Go Into The Story

Page One: “The Internship” (2013)

Screenplay by Vince Vaughn and Jared Stern, story by Vince Vaughn

2025 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Story Prep — Gender Bend

A series to help prepare writers for next month’s Zero Draft Thirty writing challenge.

Interview (Part 3): Wendy Britton Young

My interview with the 2024 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winner.

On Writing

“Fairy tales are more than true, not because they tell us dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.”

Page One: “Insidious: Chapter 2” (2013)

Screenplay by Leigh Whannell, story by James Wan & Leigh Whannell, based on characters created by Leigh Whannell

2025 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Story Prep — Script Diary

A series to help prepare writers for next month’s Zero Draft Thirty writing challenge.

Interview (Part 2): Wendy Britton Young

My interview with the 2024 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winner.

Screenwriting 101: William Broyles, Jr.

“Writing really is a process of discovery. The biggest enemy is being satisfied. When I think, ‘Oh, this is so great. They can’t change a…

Page One: “Inspector Gadget” (1999)

Screenplay by Kerry Ehrin and Zak Penn, story by Dana Olsen and Kerry Ehrin, characters by Andy Heyward and Jean Chalopin and Bruno Bianchi

2025 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Story Prep — Index Cards!

A series to help prepare writers for next month’s Zero Draft Thirty writing challenge.

Interview (Part 1): Wendy Britton Young

My interview with the 2024 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winner.

On Writing

“I write because I like to write.”

Page One: “Insidious” (2010)

Written by Leigh Whannell

2025 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Story Prep — “What if…”

A series to help prepare writers for next month’s Zero Draft Thirty writing challenge.

Scene Description Spotlight: “Gattaca”

The 1997 movie Gattaca is one many Go Into The Story readers have commented on with great affection, either publicly or to me via email.

Page One: “Ingrid Goes West” (2017)

Written by David Branson Smith & Matt Spicer

Scene Description Spotlight: “Fargo”

When is a kidnapping scene funny? When it’s written and directed by the Coen brothers, like in the 1996 Academy Award-winning movie Fargo…

Interview (Video): Michael Arndt

In conversation with the late Syd Field.

Page One: “Infinitely Polar Bear” (2014)

Written by Maya Forbes

On Storytelling: Thoughts, Feelings, Mentors, and Attractors

Reflections on two primary character archetypes.

The act of writing provides health benefits

“From long-term health improvements to short-term benefits like sleeping better, it’s official: Writers are doing something right.”

Page One: “The Incredible Hulk” (2008)

Screenplay by Zak Penn, screen story by Zak Penn, Marvel comic book by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

Writing Tip: How to Discover a Character’s Humanity

A writing exercise which helps you tap into a character’s inner life.

The Business of Screenwriting: Commencement of Principal Photography

When your movie officially starts production, that can trigger a writer’s payday.

Page One: “The Incredible Burt Wonderstone” (2013)

Screenplay by Jonathan Goldstein & John Francis Daley, story by Chad Kultgen & Tyler Mitchell and Jonathan Goldstein & John Francis Daley