Happy Friday!
I’d like to congratulate Patricia Rivers, Second place winner in the Electric City Screenplay Contest. In addition to winning a copy of my book, The 4 Magic Questions of Screenwriting, I will also give her a script consultation, which I look forward to. It’s very inspiring to work with writers who are focused, determined and talented.
I took this photo at the intention to use it as the next day’s writing prompt.
- Drama. The main character, whose name is Ellen, has a terrible fight with her boyfriend. He’s furious and tells her he is coming to collect his things. The core issue is about their relationship, and its future. “I don’t belong here,” he’s said over and over. She’s at her wit’s end to convince him to stay, and comes up with the idea for the sign. When he arrives, he’s melted by the sign and things work out.
- Horror. A Real Estate lawyer comes home from work and sees this sign. He goes inside, and “E” turns out to be someone whose house he foreclosed, who has come back for revenge.
- Comedy. A romantic comedy about two realtors trying to buy the same house before the other one can.
This is a useful exercise because it confirms that there are many ways to tell a story. One of my challenges as a writing coach is that new writers fear that they only have one idea and are unwilling to explore alternatives.
If you’d like to try this exercise, here is an image to inspire you:
- Whose shoes are they?
- How did one break?
- Where was she when it broke?
- What did she do about it?
- What did she replace them with?
Now create 3 possible storylines about the broken shoe. Genre is helpful. As you see from my list, I chose drama, horror and comedy.
Have fun! Give this a try! I would be happy to hear about your experience.
Here’s to your successful writing,
Professor Marilyn Horowitz