Tips For Brainstorming

Photo by Martha Ramirez

Okay, so I am applying revisions, taking two classes (which BTW are awesome! How to Hook Readers and Wheel Them In by Lynnette Labelle
--Microsoft Word for Writers by Catherine Chant ) and trying to balance every day life.


I have also recently brainstormed for my next YA project. As I am doing this, I remember how awful I am at brainstorming alone.

So I rely on my awesome cps for help.

THANK YOU GUYS!!


Whoever said writing was easy was either in denial or simply didn't put in the effort that is required.


Writing is work. Lots of work.


But loads of fun. Don't get me wrong.


So back to brainstorming. I think I can consider brainstorming (alone) is my least favorite thing to do. HOWEVER, brainstorming with buddies is a whole different story.

So my question to you is: What's your favorite part about writing and why?


And: What's your least favorite and how do you overcome it?


In the meantime here are some links to brainstorming tips.


Blake Snyder: Tips for Brainstorming — or Why I Don’t Believe in Writer’s Block


Techniques to Help You Create New Fiction Story Ideas

5 Brainstorming Tips to Banish Writer’s Block


5 Brainstorming Tips for Manuscripts

Movies Based on Writers

Photo by Karol Pomplin

Any movie enthusiasts in the house?

Ever since I read Blake Snyder's Save the Cat, I have never looked at a movie the same way again. For those of you who are not familiar with Save the Cat and Blake Snyder, Blake was an amazing writing mentor in the film industry, for both novelists and screen writers.

He died unexpectedly on August 4th, 2009 but I can tell you one thing. His spirit definitely lives on. Such a genuine and beautiful soul. You can learn more about him and STC HERE and HERE


So today let's talk a little bit about movies. What do screenwriters and novelists have in common? Anybody know?


Yep. You got it. Screenwriters and novelists have one thing in common. They both strive to share an incredible story. That and most of their letters on their keyboard are worn off.


Anyways, I've recently rented a flick named LIMITLESS. Catchy title huh? It's about a writer who discovers a secret drug that allows him to have extraordinary powers. He's able to write a complete novel in a matter of days and that's just the beginning.


I'm a nut for movies based on writers. My absolute favorite is FINDING FORRESTER. If you're a writer, you HAVE to watch it. It's very inspiring and one of my favorite all-time quotes is by Forrester himself (paraphrasing here) when he brings an underprivileged kid under his wing:

You're first draft you must think with your heart. You're second draft, think with your head.

Meaning, spill your words first, then edit and revise. Words from the wise. Excellent film!


Don't you just love a great movie?


For your entertaining pleasure I've compiled a few trailers especially for you. Previews of movies that feature writers. So go and pop some popcorn, grab a box of Sugar Babies or Junior Mints (I vote for Gummy Bears), crank up the volume, and sit back and enjoy.


Question: How about you? Any favorite movies? Any based on writers?

FINDING FORRESTER
Find your Passion. Find your courage.





 

LIMITLESS

 

THE PROPOSAL

MISERY

1408

Save the Cat! Part 2

Welcome back!
Welcome to Save the Cat! blog post #2.


So did you all come up with a killer title for your ms? *crowd yells yes with enthusiasm* Good, that's what I like to hear.


If you've already read the book then you know that it includes eight chapters of non-stop answers to successful story building. If you haven't read it yet, here are some fun things you'll learn
 

• Save the Cat

• The Pope in the Pool

• Laying Pipe


 They mean nothing to you now but once you read it you'll understand how clever you can become when creating your next storyline.


Let's talk about building the perfect beast as Blake likes to put it. "The Board" is one of the most important tools for a screenwriter. Corkboards, chalkboards, if you see one in a writers' home you'll now understand why it's there. It's becoming more and more popular for novelists as well.

Let's face it writers are writers whether it be a novelist or screenwriter. We all strive for one thing: to tell a compelling story.

* I would like to note that even if you decide you don't want to use a corkboard as Blake suggests, you'll still benefit from reading the book, but if you are as serious as I am on learning Blake's technique I would recommend the following:


• A big corkboard

• Index cards


• Box of push pins


These tools will allow you to break down your story step by step. It's really very helpful. Here is a picture of my very first corkboard I put together last year. As you can see there was plenty room toward the ending.

Young Adult Author Elana Johnson shares hers here along with some more talk about STC.

Don't let the beast frighten you. Play with it and see how structure can help you plan a story. Like I said I am a SOTP (Seat of the Pants) writer and I found it to be very helpful. All you have to do is start out with four columns: Act One-- 2 columns of Act Two--Act Three.

Once you get the book, you'll understand how easy it is to set this up. And like I said before if you decide not to structure your story, he provides invaluable information.

