began in another part of the forum. Even though I have been lauded throughout high school, college, and even adult years, I honestly do not think I am that good of a writer. There are far too many out there who are better (and far too many who publish who don't really know how to write - too many inconsistencies in their plots).

Although stories have copyrights, I posted a couple of stories I'm not too concerned with. Had I really wanted to publish anything, I would have not posted the stories or any part thereof.
In fact, concerning some stories, if one of them caught the eye of someone that wanted to add to it and have it published, I would feel honored. I would feel like I had something to contribute to the success of someone else, only using my material in doing so as a kind of catalyst. The majority of my pleasure is in the process of writing a story. However, if someone were to run with my story plots, got it published and decided to give me a small percentage of the profits, I wouldn't refuse.

I just found this: http://www.scbwi.org/Pages.aspx/Top-10-FAQs#10" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

How much money will I make on my first book?

Writing for the children's book market is seldom lucrative especially with a first book. Though there are always exceptions, for a 32 page picture book, you might expect to split an $8,000-$12,000 advance with the illustrator (the illustrator usually receives a larger advance than the author), then each of you will get 3.5%-6% royalties against your advance (your advance must be earned back before you receive any royalties). Most picture books sell from 5,000-10,000 copies in hardcover and go out of print within two years. Few picture books go into paperback. Easy readers are about the same. The royalties are not split on a novel, so you could receive approximately a $5,000-$8,000 advance against 7-10% royalties. Royalties are usually based on the retail price of the book, however some publishers use a percentage of "net price" which is the price of the book after their discounts and/or expenses are figured in. Read your contract very carefully and get advice on the things you don't understand. Compensation for magazine articles varies widely depending on the publication, its circulation and the type of piece being submitted, but payment usually ranges between $25 - $500. Though not as lucrative, magazines are a great way to build your writing/illustrating credentials and gain publishing experience. Authors and illustrators also supplement their income by doing workshops and school visits.

The Average Salary Per Year of a Fiction Writer

The Average Income of a Book Author

How Much Money Can Be Made Writing Children's Books?

[freedomforall]

A man buys a home to find out later it is a stinkhole, later to have it drop into a sinkhole. The episode stinks as a whole.

[A Random Phrase]

Thanks for the info.

A man buys a home to find out later it is a stinkhole, later to have it drop into a sinkhole. The episode stinks as a whole.

)

[freedomforall]

Thanks for the info.

A man buys a home to find out later it is a stinkhole, later to have it drop into a sinkhole. The episode stinks as a whole.

)

You're welcome.

[freedomforall]

A man, unaware of danger, soon is engulfed by a hollow hole, being sucked into an abyss of raunchy smelling dirt and rancid air. Then he is immediately covered over with dirt and is never found. Many of these hollow holes called sinkholes have been an ongoing problem in a state where local government does not see fit to fill in the holes before they sink, making their minds a hollow abyss as well.

[A Random Phrase]

A man, unaware of danger, soon is engulfed by a hollow hole, being sucked into an abyss of raunchy smelling dirt and rancid air. Then he is immediately covered over with dirt and is never found. Many of these hollow holes called sinkholes have been an ongoing problem in a state where local government does not see fit to fill in the holes before they sink, making their minds a hollow abyss as well.

=))

I thought, maybe, you were going to say the man was resurrected. lol

[freedomforall]

A man, unaware of danger, soon is engulfed by a hollow hole, being sucked into an abyss of raunchy smelling dirt and rancid air. Then he is immediately covered over with dirt and is never found. Many of these hollow holes called sinkholes have been an ongoing problem in a state where local government does not see fit to fill in the holes before they sink, making their minds a hollow abyss as well.

=))

I thought, maybe, you were going to say the man was resurrected. lol

Didn't think of it, but is a good idea.

I guess it is only you and I that like this cornball stuff.

[A Random Phrase]

I guess it is only you and I that like this cornball stuff.

It sure looks like it.

Dang party-poopers.

[freedomforall]

I guess it is only you and I that like this cornball stuff.

It sure looks like it.

Dang party-poopers.

I'm thinking about a first person narrative of the ordeal. Fictional, of course.

[A Random Phrase]

I'm thinking about a first person narrative of the ordeal. Fictional, of course.

I love it. Do it.

[freedomforall]

The Sinking Man