Screenwriting From Iowa

“One out of 21 black American males will be murdered in their lifetime. Most will die at the hands of another black male.” Opening graphic in Boyz n the Hood ”Before I could do long division, I mastered which neighborhoods and housing projects to never step foot in. I can easily remember running full speed […]

Original Source…

“***** (5-Stars!) A miracle. Amazing Grace doesn’t have a plot—just a voice touched by God. (An) indispensable gift. Aretha… in all her thrilling glory.” – Peter Travers, ROLLING STONE Sometimes these things just line up in the right order. In yesterday’s post I mentioned playing the Judy Collins version of “Amazing Grace” in the hour […]

Original Source…

My mother died yesterday and it was a peaceful year to her 85 years on this earth. She took her last breath at 1:05 PM with both her kids at her side which is as good as it gets. I’ll write about my mother (she was a middle school art teacher for 31 years) and […]

Original Source…

On Sunday I went to a sunrise Easter service that was held in a cemetery.  Over the years I’ve been to big churches and little chapels. I’ve been to weddings, funerals, and church services across a wide range of denominations. (I’ve even been to a foot washing service.) But a church service in a cemetery—that […]

Original Source…

To paraphrase Carlyle, ‘A writer who could only sit in a chair and write stories would never write any stories worth the reading.’ Your story material naturally will be influenced in quality and quantity by the richness of your own life experience; by your own loving, fearing, suffering, struggling, and achieving. Therefore, as a writer, […]

Original Source…

Poor plot construction is the bane of many a beginner. When a story lacks continuity, that is, breaks into parts that have no close relation, the plot needs additional building up. While I have known those who built up complications and plot tangles so knotted that neither they nor anyone else could unravel them reasonably, […]

Original Source…

Every once in a while I’ll hear on a podcast or read someone saying about movie endings “the end should be implied in the beginning.” It’s sound advice, but it’s advice that’s been kicking around the movie industry for over 80 years. Oscar winning screenwriter Frances Marion (The Champ) bridged the gap between the silent […]

Original Source…

When you have a clear idea of a plot, write out the entire story as interestingly as you can. Keep in mind that the audience is not interested in seeing actions which people do generally, but in seeing what specific actions specific persons do in specific circumstances.” Screenwriter Frances Marion  How to Write and See […]

Original Source…

”My own experience leads me to believe that an original plot is never as essential or, in fact, salable as is fresh and original treatment of a plot that has proved popular.” Screenwriter Frances Marion Here are a list of plot pulled from Frances Marion’s book How to Write and Sell Stories—published way back in […]

Original Source…

Certain plot patterns long since have won public favor and with fresh treatment doubtless will continue to do so. Among these is the rise to success plot centering man’s search for the satisfaction of accomplishment. It is found in one version in the story of Jack and the Beanstalk and probably appeared long before that. […]

Original Source…