Story as a Chess Game
Sure, Sorry and Monopoly are fun, but your story conflict shouldn’t progress like that. It should look more like a chess game.
Sure, Sorry and Monopoly are fun, but your story conflict shouldn’t progress like that. It should look more like a chess game.
Having a solid premise nailed down prior to starting your script can be the difference between a compelling story and a pointless muddle. Anatomy of a Premise Line by Jeff Lyons provides one of the best hammers for the job I’ve found.
Want to know what the real world of screenwriting looks like? The daily nuts-and-bolts of writing, representation, sales, and all the rest? Read Bob’s book.
Should you resolve your story or conclude it? Which you choose can make a difference in how you view your story.
A story needs cause-and-effect movement, not just scenes following scenes. Here are some ways to visualize your story to help you create that.
Bill Martell’s Blue Book series is a screenwriting curriculum in a (Amazon) box. And it won’t cost you a student loan to get it.
Structure and formula aren’t the same, and confusing them is a straight line to a derivative story.
Most of the greatest films ever made have this thing in common. Recognizing it can help you ensure your own stories stand out from the rest.