Have you ever written half a manuscript or script only to find yourself asking, "What story am I writing anyway?" This presentation summarizes a few effective ways to rediscover the true story that you are writing.
This presentation is based a workshop I gave in 2008 sponsored by the City of Ottawa. The Ottawa Independent Writers asked me to adapt it for their Annual General Meeting.
20. 1. WHat? Type / Format Genre Message What happens (one sentence) Who is your main character Transformative action End result
21. 1. WHat? Novel (200 pages) Young adult, thriller Telling the truth Logline: A teenage girl who mistrusts adults⊠âŠdecides to take on a stalker by herself, endangering herself⊠âŠbut ultimately learning the importance of telling the truth.
24. This is your pitch: test this with strangers and friends
25. âWhat are you writing?ââIâm writing a YA novel about a teenage girl who takes on a stalker by herselfâ âIâm writing a thriller about a papergirl who is obsessed with the abduction of girls in her neighbourhood.â TIP: An incomplete logline will tell you what youâre missing.
26. 1. WHAT ABOUT YOU? Type / Format Genre Message What happens (one sentence) Who is your main character Transformative action End result
29. One messageYour message will dictate your ending. Your ending will dictate the entire story.
30.
31. Importance of telling the truthEnding = transformative action Story = tension *** Ending = she has to tell someone about the stalker Story= her not telling
34. One messageYour message will dictate your ending. Your ending will dictate the entire story.
35. 3. What EXACTLY? The WHY drives this: Type / Format Genre Message What happens (one sentence) Who is your main character Transformative action End result
36. YOU CANâT FOOL THE READER If it doesnât ring true for you, it wonât ring true to your readers
37. 4. WHo: GOOD guy/GAL The Protagonist (#1) (aka The Hero/Heroine/Main Character) What does my main character want? What does my main character need? * What is their arc/journey? Â
38. 4. Who: BAD GUY/gal The Antagonist (#2) (aka The Bad Guy/Bad Girl/Person or Thing Thwarting Your Protagonist) What do they want and how are they thwarting your protagonist? Does your antagonist have a character arc? (Not necessary but could be interesting.)
52. Syd Fieldâs THREE-ACT Page 1: Sets the mood Page 3: Viewers needs to know central question of story Page 10: Viewers need to know what the story is Page 30: New world (1stTurning Point) Page 45: Protagonist has character growth Page 60: The Point of No Return: Character commits themselves further to their goal; some success Page 80: All is Lost! (2ndTurning Point) Pages 90-120: Climax, End
53. SYD FIELDâs VIEW of âAlice in Wonderlandâ Page 1: Alice with her sister doing lessons Page 3: Alice is bored; sees white rabbit Page 10: Alice falls down rabbit hole Page 30: Alice enters Wonderland (canât escape) Page 45: Takes control. She can shrink and grow at will Page 60: Alice decides she wants to go home Page 80: Croquet with the Queen. âOff with her head!â Page 90-120 Trial.Alice grows big. Mushroom wears off. Chased by guards. She wakes up. âIt was all a dream!â
54. âAâ STORY vs. âBâ STORY Plot out your âAâ story first Everything in your story is a slave to it Alice in Wonderland All âAâ story Titanic A = Love story B= Boatâs sinking
55. WHAT ABOUT you? Page 1: Sets the mood Page 3: Viewers needs to know central question of story Page 10: Viewers need to know what the story is Page 30: New world (1stTurning Point) Page 45: Protagonist has character growth Page 60: The Point of No Return Character commits themselves further to their goal; some success Page 80: All is Lost! (2ndTurning Point) Pages 90-120: Climax, End
62. VERY, VERy important! Something has to happen on every page, script or prose. Â That âSOMETHINGâ has to move your plot forward.
63. TACTIC #3: 10 PANELS This is a test⊠Script, novel or long story âAâ storyline On track Â
64. TACTIC #3: 10 PANELS This is a test⊠Script, novel or long story âAâ storyline On track Can you tell your story in 10 panels?
65. TACTIC #3: 10 PANELs Panel 1: Set-up main character and situation  Panel 2: Show us what this story is about  Panel 3: 1st turning point: Main character is in new territory  Â
66. TACTIC #3: 10 PANELs Significant Second Act Events Panels 4 to 7: Character growth Point of no return Could test âBâ story Could put 2nd turning point Â
67. TACTIC #3: 10 PANELS Panel 8: 2nd turning point  Panel 9: Climax  Panel 10: End  Â
68. TACTIC #3: 10 PANELS Panel 1: Set-up main character and situation Panel 2: Show us what this story is about Panel 3: 1st turning point (New territory) Panel 4: Character growth Panel 5: More growth / âBâ story / success or failure Panel 6: No return Panel 7: Some success Panel 8: All is lost (2nd turning point) Panel 9: Climax Panel 10: End Â
69. WHAT ABOUT YOUR 10 PANELS? Panel 1: Set-up main character and situation Panel 2: Show us what this story is about Panel 3: 1st turning point (New territory) Panel 4: Character growth Panel 5: More growth / âBâ story / success or failure Panel 6: No return Panel 7: Some success Panel 8: All is lost (2ndturning point) Panel 9: Climax Panel 10: End Â