Snogging the High Concept Premise
Over the last week I've been snarfing up as much inspirational info as I can find in the hope of coming up with my next great MG fantasy novel. Which, once written, will become every kid's favorite story. That shouldn't be too hard, should it?
One of the treasures I found in my search is an article by Terry Rosio
of the uberly talented screenwriting duo of Elliot & Rossio (together in this pic) who wrote SHREK and ALADDIN and at least 4 other great scripts, plus co-wrote PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN, MEN IN BLACK, and a blue streak of top grossing movies.
I found him - well, his articles - on wordplayer.com.
And his column Mental Real Estate is ALL about coming up with high concept ideas that are our mental real estate and just as valuable as acreage in Malibu.
Story writing is all about connecting with your reader, telling them something that they relate to - as Rossio puts it, "If you recognize the thing I tell you, that means it's taking up space in your head -- tangling up a few billion neurons -- residing on a chunk of mental real estate" ...
..."Step One on the search for mental real estate: resolve to write your screenplay with some kind of known element."
And then, putting your own twist or angle on it.
Which we writers know, but it really doesn't hurt to be reminded and have it presented in a fresh way.
Rossio goes into great detail from the perspective of a screenwriter (of course) but I found it all fascinating and insightful.
Here's the link: Mental Real Estate
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
One of the treasures I found in my search is an article by Terry Rosio
of the uberly talented screenwriting duo of Elliot & Rossio (together in this pic) who wrote SHREK and ALADDIN and at least 4 other great scripts, plus co-wrote PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN, MEN IN BLACK, and a blue streak of top grossing movies.
I found him - well, his articles - on wordplayer.com.
And his column Mental Real Estate is ALL about coming up with high concept ideas that are our mental real estate and just as valuable as acreage in Malibu.
Story writing is all about connecting with your reader, telling them something that they relate to - as Rossio puts it, "If you recognize the thing I tell you, that means it's taking up space in your head -- tangling up a few billion neurons -- residing on a chunk of mental real estate" ...
..."Step One on the search for mental real estate: resolve to write your screenplay with some kind of known element."
And then, putting your own twist or angle on it.
Which we writers know, but it really doesn't hurt to be reminded and have it presented in a fresh way.
Rossio goes into great detail from the perspective of a screenwriter (of course) but I found it all fascinating and insightful.
Here's the link: Mental Real Estate
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!