Q is For Questions
There are times when you simply get stuck, when
the literary road you are traveling seems to have
come to a dead end. The answers simply will not
come.
And this is when it is important, in fact vital, to be
certain that you actually understand the questions.
In truth, I find that correctly formulating a question
will place you closer to the answer. In fact, a
properly formulated question will often jar your
mind from its stagnant track and get you moving again.
A recent example:
I'm working on a film treatment for a major action
star, based on elements created by other writers,
who had been developing the story for about two
years.
Where do I start? Well, I have to identify the most
important aspects of the project. What is my end
point? Well, how about a movie that is well-received
by both critics and public, and is deeply satisfying
to me as well.
What is the point previous to this? To create a
script that will excite a studio, stars, the technical
and financial people necessary to produce,
complete, and distribute a film.
What is the point previous to this? To create a
script that will excite the executives who evaluate
the projects that come through the door of a
studio, so that the higher-ups will take it
seriously, and set up face-to-face meetings in
which the possibilities can be discussed. And
the script will be purchased.
What is the point previous to this? To create
a treatment that all of the producers involved
in the project can agree upon.
Now, this is where the very human element
comes in. The people who originally created
the project are just people, with egos and
emotional needs. They invested themselves
in this work, and although there are aspects
of their vision that are...shall we say non-optimal?
There are other aspects that are quite
impressive, ingredients that could actually
make a tasty cinematic meal.
This situation (and at least one person reading
this knows EXACTLY what I'm talking about.
Hi, Sweetie!) is delicate, somewhat akin to
entering a kitchen after three other cooks
have half-finished a meal, and being asked
to make an exquisite dinner.
If feelings are hurt, people will kill deals just
for spite. Happens all the time. So I have a
"stew" of odd parts, that doesn't work as a f
ilm. But... what if I had to make it work?
What if someone offered to blow my daughter's
brains out if I didn't make it work? Or to put
a million dollars on the table if I did?
Then...another question. What if I look at the
treatment I was handed as a newspaper story
about actual events that happened. Some of
the facts may have been garbled. Some of
the witnesses interviewed may have been
wrong, or their words distorted or
misremembered. They may have lied.
But SOMETHING actually happened.
Something very similar to what was written
down. If I can dig deeply enough, think
broadly enough, I can reconstruct the actual
event.
And then find the way to tell it most creatively
and honestly and entertainingly...
##
Do you see how this process all began by
asking questions? And that if you follow
the right questions to their conclusion, you
can dismantle a creative log-jam? Try it.
Try writing five vital questions about the
project you are currently working on. Until
you get your own, try these:
1) What is my climactic scene?
2) What is the dominant emotion of this piece?
3) What is my lead characters great desire,
his grand obsession?
4) What is the hidden truth of the lie my
lead character uses to justify his existence?
5) Who is the audience for my story, and
how can I most deeply satisfy them?
##
There are more questions. Infinitely more.
Start with these, and keep going.
