Donald L. Vasicek

Category: Short Story

  • “How to Write a Story”

    In every story, there must be a beginning, a middle,
    and an end.  It must contain a main theme that holds
    everything in the story together.  The story should also
    have a main character who has to achieve a goal in
    the story.  There should also be an opposing force,
    an antagonist, and/or a villain who has the same goal,
    but for a different reason and who goes about achieving
    the goal in a different way.

    Another key element to writing an effective story is
    to make sure you are “showing” the story and not
    “telling” the story.  The way you accomplish this is
    to pay special attention to your verb usage.  Using
    passive verbs results in “telling” the story.  Using
    action verbs results in “showing” the story.  You
    must have the instinct to know when to use
    passive verbs and when to use action verbs.  This
    will make a big difference in the effectiveness of
    your story.

    A compelling story always contains these story
    elements.  It is in the execution of these elements
    that determines how compelling your story will be.

    I hope this is of help to you.

    Award-Winning Writer/Filmmaker Donald L. Vasicek

  • Writing Story Beats

    IMG_0223

    When writing a screenplay, by writing story beats first, it helps you organize your thoughts into a more coherent form. Once you complete writing the story beats, you can then begin writing each scene for your screenplay. By following this approach, you will find that you have a road map to follow with respect to your story beats. So, much of your grunt work goes into the story beats, while most of your creative work goes into the writing of each scene.

    Story beats should show each scene in brief form. They do not have to be written in perfect grammar. They simply need to be written down in order. Story beats can be looked upon as idea beats. You have an idea for a scene. What should take place in that scene.? “Oh, yeah, this, this, and this.” Bang! You’ve written your story beats for the first scene. A word of caution, always enter your scene at the last moment and get out of the scene as soon as you can.

    For example, on page 1/minute 1 of my screenplay/movie, “The Caller”, I introduce the setting. I introduce the main character. I show what she does as a professional. I show how she acts and reacts around other people. Bang! I move to the next page/scene. The story beats are: Introduce the setting. Introduce the main character. Show what she does as a professional. Show how she acts and reacts around other people. Get out, move to the next page/scene.

    Once you get some story beats down, you will find that ideas come up where you want to write more in story beats you’ve already written. So, do that. If you want to expound on the setting, e.g., then add to introduce the setting, behind the stage of a fashion show. Then, get back to your story beats for the scene on which you are presently working.

    Writing story beats are refreshing and very helpful to writing a multi-dimensional screenplay, something for which every screenwriter should strive.

    Story beats 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6…

  • Writing/Screenwriting Scenes

    by
    Donald L. Vasicek

    Award-Winning Writer Donald L. Vasicek – Jenny's Lake – Grand Teton Park

    When writing scripts, always think of movies and how
    they transition from scene-to-scene. This is imperative.
    This approach gives you more of a director’s
    “eye.” In turn, the visual dynamics of writing visually
    become more prominent the more you do it.
    This gives a rhythm and movement to the entire script
    that binds it more tightly together. It also helps you
    avoid writer’s block. “Stepping” back and
    looking at a scene that you’ve written with the idea of
    looking at it like it is already a movie, when your mind
    is blocking out, will improve your visual writing dynamics
    and the scene. Step into the scene and become your
    character.

    For example, you have a character coming into a room.
    How should you write that? Step back and look at it
    as though you’re watching a movie? Think of a movie,
    or movies that you have seen with this kind of action
    with respect to the genre and kind of character you’re
    writing. How is the character coming into the room done?

    You will find that most good movies always cut-to-the-chase
    with each scene. They do not mess around with details
    that hinder the movement of the movie. If a character has
    to be thrown into the room because she is a prisoner of
    terrorists, then, throw her into the room. If a character simply
    has to walk into the room, then, cut-to-the-chase. Get her
    into the room as quickly as possible. Just make sure that
    it is consistent with the rhythm and movement of the entire
    story/script/movie/character.

    For example, a character in your story is mild-mannered.
    She loves daisies and brandy. She reads James Joyce.
    She is a certified public accountant for a large accounting
    firm. Everything she does has a place. How would you write
    her entering a room? She would enter the room with
    grace. She would smoothly take in everything in the
    room. She would then proceed with the reason she is
    entering the room.

    Making scenes sparkle like this enhances the screenwriter’s
    ability to excel in their craft.

    Donald L. Vasicek
    The Zen of Writing
    http://michaelc.nextmp.net/wordpress
    dvasicek@earthlink.net
    303-903-2103