Still a little unsure about Blake's beat sheet and how to use it? I find examples come in handy. 

Here is one on a student of his blogging about how he used Nora Robert's Born in Fire to illustrate his 15 Beats of story structure. You can find the post here: Story Structure from Blake Snyder


If that isn't enough, NY bestselling author Jessica Brody breaks down her book The Karma Club HERE

 Seekerville  also wrote up a tribute to Blake along with a great example of his 15 beats broken down.

But if you're like me and would like to hear it straight from the source, here is a great article where Blake talks about his 15 Point Beat Sheet.

Hope this is helpful to some of you. I have the next two books in the series ordered and am anxious to read them! In Blake's twenty year career as a screenwriter and producer, he has sold dozens of scripts, including co-writing Blank Check, which became a hit for Disney, and Nuclear Family for Steven Spielberg — both million-dollar sales. That's gotta say something!


How about you? Have you read the whole series? Do you have a corkboard up? Have you applied Blake's techniques?
 
Thank you so much for stopping by! Appreciate it.
 
If you missed Part 1 to this series you can find it HERE
 
 

In Loving Memory

 Blake Snyder

1957-2010

SAVE THE CAT! Part 1

Okay, so I have to say that this blog post is loooooong overdue! I read Blake Snyder's Save the Cat! (book #1) last year and I can't believe I hadn't heard about it years ago.


SAVE THE CAT! is one of my top picks for recommended books for writers. I have to give a huge shout out to Alyson Noël. Thank you Alyson for introducing me to Save the Cat!


THANK YOU, THANK YOU! Seriously I can't thank you enough!! It's no wonder you dedicated one of your books to Blake. He truly is amazing.


I cannot emphasis how fabulous Save the Cat! is. I don't want to sound like an annoying parakeet but it's really THAT good. So what makes it so dang good?


Good question. What make a book a great read?


Let's see, there's the hook—the pacing—characters you can relate to—originality—and most importantly a voice you can't turn away from.


I think what makes Save the Cat! so fabulous is that Blake has a likable voice and when reading it, it doesn't feel like you're studying. You're actually absorbing and understanding what Blake has to say.


In his final interview (it saddens me deeply that he is no longer here) he talks about how and why structure is important. He points out that you are misleading yourself if you are shying away from structure because it’s formulaic or hampers your creativity.


I've always been a SOTP (Seat of the Pants) writer but after reading this book I found that not only did it spark ideas, but it gave me structure and guidance. As a SOTP writer, I like having the option of being able to change things around spontaneously and even though Blake shows you how to structure your story it really doesn't have to be set in stone.


So what is the first thing Blake suggests to do?


He stresses on the importance of creating a one to two sentence logline for your story. It must have irony and an adjective. And although Blake's beat sheet (The BS2) is well structured, I still feel I have the opportunity to change things around but yet it guides me just like a business plan does.


Next, you must think up a title for your story. Not just any title but a killer title that resonates. One that yells, "Hey, look at me!" Try it out on friends and strangers. Feel their reactions.


Did their eyes light up with excitement?


Did the title do its job?


Did they want to know more?

Are they hooked?


Make note of their reactions. If it didn't excite them as you hoped, maybe it's time to think up a few more titles.


Blake shares a ton more—but I'll shut up now so you can hear it all from the master himself. (Reading Save the Cat! is well worth it!)


So why the cat you say? Why not save the earth or save the giraffe? Well, I'm not one to give up spoilers so you'll have to read the book to find out. However, I can confidently say one thing though, you'll be thanking me later and you'll be glad that you've been introduced to Blake and his fabulous how-to guide.

Are you now anxious in finding out what Save the Cat! Is all about? You should be! With so much to cover, I've decided to break up the post into two parts. Tomorrow we'll talk about the Perfect Beast aka The Board. For now I will leave you with some great links you can learn from.


So your homework for today is to come up with a killer title and a killer hook. BTW in case you haven’t noticed Save the Cat! Is the first book in a three book series. I am anxious to read the other two and I can't wait to blog about them.




How about you? Have you read Save the Cat!? Have you heard about it? Please let me know if you are a STC fan and would be interested in future blog posts regarding STC.


NY best-selling author Jessica Brody raves about Save the Cat! After I heard about it from Alyson, I found that Jess loved it just as much and I was sold!


Author Vicky Dreiling shares an awesome post (mentioning Save the cat!) HERE Pitch Begins With Premise.

To Blake Snyder—such an inspiration to all writers.

You will be greatly missed! R.I.P

 Blake Snyder

1957-2010

To view Save the Cat part 2 click HERE