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Q is for Question
Posted by Steven Barnes at 9:53 AM
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
55 comments:
fit over 40 -
fit yummy yummy -
flattenyourabs -
flatten your abs -
forex candlesticks made easy -
forex killer -
forex megadroid -
get rid of your cellulite -
g money pro -
google shadow -
governmentregistry -
government registry -
gov resources -
health biz in a box -
homemadeenergy -
home made energy -
hybrid water power -
i software tv -
joyful tomato -
keyword spy pro -
kingdom of pets -
macro virus -
malware bot -
maternityacupressure -
maternity acupressure -
meet your sweet -
microcap millionaires -
moles warts removal -
mole wart removal -
muscle gaining secrets -
natural cure for yeast infection -
paid surveys etc -
panic away -
pdf creator -
fit over 40 -
fit yummy yummy -
flattenyourabs -
flatten your abs -
forex candlesticks made easy -
forex killer -
forex megadroid -
get rid of your cellulite -
g money pro -
google shadow -
governmentregistry -
government registry -
gov resources -
health biz in a box -
homemadeenergy -
home made energy -
hybrid water power -
i software tv -
joyful tomato -
keyword spy pro -
kingdom of pets -
macro virus -
malware bot -
maternityacupressure -
maternity acupressure -
meet your sweet -
microcap millionaires -
moles warts removal -
mole wart removal -
muscle gaining secrets -
natural cure for yeast infection -
paid surveys etc -
panic away -
pdf creator -
truth about abs -
turbulence training -
turn your photos into cash -
vincedelmontefitness -
vince del monte fitness -
warp speed fat loss -
wedding speech 4u -
win clear -
xbox 360 red light fix -
xp repair pro -
1st promotion -
3 redlight fix -
500 love making tips -
acid alkaline diet -
advanced defrag -
anti spyware -
anti spyware bot -
art of approaching -
banish rosacea -
blog lock down -
brad yates -
building a chicken coop -
burnthefat -
burn the fat -
carb rotation diet -
combat the fat -
conversationalhypnosis -
conversational hypnosis -
copy n profit -
credit secrets bible -
cure angular cheilitis -
cure morning sickness -
dirty talking guide -
domain tweak system -
dotcom income secrets -
duplicate file cleaner -
earth4energy -
earth 4 energy -
easy launcher -
easy system cleaner -
eatstopeat -
eat stop eat -
eczema free forever -
email finder -
energy 2 green -
error nuker -
evidence smart -
fat burning furnace -
fat loss 4 idiots -
final sync -
fitness model program -
fit yummy yummy -
flattenyourabs -
forex enterprise -
governmentregistry -
government registry -
home job stop -
homemadeenergy -
home made energy -
how do i get him back -
hyper vre -
keyword spy pro -
kingdom of pets -
mafia war secrets -
malware bot -
master cleanse secrets -
maternityacupressure -
maternity acupressure -
maximum paid surveys -
meet your sweet -
mobile tv pro -
musclegainingsecrets -
muscle gaining secrets -
my dish biz -
one minute cure -
paid surveys online -
panic away -
pc tv 4 me -
pdf creator -
perfect optimizer -
pick the gender of your baby -
plr wholesaler -
private niche empire -
project quick cash -
public records pro -
pull your ex back -
quick article pro -
quit smoking today -
reality creation secrets -
reg clean -
regi cleanse -
registry easy -
registry fix -
registry winner -
reg sweep -
reg tool -
reverse mobile -
reverse phone detective -
richard mackenzie direct -
rich garbage man -
rocket chinese -
rocket french -
blogging to the bank -
burnthefat -
burn the fat -
carb rotation diet -
carp evolution -
cb bonus domination -
combat the fat -
content website builder -
conversationalhypnosis -
conversational hypnosis -
cure angular cheilitis -
cure morning sickness -
dirty talking guide -
driver robot -
earth4energy -
earth 4 energy -
easy launcher -
easy system cleaner -
eatstopeat -
eat stop eat -
error smart -
evidence eraser -
evidence smart -
fatburningfurnace -
fat loss 4 idiots -
fitness model program -
fit yummy yummy -
flattenyourabs -
flatten your abs -
forex trading machine -
forex trading made ez -
get your exgirlfriend back -
google snatch -
governmentregistry -
buy xanax online cod xanax and alcohol recreational use - xanax 2 mg extended release
buy ambien online without prescription ambien and omeprazole drug interactions - zolpidem side effects depression
buy xanax online overnight delivery xanax drug history - generic xanax alprazolam
buy xanax online buy xanax online cheap - xanax dosage intervals
ambien online purchase ambien sleep driving 2011 - ambien cr label
zolpidem from canada zolpidem zopiclone comparison - zolpidem lunesta
diazepam no prescription diazepam 10mg/1ml - diazepam 10 mg side effects
ativan online pharmacy ativan addiction detox - ativan ambien alcohol
ativan online side effects of ativan - ativan and vicodin
xanax cheap risperidone xanax drug interactions - buy xanax tablets online
order alprazolam can you really buy xanax online - xanax 1 mg apteka
where to buy xanax online no prescription xanax for anxiety and stress - xanax generic pictures
valium diazepam diazepam dosage for muscle spasms - diazepam withdrawal klonopin
buy ativan overdose of ativan side effects - ativan addiction time
