The 11 Fundamental Questions - eBook by Aaron Mendelsohn

Twenty years into a successful screenwriting career and I still lose my way in the thickets of story breaking and script writing.

I put together the 11 Fundamental Questions to help guide my path, and they've been my road map ever since.

Simple and intuitive, each question is strategically designed to elicit key story points, challenge lazy writing and stimulate ideas.

Wherever you are in the script writing process, and whatever medium you're writing for, the 11 Fundamental Questions are a great way to enable and enhance your creative process.

- AARON MENDELSOHN
Co-creator and co-writer, AIR BUD movie franchise
Secretary-Treasurer, Writers Guild of America West
Professor of Screenwriting, Loyola Marymount University
Read my full bio here

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41 pgs, illustrated

(Actual book is an ebook)

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Book Author:

Aaron Mendelsohn

Contact: aaronmendelsohn "at" mac.com

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KIND WORDS

"This is a VERY smart way to deconstruct and demystify the job of screenwriting. Aaron's approach puts the focus where it ought to be for writers - on the essentials of CRAFT."
– Billy Ray, Oscar-nominated writer of "Captain Phillips," co-writer of "The Hunger Games," and writer/director of the Amazon series "The Last Tycoon."

"I defy anyone to read this insightful book and not discover they have deepened their grasp of their story, their characters, and perhaps more importantly, the reason they're writing in the first place."
– P.K. Simonds, Writer, producer and show-runner, “Party of Five,” “Ghost Whisperer”

"I think asking questions, particularly about your story’s characters, is the single best way to make your way into and through the prep process… but only if the questions are good ones. Aaron’s 11 questions are good ones.
– Scott Myer, Go Into The Story

"Just when I thought I'd learned everything about writing and running a show, Aaron's Fundamentals method super-charged the way I approach a story. Clear, concise, and practical, this is a must for screenwriters everywhere."
– Chris Brancato, Co-creator, writer and executive producer of the Netflix series "Narcos"

"I found The 11 Fundamental Questions to be an invaluable resource and an excellent contribution to my continuing education on the craft of writing. Aaron’s extensive and impressive experience make him the perfect instructor. He not only knows how to tell interesting and compelling stories, but he also has a keen insight into how to transform a good idea into a great script or book. I highly recommend his book."
– Rebekah Bradford Leekley, Emmy Award-winning writer of the HBO series “Spawn"

"If there's a more concise and essential summation of what we know about screenwriting, I've not seen it. Aaron Mendelsohn has done the impossible and made it look easy: distilled the wisdom of the craft into its elixir. For those of us just starting out, and for those of us -- meaning all of us -- who need to be reminded, in the wisest way, of our fundamental craft."
– Howard Rodman, President, Writers Guild of America West, Professor, School of Cinematic Arts, USC

"Absolutely invaluable! Masterfully considered advice not just for screenwriters, but novelists and any storyteller. If you ask yourself the 11 Fundamental Questions, you’ll nail it!”
– W. Bruce Cameron, New York Times bestselling author of A Dog’s Purpose and 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter

"I'm not one for formulas but Aaron's method is an incredibly concise, helpful tool that helps cut through the clutter. I look forward to using it."
– Glen Mazzara, Writer and executive producer of "Damien," "The Shield" and "The Walking Dead"

"As I prepare to teach again this fall at UCLA (Go Bruins!) I came across an excellent new screenwriting book: Aaron Mendelsohn's THE 11 FUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONS. If you're writing a screenplay, pilot, or play, THESE are the questions you need to answer."
– Ken Levine, By Ken Levine

"My friend Aaron Mendelsohn is both a successful screenwriter and a member of the WGA Board. He knows how this business works inside and out and he's put together a very simple, incredibly helpful and intuitive guide to help you turn your idea into a successful screenplay or teleplay. Whether you've never typed "Fade In" or you're an established writer, his ideas will help focus your idea, strengthen your characters and enrich your story."
– Shelly Goldstein, Award-winning writer of "Flying with Byrd" and "Shelldon"

"Aaron Mendelsohn’s 11 Questions is possibly the most profoundly simple path of inquiry a writer can take when breaking or revising story. If approached with rigorous inquiry and honesty, the answers bring brilliant clarity to character, conflict, plot, theme, and other core story elements. My students have returned to Aaron's 11 Questions again and again in the process of developing and writing their scripts — with spectacular results."
– Scott Sturgeon, Director, M.F.A. Screenwriting Program, California State University, Northridge

“If you can answer Aaron Mendelsohn’s 11 Questions, then you can write a screenplay that works. And, if you can do that, you could see that screenplay actually produced. Start now.”
– Bryce Zabel, WGA Award-winning writer and creator of "Dark Skies"

"Writing a screenplay is hard work. But with Aaron’s 11 Questions, he shares his years of experience writing successful screenplays and television at the highest levels. His insights into what makes a good script are the perfect foundation when typing FADE IN. I just wish I had Aaron’s 11 Questions when I started out."
– Rich Whitley, Screenwriter, "Rock 'n Roll High School," "Roseanne," "Millenium"

"Aaron perfectly distills and demystifies the screenwriting process with his 11-step program. New and veteran screenwriters alike will benefit from Aaron's swift, practical list of screenwriting reminders. Smart stuff."
– Gary Goldstein, Screenwriter/playwright, "Politics of Love," "Hitched for the Holidays"

"Turning the miasmic gush of impulse into a cogent flow of ideas on the page requires structured thought. Craft and art must live in equal measure if you want to make a living with words. Mendelsohn’s method provides a crystalline framework with which to turn a dream into a story. And that’s always been money to me."
– Nelson Handel, New York Times bestselling writer and James Beard Award Nominee

"Great. In a universe of unknowable answers, just what we need: more questions. But these 11 will make you a better writer in any medium. Numerous examples from film and television both clarify the questions and steer the writer toward a better understanding of that which s/he’s writing. I wish I’d had this years ago – where were you with your helpful advice then, you selfish prick?”
– Ken Pisani, writer of film, stage, TV, comic books, and author of the LA Times bestseller Amp'd

“An excellent set of principles to keep your story on the right path. Best $5 you can spend on your writing.”
– William M. Akers, author of Your Screenplay Sucks!