Gathering More Resources
I've been doing a lot of thinking about my writing process lately, thanks mainly to afonso. ;-) When I get stuck in a script, usually because of a lack of conflict in act 2, I try to create conflict that will fill the holes in the story. The problem is, it always seems forced and unnatural.
Then, I had an insightful moment yesterday. I think the reason my conflict always feels forced and unnatural is because I try to come up with conflicts in the plot; problems, obstacles, circumstances, situations, delimmas, etc. What I should be looking for is conflicts within the character; their fears, their secrets, their old wounds, their scars, their deep-seeded motivations for doing what they do. I need to figure out how to create problems that not only get in their way, but get under their skin as well.
To help me out with that, I ordered three books yesterday.
1) The Wisdom of the Enneagram: The Complete Guide to Psychological and Spiritual Growth for the Nine Personality Types by Don Richard Riso and Russ Hudson
2) The Literary Enneagram: Characters From the Inside Out by Judith Searle
3) Screenwriting From the Heart: The Technique of the Character-Driven Screenplay by James Ryan
Several months ago I read How to Write a Great Movie by Jeff Kitchen. He wrote a chapter about the enneagram and discussed it's benifits in creating characters. I did a little internet research and found some free online enneagram tests. (#1, #2, #3, #4) I had friends and family fill them out and send me the results. It was pretty interesting, but I didn't take it any further. Now I'm ready. I bought the first two books because I think the enneagram will be helpful in creating deep, well rounded characters. I bought the third book hoping that it will teach me how to put those characters on the page.
By the way, the tests told me that I'm a #5 - the Investigator. A curious researcher but must fine tune everything before acting- working things out, preparing, practicing, and gathering more resources. Hmm. I've been gathering resources and practicing this screenwriting thing for a few years now. I wonder how long it takes most 5's to figure things out. ;-)
Take a test, they don't take long. If you do, let me know the results.
Then, I had an insightful moment yesterday. I think the reason my conflict always feels forced and unnatural is because I try to come up with conflicts in the plot; problems, obstacles, circumstances, situations, delimmas, etc. What I should be looking for is conflicts within the character; their fears, their secrets, their old wounds, their scars, their deep-seeded motivations for doing what they do. I need to figure out how to create problems that not only get in their way, but get under their skin as well.
To help me out with that, I ordered three books yesterday.
1) The Wisdom of the Enneagram: The Complete Guide to Psychological and Spiritual Growth for the Nine Personality Types by Don Richard Riso and Russ Hudson
2) The Literary Enneagram: Characters From the Inside Out by Judith Searle
3) Screenwriting From the Heart: The Technique of the Character-Driven Screenplay by James Ryan
Several months ago I read How to Write a Great Movie by Jeff Kitchen. He wrote a chapter about the enneagram and discussed it's benifits in creating characters. I did a little internet research and found some free online enneagram tests. (#1, #2, #3, #4) I had friends and family fill them out and send me the results. It was pretty interesting, but I didn't take it any further. Now I'm ready. I bought the first two books because I think the enneagram will be helpful in creating deep, well rounded characters. I bought the third book hoping that it will teach me how to put those characters on the page.
By the way, the tests told me that I'm a #5 - the Investigator. A curious researcher but must fine tune everything before acting- working things out, preparing, practicing, and gathering more resources. Hmm. I've been gathering resources and practicing this screenwriting thing for a few years now. I wonder how long it takes most 5's to figure things out. ;-)
Take a test, they don't take long. If you do, let me know the results.
posted by Jeri at 4:03 PM
6 Comments:
You keep this up and we will be able to say "We are related to a famous writer!"
I enjoy reading about your travails in writing screen plays.
Neal
Ha ha. You keep right on thinking that way. If I keep plugging away at this, I'm bound to figure it out some day.... Right?
I'm glad you're getting so much enjoyment out of reading about my false starts, my misadventures, my failed attempts to be a writer. Jesus! What's wrong with you. ;-)
Just kidding. I'm glad you enjoy it.
It is like watching a flower bloom! It starts out as a bulb in the ground and after much effort it blooms and I can be a witness to the process. :)
All good things come with effort they do not just occur. Who was it that said that success is 99% persperation and 1% inspiration? Or somethning close to that.
Neal
Ha ha. I hope you're a patient man, I may be a slow bloomer. I just hope we don't discover I'm a "bloomin'" idiot.
I worry about the bloomin' idiot thing when I re-read my work and I find things like "deep-seeded motivations" instead of "deep-seated motivations". It felt right when I wrote it, though. Now that I think about it, I don't know which is right. Like I said, this may be a slow ride. : )
Wonderful comeback! "Blooming Idiot" See you are learning real fast to think and be creative. Keep it up.
Deep-seated is what I always thought was the correct statement.
Hmmmmm the other works to I guess.
Neal
LOL. I'm glad I'm not the only one wondering about the deep-seeded vs deep-seated issue.
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