2015 Dialogue-Writing Challenge
Several years back, I coined this screenwriting mantra: Read Scripts. Watch Movies. Write Pages.
To encourage GITS followers to embrace these three key practices, I have run a variety of blog series.
Read Scripts
Go Into The Story Script Reading & Analysis
How To Read A Screenplay: Parts 1–7
PDF Script Download — Free and Legal [closing in on 100 scripts]
Watch Movies
I continue to try to conjure up ways to get writers to read scripts and watch movies. For example in 2015, we are continuing with the Script Reading & Analysis series on a bi-weekly basis. And later on this year, we will explore classic 50s movies as we expand our archives, hopefully to inspire people to fill in gaps they may have in terms of great films. But what about the third part of the mantra?
Write Pages
The last two years we have done this:
Scene-Writing Exercises [2013]
Scene-Writing Exercises [2014]
I plan to run another in the Scene-Writing Exercise series in August. But then I had an idea: What if in February, we put the spotlight on writing dialogue?
A Dialogue-Writing Challenge!
Here’s my idea: We crowdsource a bunch of dialogue-writing prompts. From that, we choose the 20 best ones. Then next month, Monday through Friday, much like the scene-writing exercises, I invite people to take each prompt, use it to write dialogue, then upload the dialogue to the site for peer feedback.
Plus there’s this: To provide extra motivation for this series — to get people to WRITE PAGES — I am giving away some of my Craft classes to Dialogue-Writing Challenge participants. That’s right: For free!
The Craft classes highlight key principles and practices tied to the nitty gritty of writing a script. Here is the Craft lineup, the only time I will teach each of these courses in 2015:
January 19: Craft: Pixar and the Craft of Storytelling
February 2: Craft: Story Summaries
February 16: Craft: Handling Exposition
March 30: Craft: Character Development Keys
April 27: Craft: Create a Compelling Protagonist
May 11: Craft: Write a Worthy Nemesis
May 25: Craft: Scene Description Spotlight
June 22: Craft: The Coen Brothers and the Craft of Storytelling
Each is a 1-week online class featuring 7 lectures written by me, lots of screenwriting insider tips, logline workshops, optional writing exercises, 24/7 message board conversations, teleconferences with course participants and myself to discuss anything related to the craft of scriptwriting.
To qualify to take one of my Craft classes for free, write and submit ten [10] Dialogue-Writing Challenge posts, then provide feedback on ten [10] posts from other writers. The former to get you writing, the latter to work your critical-analytical skills.
You’ve heard, “Put your money where your mouth is”? I recently added up how many free Screenwriting Master Class courses I have given away through various GITS contests and challenges. It is the equivalent of over $32,000.
That’s a symbol of my commitment to do whatever I can to encourage you to write pages.
So here’s where I can use your help: Provide me with some good dialogue-writing prompts. Here are some examples:
* A monologue where a character confesses a shocking secret.
* A one-sided telephone conversation in which a character has an argument with the person on the other end of the phone.
* A ‘conversation’ one character has with a loved one who lies buried in a cemetery grave.
I want suggestions. Lots of ‘em! Think about what challenges you most in writing dialogue, then brainstorm what would be a good prompt for an exercise in going directly at that troublesome issue. Subtext. Realistic dialogue. Exposition. Whatever the prompt, let’s see if we can generate enough of them to have 20 really solid ones for the challenge next month.
Who’s up for this? Who needs to work on their dialogue-writing chops? Who is willing to kick around possible dialogue-writing prompts? Who wants to win a free Craft class with me?
Consider this a Call To Adventure. Will you answer the Call?
I look forward to interfacing with those of you who do.
Onward!
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