Obviously, you can skip around as much as you like! But for those of you who don't know where to start - it's a map.
If you're tired of clicking around for links, and/or want more than what's on the website, all the information on this blog and more, including full story structure breakdowns of various movies, is available in my Screenwriting Tricks for Authors workbooks.
Obviously I am going to suggest that to get the most out of these concepts, you'll want to get one or both of the workbooks. I've priced the ebook versions so low so that it's easy for anyone to afford them: just $3.99 and $2.99.
STEALING HOLLYWOOD
This new workbook updates all the text in the first Screenwriting Tricks for Authors ebook with all the many tricks I’ve learned over my last few years of writing and teaching—and doubles the material of the first book, as well as adding six more full story breakdowns.
STEALING HOLLYWOOD ebook $3.99
STEALING HOLLYWOOD US print $14.99
STEALING HOLLYWOOD print, all countries
STEALING HOLLYWOOD US print $14.99
STEALING HOLLYWOOD print, all countries
WRITING LOVE
Writing Love is a shorter version of the workbook, using examples from love stories, romantic suspense, and romantic comedy - available in e formats for just $2.99.

- Amazon/Kindle
- Barnes & Noble/Nook
- Amazon UK
- Amazon DE
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You can also sign up to get free movie breakdowns here:
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SCREENWRITING TRICKS FOR AUTHORS (and Screenwriters!)
LINKS TO BLOG POSTS:
What you need to know right up front, whether you're writing a novel or a screenplay:
Introduction: The method behind the madness, here
What's Your Premise?
What is High Concept?
Your First Draft is Always Going to Suck
If you're writing a screenplay, or thinking about it, you'll want to read these screenwriting articles sooner rather than later:
On Screenwriting
Screenwriting Part One: The Job
Screenwriting Part Two: The Craft
Screenwriting Part Three: The Dirty Little Secret
Story structure for both authors AND screenwriters:
Screenwriting - The Craft
Story Structure 101 - The Index Card Method
Story Elements Checklist
Why the Three Act Structure?
What are Act Climaxes, Turning Points, Act Breaks?
Elements of Act One
Act One Breakdowns:
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Romancing the Stone
Chinatown Act I Breakdown
Acts Two and Three
Elements of Act Two
Elements of Act Two, Part 2
Elements of Act Three
What Makes a Great Climax?
Visual Storytelling:
Visual Storytelling Part 1
Visual Storytelling Part 2
Creating Suspense:
Creating Suspense
Creating Suspense, Part 2
Plants and Payoffs:
Plants and Payoffs
More structure
Fairy Tale Structure and the List
Meta Structure
What KIND Of Story Is It?
Creating Character:
The Protagonist
What Makes a Great Protagonist? Case Study: Jake Gittes
What Makes a Great Villain?
Villains: The Forces of Antagonism
Collecting Character
Character Introductions
Story Breakdowns
- Act Climaxes Breakdowns:
What Are Act Breaks, Act Clmaxes, Turning Points, Plot Points?
You've Got Mail
Raiders of the Lost Ark
- Act One Breakdowns: (with more discussion)
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Romancing the Stone
- Chinatown Full Story Breakdown
Chinatown Act I Breakdown
Chinatown - Act II, Part One Breakdown
Chinatown Second Half Breakdown
THE BUSINESS:
Why do I need an agent, anyway?
How do I get a literary agent?
Life is a Pitch Meeting
The Business of Indie Publishing
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If you'd like to to see more of the story elements I discuss on this blog in action, I strongly recommend that you watch at least one, or much better, three of the films I break down in the workbooks, following along with my notes.
I do full breakdowns of Chinatown, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Romancing the Stone, and The Mist, and act breakdowns of You've Got Mail, Jaws, Silence of the Lambs, Raiders of the Lost Ark in Screenwriting Tricks For Authors.
I do full breakdowns of The Proposal, Groundhog Day, Sense and Sensibility, Romancing the Stone, Leap Year, Notting Hill, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Sea of Love, While You Were Sleeping and New in Town in Writing Love.
11 comments:
Ah, dammit-to-hell, I completely misread your blog and thought you'd be in Riverside on Sunday. What possessed you to do two signings in one day? Oh, wait, you're a horror writer - you must get possessed all the time (LOL)!
I was so looking forward to buying The Unseen and getting an autograph, AND telling you about meeting Bentley Little at the Placentia Library today (he bought one of my books, which made my head spin a bit).
Good thing I'll be at Bouchercon this year, so I can get one of your books, possibly even signed!
Gayle
http://gaylecarline.blogspot.com
Alexandra,
I just found this site, directed by a comment left on my blog. I'd like to say I'm very impressed and look forward to digging further into this information.
I posted info of your blog and provided a link to share it with others.
Feel free to visit and leave a comment of your other site links. http://chergreen.blogspot.com/
This is really an amazing resource - I can't tell you how many books I've bought on the craft of writing, and this is more helpful than any of them.
xoxo
alex
Alexandra, I really enjoyed your articles on screenwriting and how they relate to writing novels. I love movies and am an avid collector of DVD bonus materials where the ‘making of’ the movie is explained. I held your ‘three act – eight sequence’ diagram against my novel and found that I had unconsciously used my knowledge from years of watching movies and theatre to pace my own story. Everything you spoke about was present – this was great fun, as now I’m more conscious of the principles behind good story-telling.
Thank you so much for your insights.
Martyn V. Halm, author of Peccadillo, the Amsterdam Assassin Series.
Sorry, Gayle, wasn't trying to fake you out! Can't wait for BCon!
Cher, thanks for the shoutout! Glad to have you here.
Thanks, Alexander! I always say read everything. Eventually it all comes together - but I'm glad I was able to help.
That's the thing almost everyone seems to discover, Martyn - we KNOW this stuff already, from writing and watching and reading, but it's just nice to have a review of it all, and checklists.
Great stuff Alexandra.
I would like to buy the pdf version of the screenwriting book -- but it does not seem to be available.
Please let me know if a way to purchase a version I can print out.
Thanks,
Todd
Hi Alexandra,
Does the second book cover the same ground as the first with extra material or should I buy and read both?
Lucy
This is the BEST blog on story structure. I also LOVE your books. Thank you so much for sharing your advice on story generously. I'm also getting John Truby's masterclass, as you recommended. You're the real deal, Alex!
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