Soulful Screenwriting

Soulful Screenwriting helps you explore the soul of a screenplay, and yourself as a writer. This is an empowering interactive workshop, where we explore key dramatic narrative storytelling principles, as well as common pitfalls to avoid to make your screenplay or dramatic story more effective.

Soulful Screenwriting is not just for screenwriters. Much of what we discuss applies to other forms of dramatic narrative, such as a play or modern novel.

Bring a notebook! The series includes in-class writing exercises culled from several of the Now Write! books to help you get out of your own way, get creative juices flowing, and benefit your stories – whether a rewrite or starting from scratch.

Each Soulful Screenwriting meeting begins with a brief guided meditation to get present.

SCHEDULE

Every Tuesday evening for nine meetings, March 24 through May 19

6:30-7:30pm PDT I 8:30-9:30pm CDT I 9:30-10:30pm EDT

Or just try the first one – Big Picture: What is a Dramatic Narrative Story

TOPICS

Key storytelling ingredients we'll explore in the series:

• What is a Dramatic Narrative Story
• Conflict
• Stakes & Dilemmas
• Character Development
• Thematics
• “Happy” Endings (and three other types)
• Scenes, Dialogue & Nonverbal Communication
• Genres (sprinkled throughout)

WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT SOULFUL SCREENWRITING

"Your exercises have proven very helpful! It's a good reminder to me, to keep taking workshops because there will always be new ways of looking at things. Thanks so much for a beneficial and thought-provoking workshop." - Lise Pyles, award-winning screenwriter and co-founder of San Antonio Screenwriters' Guild (two-time attendee)

“I enjoyed the workshops; they helped me figure out some basic plot points for my next screenplay.”- Patty Sandoval Sralla, screenwriter, top 10 percent in many notable screenwriting contests, co-founder San Antonio Screenwriters’ Guild, rock singer

“Had a blast! Very valuable information.“ - James Beene, Writer, Entrepreneur (two-time attendee)

“I really enjoyed your class - and it also helped me from an actor's perspective, because as you know, we always have to dig around for our characters' motivation.”- Kate McIntyre, actress, writer, webseries producer

INSTRUCTOR: LAURIE LAMSON

A produced and published American writer dedicated to original storytelling, creative practice, and positive impact - with art, heart & soul.

With a film/video production background, Laurie's specialty is scriptwriting. She has written 122 produced film, video and audio scripts for education, marketing and entertainment, including a multi-award winning feature film. She has also directed internationally well-received short films and videos, including a metaphysical romance with thirteen honors.

Laurie was editor or co-editor of three books in the popular Now Write! creative writing series recently published a similar compilation for actors: Now Act! Insight, Advice, and Preparation Processes from Actors, Coaches, and Casting Directors.