Susan Kouguell Book order (chronological)

This essential guide is a hands-on resource for crafting compelling characters in screenwriting. It analyzes over 220 films, including Hollywood, independent, and foreign titles, and provides 34 engaging screenwriting exercises along with six templates from fictional scripts. The exercises are designed to help you develop believable characters with distinct motivations and behaviors that effectively drive your plot forward. Whether you are a novice or an experienced screenwriter, this guide offers inspiration and practical tools to navigate the critical elements of screenwriting, emphasizing character creation. You will learn to explore various character types—from protagonists to antagonists—and how they interact within the plot, subplots, settings, dialogue, and relationships. With over 200 films referenced, spanning approximately seventy years, you’ll find specific examples to aid your writing process. The author, a seasoned industry insider, draws on 25 years of experience as a consultant and educator, providing insights into what executives seek in a screenplay. Ultimately, the book emphasizes the importance of creating fleshed-out characters, as their authenticity is crucial for a successful screenplay. Give your characters the depth they need to resonate with audiences and enhance your screenplay's appeal.