Before going there…
… remember that television commercial I was raving about a few weeks ago? The “Does Your Man Smell Like Me” concept? Well… it just won an Emmy Award as the best television commercial of the year.
And; now…
A Peek At Another Writer’s Story Analysis
One of the things I do in my life as a writer and story coach is, well, coach stories. I analyze outlines and manuscripts (for a fee, to be clear here), using the Six Core Competencies as a standard and a menu of facets to evaluate.
Sometimes I gush with praise. Other times… well, I’m always honest. Clear, but never brutal. Clear can sound like brutal sometimes… but if you think I’m a hard ass, wait until you hear from an agent or editor who doesn’t like your work.
Then again, beyond a simple rejection letter, you probably won’t hear from them.
The result of this analysis process is what I call a “coaching document,” wherein I offer my input. One of the projects I’ve just reviewed resulted in a coaching document that, I believe, reflects the criteria and impact of the storytelling principles we dwell on here at Storyfix in a way that could be of value to other writers.
One writer’s feedback becomes another writer’s case study, so to speak.
So, with that writer’s permission, my coaching document is reprinted here for you to check out.
Read and learn. The outline I reviewed was pretty darn good, but even then, you can see how the principles can help make the project even better. As in, more publishable.
Click HERE to read it.
If you’re interested in having me review your outline (20 single-spaced pages or less) let me know. I charge $250 for the work, which will result in a document that looks and smells a lot like the one offered here. (Full manuscripts quoted upon request… obviously, that’s a bit more. Quite a bit, actually.)
Every story is different, and thus, so is every coaching document. Fair warning… they don’t all turn out this good. How it goes from that point forward is always the writer’s choice.
Just like in life.
5 Responses
What’s the price for a 120 page screenplay?
$250 for a story analysis? Count Me In.
Wonderfully useful. Even reading this through the eyes of your client gives me insights into my own work. I love the helpful, supportive tone. Nicely modulated.
If you will forgive me, you did a big no-no in the critique. Actually twice. There are NO modifiers allowed for the word ‘unique’. A thing is either unique – meaning one and only – or it isn’t. There is no ‘more’ unique or ‘very’ unique. Sorry. It’s just one of those fingernails-on-the-blackboard things with me like saying, ‘Where are you at?’
This is incredibly helpful and encouraging feedback. When I have an outline ready for my story I will be sending it your way Larry! Much thanks and good luck to the writer for sharing this document with us.
Voyeuristic? Yes!
Valuable? Even more so!
Thank you kindly.