Writing for Emotional Impact

by Iglesias, Karl

• ISBN13: 9781595940285
• ISBN10: 1595940286
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-09-30
• Publisher: Wingspan Pr

Table of Contents

Introduction: The emotion-delivery business	10	(9)
Why another screenwriting book?	11	(1)
Thinking about emotion	12	(1)
Hollywood is in the emotion-delivery business	13	(1)
Craft means evoking emotion	14	(1)
Your double task as a writer	15	(1)
The three types of storytelling emotions	16	(1)
Character emotions vs. Reader emotions	16	(1)
What this book offers	17	(1)
Writer beware	17	(2)
The reader: Your only audience	19	(5)
We are your first audience	19	(1)
We're the gatekeepers	20	(1)
We're intelligent and plugged in	20	(1)
We're poorly paid, overworked, and frustrated	20	(1)
We're on your side	21	(1)
What we do	21	(1)
Why we reject scripts	22	(1)
What we want in a reading experience	22	(2)
Concept: Unique attraction	24	(14)
The basics: what you need to know	24	(1)
In Hollywood, the Idea is King	25	(1)
Concept sells	25	(1)
The craft: energizing your idea	26	(1)
Ideal emotional responses to a concept	26	(1)
What makes an idea appealing	26	(2)
A note about ``high concepts''	28	(1)
Don't write what you know	29	(1)
12 Ways to increase your idea's appeal	30	(4)
Creating an appealing title	34	(1)
Choosing a popular genre	35	(1)
On the page: concept in action	36	(2)
Theme: Universal meaning	38	(11)
The basics: what you need to know	38	(1)
Why theme matters	38	(1)
Persuading and entertaining, not preaching	39	(1)
The craft: revealing theme with subtlety	40	(1)
Universal themes	40	(2)
Finding your vision	42	(1)
Nine theme techniques to show, not tell	43	(3)
On the page: theme in action	46	(3)
Character: Captivating empathy	49	(28)
The Basics: what you need to know	49	(1)
The five key questions for building a character	50	(5)
The craft: connecting with characters	55	(1)
Revealing character and transformation	55	(1)
Character exposition (show, don't tell)	55	(1)
Six ways to reveal character on the page	56	(5)
Connecting with character	61	(1)
Holding the reader's attention	61	(1)
Three ways to connect with character	61	(6)
Techniques for instant character appeal and empathy	67	(7)
On the page: character in action	74	(3)
Story: Rising tension	77	(36)
The basics: what you need to know	77	(1)
What's a dramatic story	77	(1)
Story vs. Plot	78	(1)
The craft: engaging the reader from beginning to end	79	(1)
Interest/Fascination/Insight/Awe	80	(4)
Curiosity/Wonder/Intrigue	84	(4)
Anticipation/Hope/Worry/Fear	88	(5)
Suspense/Tension/Anxiety/Concern/Doubt	93	(8)
Surprise/Dismay/Amusement	101	(6)
Thrill/Joy/Laughter/Sadness/Triumph	107	(2)
Empathy/Compassion/Admiration/Contempt	109	(1)
Melodrama and sentimentality	109	(1)
On the page: story in action	110	(3)
Structure: Engaging design	113	(10)
The basics: what you need to know	113	(1)
The craft: the emotional elements of each act	114	(1)
Act I---Attraction	115	(3)
Act II---Tension and Anticipation	118	(2)
Act III---Satisfaction	120	(2)
On the page: structure in action	122	(1)
Scenes: Mesmerizing moments	123	(24)
The basics: what you need to know	123	(1)
Exposition scenes	123	(1)
Spectacle scenes	124	(1)
Dramatic scenes	124	(1)
A scene is a mini-story	124	(1)
Key elements of a dramatic scene	125	(5)
The craft: writing great scenes	130	(1)
Techniques to craft fascinating scenes	130	(1)
The emotional palette	131	(2)
Active dialogue	133	(8)
On the page: scene in action	141	(6)
Description: Riveting style	147	(23)
The basics: what you need to know	147	(1)
Common amateur mistakes	148	(2)
The basics of screenwriting narrative	150	(3)
The craft: writing that moves	153	(1)
Commanding attention	153	(5)
Creating motion	158	(3)
Generating a riveting reading experience	161	(6)
Describing characters	167	(1)
Describing locations	168	(1)
Bonus professional tips	169	(1)
On the page: description in action	169	(1)
Dialogue: Vivid voices	170	(56)
The basics: what you need to know	171	(1)
Characteristics of great dialogue	171	(3)
Avoiding the most common dialogue flaws	174	(4)
The craft: writing vivid dialogue	178	(1)
Techniques for emotional impact	178	(17)
Techniques for individual dialogue	195	(10)
Techniques for subtle exposition	205	(6)
Techniques for subtext	211	(11)
When on-the-nose dialogue is acceptable	222	(2)
It takes a lot of rewriting	224	(1)
Test your dialogue	224	(1)
Study the masters of dialogue	224	(2)
Final thoughts: Painting on the page	226	(4)
Rewriting tips	227	(1)
Learn more by reading scripts	228	(1)
You're a painter on the page	228	(2)
Index	230