ativan no prescription ativan vs xanax strength - ativan withdrawal .5
ambien online pharmacy buy ambien from us - ambien cr 7.5
buy valium online valium side effects itching - 10mg of valium side effects
l9g0aod7 http://www.isotretinoin4health.net/#buy-accutane - cheap accutane online cheap isotretinoin
buy valium online no prescription cheap valium class of drug - valium side effects during pregnancy
c4ks84bd http://www.cheapisotretinoinforless.net/#buy-accutane-no-prescription - buy accutane no prescription buy accutane online
xn7bl2d5 http://www.cheapisotretinoinforless.net/#buying-isotretinoin-online - isotretinoin online pharmacy isotretinoin pills
The granule form of Lamisil also is routinely used to treat tinea pedis or athlete's foot, ringworm and tinea cruris or jock itch. [url=http://www.heritageloftsofchamblee.com/]buy lamisil online[/url] This drug works to kill fungus by inhibiting the production of the fungal cell wall. The granule form of Lamisil also is routinely used to treat tinea pedis or athlete's foot, ringworm and tinea cruris or jock itch. You can order cheap Lamisil medication at low cost.
qb74kf95j http://www.ismamerica.com/#acomplia-diet-pills - acomplia diet pills acomplia diet pills for sale
Because of the many uses, Valium has been one of the most oft prescribed medications on the market for four decades and continues to be one of the most commonly prescribed medications on the market. http://www.phobiasblog.com/ - buy valium online without prescription The fast acting nature of the drug makes it a drug that many doctors turn to for the vast majority of its known uses. Because of the many uses, Valium has been one of the most oft prescribed medications on the market for four decades and continues to be one of the most commonly prescribed medications on the market. Valium no prescription
Other mental health conditions that Celexa has been shown to be an effective treatment for include anxiety, panic disorder, personality disorders, and social anxiety disorders. Many men also have reported Celexa to be very helpful in the prevention of premature ejaculation. cheap celexa Celexa is considered to be the best of the medications that fall within its classification of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. It has been used successfully in the treatment of eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia, the treatment of chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia and neuropathy, the treatment of alcoholism, and in the treatment of autism.
Propecia is a drug that helps prevent the body from converting testosterone to DHT (or dihydrotestosterone). http://www.lovethatgirltv.com/ - buy generic propecia The active ingredient in Propecia, Finasteride, is capable of being absorbed through the skin’s pores, which is why women or children should not handle the medication directly. This condition leads to mild balding or a receding hairline. The use of propecia may cause an increase in the likelihood of the development of prostate cancer.
For many years the only answer to obesity was an extremely caloric restricted diet and large amounts of physical exercise in an attempt to remove the excess weight. http://www.poplease.com/ - generic sibutramine Meridia - Weight Loss Wonder Medicine Meridia acts as an appetite suppressant aiding in weight loss and is intended to be used in conjunction with a calorie restricted diet and moderate levels of exercise. This is an important benefit as most people who fail at losing weight do so because they simply cannot deal with the constant feelings of hunger.
It is important to take Zocor exactly as directed, usually once per day with food or without. You should continue to take the drug, even if you feel well, because most with high triglycerides and cholesterol feel no symptoms until it's too late. http://www.bestpricezocor.com/ - cheap zocor Lowering triglycerides and cholesterol can lower the risk of stroke, heart disease, and heart attack. Order generic Zocor(Simvastatin) medication online at low cost.
Best price Propecia. [url=http://www.lovethatgirltv.com/]buy propecia no prescription[/url] Although the medication isn’t designed for use by women, it can still cause severe birth defects if women handle or take the medication during pregnancy. Although the medication isn’t designed for use by women, it can still cause severe birth defects if women handle or take the medication during pregnancy. generic Propecia
Patients who are bothered by the Xanax side effects should discuss them with their doctor to determine if Xanax is still the best course of treatment in their specific situation. http://www.xanax4less.com/ - cheapest xanax online Most patientпїЅs find that the symptoms subside on their own, and those that linger are usually not bothersome enough to discontinue taking Xanax as prescribed. Xanax has to be taken for short periods of time as the body becomes dependent upon it and stopping the medication after prolonged use will result in withdrawal symptoms. Many doctors and patients prefer Xanax to other similar drugs because it is effective very quickly.
