Screenwriter's Guide to Plotting & Theme with K.M. Weiland

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Today on the show we have returning champion author K.M. Weiland. I wanted to bring her back on the show to discuss her new book Writing Your Story’s Theme: The Writer’s Guide to Plotting Stories That Matter.
“Theme Is What Your Story Is Really About.”
Theme-the mysterious cousin of plot and character. Too often viewed as abstract rather than actionable, theme is frequently misunderstood and left to chance. Some writers even insist theme should not be purposefully implemented. This is unfortunate because in many ways theme is story. Theme is the heart, the meaning, the point. Nothing that important should be overlooked.
Powerful themes are never incidental. They emerge from the conjunction of strong plots and resonant character arcs. This means you can learn to plan and implement theme. In doing so, you will deepen your ability to write not only stories that entertain, but also stories that stay with readers long after the end.
Writing Your Story’s Theme will teach you:
- How to create theme from plot and character.
- Why every supporting character and subplot should enhance the theme.
- How to prevent theme from seeming preachy or “on the nose.”
What to consider in identifying the best theme for any given story.
- And much more!
Conscious mastery of theme will elevate every story you write and allow you to craft fiction of depth and meaning.
Enjoy my conversation with K.M. Weiland.
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#screenwriters #screenwriter #screenwriting

[@ZPHammill]

‘“Mindless entertainment “ is never “harmless entertainment.” There’s always something that’s affecting your view of the world.’ Whoa. Love it.

[@Comedyschule]

I love these interviews. I just wish you guys would talk about some other types of movies. Superhero and bockbuster popcorn movies are ok but there are so many other cool stories out there. What about whiplash, sound of metal, room [a24], intouchables, schindlers list, pulp fiction, city of god, green mile, interstellar, Ikiru etc etc. 😀 you probably talked about all of them at some time and place but everytime I listen to one of the podcasts its about star wars, indiana jones, jurassic park, iron man 🙈

[@Comedyschule]

Btw im buying her first book just now 😃

[@e.matthews]

The term "Iconic Hero" can apply to those older Bond movies and procedurals. Iconic Heros inhabit the plot but don't change, we want them to remain who they are. Umberto Eco did a famous analysis of the books. Bond was a weapon, we wanted him to be a weapon. We didn't want him to think and feel and change and grow. Fascinating stuff!!

[@lauragranger9813]

Yeah I think you can enjoy those stories just as much, just for different reasons. He brought up Sherlock too, classic example. We aren't there for character change. We wanted to see solutions and victories and to marvel at them. I don't feel ripped off by those stories because there isn't a character arc. If it is established that is the type of story, it is equally enjoyable. Just need initial expectations managed to begin with. Like Brandon Sanderson says about promises and payoff.

[@SIMPLIFIEDFILMING]

Oh my gosh. I can’t believe you landed an interview with her. I read her book at least twice

[@IndieFilmHustle]

She's amazing!

[@akhilraj7885]

Which book

[@SIMPLIFIEDFILMING]

@@akhilraj7885 Creating character arts. I haven’t dove into her other books yet

[@spacechampi0n]

@@SIMPLIFIEDFILMING Her latest, Writing Archetypal Character Arcs, is next level. Such a revelation.

[@kathirVendhan]

I read her book of "creating character arc" Just say, she is amazing!!! Happy to see her this interview. Thanks a lot.

[@IndieFilmHustle]

Wonderful!

[@oraclemedia9266]

A theme is a mental space in which the narrated story comes to fruition. The theme forces the author to formulate his statement, but the theme itself is not the statement.

[@NmpK24]

Love conquers all is a little too generic for 'Beauty and the Beast'. The theme is that real beauty comes from within and not from someone's physical appearance.

[@nikkinewbie6014]

When I think of Bond I think of duty to Country and loyalty. For all his quips and one liners and womanizing (in the older movies) he does believe in what he does - so much so that he is willing to risk his life. That is the through line and a recurring theme for the Bond movies for me. Duty and service to something bigger than himself. But no he doesn’t really change.

[@NmpK24]

There are some earlier Bond films which are a little different. On her Majestys Secret Service has a big romantic sub plot. He gets married, unlike his usual encounters with women. Licence to Kill is about his friendship with Felix. Both involve challenging the usual stereotype and Bond contemplating his role as a spy.

