Screenwriting Tricks for Authors (and Screenwriters!): STEALING HOLLYWOOD: Story Structure Secrets for Writing Your BEST Book

· ASSIGNMENT: Create a section in your notebook, and write out and begin looking for your favorite examples of character introductions.

· ASSIGNMENT: Pay attention in class or in professional networking situations to see how authors, screenwriters, and aspiring writers present themselves and their writing. Who stands out? Who presents an intriguing sense of the kind of writing that they do? Who sparkles? Who makes you want to know more? Are there ways that you can communicate your

· ASSIGNMENT: Make a list of ten high concept premises (that I haven’t already discussed here!). Try to define what about them makes them high concept for you. · ASSIGNMENT: Make a commitment to come up with at least three premises a week. Try them out on your friends and family. Which ones make their eyes light up? Why aren’t you writing those sto

Remember that in a love story, the moment of seeing the loved one for the first time does not just begin the inner — or sometimes outer! — desire, but it’s often also the INCITING INCIDENT and/or CALL TO ADVENTURE of the story. So next, let’s look at that critical story element. · ASSIGNMENT: Brainstorm — or be on the lookout for — examples of how

WHY THEM? This is appallingly lacking in most love stories: some indicator of why we’re supposed to want this couple to get together to begin with. I know, love is a hard thing to define, but please, give us something! Some common explanations: · Opposites attract (Leap Year, Groundhog Day) · A shared passion (New in Town) · In a class by themselve

· ASSIGNMENT: Make a list of books and films that to you have particularly striking visual and thematic image systems. What are some of your favorite images to work with? · ASSIGNMENT: Start your own thematic word list for your Work In Progress. · ASSIGNMENT: Start your collage book and/or Pinterest board for your book.

ASSIGNMENT: Start a list. What are some specific genre elements you’ve noticed — in any genre?

· ASSIGNMENT: Make a list. What are some of your favorite examples of stories which use this Ordinary World/Special World contrast to great effect? · ASSIGNMENT: How are you depicting your hero/ine’s Ordinary World and Special World to bring out character, character arc, and the themes of your story?

· ASSIGNMENT: What is the Into The Special World moment, or scene (s), in your WIP? Are you giving that moment the magical resonance it deserves?