King - How to write a movie in 21 days: the inner movie method

25 years later:

Dear Book,

Thank you for having a life of your own - for finding your way around the world, in lots of languages; for cleverly having a way of falling off bookshelves and right into the hands of those who need you; for being so valued by writers who have written some of the most effective movies of our time; and for being a companion for lone writers in their rooms with something private just to prove to themselves. Thank you for my many dear clients whom I love. Thank you for helping to take people through the action-adventure of their lives, and for taking me through mine. Now, with your new electronic incarnation, thank you for your wider presence in the ever-expanding global community.

Special appreciation goes to Mary Tahan, of Mary M Tahan Literary Agency, for arranging for this book to embark on its new wondrous adventures in this digital rendition.

Thanks to Barry Harbaugh at HarperCollins for shepherding this new e-version out into the further reaches of the world.

Thank you to you for daring to take a whack at your Inner Movie. I hope it enriches you.

And thank you always to Buddy Collette for his unerring patience, rock solid values, remarkable talent, and infinite wisdom. Thank you so very much for being there while I was getting there.

From my heart,

Viki Joy King

Malibu, CA

2014

DANIEL

But how do I know if my pictures the right one?

MIYAGI

If comes from inside you, always right one.

from Karate Kid by Robert Mark Kamen

How the Inner Movie Came Alive and Found Its Place in the World

While on hiatus from writing in Hollywood, I was in the south of Spain working on several exciting book projects. I decided that I had to beat it on out to New York and find an agent and pitch my booksand so I did. Once in New York, I made many phone calls and connected to Connie Clausen, a top New York agent, who said, in perfect New York style, Come over now. So I hopped a cab and got there fast. Her office was on the 16th floor; as I was going up in the elevator, I was deciding which of my projects to pitch first.

I asked myself, What would be the best and highest book that I can offer now with the information and inspiration that I have at this moment to give? And surprise, surprise, it wasnt the precious-to-me projects I came to pitch.

I knew that what was on the tip of my heart was a desire to utilize all that I had culled from the blood, sweat, and tears I had accumulated in my adventures of being a writer in Hollywood.

By then I was somewhere between the 9th and 11th floors. As I continued to go up in the elevator, the idea for this book came down into me. By the 12th floor, my desire merged with opportunity. Thats what the Inner Movie is. Its already in you, sitting in perfection, awaiting your permission to start its heart beating.

By the 16th floor I had organized the pitch, knocked on the door and made the deal.

***

Now its 25 years later and this dear-to-me book with its heart on its cover has been published, all over the world, in many languages and is in the thoughts and the hearts and minds of thousands of screenwriters from Oscar winners, to global cinema producers, to one 3rd grade class making their first movie on an iPad.

Imagine my delight! Imagine my gratitude. I had no idea this level of exaltation would belong to me. And maybe just maybe without it I might not have become myself.

I tell you this because now its your turn what is the best and highest offering that you have? Whats your Inner Movie?

Its time you know. Youre being called. Lets go. One of my favorite Inner Movie Axioms is: Youre only alive when youre living your dream; all the rest is make-believe.

Viki Joy King

HOW TO WRITE A MOVIE IN 21 DAYS

When Viki asked me to write an introduction to her new edition of How to Write a Movie in 21 Days I thought, this book needs no introduction! Its been selling for twenty-five YEARS! I know, because its been on the shelf above my desk since it first came out.

Of course, I was honored to be asked speechless, even. When I found my voice, I made excuses Me? Really? Me? Are you sure... I mean, Im not really a screenplay writer; Im a TV writer... And you know what she said to me? The wise, the wonderful, Viki King -- she said, Oh, shut up, and write it!

Yes, thats Viki. Simple. To the point. And brilliant! Shut up and write it. The best advice any writer could ever get. There, now you dont need to read the book. But read the book anyway. Because, heres the real secret, this book isnt about writing well it is, but really, its about living. Living with grace and blossoming in whatever pot youre planted.

After years of using this book as my bible, I finally met Viki. And lucky me, we became friends. Our favorite thing to do is watch the sunset. We meet at the beach in Santa Monica and watch as the light leaves the sky. One time I brought my aging copy of her book and asked her to sign it. She wrote, Light from within.

With this book youll find your light from within. Turn it on, and youll love what you write.

Ellen Sandler

Author of The TV Writers Workbook

former Co-Executive Producer of Everybody Loves Raymond

Twenty years ago, as a proud graduate of the School of Cinema at Southern Illinois University, I was standing inside a large chain bookstore next to my even-prouder mother, who offered to buy me any book I wanted as a sort of impromptu graduation gift. As I scanned through the many volumes on filmmaking and screenwriting, my eyes fell upon a little red book that packed a powerful punch; Viki Kings How to Write a Movie in 21 Days. Here, in only a few short pages, appeared a treasure trove of useful screenwriting know-how and practical, get-started-today exercises, written in a friendly and forward style that grabbed me, shook me, and challenged me to stop waiting and start writing.

I told my mom this was the book for me. She gave me a look, as only a mother can, that said Out of the thousands of books here, this is the one you want?

Looking back after many successful years as a writer, producer and director working in Hollywood, I am incredibly grateful to Viki for demystifying the act of screenwriting for me at an early age, while keeping the mystery of the art very much alive. I also credit her exercise on proper scriptwriting format to be the most useful 15 minutes I have ever spent at the keyboard (worth the price of the book alone).I often tell her this when I run in to her on the beach, as today we are friends and neighbors, and never a more delightful, wise and intelligent person are you bound to meet. Whats more, she also attended Southern Illinois University! Now I just need her to meet my mom.

With this book in your hands, theres nothing to stop you. Write from the heart, and well see you on the beach.

Joe Sichta

Emmy nominated and Annie Award winning writer, producer and director for major Hollywood studios including Warner Bros., Dreamworks Animation, and Director of Development for Advanced Media at Disney Interactive.

Viki is Oracle. Muse. Mythologist. Healer. Best-selling author. Thought-leader. Innovator. Visionary.

She fuels me to grok my history when I have an issue. I found her and tracked her down after reading her first book because her words are lightning bolts of freedom. In person she just took me from a hallucinogenic overdose I had which almost drove me into the nuthouse and turned it into a heart opener. In her