[@nikkinewbie6014]

@@NmpK24 You’re right. Her Majesty’s has Diana Rigg who played one of the original 😂 Avengers as Emma Peel in the sixties. She was iconic in that role. She was the wife that gets killed right? Yeah and the one with the friend Felix from the CIA and he’s just with one woman in that one. Him getting married was huge but the friendship was akin to having “ a friend from work”. 😂😂. Not a big deal except it goes back to the fierce loyalty he had to the friend in getting even for his death. I haven’t seen the last Craig film. Perhaps there’s some growth there …besides the self sacrifice angle because again he’s been willing to do that time and again but the last time is for family I hear. Thanks for your feedback

[@floatsting3851]

Thank you so much for you're videos. They're so insightful and informative.

[@quentilpompey6827]

Often I come across these podcast and web shows with an open mind because I know that many are very textbook. Sometimes this will discourage me when I begin to think about my screenplays. Like when they start speaking about Protagonist vs Antagonist, weaving Themes and you should have this, do this. But then I have to remember that it's not for me to take everything one say with face value. Information and tips are everlasting. And not every writer writes the same. Yes there are certain formulas you must follow but just like many others have done things different and have gotten in the door, others may follow word for word what it is being said and be rejected.

[@jessiehermit9503]

"Differently," not "different."

[@painfulLife168]

Thank you Alex for quality content, you are truly amazing!

[@IndieFilmHustle]

My pleasure!

[@peteralessandriaphotography]

Wow - great discussion! Thanks Alex!

[@thomascleveland]

Awesome interview. One of the things I wonder about as I try to write is how to pull out ONE theme that I want the story to be about and narrow the scope. Its so hard because all of the universal truths I want to talk about are so interconnected. I didn't know how to pull just one strand out of the web and use it for a story.

[@daisyguerra2780]

WOW!! AMAZING INTERVIEW!! LOVED IT!! THANKS!!

[@IndieFilmHustle]

Our pleasure!

[@howardkoor9365]

Sensational interview

[@with_lime_ginger_vodka]

I watch anything with KMW

[@christopherlockwood986]

Sam Ramos Spider man?? Oh you mean his re telling of Richard Donners Superman

[@End_Zionism]

You talk way too much when you interview it’s also inappropriate to drink during the interview. Prepare thoughtful but reasonable questions before an interview so your guest has an easier time delving into their deeper ideas. Otherwise thank you ❤

[@kidanemariameyob8752]

I was going to write a similar comment but you said it better. In comparison his colleague does it much better so perhaps lessons to be learned there bro.

[@dannyt4663]

Definitely one of the more frustrating podcasts I’ve listened to. Love the guests but this host tends to anxiously ramble and rarely adds any valuable or unique insight. Just let the guest speak! Damn

[@barloduran6173]

I’m interested in story not spoilers.

[@TT-wx4tg]

The host sent this one off the rails... The marvel universe really? All his examples sent this one to the bottom of the Atlantic. Should have let her control the narrative of this podcast. Very disappointed. Could not finish. She's very gracious.

[@jessiehermit9503]

I get so sick and tired of people thinking that the bad guy _cannot_ think he's bad. Yes, that's the _normal_ way of things, but there are plenty of bad guys who know what they are. Serial killers like Hannibal Lecter, people who kill their own family, and other people who kill out of a bad temper oftentimes know _exactly_ who and what they are, and yet do it anyways. And they're interesting. A mother who murders their own child merely because they got tired of taking care of them can be an interesting character whilst _knowing_ she's the bad guy. Please stop saying that they _have_ to think they're the good guy as if there's _no other_ good way to write them.

[@fredericchast9824]

Dude, you have great guests but you just don't let them speak. I don't care what YOU think. You're here to extract the truth from your guests, not spill your opinions and feelings in the videos. Also, stop it with the MCU. I mean, there are other movies, you know that? People have made way better movies. Think Scorcese, Spielberg, Coppola, Lynch, Tarantino, the Coen brothers, Truffaut, Hitchcock, Fincher, Fellini, Bigelow... I mean Thanos, Thanos, Thanos... Give us a break already!

[@GusBrunson]

Its pathetic to talk about screenwriting and then using Marvel films which in the history of the movies will rank very low in terms of storytelling