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Steph Olivieri Bourbon Writer's Blog

Tag Archives: storytelling

Why You Should Focus on Story First!

09 Wednesday Sep 2020

Posted by stephtvfilmwriter in Uncategorized

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amwriting, Story, storytelling, writers community, writerslife, Writing

Forget About Being a Great Writer and Focus on Story First
Have you ever picked up a book that has been on the bestseller list for months and months and the author is all over the publishing news because all the movie deals coming in and how rich they are—and then the writing is bad, like really bad, and you think—WTF???Yup–been there, done that. Have you ever gone to the movies and so many things are wrong and yet the film is bringing in millions and millions and you cringe at the story mistakes? Yup–been there, done that. 

This has been my philosophy for as long as I can remember. 

There is nothing wrong with being great with words or wordsmithing. I admit, it’s not my thing, but if you allow it to get in the way of the story, that is where you will have problems. 

The reason is that people come to you for the story not the words. 

STORY IS ALWAYS FIRST. 

The words should come LAST. 

The sequence of writing a novel should go something like this. 

FIRST DRAFT

REVISIONS

REVISIONS

REVISIONS

NEW FULL DRAFT– I do this from memory with a blank page.

REVISIONS on story, character, at the chapter level.

REVISIONS

Then workshop it. 

Then critique group.

Then if you are really sure this is the best version of your story you get to line edit. (usually about the 8th or 9th revision)

Sounds like a lot of work right? 

Yup, it is. 

Writing novels is hard. 

Think of it this way, if you were to make a wedding cake, you finish with the tiny details you start with the eggs, flour, sugar, etc. 

It’s the same with your story. 

Now, for the screen and TV writers out there, this is the same for you. 

if you waste your time writing clever dialogue, scenes, and jokes but the story isn’t working, your movie or your episode will most likely suck. 

Why? Because story always needs to be first. Great sentences and super clever jokes won’t and can’t carry a story.  

I STRONGLY recommend the below two books by Lisa Cron-they are game-changers.

WIRED FOR STORY & STORY GENIUS 

They will help you get to the root of your story and the exercises she has are invaluable

. 

EXERCISE Make a list of your top ten favorite books or movies (or both) and then write down what you love about it. I bet ya, it’s the story. It may be all the clever jokes or the witty dialogue but at the end of it, it’s probably the story. Example–THE 40-YEAR-OLD VIRGIN–very funny, lots of hilarity–but why do we love this movie? The STORY is solid. The character has a want and a need that isn’t happening for him until he is forced to change. Another example is the GILMORE GIRLS--talk about your witty dialogue but is that why you tuned in? Nope, it was the story of a mother and a daughter in a small town. The witty dialogue was just the flower on the icing on the cake. One more. TWILIGHT. Is the writing brilliant? Is she a wordsmith? No, but the story of two teens in love and one of them having a dark secret that is dangerous is one we know and instantly want to know more. Also, 50 SHADES OF GREY. 

Now, are you ready to make your STORY stand out? 

I know that you are. It’s hard because it’s been drilled into our heads that we have to be these perfect writers to be successful but honestly, that’s part of it but more importantly is the STORY. 

Don’t forget that. 

STORY first! 

Then pretty words. 

If you like this blog please share on social media and with other writers. 

As well, please get onto my VIP email list so you are first to get weekly writing tips, announcements, and exclusive offers just for you.

XO happy writing!

What Do You Want to Know? (About Writing)

16 Tuesday Jul 2019

Posted by stephtvfilmwriter in Children's books, Novels, Writing (film & television)

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Tags

author, author life, author tube, Film, novel, screenwriting, screenwriting tips, story concierge, storyteller, storytelling, Television, writers life, Writing, writing coach, writing community, writing tips, you tube

what.jpg

Happy Tuesday Writers! 

I have decided a couple things about this blog! I love it, so don’t worry, it’s not going anywhere, but I may add the content from this blog to my new websites for my courses-both of my landing pages.

You can find them both in the links below

Judanie Bean presents STORY CONCIERGE  (this is still being built so this is a sneak preview just for you-my readers)

www.judaniebean.com  My writing website with links to my courses, YouTube, the Story Concierge Facebook Group and more!

The other thing is that since I’m posting videos on YouTube every week, I’d LOVE to get your input so if there is something you want to know about writing, working as a writer, publishing, getting an agent, story, writing queries—whatever it is and you want a video on it. Let me know!! 

You can comment here and or email me at stephanie@judaniebean.com 

I shoot the videos for YouTube 1-2 months in advance and will be shooting some later today and next week. I’m also BUILDING my Story Concierge Course as we speak–just for YOU, with YOU in mind so if there is something that you have been missing in courses LET ME KNOW!

