Your story is like a road trip... but where are you going? What's the best route to get there? What are the best sights to see along the way? Just as you plan a vacation instead of just jump in the car and start driving, it's a good idea to plan your story. An artist does sketches before breaking out the oils, so why shouldn't a writer do the same? This Blue Book looks at various outlining methods used by professional screenwriters like Wesley Strick, Paul Schrader, John August, and others... as well as a guest chapter on novel outlines. Plus a whole section on the Thematic Method of generating scenes and characters and other elements that will be part of your outline. The three stages of writing are: Pre-writing, Writing, and Rewriting... this book looks at that first stage and how to use it to improve your screenplays and novels. A working professional screenwriter gives you step-by-step guidance on how to outline your screenplay or novel, with ten different methods (which is best for you?) Plus techniques for improving your pacing, how to use motifs, the importance of throughlines, and an entire section on theme as well as the Thematic Method for generating scenes and characters and dialogue... with the hit movie "Ghost" as an example. Everything you need to plan your roadtrip and make sure you get to your destination on time!