As I’m writing, Benny and Baxter are peering over my shoulder, snickering. They always have a presence in my office, and, after a weekend of nothing to do, have decided to be really inquisitive. They heard my exultations about the intellectual and well-developed plot of Michael Clayton. Tony Gilroy, well-known screenwriter and first-time director made an impressive debut, featuring a corporate, behind-the-scenes “fixer” (George Clooney) as the lawyer protagonist.
As if the movie weren’t compelling enough, what I learned through an interview between Tony Gilroy and NPR’s Andrea Seabrook about how the plot originated was even more amazing, and it provided important insight about how to make writing appealing.
Tony interviewed many lawyers, police and corporate personnel during his research for the movie. He found that when these people could converse “off-the-record,” stories flowed. Some of the stories may not have been totally accurate, yet the essence was there. Now I’m not suggesting corporate fabrication in your writing. The part to remember is the research approach: talking to sources and then making them feel comfortable enough to tell their stories. Ideas from these stories will attract readers because they can identify with transformations, the true backbone of memorable writing. Then be sure to check the facts. No more snickering, if you please!
Long story, short: Emotion Does Have a Place in Corporate Writing
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