It’s been my experience that people who come to my seminars tell me that they learned as much about themselves as they learned about their fictional characters. Art imitates life!
I’ve been working on a new book that looks at our lives in terms of a spiritual journey. I’ve often said that people don’t change. They evolve. They become a better version of who they are or a worse version. No one gets a personality transplant.
I will help readers create their own Spiritual Character Maps to see where they been, where they are now, and where they are going. The book will use classic characters in Bible to demonstrate the range of journies people undertake and how those journies echo in contemporary film and television characters.
It’s a bit of a daunting undertaking but I am well into the first part. Hopefully, this book will give some perspective and greater insight. Are you on the path you should be taking? If not, how do you change directions? This book will help.
]]>I hope you’ve been enjoying Writing Advice Wednesday for the last few months, It’s exercises like this that form part of my One Hour Screenwriter course, which will help you write an entire feature film script in 22 weeks. You can purchase it at the shop here. You can also read testimonies here that show my methods have worked for a variety of writers.
This week, it’s time to really let loose…
Describe what makes you explode
Write about something that makes you furious. It can be a work situation, a political issue, a personal dispute with someone, an aggravating annoyance of modern life, an unreasonable demand made upon you, an infuriating relationship or anything else that raises your blood pressure and makes you want to scream!
Take seven minutes and describe as completely as you can the source of your ire and outrage.
Is your anger generated by a specific person? What does he or she look like? What exactly does the person say or do to drive you mad? Describe the physical circumstances of the dispute or bad blood between you. Be as specific as you can.
Is your anger generated by an issue, situation, or annoyance of modern life? What is it about those circumstances that is so
unfair, unreasonable, outrageous or personally offensive?
How does your anger about this make you feel? Does some kind of fear trigger your anger? Be as florid and passionate as you can.
Now take seven minutes to argue and rage from the opposite point of view. Put yourself in the other person’s shoes or on the other side of the issue.
Describe yourself or the situation from the opposing perspective. Be as detailed and cutting as you can.
Make just as strong a case why you are totally wrong, misguided, insensitive or uncomprehending of their position or situation.
Discuss in detail why you are deluded, naïve, selfish, stubborn, shallow or ungrateful. Be as passionate and as convincing as you can.
Great writers argue just as ardently for their villains as they do for their heroes. Even though the villain may be wrong, destructive or deluded, he or she must have a strong personal rationale for all actions and choices.
Explore what fear might be driving the antagonist’s behavior or position. Be zealous on his or her behalf. Suspend your judgment and personal opinion and really try to see the world from your antagonist’s point of view.
Write down all the reasons why your antagonist believes he or she is justified in taking action against your character.
Outline in as much detail as possible your antagonist’s rationale. Describe why your antagonist truly believes he or she is right.
Video Essay of the Week
Speaking of antagonists, Lessons from the Screenplay reminds us of one of the best examples in recent memory:
Let me know what you think of this week’s writing exercise by emailing me at [email protected]. I’d love to hear from you as we go forward with more of these writing exercises. Next week, you’ll find out just how much a simple conversation can reveal…
Until then, remember- all you need to do is Get Started and Keep Going!
– Laurie
I hope you’ve been enjoying Writing Advice Wednesday for the last few months, but I’m trying something different for the rest of the year’s posts. As well as a relevant video essay I’ve found, I’ll be giving you writing exercises to try if you’re keen to think about your character romantically or need the motivation to get unstuck.
It’s exercises like this that form part of my One Hour Screenwriter course, which will help you write an entire feature film script in 22 weeks. You can purchase it at the shop here. You can also read testimonies here that show my methods have worked for a variety of writers.
This week, you’ll be writing about what makes the world go around:
Describe your first kiss
Take a moment and remember your first romantic stirrings. Who was the object of your affection? What did that person look like? What made this individual so attractive to you?
How old were each of you? Under what circumstances did you first notice this person? How did you meet? Who made the first move? How did that first kiss happen?
Describe as completely as you can all the circumstances leading up to your first kiss or first romantic encounter. How did you lose your heart to this person? Why did this person seem entirely unique and wonderful to you?
Were you both equally entranced with each other? Was it a surprise you didn’t expect? Or was it a long- time secret crush?
How did that early romantic awakening feel? What was it like physically? What was it like emotionally? Were you nervous? Excited? Scared?
Describe the steps leading up to the physical romantic encounter. Where there false starts or mixed signals? How did you feel afterward? Did the magic moment meet or exceed your expectations? Did it somehow disappoint?
Was it a chance or unexpected encounter? Or did you spend time dreaming, plotting, planning and fantasizing about how to make it happen? What, if anything, did you do to take the initiative?
Take 10 to 15 minutes to complete this exercise. Do not censor yourself; write whatever comes to mind. Don’t worry about being articulate, artistic or even interesting. Just write.
Let your memories flow. Make your descriptions as detailed and personal as possible.
Now describe the same event from your character’s perspective. How is he or she chasing someone in the story? How is your character trying to seduce someone?
This may or may not be a romantic chase or physical seduction. It may be a psychological dance between two male rivals in a business deal. What are the actions or maneuvers the character takes to win over the other person?
Next, describe the same event from your antagonist’s perspective. What is the antagonist’s psychological dance with the protagonist? How is the antagonist chasing or seducing your character?
Remember: Writing exercises are like priming a pump. They are meant to get your inspiration flowing. They help you gain additional insight into yourself and your character.
You may or may not be able to use any of this material in your story. Right now, don’t worry about what is useful.
Enjoy the process. Expand your imagination. Have fun! Takes risks. Play with your characters and story!
Video Essay of the Week
I’ve done some work with Pixar University in the past, and they continue to produce some of the best storytelling and character work in Hollywood. This is a great examination of emotions, like love, involved in the movie Inside Out:
Let me know what you think of this week’s writing exercise by emailing me at [email protected]. I’d love to hear from you as we go forward with these writing exercises. The next few articles are going to be holiday-themed. When we return, we’ll be discussing, well, discussion…
Until then, remember- all you need to do is Get Started and Keep Going!
– Laurie
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