Story Line: Finding Gold in Your Life Story [Paperback]

Jennifer Grisanti (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2011

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  Story Line: Finding Gold in Your Life Story is a practical and spiritual guide to drawing upon your own story and fictionalizing it into your writing. As a Story Consultant and former VP of Current Programs at CBS/Paramount, most of the author’s work with writers has focused on creating standout scripts by elevating story.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: Michael Wiese Productions (March 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932907890
• ISBN-13: 978-1932907896
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 0.6 x 6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #761,074 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

Story Line: Finding Gold in Your Life Story is a practical and spiritual guide to drawing upon your own story and fictionalizing it into your writing. As a Story Consultant and former VP of Current Programs at CBS/Paramount, most of the author’s work with writers has focused on creating standout scripts by elevating story. The secret to telling strong story is digging deep inside yourself and utilizing your own life experiences and emotions to connect with the audience.

From the Author

I wrote Story Line: Finding Gold In Your Life Story for anyone who has a story they want to write but are not sure which platform to write it in.  We are all storytellers.  We all have a story.  After working as a studio executive for over 15 years and learning from the top players in the business, I wrote this book to help writers understand how to "develop" their story.

One writer mentioned that my book takes off where "Save the Cat" left off.  This was a huge compliment.  She said that Blake's book showed her how to structure her story while my book shows her how to develop it.

I came into my story philosophy after recognizing the common thread between all the shows that were nominated for Emmys, Golden Globes and Oscars.  I want to be able to teach writers that they too can write from this place and achieve great heights in their writing careers.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: Michael Wiese Productions (March 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932907890
• ISBN-13: 978-1932907896
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 0.6 x 6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #761,074 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jen Grisanti is a Story Consultant, Independent Producer, Writing Instructor for NBC's Writers on the Verge, Blogger for The Huffington Post and author of the upcoming book, Story Line: Finding Gold In Your Life Story.

Grisanti started her career as an assistant to Aaron Spelling 15 years ago. Aaron was her mentor for the next 12 years as she climbed the ranks and eventually ran Current Programs at Spelling Television Inc., covering all of Spelling's shows including Beverly Hills, 90210, Melrose Place and Charmed. In 2004, Jen was promoted to Vice President of Current Programs at CBS/Paramount where she covered shows including Medium, Numbers, NCIS, 4400 and Girlfriends. While at CBS/Paramount, she served as a mentor in the CBS Diversity Program, which seeks out and nurtures young writers and directors.

In January 2008, Jen launched Jen Grisanti Consultancy Inc., a consulting firm dedicated to helping talented writers break into the industry. By drawing on her 12-year experience as a studio executive where she gave daily notes to executive producers/showrunners, Jen personally guides writers to shape their material, hone their pitches, and focus their careers. Since launching, Jen has worked with over 250 writers working in television, features and novels. Twelve of her clients have staffed as writers on television shows and two have sold pilots that went to series. In 2008, Jen was hired to be the Writing Instructor for NBC's Writers on the Verge. Jen is also a blogger for The Huffington Post. Jen wrote Story Line: Finding The Gold In Your Life Story in 2010. It is being published by Michael Wiese Productions and will be out in March of 2011.

Her brand is Developing From Within. Her company hosts Storywise Seminars and Teleseminars as a way to get this message out. She has CDs and workbooks for "How To Write a TV Spec Script" and "How To Write A TV Pilot Script" and a Storywise Workbook: Gearing Up for Staffing and Development Season. Her workbooks are available on the Store Page on her website at www.jengrisanticonsultancy.com, Amazon.com and The Writers Store.

Jen also has a Storywise Podcast Series available on iTunes and her website. The podcast digs deep into the story behind some of our top storytellers as a way to inform, motivate and inspire listeners to go after their dreams. Final Draft/Script Magazine are now promoting the podcast series as well. Jen has taught classes for the Scriptwriters Network , Screenwriting Expo, the Northwestern Screenwriter's Guild in Seattle and the Alameda's Writer's Group. She has served on panels for the WGA and The Writer's Bootcamp. In 2009, her company hosted a Writing Retreat in Hawaii at the Turtle Bay Resort.

Jen meets writers who are interested in her services for a free initial half hour consult that can be done in person or on the phone. She then specially designs between 2-5 proposals to fit the client's needs and help them attain their goals.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Rewarding Treasure Hunt February 8, 2011

By Ann Baldwin

Format:Paperback

Jen Grisanti leads you on a treasure hunt into the hidden caves within yourself and teaches you how to mine them for the golden keys that open the connections between you, your stories, and an audience.

