From the Calendar of Canceled Cons:
Today I would have been in the Scottish Borders, teaching
Screenwriting Tricks for Authors at the Borders Writing Forum. I had other
workshops scheduled this year in Ireland, New Zealand, Australia and L.A. That’s
a lot to miss out on!
I guess it’s no wonder I started doing videos of the workshop
instead.
I’ve just finished the tenth video, an Act One Elements Checklist, and we’ve worked through all the
essential story elements of Act I. Each video is just about 10 minutes long, with
exercises that will take 15-20 minutes of your time and get you writing that
book or script you’ve always wanted to write - and watching great movies that
will inspire you to get it done.
At this rate, we’ll all have those books finished in no time!
Even writing full time on the first book in my new series, I’m managing one
video a week, with many more to come. There was a steep learning curve with the
editing software, and some of the equipment I could really use is still on
backorder because of excessive demand in these days of Zoom - everything. Also
I was sick for weeks, most likely with the
thing, so doing anything productive is a minor miracle.
But I’ve finally realized that getting the workshop fully recorded is
like writing a book. You just do one chapter at a time until it’s done. Right?
Eventually you reach a state of critical mass where the book is more real than
not real, and you can’t imagine not finishing.
Here’s the Introduction:
If you’ve been keeping up, here’s the new one, an Act One Elements Checklist.
Each next video should play after the one you’re watching is finished,
and these first ten will get you all the way through your own Act I.
This week I’m also sending out a newsletter with a very detailed
breakdown of Act I of The Hunger Games, demonstrating all
the essential story elements that we’ve been going through. If you’re on my
Screenwriting Tricks mailing list you’ll get that automatically. If you get
notifications from me through this blog, you may need to sign up for the STFA list to get those bonus materials. Don’t worry, you won’t get double
notifications!
In the meantime, stall safe and well! Craig and I are in lockdown in
Scotland until the end of the month, when a couple of restrictions may be
eased. I’m really grateful to have a First Minister who’s taking all
precautions, with empathy and compassion. It makes all the difference in the
world.
-
Alex
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STEALING HOLLYWOOD
The workbook is a full course in writing a novel or script in any genre. All the tricks I’ve learned in my years of writing and teaching—including ten full movie breakdowns.
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
- Smashwords (includes online viewing and pdf file)
- Barnes & Noble/Nook
The workbook is a full course in writing a novel or script in any genre. All the tricks I’ve learned in my years of writing and teaching—including ten full movie breakdowns.
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
- Smashwords (includes online viewing and pdf file)
- Barnes & Noble/Nook
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You can also sign up to get free movie breakdowns here:
