Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Theory on Thursday with Helene Young




My first author guest for Theory on Thursday- where authors share their favourite craft book - is the gorgeous and supremely talented Helene Young. She recently won the Australian Romantic Book of the Year contest and if you haven't read one of her romantic suspenses... well, what are you waiting for?

I asked Helene - if you were stranded on a desert island, what one Writing craft book would you like to have with you. Here's what she had to say:

Only one craft book on a deserted island?

Nooooo….

Thank heavens for e-readers ;-)

But, Rach, if you’re going to insist I have to choose one then I couldn’t leave behind SAVE THE CAT by Blake Snyder. Couldn’t, wouldn’t, shouldn’t!

Blake wrote Save the Cat after being a screenwriter for many years. I saw him giving an address at the RWA San Francisco Conference in 2008 after I strayed into his session by accident. I was mesmerised. His energy, his humour and his passion for good writing were infectious. Since then his book has been pivotal for me. It made me pay attention to my pacing and my story arc, to the rhythm of my words and to the expectations of my readers.

I write Romantic Suspense so perhaps it, more than other genres, lends itself to the same considerations as screenplays, but also I think all stories – in film or print - follow a story arc that instinctively mimics our myths and legends.

If you love The Hero’s Journey, by Christopher Vogler, but find yourself bogging down in some of the drier sections, then Save the Cat is a less technical, easy reading proponent of a similar philosophy. Blake breaks stories down into three acts and talks about the build up of each act. He talks about the turning points, the black moment and the blackest moment. He gives practical examples of films that work and ones that don’t. I’m quite a visual person and being able to see those principles at work on the screen made it all click into place.

(To my husband’s horror I’ve now developed an annoying habit of watching movies and indentifying the elements Blake talks about in the book. It might drive him nuts, but for me each time I can see a movie work well it reinforces the idea of story arc and tempo.)

I don’t reread Save the Cat while I’m writing the first draft of a story since I’m a panster who loves being taken for a ride by my characters (and up the occasionally blind alley…) However, once the editing starts, I’ll skim through it again to remind me to pay attention to the story arc and heighten the tension.

And the name of the book is timely nudge. If your hero can do something worthy (ie save the cat) then readers are more likely to love your character from the beginning!

So, have you read Save the Cat? Did you love it or hate? Did it help? What’s your favourite craft book?

Always love a good debate J

Me again. Thanks Helene so much for visiting. I'm ashamed to say I have Save The Cat sitting on my shelf and haven't yet read it properly. That is of course about to change.

Shattered Sky - February 2011 – Hachette Australia

Shattered SkySurviving a missile strike on her aircraft suddenly seems like the easy part for Lauren Bennett. A year after being attacked mid flight, Lauren is sure she’s overcome her guilt at losing a friend in the ensuing crash. Her brittle, glossy veneer doesn’t fool Callam Granger, though. But the naval patrol boat captain knows he’s got no right to an opinion. He wasn’t there when she needed him most and she’s not going to let him forget it.

On a routine surveillance assignment Lauren uncovers an operation trafficking sex slaves. Pursuing the women – and their captors – will take her deep into the Australian outback and a reluctant Callam knows this time he can’t let her go alone. Is it possible for Lauren and Callam to put aside old enmities to outwit, outrun and ultimately out-fly the traffickers? Or will the frantic race to free the women simply ignite their emotions, endangering yet more lives?


30 comments:

Fiona Lowe said...

Helene,
Great post.
I have Save the Cat and I've also been Christopher Vogler fan since way back in 1995 when I first bought his book. I've been driving my family nuts in movies for years so they ban me from speaking now;_-) Although, I find the boys are doing the same thing. I can wax lyrical about the universal story for far too long- every 'off the chart successful film' has used it well...Star Wars, Avitar, Romancing the Stone, Wizard of Oz.

Phillipa said...

I've never heard of the book but I'll have to seek it out. I've learned to keep my film analysis to myself. If I say 'look, see how they're setting it up?' my kids just say, 'Mum, you're wierd.' So now it's my own private vice.

Helene Young said...

Lol, Fiona, good to hear I'm not the only one!

I use AVATAR in a workshop to demonstrate the journey and the conflict - very handy tools!

Helene Young said...

