The Starless Sea: Harnessing The Power of Metaphor

“...Erin Morgenstern begins her novel The Starless Sea with these words: There is a pirate in the basement. (The pirate is a metaphor, but also still a person.) In addition to being one of the most brilliant opening lines of a book I've read in a long time, these words also constitute one of the great writing lessons for writers of all genres. Every single character you write is both a person and a metaphor. Every single thing that happens in your plot is also a metaphor. Every choice you make, every image you write, every little micro decision, every macro decision is also metaphor. Because real writing doesn't happen from the conscious part of your mind. Real writing happens from the subconscious part of your mind. And your subconscious mind does not communicate in literal, rational ways because it doesn't process in literal rational ways.  Your subconscious mind processes in metaphor; everything you write is symbolic. In this episode, you’ll learn how to access and harness the power of your subconscious metaphors in your writing, PLUS: * Character development: Building from metaphor to character. * When NOT to “kill your darlings”: Following the trail of your own breadcrumbs * Theme in screenwriting: Discovering theme through writing process. * Subconscious writing techniques: Trusting your creative instincts. * Script structure: Plot as a vehicle for character and theme. * Screenwriting craft: Balancing conscious and subconscious elements. * TV series writing: Metaphor in pilots and series bibles * Rewriting process: Using metaphor and theme to guide revisions * Creative writing exercises: Exploring central metaphors * Screenplay analysis: Learning from great TV shows and films Join Jake for free every Thursday night at Thursday Night Writes, RSVP here and check all of our classes!