Go Into The Story

The Importance of Character Names

A well-chosen character name can reflect their personality.

The Importance of a Writers Group

There’s that image of a writer. Sequestered in a room. Struggling over a blank piece of paper. Crumpled pages strewn about. A cup of booze…

How to Write a Script: David Lynch

His secret? Seventy three by five inch cards.

Interview (Video): Isaac Asimov

Several interviews throughout the years with the author of over 500 books.

Page One: “The Talented Mr. Ripley” (1999)

Screenplay by Anthony Minghella, novel by Patricia Highsmith

Advice from a Professional Script Reader

“An experienced pro reader always knows a ‘bad’ script within the first 10 pages, usually within the first 3, and often on the first page.”

How to Use a Long Commute to Work on Your Story

“Talk out your story. Record your words. Transfer to your computer. You can get a LOT done that way.”

Great Scene: “Blood Simple”

It’s Abby versus Visser in the movie’s bloody and ironic ending.

Interview (Video): Derek Kolstad

From Season 12 of the PBS series “On Story.”

Page One: “Ted” (2012)

Screenplay by Seth MacFarlane & Alec Sulkin & Wellesley Wild, story by Seth MacFarlane

“Why is it three act structure? The cycle of life.”

Story structure and the… stock market? Read on.

Scene-Writing Workshop

I’m reprising my one-week Scene-Writing Workshop which starts next Monday, November 6th.

Reader Question: Do you have any suggestions to warm up for writing?

Two suggestions to help you overcome the dreaded “how to get my ass into the chair and writing” conundrum.

Writing and the Creative Life: “The Power of Structured Procrastination”

“The beauty of the structured procrastination method is that it recognizes the extreme challenge in changing that pro-tomorrow vein, and…

Page One: “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” (2007)

Screenplay by John Logan, musical by Hugh Wheeler, musical adaptation by Christopher Bond

Simon, I believe you are correct in that script readers often look for a writer’s transgressions…

The thing is, 9 times out of 10, a writer can bypass the whole “we see” conundrum by simply describing what’s on screen. You don’t need to…

Find Your Writer’s Voice

I hear this a lot in conversations with writers, but mostly with managers, agents, and producers. They’re looking for writers who cover a…

The Importance of Theme in Writing a Screenplay About an Historical Figure

“You may very well have to shape the details and contour of your central character’s life-story to make it a movie. As they say in…

How They Write A Script: Charlie Kaufman

“When I started screenwriting, I never really knew what I was doing, but I instinctively understood how to do it.”

The Business of Screenwriting: Do you know your stuff?

It’s one thing to write a script. It’s another thing to understand the craft.

Page One: “Synecdoche, New York” (2008)

Written by Charlie Kaufman

Update: 2022–2023 Award Season Screenplay Downloads — 1 New Script, 7 Total

It’s that time of year again when studios and production companies make available PDFs of movie scripts for award season.

Reader Question: Do all Protagonists need a character arc?

A character’s ‘arc’ is a big buzzword in Hollywood development circles.

60 Second Screenwriter: Let’s talk story structure

A video series addressing key screenwriting concerns in one minute.

Great Scene: “Black Swan”

Nina dances the role of a lifetime, then loses her life … or does she?