I’ve been taking questions from writers and building from there but am super happy and open to suggestions.

Thank you so much for being here —- it’s GREAT to be back!

You can find me on YouTube every Wednesday and soon I will be doing two a week so please SUBSCRIBE

Cheers and happy writing!

    xo Stephanie

GOALS for JULY

02 Tuesday Jul 2019

Posted by stephtvfilmwriter in Children's books, Novels, Writing (film & television)

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Tags

camp nano, creative consulting, Film, novel, Story, storytelling, Television, Writing, writing coach, writing tips

Hey Writers! OMG I am so sorry that I am so late with this post. If I told you, you wouldn’t believe the morning I had, and no, I’m not organized enough to post in advance.

I apologize!

WHAT ARE YOUR WRITING GOALS FOR JULY?

Are you part of #CampNaNOWriMo?

Do you have a deadline?

What are you doing?

I am spending July in CampNaNo, building my writing course #storyconcierge in Kajabi, and am excited about all the possibilities coming for writers.

This is short today as it’s 5:30 and let’s just say, I’m not over the food poisoning I got last night YET—ugh StoryConciergeFall2019

 

www.judaniebean.com

www.youtube.com/stephaniebourbon 

How to Beat Writer’s Block

18 Tuesday Jun 2019

Posted by stephtvfilmwriter in Children's books, Novels, Writing (film & television)

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Tags

author, author life, Film, novel, story concierge, storyteller, storytelling, Television, writer's block, writers life, Writing, writing tips

tipswritersblock

 

So, there is this thing that writers say all the time when they are stuck. “I have writer’s block.” For many years I had no sympathy and would think or even say, “writer’s block is bullshit”, but I don’t believe that anymore. It’s a real thing. Sometimes we just get stuck, our muse is out drinking or whatever, we have no ideas coming in.

Well, it feels like that’s true, usually, it’s other things pushing their way forward. How to pay the bills, what if I get rejected on the story that is already out there, I’m tired, this story isn’t working, etc.. then, we procrastinate—and as writers, we are really good at that.

I find that when I get stuck, I refuse to call it writer’s block, when I’m stuck I find that if I force myself to write something it helps me get back to what I’m doing. Sometimes, I’ll work on another project, or even just getting out of the flat helps me a lot. Going to the gym helps me, hanging out with my crit group or friends helps as well.

I have posted just a few tips that work for me that you can print out and post-maybe they will help you too!

I’d love to hear your thoughts on it. Do you get it? How do you get unstuck?

Don’t forget to tune into my YouTube channel and subscribe–this week, I am talking about this very thing in a short fun video!

Sign up for my newsletter, freebies, and information on my Story Concierge course HERE

Join the FB group I created for all storytellers HERE

Follow me on social media  

Pinterest

Instagram

Twitter

xo Stephanie

Dialogue DOs and DON’TS

04 Tuesday Jun 2019

Posted by stephtvfilmwriter in Novels, Writing (film & television)

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Tags

dialogue, Film, novel, storytelling, Television, writers life, Writing, writing dialogue, writing tips

dialoguedosanddonts

 

Some quick tips on writing dialogue.

I’m traveling this week and next for a writing conference so these are shorter posts.

Please tune into my new YouTube channel HERE because I will be talking about dialogue in several videos I am recording now. As well, I am launching my Who Said That? Dialogue course this fall.

What questions do you have about writing dialogue?

POST here in the comments or email me stephanie@judaniebean.com

find me on social media.

I’d LOVE to hear from you and chat about talking in movies, books, TV, plays!!!

xo Stephanie

 

Shooting Videos FOR WRITERS

31 Friday May 2019

Posted by stephtvfilmwriter in Novels, Writing (film & television)

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Tags

Film, novel, Story, story concierge, storytelling, Television, writers life, Writing, writing community, writing conferences, writing goals, writing tips

IMG_0536

Happy Friday writers!!!

Just a quick hello to announce that I have shot the first batch of videos for my new YouTube channel launching next week!

I hope you will subscribe, get involved in the conversation and share with friends!

www.youtube.com/stephaniebourbon

and please sign up for my VIP list to find out how you could win a scholarship worth over $1000 and get a FREE seat in my upcoming course, or win a gift certificate to an amazing writing course, as well as other FREEBIES just for you!

www.judaniebean.com 

As always, happy writing!

xo 

I Hit 100 Subscribers on YouTube

29 Wednesday May 2019

Posted by stephtvfilmwriter in Children's books, Novels, Writing (film & television)

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Tags

author, Film, novel, screenwriting, storytelling, Television, TV writing, writers life, Writing, writing community, you tube

My brand new little channel hit 100 subscribers yesterday and YouTube sent me this fun little animation congratulations email. Hitting 100 is a big deal when you are brand new.

