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

Generally, PLAN and CENTRAL STORY ACTION are really the same thing: the Central Action of the story is the carrying out of the specific Plan. And the CENTRAL QUESTION of the story can be summed up in general: “Will the Plan succeed?”

· ASSIGNMENT: Choose some movies (I always suggest three) from the Breakdowns section and watch one at a time, following along with my breakdowns, or even better, going act by act, stopping at the end of each act to identify the key story elements, and then comparing your notes and observations with mine. If that seems overwhelming, try this incred

· 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?

ASSIGNMENT: As a writer, it’s important for you to know yourself and understand what works best for you. So I urge you to spend some time pondering, and writing on this question: are you a plotter or pantser? What are your process quirks?

· 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

ASSIGNMENT: You know this by now! Make a list. Who are the top ten (or more) villains that really do it for you, and why?

· ASSIGNMENT: Analyze your master list of stories. What does the list say about the stories, themes, and characters that most appeal to you?

A movie has about 40 to 60 scenes (depending on pace: a drama has more like 40, an action movie more like 60), so every scene goes on one card.

· ASSIGNMENT: Identify the PLAN, CENTRAL ACTION, and CENTRAL QUESTION of your story. · What does the protagonist WANT? · How does s/he PLAN to do it? · What is the CENTRAL QUESTION of the story? And for extra credit: · What and who is standing in his or her way?