It’s worth taking the time to write a logline to see if your idea pops, if it is THE ONE. You probably have many ideas in your head, and most of them are okay, or just good enough. All the editing in the world can’t make a story more high concept, so it’s the one thing you have to get right from the start. Writing a logline forces you to make sure that this is a path that you want to spend months or years of your life exploring. It’s impossible to change the fundamental concept – you might as well start over. Once you’re deep into your book (or series), it’s tough to make big changes. If you can’t identify what makes your story different and the emotional impact it will have on the reader at the highest level, it’s time to go back to the drawing board. Though novel-writing is a completely different medium, I think creating a logline for your story is the perfect place to start before you pen your first chapter. Every script had a logline, in which the author summed up the protagonist, conflict, and what made the story unique in one or two crisp sentences. The idea of creating a high concept novel reminded me of a term I learned about in my days writing screenplays.
#Writing a logline movie
You find yourself already picturing the movie in your head. (The Writer’s Store does a great job of explaining the concept here.) If you hear a high-concept idea, you know it because it stays with you.
Basically, if your story is high concept it has a compelling idea that can be summed up succinctly. However, once you learn the logline formula, you’ll find that your ideas feel more creative and original than computer-generated sentences.In the writing world, there is a lot of talk about creating stories that are high concept, especially if you’re writing YA fantasy, like I am.
For example, “a shy, clumsy firefighter” is more interesting to imagine than “a firefighter.”
#Writing a logline free
Feel free to use puns or irony in your wording.
Focus on the conflict with the highest stakes.You’re selling the story, not telling it. No spoilers! Don’t give away the ending in your logline.It’s an effective way to focus your story and characters. Try writing the logline before you write your script or book.While there are minor differences between these sources, the following logline tips are generally agreed upon in the screenwriting community. Most screenwriting courses and books have advice for writing the perfect logline. As in every form of writing, descriptive writing gets the reader’s attention. Now that the executive reading your script knows more about the story, your work will stand out from hundreds of submissions. The looming tragedy will either be the end of their love story, or their struggle to survive will redefine love altogether. After including a setting, character names, and specific events, you’ve got a much stronger logline.Ī young aristocrat falls for a scrappy artist aboard the main voyage of the Titanic. Loglines should also use specific language when possible and avoid vague descriptions.įor example, this logline may not catch anyone’s eye:Ī boy and girl fall in love, but a tragic event changes their lives forever.Īdding important details makes your logline more intriguing. If a reader knows that your work has a strong character and an interesting conflict, they are more likely to turn the page. The impediment to their goal (or antagonistic force).A successful logline is one that includes:
0 kommentar(er)
