Screenwriting : Today's Wish and Creative Tip by Laurie Ashbourne

Plotting – Easy as A-B-C The strongest stories fire on all cylinders -- thematically. Here's how: The essential events in the ‘A’ story (the plot of your premise), represent the opportunity in the outer world for the protagonist to grow and evolve toward the thematic value you’ve decided on as a writer. The internal conflict (flaw character must overcome) in the ‘B’ story represents what is lacking inside that is forcing the protagonist to grow toward the thematic value you’ve decided on you’ve decided on as a writer. The relationship conflict of the ‘C’ story shows the impact that the lack of this thematic value is having on the protagonist’s ability to connect with someone or something (just because it is called the relationship plot does not mean it is about a romantic relationship). Take CASABLANCA; Thematically it could be boiled down to the idea of needing each other. The external set up for 'A' plot sets up the opportunity for Rick to be needed by being asked to save Lazlo from the Nazis. In the 'B' story the theme is expressed by showing us what Rick lacks internally in terms of needing others. The 'C' story; Rick's lack of valuing others leaves him alone and isolated, seeing Ilsa again drives him even further into isolation because of the way she hurt him, which in turn makes the 'A' plot feel even more unattainable. A feeds B feeds C feeds A >>> Next time won’t you sing with me? Tips may be sporadic over the next couple of weeks as I take on new projects and make time for the season festivities. Keep plotting… always be plotting.