Phillipa, I can see your gorgeous children rolling their eyes in disgust at your analysis :) As a private vice it's a very special pleasure although I get far too much enjoyment out of annoying GW with it!

Becca said...

Oh Helene, you've picked a fave of mine. It completely changed my thinking about movies... a little like the magician's reveal but it's nice to be able to see where it works.

Jenn J McLeod - Australia's small town storyteller said...

Okay - I'm buying it! Sounds like a perfect match to my fav - Eats, Roots and Leaves (is that right? I sometime make an a**e of myself and get the title wrong. Best grammer...ahh..grammar book ever. Oh, just looked it up. It's Eats, Shoots and Leaves - Lynne Truss. She makes English fun. www.lynnetruss.com
Great idea of a blog R :)

Helene Young said...

Bec, good to hear there are many devotees out there. Very sad that Blake passed away so young... He clearly had many more books and movies still to produce...

Helene Young said...

Jenn, I love Eats, Shoots and Leaves! It's high on my recommendation list for people starting out - and I still refer to it on occasions when my brain is scrambling apostrophes...

Leah Ashton said...

Great post Helene!
I have this book, and I also went to "Save the Cat Falls in Love", a workshop at the NY RWAmerica conference in July. I loved the workshop, but I am ashamed to say I've only skimmed the book. Will need to sit down and read it properly now!

Rachael Johns said...

Thanks again Helene for your book blog and also for popping by to answer comments.

Fiona - one semester of studying film and tv at uni ruined me for watching movies! Lucky hubby is the same.

Phillipa - welcome! Lovely to see you here. I think our kids will always think we're weird, no matter what!

Helene - I want to go to your workshop!

Rachael Johns said...

Bec - please explain the 'Magician's Reveal'. :)

Jenn - I love that book too. So clever! Would love to have you as a guest blogger to talk about IT if you like!

Leah - am even MORE jealous of you now! I've only skimmed the book but I MUST read it properly too.

Rachael Johns said...

Helene - am curious, have you read 'Save The Cat Strikes Back'?

Joanne Dannon said...

Helene - great post :) I'm always interested in checking out new craft books :)

Joanne Dannon said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Louise Reynolds said...

I'm another one with "Save The Cat" sitting on my shelves unread. So many craft books, so little time (sigh). Seriously, I'll have to get into it now.
Great post, Helene and thanks for Theory on Thursday, Rach! What a great idea.

Jackie Ashenden said...

I've never read Save the Cat. I think I need to! Great post, Helene!

Scarlet Wilson said...

I have Save the Cat and I love it!

Helene Young said...

Leah, a 'Save the Cat Falls in Love' workshop sounds fabulous! V Jealous now... Enjoy reading the book - I think it's funny as well as invaluable :-)

Helene Young said...

Rach, I haven't read 'Save the Cat Strikes Back.' In fact I didn't know it existed! I'll look it up.

Helene Young said...

Joanne, Louise and Jackie thanks for dropping by. You'll enjoy the book but be warned about the analysing movies side-effect... And yes, Rach's idea of Theory Thursday is fabulous!!

Helene Young said...

Scarlet, lovely to hear of more devotees!!

Helene Young said...

Rach, thanks for inviting me to your blog! It's be an lovely day chatting craft even if I was MIA for the second half. I can report that all passengers arrived roughly on time and safely at their destinations :-)

Rachael Johns said...

Thanks Helene and everyone for stopping by. So happy to hear all went well with your flight too :)

Anonymous said...

*Groan* Not another craft book I can't live without, but you've convinced me, Helene. Stuffit!

Cathryn Hein said...

Hmm. Why can't I make my avatar appear on Blogger. Must investigate!

Anonymous said...

Read it. LOVE it! Revisit it regularly.

Rachael Johns said...

I KNOW Cathryn - my prob is I buy all these books and don't MAKE the time to read them.

Aimee - great to have another endorsement. Guess what craft book is coming down off my shelf this weekend?

Helene Young said...

It's easy reading and will make you laugh as well Cathryn so suitable for a relaxing evening unwindind! (Sorry I can't help your avatar make an appearance - my technological skills don't extend past aircraft...)

Helene Young said...

Aimee, thanks for dropping by! Another vote for a fabulous book:)

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