Are you finally committed to writing that novel but have no idea how to get started? Or are you a published author - but know you need some plotting help to move your books and career up to that next level? Screenwriting is a compressed and dynamic storytelling form and the techniques of screenwriting are easily adaptable to novel writing. You can jump-start your plot and bring your characters and scenes vibrantly alive on the page - by watching your favorite movies and learning from the storytelling tricks of great filmmakers. With this workbook, based on award-winning author/ screenwriter Alexandra Sokoloff’s internationally acclaimed Screenwriting Tricks For Authors blog and workshops, you'll learn how to use techniques of film writing such as:

• the High Concept Premise
• the Three-Act, Eight-Sequence Structure
• the Storyboard Grid
• the Index Card Method of Plotting
• as well as tricks of film pacing and suspense, character arc and drive, visual storytelling, and building image systems - to structure and color your novel for maximum emotional impact, unbearable suspense and riveting pacing, no matter what genre you're writing in. You'll create your own personalized workbook of genre tricks based on your favorite books and movies and tailored to your own brand of storytelling, and a collage book to build visual image systems. And the emphasis on premise is invaluable for crafting that all-important query and pitch. In this rapidly changing world of publishing, more and more agents and editors are looking for novels that have the pacing, emotional excitement, and big, unique, "high concept" premises of Hollywood movies (and the potential for that movie or TV sale!). And if you're indie publishing, it's even more important to craft and polish your book to stand out from the crowd. Whether you're just starting to develop a book or script, or rewriting for maximum impact, this workbook will guide you through an easy, effective and fun process to help you make your book or script the best it can be. Includes detailed film breakdowns and analysis as well as chapters and resources on how to get a literary agent, writing a query letter, professional networking, and screenwriting contests. For sample chapters please visit http://screenwritingtricks.com TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction PART ONE: STORY STRUCTURE
  1. The Master List
  2. What's Your Premise?
  3. What is "High Concept"?
  4. The Three-Act, Eight-Sequence Structure
  5. The Index Card Method and Story Elements Checklist
  6. Elements of Act I
  7. Hero/ine, Protagonist, Main Character
  8. Protagonist Case Study: Jake Gittes
  9. What Makes a Great Villain?
  10. Villains, Part 2: The Forces of Antagonism
  11. Elements of Act Two
  12. Elements of Act Two, Part 2
  13. Elements of Act Three
  14. What Makes a Great Climax?
  15. Visual Storytelling
  16. Creating Suspense
  17. Plants and Payoffs
  18. The Big Twist
  19. Character Introductions
  20. Fairy Tale Structure
  21. Meta Structure
  22. Your First Draft is Always Going to Suck
  23. Top Ten Things I Know About Editing
  24. Life is a Pitch Meeting PART TWO: STORY BREAKDOWNS
  25. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
  26. Romancing the Stone
  27. Chinatown
  28. The Mist
  29. Act Climaxes and Turning Points PART THREE: THE BUSINESS
  30. How Do I Get a Literary Agent?
  31. Internet Resources for Writers
  32. So You Want to Know About Screenwriting
  33. Recommended Reading Figure 1: Story Grid