Is Oxycodone An Addictive Drug citalopram online no prescription - citalopram no prescription http://www.bestpricecelexaon.net/#citalopram-no-prescription
BaskAwake buy cheap neurontin - buy generic neurontin http://www.neurontingenericprice.net/#buy-generic-neurontin
BaskAwake neurontin medication - neurontin no prescription http://www.neurontingenericprice.net/#neurontin-no-prescription
teerloggete soma price - soma cost http://www.carisoprodolcheaponline.net/#soma-cost
Capitol Drugs Los Angeles sertraline without prescription - sertraline no prescription http://www.buyzoloftnow.net/#sertraline-no-prescription
Diet Pills Black Beauty diflucan for men - buy diflucan without prescription http://www.diflucansaleonline.net/#buy-diflucan-without-prescription , [url=http://www.diflucansaleonline.net/#how-to-get-diflucan ]how to get diflucan [/url]
Metrogel Prescription Drugs Vaniqa generic lexapro online - lexapro cost http://www.costoflexaproonline.net/#lexapro-cost , [url=http://www.costoflexaproonline.net/#lexapro-for-sale ]lexapro for sale [/url]
2, finasteride no prescription - buy propecia online http://www.propeciagenericforsale.com/#order-finasteride , [url=http://www.propeciagenericforsale.com/#buy-cheap-finasteride ]buy propecia [/url]
tmd lamisil pills for sale - lamisil without prescription http://www.lamisilonlinerx.net/#purchase-lamisil, [url=http://www.lamisilonlinerx.net/#purchase-lamisil]lamisil no prescription [/url]
sob neurontin for sale - neurontin online no prescription http://www.neurontinonlinesales.net/#neurontin-online-no-prescription , [url=http://www.neurontinonlinesales.net/#gabapentin-online-no-prescription ]gabapentin online no prescription [/url]
egy purchase ciprofloxacin online - cipro pills http://www.ciproapprovedonline.net/#cipro-pills , [url=http://www.ciproapprovedonline.net/#generic-for-cipro ]generic for cipro [/url]
xrh strattera medication - buy strattera no prescription http://www.stratteraforsale.net/#buy-strattera-no-prescription , [url=http://www.stratteraforsale.net/#generic-for-strattera ]generic for strattera [/url]
Hello, buy klonopin without prescription - order clonazepam online http://www.klonopinsaleonline.com/#order-clonazepam-online , [url=http://www.klonopinsaleonline.com/#clonazepam-no-prescription ]clonazepam no prescription [/url]
1 buy cymbalta - buy duloxetine http://www.cymbaltabuyonline.net/#generic-cymbalta, [url=http://www.cymbaltabuyonline.net/#generic-cymbalta]cymbalta for sale[/url]
6, buy sumatripan - order imitrex no prescription http://www.imitrexonlinebuy.com/#sumatriptan-without-prescription, [url=http://www.imitrexonlinebuy.com/#imitrex-for-sale]imitrex sale[/url]
6, order klonopin online - cheap klonopin online http://www.klonopinonlinediscount.com/#order-klonopin-online, [url=http://www.klonopinonlinediscount.com/#generic-klonopin-online]buy cheap klonopin[/url]
2013 zyban quit smoking - zyban smoking http://www.wellbutrinforsaleonline.net/, [url=http://www.wellbutrinforsaleonline.net/]zyban stop smoking [/url]
oZzy moved away a few months ago, I miss his cock, and i am always hungry for making
love.
FUCK MY PUSSY!
my blog - hcg injections
Pretty niсе post. I just stumbled upon уour blog
and wishеd to say thаt I've really enjoyed surfing around your blog posts. After all I will be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again very soon!
Feel free to surf to my site :: Life insurance quote
Post a Comment