Skill ­ Couples will assume that they know each other well and will hear what they have known about the person from the past, and not really listen to what the other person is actually saying about the present or the future. It is best to listen, really listen, to what is being said or unsaid. Renewing (years 25 to 60) Often older couples are the most romantic and the closest. Closeness at one stage was based on the promise of a future together. Now the bond is based on the reality of a lifetime together. Renewing partners look inward to common experiences: shared jokes/stories. They are the least likely to split up. Common problems and challenges ­ Sometimes at the renewing stage one partner is afraid to voice his concerns, especially when other people start encroaching on the couple's time together, for example if the couple's children expect the couple to spend too much time looking after grandchildren ­ Health worries can be isolating and turn closeness to claustrophobia Skill ­ As we grow older we start to become caricatures of ourselves. For example if you have always been known for being late, you might start doing dry runs of journeys to make sure you arrive on time. Patience and understanding are key for negotiating through these insecurities Hint It's pretty hard to hate someone on another continent, or in a dif- ferent state. Believe it or not, I have read a number of scripts where the opponent is plotting his counter-attack from across the ocean. Long- distance relationships will not work. In real life you would tend to get as far away as possible from someone you really dislike. Try to create togetherness for your hero and opponent. Squeeze them together. Make them occupy the same space. Force them to cohabit. The energy this creates will make your script glow. Good stories show the values of the opponent conflicting with the values of the hero. Conflict A compelling story contains more than one main conflict between a hero and an opponent. It contains a series of conflicts between the hero and a variety of other characters, and the values they stand for. A successful writer avoids the pitfall of beginning writers and understands what the 70 RAINDANCEWRITERS'LAB:WRITEANDSELLTHEHOTSCREENPLAY