Go Into The Story

On Writing

“Writing is magical though. How else to describe the ability to physically and emotionally impact upon a stranger at the other side of the…

Daily Dialogue — August 26, 2019

“Australia.”

Paul, the sweet spot, as you say, is what we go for.

Thanks for your thoughts!

How do I know if it’s too much or too little scene description?

Reader question via email from Anonymous:

Script To Screen: “Wall-E”

One of the best scenes from the 2008 movie Wall-E, screenplay by Andrew Stanton and Jim Reardon, original story by Andrew Stanton and Pete…

Interview (Video): Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky

The co-writers of the hit comedy Good Boys.

Daily Dialogue — August 25, 2019

Sundance Kid: [Butch and the Kid are on the edge of a cliff preparing to take on the posse pursuing them] Ready? Butch Cassidy: No, we’ll…

2019 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge!

30 days. Fade In. Fade Out. Write an entire zero draft.

Screenwriting Advice From The Past: Writing for the Censors [Part 2]

“While no human mind can remember the innumerable conflicting rules of these small town boards, since each local censor has his own ideas…

Daily Dialogue theme next week: One Word

Join the Daily Dialogue crew: 4,118 consecutive days and counting.

2019 Scene-Writing Challenge: Week 3

Here are all of Week 3’s prompts for this year’s Scene-Writing Challenge.

Daily Dialogue — August 24, 2019

Romeo: O, wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied? Juliet: What satisfaction canst thou have tonight? Romeo: The exchange of thy love’s faithful…

Reader Question: How should I handle an event where I will meet a Hollywood writer-producer?

Wherein I provide the single best piece of advice to a writer… ever.

2019 Scene-Writing Challenge: Day 15

Write some scenes. Win a great prize.

Writing and the Creative Life: The Virtues of Spacing Out and Goofing Off

Finally, science is good for something! Spacing out rules!

Daily Dialogue — August 23, 2019

Boy: What’s your name again? Chrissie: Chrissie. Boy: Where are we going? Chrissie: Swimming.

3 Trends Screenwriters Need to Heed

Changes in technology and entertainment platforms is having an effect on how to approach writing a screenplay.

2019 Scene-Writing Challenge: Day 14

Write some scenes. Win a great prize.

The Business of Screenwriting: Chilled White Whine

On March 7, 1988, the Writers Guild of America went on strike. It lasted 155 days and is the longest work stoppage in Guild history…

Daily Dialogue — August 22, 2019

“Okay. Let your head rest in my hand. Relax. I got you. I promise. I won’t let you go. Hey, man. I got you. There you go. Ten Seconds…

Rewriting Key: Switch Protagonist

When you rewrite your script, give each primary character their due by doing an individual character pass.

2019 Scene-Writing Challenge: Day 13

Write some scenes. Win a great prize.

Script To Screen: “Wag the Dog”

A key scene from the 1997 satire Wag the Dog, screenplay by Hilary Henkin and David Mamet, book by Larry Beinhart.

Daily Dialogue — August 21, 2019

Mr. Braddock: Ben, what are you doing? Benjamin: Well, I would say that I’m just drifting. Here in the pool. Mr. Braddock: Why? Benjamin…

Plot = Structure

A screenplay is a unique literary form. It both tells a story and serves as a blueprint to make a movie. As such, understanding structure…