If you are a writer who is serious about pursuing publication, perhaps you have a couple of writing craft books on your desktop. Any aspiring author who hopes to grow as a writer should continue to immerse him or herself in techniques that can take their manuscript to the next level. There are plenty of books written by professionals who can help you structure your plot, create captivating protagonists, and learn how to show instead of tell. But have you ever tried to apply methods and techniques geared toward other artistic professions?
As an actress, I am always trying to find new ways to grow in my craft—such as, you guessed it, reading books on the craft. I have learned techniques and methods that have not only taken my acting craft to the next level but my writing as well.
So if you have exhausted your pile of writing craft books, then you, too, may find one (or all) of the following books useful for learning skills that can add depth your characterization, emotion and action, character relationships, dialogue, and scene structure.
1. The Warner Loughlin Technique – Warner Loughlin’s method to developing authentic characters is one that has been applied to both actors and writers alike, including Disney animators. If you only choose one book in this list to use for your writing, this is the one I would recommend. She teaches how we can apply human psychology to develop realistic, intuitive, three-dimensional characters whose worldviews and emotions have been shaped by their past experiences.
2. The Meisner Approach Workbook – Meisner was a well-known acting coach whose method of acting continues to be applied by professional actors and acting teachers today. The Meisner technique is fully introduced in the original book, On Acting. This workbook, however, covers the fundamentals taught by Meisner that can help both actors and writers alike practically craft realistic character relationships and authentic behavior in dialogue.
3. Respect for Acting – Uta Hagen taught actors how they can remain organic in their actions, behavior, and emotion while portraying various characters. If you find yourself struggling with knowing what your characters should “do” within a scene—and how to connect behavior with emotion—you may want to consider applying her techniques.
4. The Power of the Actor – The practical technique presented in this book allows actors to deepen their characters through a process of script analysis. Writers, too, can benefit from these exercises, as they will allow you to deepen both your characters as well as your approach to scene construction.
5. The Actor’s Art and Craft – This book uses an approach to the Meisner technique that is clear and concrete, giving actors a solid framework for rounding out their character’s inner lives. These exercises can provide writers with a method on how they, too, can construct dynamic characters, dialogue, and emotion.
Have you studied the craft of acting, and if so, what techniques have proven to be helpful in your writing? Let me know in the comments!
Tessa Emily Hall is an award-winning author who wrote her debut novel when she was sixteen. She is now a multi-published author of both fiction and non-fiction inspirational yet authentic books for teens, including her upcoming release, LOVE YOUR SELFIE (October 2020, Ellie Claire). Her passion for shedding light on clean entertainment and media for teens led her to a career as a Literary Agent at Cyle Young Literary Elite, YA Acquisitions Editor for Illuminate YA (LPC Imprint), and Founder/Editor of PursueMagazine.net. Tessa is guilty of making way too many lattes and never finishing her to-read list. When her fingers aren’t flying 128 WPM across the keyboard, she can be found speaking to teens, teaching at writing conferences, coaching young writers, and acting in Christian films. Her favorite way to procrastinate is to connect with readers is on her mailing list, social media (@tessaemilyhall), and website: www.tessaemilyhall.com.