You begin the journey by observing and creating maps, also known as loglines, from your own life experiences. Jen goes into the depths of the four key elements within each logline (set-up, dilemma, action, & goal) by not only sharing her own personal experiences as examples, but also includes films like The Hurt Locker, Up In The Air, Avatar, Pretty Woman, The Blind Side, Good Will Hunting and Rocky, along with T.V. shows like Dexter, Mad Men, The Good Wife, The Sopranos, Lost, Big Love and Glee.

What you gain from Jen's unique techniques is a better understanding of and connection with yourself; in turn, making it easier to connect with your audience through your stories. While each of us may have different backgrounds and stories, we all share a common thread that unites us and weaves through all stories: the emotions behind every experience. I highly recommend Story Line for all writers who want to find their unique voice and have it echo for others to hear and follow.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Channeling the energy of your life story March 7, 2011

By Tony Levelle

Format:Paperback

The publisher sent me a review copy of Story Line when I was in the middle of writing a nonfiction book about the ways people handle personal crisis.

As I wrote about different kinds of crisis, memories and emotions from my past threatened to overwhelm me. I was experiencing what Grisanti would call 'the power of my life story.'

Story Line helped me understand that what I was experiencing was the raw emotional energy of my own life story. Story Line helped me channel this energy and improve my writing.

Although Grisanti's book is directed at script writers, I found the principles useful for nonfiction, as well.

Highly recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy way to get directly to your true story April 13, 2012

By Mary Wallace

Format:Paperback

I love this book. Delves into our story, the universal story and stories we want to tell. Great resource for writers of all kinds.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Story Line: Finding Gold in Your Life Story March 17, 2012

By rbrett

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Just finished reading Jen's wonderful book. Truly inspiring -- the most original and powerful methodology I've come across in quite a while. Jen rightly understands that strong writing comes from life experience and universal emotions, and this book brings the worlds of writing and living into splendid symbiosis, with appreciation and understanding of each enriching the other. I particularly related to one of her end-of-chapter exercises where she urges the reader to pause at those moments in a film that are emotionally powerful and to analyze WHY they are so powerful. I've been doing this, off and on, for years, but never really connected my own life experience with that process. Am eagerly looking forward to examining some of my favorite films in this new light, as well as applying Jen's powerful tools to my own screenwriting. If you want to bring your life and your writing into sync, and take your storytelling ability to a whole new level, this is the book for you.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating, Insightful, and Very Helpful! March 1, 2012

By Gary E. Fayman

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I finished reading "Story Line" a few days ago, and it is definitely a must-read for aspiring writers, professional writers, as well as individuals who are looking for a spiritual guide. Jen's approach to storytelling is unique; instead of merely dispensing advice, Jen talks about her life experiences and favorite movies and TV shows to tie in and illustrate the concepts she presents. Reading this book is like having a close friend give you uplifting advice. It's not condescending, and her "log line for your life" method really works!

Because Jen makes the effort to personalize her own experiences and create her own story, it's easy for the reader to connect with her on a personal level. The spiritual aspect is quite fascinating and is a welcome addition. As someone who has met Jen and who attends the Friday Night Drink events she co-hosts, I can definitely say that I'm satisfied with her book and look forward to working with her as a client in the near future.

This is money well-spent, and I cannot recommend this book enough.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The. Best. Book. On writing. Ever. November 7, 2011

By eskeech

Format:Paperback

Better late than never - I just got and read this book. Or rather inhaled it. It speaks to everything any writer at any level needs to know to improve their writing. And it does so in a very simple, logical way. With relevant and current examples and Jen's guidance (in a voice that seems to be talking to you as if she's known you for years), she takes you through each step in writing or rewriting your script. I was able to take my pilot script to the next level. No, more than the next level - at least ten levels beyond what I thought I was capable of. Truly, this book has done more for my writing than an M.F.A did. She's used her past experience working with writers to see what it is, exactly, that makes a great script, and then deduced an answer. It sounds simplistic, I know, but it speaks to the heart and truth found in all good writing. It's when we get away from this that the problems begin. And the endless fixing, revising, etc. I am so happy and grateful to have this book and I can't wait for her to publish her next.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book May 31, 2013

By Glenn Ripps

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Ive found this book to offer a really great way to keep my stories connected to my experience in the world