Screenwriting Tricks for Authors
Alexandra Sokoloff

Your Act II Climax: The Dark Night and the Dawn

These two key story structure elements are very, very often the CLIMAX of Act II: Part 2. They almost always occur next to each other, one coming right after—or soon after—the other. There might be a climactic action sequence before or after, but these elements will...

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Act II: Part 2 — Visit to the Goddess

As we continue our discussion of Act II: Part 2,I want to make sure you’re aware of this important story element. It can be tremendously useful—and it’s very rarely discussed! You could characterize the two halves of Act II with these very, very broad strokes: Act II:...

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Act II: Part 2 – The Clash of Inner & Outer Desire

The darker, downward spiraling Act II: Part 2 is a PATTERN in novels and movies that we tend to see often. I want to say up front, as ever: If you’re writing an Act II: Part 2 that doesn’t fit this pattern, and it’s working for you, that’s all that matters! Only use...

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Act II: Part 2 – The Downward Spiral

Act II:2 is the third quarter of a book or script, and generally the darkest quarter. One of the most useful things you can do for your book or script is to start looking at Act II as two very distinct and contrasting Acts, divided by the Midpoint game-changer. (More...

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The MIDPOINT Game-Changer – Part 2

Let's talk about that sagging middle. Of your book or script, I mean! This month we’ll be moving into the third quarter—often the darkest and most difficult quarter! —of a book or script: Act 2: Part 2, what I call THE DOWNWARD SPIRAL. But first I want to make...

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What’s the EXPERIENCE of your book or script?

One of the key elements of Act II, especially Act II: Part 1, is the PROMISE OF THE GENRE. Your GENRE (and subgenre) is a promise to your readers or audience about the EXPERIENCE they are going to get by reading your book or watching your movie. It’s a contract with...

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Is AI the end of writers—or the end of humanity?

By now you’re all completely familiar with Chat GPT (Bing, Bard, etc.) and why writers are anxious about it all— Just kidding. I know enough writers (thousands) to know: learning about the explosion of AI and its implications to their livelihood is one of those things...

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Writing a Synopsis – that sells!

Yes, I know—the very word “Synopsis” strikes dread into the heart of a writer. And yes, I know—after the year-or-years long marathon that is writing a book, the very last thing anyone wants to do is come up with a one or three-page synopsis of the 400 pages you’ve...

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