Lights, Camera, ACTION! Writing Workshop: An Introduction to Narrative Writing.

Lights, Camera, ACTION!

Writing Workshop:

An Introduction to Narrative Writing

04/20/23 Template copyright www.brainybetty.com 2005 2

Introduction

• Think about a time when you went to see a movie – the BEST movie you have ever seen!

• What kinds of things did you tell your friends about it?– Characters– Story line– Setting

• Narrative writing is much the same way – you can write it just like a movie!

• When you narrate an event, you are telling a story, involving characters, a setting, a story line, and a conclusion.


The Writing Process

• The basic stages of the writing process include:– Brainstorming– Prewriting– Writing– Revising and editing– Publishing


Think Like a Movie!

• As you plan to write your narrative, think about what you want to say in the form of a movie.

• Follow these simple steps, and you will have us all on the edge of our seats!


What movie are you making?

• Ask yourself: What kind of story am I writing?– Am I writing a comedy? – Am I writing a love story?– Or is it a thriller with a

surprise ending?

• Consider your approach and your audience – think about who will be reading your narrative.


Think like a screenwriter!

• That means it's time to consider your:– Opening scenes– Plot– Theme– Main characters– Supporting characters– Dialogue – Climax

• Make an outline. All good movies start with a good plan.

• Ask yourself: What elements are needed for my script?

• Ask yourself: "If I was to make this story into a movie, where would I start the story?"

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Think POPCORN!

• We've all sat through a boring movie. Try to remember what was boring.

• What would you have done to make it better?

• When you're writing, ask yourself: "If I was in the theatre watching this story, what would make me stay in my seat?"

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• If you don't continually ask yourself that question while writing, you won't spin an effective story -- and your viewers (or in this case, readers) will grab their popcorn and leave the theatre.


Details, details, DETAILS!

• While reporting, take notes that capture examples of taste, smell, sound, hearing and sight.

• Your eyes must become a camera, recording images and senses that can be turned into words.


• As writers, we need to take readers to the scene of the action.

• We need to describe the action as clearly as possible – make the reader think they are actually there!


Get dialogue!

• Investing in characters means getting them to recreate the dialogue between characters.

• Dialogue from an exact point in time is most critical to building a scene.

• It's this dialogue that we can use to shape the drama of the moment, putting the readers into your story.


Be a critic!

• After writing a first draft, pretend you're Ebert or Roeper.

• Critique your work:– Evaluate the plot.– Evaluate the scenes.– Evaluate the strength

of characters.– Evaluate the 'script.'


• Look for errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

• Learning to be your own critic will help separate you from your work and enable you to review it with the eye of a reader.


Don't be afraid to yell “CUT!”

• When different shots and scenes aren't working, good directors shout “CUT!“

• Constantly review what you're writing as you go. Ask yourself:– Does this work?

– Is it necessary to developing the story?

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Don't think about Oscars…

• Go into your narrative desiring to create a story that will capture your readers.

• Readers remember an excellent story.

• Same goes for a movie. What's your favorite movie of all time?

• You might not remember everything about it, but you know that it was a good story!

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Lights, Camera, ACTION! Writing Workshop: An Introduction to Narrative Writing.

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