Shaping True Story into Screenplay
The goal of Shaping True Story into Screenplay is to empower screenwriters who are spurred on by personal experience, and to help them make the leap from cathartic expression to true storytelling. With an encouraging and supportive tone, the book guides its readers towards objectivity about their experience. An autobiographical screenplay must move beyond a self-indulgent re-telling, and so this book explains the process of writing one's own story in terms of antagonist and protagonist, beginning, middle and end, dramatic conflict, character motivation, and rising arc. It enables writers to discern the difference between ideas with true dramatic potential and memories best left in the scrapbooks. It also stresses the importance of finding a metaphor to use as a springboard for development of characters and plot. This emphasis on poetic invention will help the writer craft a more artful script.
Read an excerpt of Shaping True Story into Screenplay.
"A clear and accessible guide that turns the basics of screenwriting toward the task of telling one's true story."
"The book offers how to plot, build characters, pace conflicts of real life, invent a frame to propel the story, and create scenes that are metaphors for real events. Her gift of simplicity and personal humility is given to all who wish to share a true story. The book is easy to process, inspiring and encouraging. It is like having a personal coach along the way."
"Candace Kearns Read has a knack for whipping a weak script into shape. She is tough, but in the kindest way. This book will be an invaluable resource to all writers and directors."
"Having relied on Candace's instincts, judgment, and clarity, I can testify that she is the absolute best, and consider Shaping True Story Into Screenplay a great gift. So will anyone who reads it."
"Candace Kearns Read is an extremely talented screenwriter and story analyst. Anyone intending to develop material based on 'real life' will benefit from the wisdom and experience found within these pages."
"Candace is a highly regarded script analyst and writer. Top agents in Hollywood wouldn't let their A-list clients make a move on a script until Candace signed off on it with her insightful, smart and savvy analysis. In this book, Candace impeccably shares her great skill and creativity to help screenwriters, and expertly enables you to develop your greatest possession into a compelling screenplay, by guiding you to write what you know best: Yourself."
Read an excerpt of Shaping True Story into Screenplay.
Endorsements for Shaping True Story into Screenplay
"A clear and accessible guide that turns the basics of screenwriting toward the task of telling one's true story."
- Mitchell Levin, Senior Story Analyst, DreamWorks
"The book offers how to plot, build characters, pace conflicts of real life, invent a frame to propel the story, and create scenes that are metaphors for real events. Her gift of simplicity and personal humility is given to all who wish to share a true story. The book is easy to process, inspiring and encouraging. It is like having a personal coach along the way."
- City and Mountain Views, Denver, Colorado
"Candace Kearns Read has a knack for whipping a weak script into shape. She is tough, but in the kindest way. This book will be an invaluable resource to all writers and directors."
- Jeff Woolnough (Director, OUTER LIMITS, THE DON CHERRY STORY and CELINE)
"Having relied on Candace's instincts, judgment, and clarity, I can testify that she is the absolute best, and consider Shaping True Story Into Screenplay a great gift. So will anyone who reads it."
- Robert Palmer (Manager of Anthony Hopkins, Faye Dunaway, and Dick Van Dyke)
"Candace Kearns Read is an extremely talented screenwriter and story analyst. Anyone intending to develop material based on 'real life' will benefit from the wisdom and experience found within these pages."
- Ben Press (Founding Partner, Fortitude Talent Agency)
"Candace is a highly regarded script analyst and writer. Top agents in Hollywood wouldn't let their A-list clients make a move on a script until Candace signed off on it with her insightful, smart and savvy analysis. In this book, Candace impeccably shares her great skill and creativity to help screenwriters, and expertly enables you to develop your greatest possession into a compelling screenplay, by guiding you to write what you know best: Yourself."
- Tony Greco, Screenwriters Online