IMG_3480

They are so cute!

I started this channel to help writers and answer all the questions I get via my business, at conferences, when I’m speaking, when I work 1:1 with writers and see in social media groups. It’s a channel dedicated to YOU–the WRITER/STORYTELLER.

www.youtube.com/stephaniebourbon 

WATCH. LIKE. COMMENT. SUBSCRIBE. & SHARE with all your writer friends. 🙂 

I would LOVE to have you there.

d_bEfeFyK64

I am officially launching NEXT week. June 5th to be precise. I can’t wait.

THEN—there is MORE—in the fall I am launching my STORY CONCIERGE course—which you will love.

Everything you need to get on the right path with your specific and unique writing career will be in this course.

For a limited time this summer I am going to be giving the first writers & storytellers to sign up a lot of FREEBIES, including—-wait for it—–a ONE on ONE consulting package (WORTH $1500+) with me, AND FIVE FREE COURSES—yes, I am giving my course away for free. There are no conditions.

All you have to do is visit my new site www.judaniebean.com and sign up to be a Judanie Bean VIP to get all the news and when you do you will get the latest news BEFORE I post here or anywhere on social media.

wlogo

It’s like a first class seat for stowaway prices—FREE–just sign up and you’ll be first to find out how you can get my new course for absolutely nothing.

That’s it for this week.

There are some more links below that I know you will love.

Happy WRITING!!

JOIN the conversation STORY CONCIERGE CLOSED FACEBBOOK GROUP

YouTube for WRITERS & STORYTELLERS

PINTEREST 

INSTAGRAM

TWITTER

Writing Goals for the Week?

28 Tuesday May 2019

Posted by stephtvfilmwriter in Children's books, Novels, Writing (film & television)

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Tags

dialogue, Film, goals, novel, Story, story concierge, storytelling, Television, TV writing, writers life, Writing, writing community, writing dialogue, writing goals, writing tips

GoalswritingMay28

 

Happy first day of the new week—because yesterday was a holiday—I hope you did something fun.

My husband and I went to see the new Ryan Reynolds movie—Detective Pikachu and while we totally enjoyed it, I found myself wondering why I didn’t really care about the characters, especially the main character.

Did you see it? What did you think?

We also watched all of DEAD TO ME—and that was brilliant in every way.

The characters were so well developed. There was no telling-everything we found out we did in the right way-they ever used flashbacks effectively. Every episode ended with what I call a page turner (even in TV shows)—it made us binge instead of waiting for the next day. The dialogue was all perfect.

***THIS IS A SHOW TO WATCH TO LEARN craft of storytelling. I can’t recommend it enough.

***Warning if the F word offends you, then it’s probably not the show for you though.

Have you seen it?

So, I’m a day late in posting my goal post for the week-which usually I put out on Mondays. But, since I took most of the day off to recharge I figured that a lot of you did as well.

Now, it’s time to write down those goals!!!

Happy writing!!!

Please subscribe, share here and on social media.

For more on writing, news, tips, and tricks you can find me here!

www.judaniebean.com

www.youtube.com/stephaniebourbon

Join the STORY CONCIERGE FB GROUP 

XO Stephanie

FREE STUFF FOR WRITERS!

21 Tuesday May 2019

Posted by stephtvfilmwriter in Children's books, Novels, Writing (film & television)

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Tags

Film, novel, storytelling, Television, Writing

All caps because yay!! Who doesn’t want FREE content?

And, I’m building PDFs and stuff to give to writers for FREE

Check out my FIRST YouTube video!

 

Please share, subscribe and let’s talk about writing!!!

 

What Are Your Writing Goals?

20 Monday May 2019

Posted by stephtvfilmwriter in Children's books, Novels, Writing (film & television)

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

creative consulting, revising, story concierge, storytelling, writers life, Writing, writing goals, writing tips

writinggoals

 

Hi Writers! Happy Monday. 

So what are your writing goals this week?

If you write them down you are more likely to reach them!

You can comment here, or join us in the Story Concierge FB group, or with your critique group, in your journal–however you want to do it.

MINE ARE:

  1. Writing in the YA every day this week
  2. Revisions in said novel
  3. Working on the worksheets for my online courses

 

Okay, your turn!

www.judaniebean.com SIGN UP to be a VIP and get FREEBIES

and SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube Channel–videos FULL of FREE content for all creative writers starting NEXT MONTH!

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