Friday, October 29, 2010

Make Sure Your Characters have Flaws


I just read the start of a script. It had promise — lots of cool scenes, great writing, fast action — but it was missing one critical thing. The main character was perfect. He was bullet proof. I call it the "I'm cool and chicks dig me" syndrome.

James Bond could get away with it in the 1960 and 70s.  The women practically jumped into Sean Connery's lap. The gad guys were caught with ease. And I don't even think he got some of his suits dirty dirty a fight.

Even Super Heros has Flaws
But you can't get away with that if you want to sell your spec script. Your characters need to have dimension and that means they have to have flaws. Even Indiana Jones, who was practically a super hero without the powers, had has flaws. He couldn't stop following his artifacts, even at the cost of life and limb. He had to learn that maybe some people (namely Marion) were more important artifacts.

So while you're creating your characters, don't forget the main ingredient — flaws. They need them.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Celebrate After Each Draft

I just finished the third draft of my script last night. It's ready to be sent out to have some professional eyes look at it (readers) and tell me where the holes are.

Writing a book or a script is a marathon. Even if it isn't the final draft, you deserve to take some time out and pat yourself on the back. I always think of Romancing the Stone, when Joan Wilder selects one of those miniature liquor bottle to celebrate.

I like some Mexican food and a glass of wine. Last night my husband and I headed for the local Mexican place (we live in a 1,400 person town, so it's the only Mexican place). I ordered Chardonnay and it came hot and in a hot glass.  I reordered it and it came this time in a not-so-hot glass. I hate to waste 6 bucks, so I drank it, but not with much gusto.

I hope this doesn't reflect the quality of my script.

Diane

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

45 Master Characters

Hi,

I just got turned onto this book, 45 Master Characters, mythic Models for creating Original Characters, by Victoria Lynn Schmidt.

I'm only half way through it, but had to recommend it already.  I've read other books about the different archetypes, but the reason this one stands out is because the author not only describes the traits, but points to the TV shows, movies, books and plays you will find that archetype and the other archetypes that are best paired with them.

For example, take Apollo, "the businessman" and his dark side, "the traitor". On TV you'll better recognize him as Spock or Fraser. In the movies it would be Jerry Maguire or Richard Gere in Pretty Woman. In literature you'd find Mr. Darcy or Sherlock Holmes filling those shoes.

It's a great read and at the very least gets you thinking more deeply about your characters.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Screenwriting Class Next Week

Hi,

If you're interesting in an 8-week course on screenwriting, I'll be teaching one at Pierce College in Puyallup, starting Monday, September 20.  We'll go through the basics of writing and rewriting a feature script, as well as marketing your script after it's complete.

If you're interested, you can sign up online at their website. And if you have any question about the class, just contact me at diane@spilledinkstudio.com.

I really enjoy this class. We spend a lot of time not just writing, but looking at movies and see how screenwriters create those fabulous scenes.

Hope you can make it.

Diane

Monday, August 30, 2010

Screenwriting at the University of Washingotn

Hi,

Finally getting back to the blog. Sorry for the long delay, but among other things, I had eye surgery that got me off course, but now I'm happy to be back and writing (and teaching) like crazy.

Have some exciting news. I'm going to be one of the two individuals teaching the University of Washington certification course on screenwriting.  The first teacher will cover story and help you develop a treatment, and then I teach the 17-week course on screenwriting, where we will cover writing, rewriting and polishing your script.

In the 17 weeks with me you will write a full script (12 pages a day), and that will give us time to do a full rewrite and polish, and also allow some time for developing a marketing plan for after the course is finished.

The first class starts in October. So if you're interested in an intensive 8-month program, sign up now.  Or, if you're just interested in taking my course, you can do that too.

If you have any questions about the class, you can email me at diane@spilledinkmarketing.com.

Have fun writing!!

Monday, July 12, 2010

Three Reasons We Stall Out on Our Stories

I just read an article by writer and creativity coach Eric Maisel. In the article he says there are three ways we stall out on our stories.

1. We don't show up.
2. The story isn't there — you don't know what comes next.
3. The story doesn't work — the story is going nowhere.

I'm whole heartedly agree with him.  These are three biggies.

Sitting Down
The first just takes some discipline. Sit down, pick up your pen or turn on your computer and write.  It doesn't have to be great, but you don't get anywhere if you don't show up.

It helps it you make the experience something you look forward to. Maybe writing a coffee shop, in the park or out on your deck. I love writing my first drafts in a bathtub.

What Comes Next
This one is harder. You show up, pen in hand and try to write, but get stuck. What comes next? Stephen King once said that writer's block is  . . . not knowing your main character well enough.  (I'm paraphrasing by the way.)  If you know your main character, he says, you'll know what he'll do next.

So, if you're stuck, you might try some writing exercising that help you uncover more about your main character.  I.e. Put him or her in scenes that are unrelated to the story, or write about happened earlier in their life. Write a scene about the scariest moment in their life, or funniest, or most embarrassing. Or, you could just do an interview. Pretend you are in a room with them and start asking them questions.

At the very least, these exercises (for me anyway) get me thinking about new scenes and how to come at the story differently.

Story Doesn't Work
If you're story's not working it's hard to tell sometimes whether (a) there really isn't enough meat there for a story or (b) you need to dig in there and uncover more of the story.

I've had stories that fizzled after 30 pages. I had a great opening and first act, but that's all there was. There are a number of reasons, but usually (for me anyway) it's because the main character's goal wasn't enough to sustain an entire story.

For example, my character might need that PERFECT hair cut. They run into all kinds of obstacles in getting the hair cut, but there isn't meat there for  a full length novel or script. It's a better short story.

Or sometimes, 30 pages in, I discover, is really about someone else. It was never about the person getting their hair cut, but about the world behind the beauty parlor.

Eric's ideas
I could go on and on about the stalling stalling story, and finding ways to restart it. In short, you need to objectively look at your stories to find the issues. And if that doesn't work you can hit up your writer friends to help you noodle your way though.

Or, you can read Eric's newsletters coming up that will be addressing issues 2 and 3.  I know I'm going to be reading them to see if they help shed new light!

Di

 

Friday, June 25, 2010

Meet to Peter Chiarelli, Writer of The Proposal

Tonight the NWSG is hosting Peter Chiarelli, the writer of The Proposal with Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds.

He'll talk about navigating the studio system and also take some Q&A. It's a great opportunity to get insight into writing, marketing and selling your script.

Doors open at 6:30 and he'll be speaking and talking to attendees from 7 to 9 pm.  If you're a NWSG member the event is free, otherwise it's $15.00.

It's held at Seattle Pacific University at Demaray Hall (the building with the clock tower on campus), 3307 Third Ave., Seattle, WA.

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