World renown screenwriting instructor & professor Pilar Alessandra talks simplifing story and writing craft Link to her podcast & More: onthepage.tv Takeaways: Writers often worry too much about making mistakes.Many new writers write stories that aren't their own.Finding your unique voice is crucial in writing.Setting time limits can help overcome writer's block.Originality doesn't mean complete uniqueness; it's about fresh perspectives.Loglines are essential for focusing your story.Successful writers enjoy the process and are open to experimentation.Playfulness in writing can lead to better creativity.Receiving notes should be about understanding intent, not just following advice.Writing partnerships require clear communication and agreements. Summary Pilar Alessandra discussing common mistakes new writers make, the importance of finding one's unique voice, and strategies for overcoming writer's block. She emphasizes the significance of originality in storytelling, the role of loglines, and the dynamics of writing partnerships. Pilar also touches on creating faith-based stories without being preachy, the element of surprise in storytelling, and the importance of playfulness in the writing process. Throughout the discussion, she provides practical tips and encourages writers to embrace their creativity and enjoy the journey of storytelling. Chapters 03:44 Common Mistakes in Writing06:26 Finding Your Unique Voice09:01 Breaking Down Story Structure11:37 Overcoming Writer's Block14:13 The Importance of Originality17:00 Developing Compelling Characters19:32 The Role of Loglines21:40 Patterns in Successful Writers25:28 Navigating Feedback: The Art of Receiving Notes26:20 The Note Process: Understanding Intentions29:02 Collaborative Writing: The Dynamics of Writing Partners31:21 Starting Your Writing Journey: Exercises and Exploration32:22 Faith-Based Storytelling: Balancing Message and Authenticity33:04 Show, Don't Tell: The Power of Subtext35:39 The Element of Surprise: Keeping Audiences Engaged39:04 Finding Balance: The Lift and Drag of Storytelling39:20 Personal Favorites: Films That Resonate43:30 Faith in Storytelling: Subtlety Over Preachiness45:01 Conveying the Unseen: Objects as Symbols in Storytelling Chapters (00:00:00) - Screenwriting Craft(00:02:00) - How My First Draft Got Made(00:03:33) - What Are the Most Common Mistakes Made By Writers?(00:07:17) - What's a Logline?(00:08:42) - There Are Many Ways to Break Story(00:10:42) - How to Write Without Writer's Block(00:15:02) - What's Your Fresh Take On Something?(00:18:21) - Questions to Ask Yourself as a Screenwriter(00:19:52) - Binge-Writing Tips(00:21:31) - The Importance of a Logline(00:22:49) - The Types of Writers You Like(00:26:14) - How To Take Notes On a Script(00:28:59) - How To Write With A Writing Partner(00:32:09) - How To Write a Faith Based Movie(00:34:01) - What's The Problem With Show Don't Tell(00:34:28) - White Lotus(00:35:32) - Tom Holland on Surprise in Films(00:39:07) - Favorite Film Scripts(00:41:51) - On The Page: Where to Start?(00:43:20) - Have You threaded the needle on a Faith Based Story?(00:44:53) - How To Write About Unseen Things

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