Finding Success in Writing TRUE STORIES


There is nothing better than saying in a pitch or story meeting, this is based on a TRUE STORY.

But what do you do if your true story is BORING?

A lot of writers make the mistake of assuming that, just because a story is based on "reality," that means they can't influence reality.

Not so. You are a part of reality as are most studio executives and even many agents.

And, as part of reality, you can influence reality.

For instance... Let's say you found a true story about an elderly Polish woman who lives on her own so that she can give her retirement money to her grandchildren for their education.

 It sadly sounds a bit dull.

However, how cool would it be for the grandchildren to go MISSING, and the elderly woman starts receiving mysterious MESSAGES: drive your motorized wheelchair and be at 'x' place at 'x' time. If you want to see your grandkids, you must cook your cat's hairballs with angel hair pasta and eat it. And more. It's still based on a true story, but now it sizzles.

I'm not saying that will happen. Why should it? I'm just saying, anything is possible...

Or let's say your true story is about a kids baseball team that wins the statewide championships. 

Frankly it feels a bit juvenile and predictable.

But what if a mysterious person started making the players vanish without a trace using a Ten Little Indians template? The team that wanted success now must band together for survival. And that same mysterious person leaves clues leading to the heroic discovery of the team. Hurray! Everyone's okay! This true story suddenly has a lot more "punch".

And lucky you -- you have a "ripped from the headlines" movie deal!

Am I , Barton Bukowski, suggesting that you should be a mysterious person who causes traumatic things to happen, just so your "true story" will become more sell-able? Of course not! You should never break the law, even if it will help make your pitch or spec a million times more easy to sell in a competitive market.

That's all I'll say, for legal reasons, but I will add just one more thing...

A successful screenwriter is one who knows how to read between the lines.

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