KATHY MCCULLOUGH
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Writing Tips: Serious and Silly

4/16/2010

 
Picture
gpureview.com
I was recently sent a link to this Movieline post quoting advice from playwright David Mamet on how to create DRAMA.  He's talking mainly about plays and films, but he has some good advice for any kind of dramatic writing.  His point about considering the scene as if it were a silent movie is something I've actually done in fiction writing!  It works well for a dialogue-heavy or internal monologue-heavy scene.

Warning: Mamet's guidance is written ALL IN CAPITAL LETTERS, so it's like he's screaming at you, which is a bit hard to take.  Perhaps he just wanted to be DRAMATIC.  In any case, I advise copying the text into a document and changing it to lower case.  Your sanity will thank you.
Picture
pdphoto.org

If you're not in the mood for a lecture and would prefer a laugh, here's author Lynn Coady's advice for writing fiction, from making sure to include something that will offend your relatives to avoiding writing about symbolic dogs -- or dogs of any kind.

Alissa link
4/22/2010 10:23:53 am

Thanks for these links, Kathy. Both of them made me laugh out loud. I really liked the David Mamet tips, though.

Lisa Gail Green link
4/29/2010 07:43:59 am

I love that advice. I'm going to try that next time I feel a scene is all dialogue. Thanks!

taffy link
5/3/2010 04:25:48 am

This book is in my reading pile by my bed! Now I can't wait to get to it!

Suzette Saxton link
5/3/2010 04:57:12 am

Sounds EXCELLENT!!! Thanks for sharing!

Nichole Giles link
5/3/2010 08:33:19 am

Thanks for the tip. I'll be checking this one out.

Elle Strauss
5/3/2010 10:16:46 am

Sounds like a great book!

Nicole Ducleroir link
5/3/2010 12:17:37 pm

Thanks for the wonderful review. From your description of this book and the affect it had on you, I can tell it would be one I'd love to read. It's going on the list!


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    Kathy

    I'm a novelist and screenwriter living in Los Angeles. Find details on this "blog" about my books and appearances. Want to reach me? You can Contact Me here.

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