Writing Advice Wednesday
Writing Exercises
As well as a relevant video essay I’ve found, I’ve given you writing exercises if you need some motivations to start a new script or novel. 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 lots of different kinds of writers.
This week, as this series of Writing Exercises comes to a close, it’s time to think about the person behind the typewriter- yourself.
What Would You Be?
In the film Sideways, Miles Raymond (Paul Giamatti) loves a particular kind of wine, Pinot Noir. When someone asks him why he is so passionate about this specific variety he answers with a wonderful description of the wine.
In describing the wine, he is actually describing himself.
Maya: “You know, can I ask you a personal question, Miles?”
Miles: “Sure.”
Maya: “Why are you so in to Pinot?”
Miles: (he laughs softly) Maya: “I mean, it’s like a thing with you.”
Miles: [continues laughing softly]
Miles Raymond: “Uh, I don’t know, I don’t know. Um, it’s a hard grape to grow, as you know. Right? It’s uh, it’s thin-skinned, temperamental, ripens early. It’s, you know, it’s not a survivor like Cabernet, which can just grow anywhere and uh, thrive even when it’s neglected. No, Pinot needs constant care and attention. You know? And in fact, it can only grow in these really specific, little, tucked away corners of the world. And, and only the most patient and nurturing of growers can do it, really. Only somebody who really takes the time to understand Pinot’s potential can then coax it into its fullest expression. Then, I mean, oh its flavors, they’re just the most haunting and brilliant and thrilling and subtle and… ancient on the planet.”
Imagine you love or admire a particular kind of:
- Shoe
- Food item
- Beverage
- Item of clothing
- Method of transportation
- Locale (city, state, region or country)
- Animal
- House
- Weather
- Book
Describe one of these items in such a way that you could be describing what is special, unique, interesting, unusual, under-appreciated or unexpected about yourself.
Really put passion into your choice and description.
Now choose another item. Pretend you are very shy and must sell the object to someone you love but who hasn’t noticed you.
Use your description and sales pitch about the item to explain why you are a uniquely lovable person.
Only talk about the special qualities of the specific item. Never mention yourself.
Talking about one thing and describing something else is a great way to explore a character.
This technique builds interest and emotional intimacy. How would your main character describe him or her self by describing something else?
Video Essay of the Week
Speaking of the director, Alexander Payne…
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. It’s going to be a while before I post the next series of these, so your feedback would be incredibly helpful.
Until then, remember- all you need to do is Get Started and Keep Going!
– Laurie
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