Fantasies

Soulfulness LA Style: Ally McBeal, Julia Roberts and Hollywood Soul Formation

Using your past to write a great story

Posted October 25, 2011

Human development is everywhere, and glitzy Hollywood/LA can be the source of soul-expanding possibilities. The reason: the best writers know how to go for depth and truly human themes, even if much sitcom and reality fare is Charlie-Sheen shallow and marinated with ample amounts of thighs and cleavage brought to us by Dancing with the Stars.

I recommend you get the book, Story Line: Finding Gold in Your Life Story, by Jen Grisanti, if you want any one or combination of the following:

Tips from a seasoned writing coach on how to write your story in a compelling way that gets at the universal themes. (This is where Jen's and my work really converge-she has refreshing takes on using one's life history)
How to write scripts and stories for film or tv production or works of fiction (this is Jen's current business and passion)
A great insider's look at how stories get developed for TV and movies, with Ally McBeal, and Julia Roberts and George Clooney movies as just a few examples
A rich story of a young lady, Jen herself, saturated in the entertainment industry, who wrote stories her whole life and wanted a perfect happily-ever-after marriage. Instead she got divorced not too long after her wedding and got fired from the perfect job after 15 years. She just kept on going to better things, like her business, being the writing instructor for Writers on the Verge at NBC, and a blogger for the Huffington Post.

There is a lot to learn from her easy and accessible style: why stories need a clear goal, a dilemma that complicates things, symbols that resonate, and more. Her book is filled with good examples, tips and enough self-disclosure by the author to sense that her days with the legendary Aaron Spelling were not lost on her. Her own life challenges were the crucible for pulling forth the wisdom and lessons she has to teach others. And that kind of authenticity always hooks me-she is her own story teaching others how to use theirs.

Your past is not just for you, is her point. It is for everyone–if you have the courage and imagination to use it. Thanks Jen. If you keep this up you are going to grow a lot of great writing in the industry you serve, and beyond. I may not have to read Jung any more. I will just tune into Thursday night's line up.