Writing Techniques

Secrets better left buried may be blurted out in moments of intimacy. The full revelation of a secret in “male” film usually begins or proclaims the restoration of order. The patient agrees to treatment. The innocent are exonerated and the guilty are punished. The necessity of confession, the means through which we gladly submit to power, is wholeheartedly endorsed.

It takes a major catastrophe to bring about a drastic character personality change, not just a stop-feeling-sorry-for-yourself speech.

If you use a Foreword you probably should use an Afterword.

Sacred cows make great hamburger.

A brutal, murderous man will never be transformed into a gentle lover. You must write realizing the reality of male hostility towards women. Patriarchy detests and fears matriarchy.

The need of women to find meaning and pleasure in activities not wholly male-centered such as work or artistic creation is generally scoffed at.

The classic male film narrative has maximum action and minimum, always pertinent, dialogue, speeding its way to the restoration of order. The climax functions to resolve difficulties.
In soap operas, there is always time for a person to consider a remark’s ramifications, time to speak and listen lavishly. Actions and climaxes are of secondary importance. The mini-climaxes introduce difficulties and complicate character’s lives.

Soap themes include blackmail, major surgery, dying, kidnappings, going mad, extramarital affairs, losing their memory, or unwanted pregnancies.

If you’re ever at a loss for how to get two people together in your story, remember that it takes a wedding or a funeral to reunite scattered families. Also, catastrophes provide convenient occasions for people to come together, confront one another, and explore intense emotions. Immobilization, for example hospitals and waiting rooms, force people to take time to talk to others and to listen.

Given the Western macho aura, the more difficult, the more love is hindered, the more grand the love is! Create characters people can identify and sympathize with.