Go Into The Story

Video: Screenwriters provide writing tips

Insights into the craft from Variety’s 2018 “Ten Screenwriters to Watch.”

Writing and the Creative Life: Why Your Brain Loves Good Storytelling (Part 2)

“The intriguing thing here is that while we, as writers, are thinking about emotions and psychology, much of it apparently boils down to a…

Daily Dialogue — December 7, 2018

Coach Bud Kilmer: [to the trainer, at halftime in the trainer’s room, with Wendell on the table] Give him the shot! Mox: If you give him…

I get more the point you’re making.

I know a couple of professional script readers whose judgment I respect and feel comfortable recommending to provide not only a qualified…

Jessica, congratulations on your double good news re twins.

With twins, I’m sure all bets are off for getting much writing done for the first few / several months, as they should be. Parenting comes…

Reader Question: What guidelines are there for using scene headings / primary slug lines?

“If you read, say, 20 screenplays by working, contemporary screenwriters — and you should be reading scripts anyhow! — you will note…

Writing Goals: 2019 [Part 4] — Practical Matters

10 part series for writers to consider what we did in 2018 and will do in 2019.

The Business of Screenwriting: Sweepstakes Pitching, Prewrites and One-Step Deals

“You need to prepare yourself for all aspects of the craft, good and bad. That said writers have been dealing with things like this in one…

Daily Dialogue — December 6, 2018

“Be on the five in field minutes.”

Setting goals is really important.

Here’s to your writing and rewriting projects in 2019!

Reader Question: How to handle the passage of time in a script?

Time management can be a big concern in a screenplay.

Writing Goals: 2019 [Part 3] — Where Do You Want To Go As A Writer?

10 part series for writers to consider what we did in 2018 and will do in 2019.

Great Character: George Spigott / The Devil (“Bedazzled”)

If you want to enjoy a kitschy bit of late 60s cinema, you could do worse than the 1967 film Bedazzled. With a screenplay by Peter Cook…

Script To Screen: “The Limey”

“You tell him. You tell him I’m coming! Tell him I’m fucking coming!”

Daily Dialogue — December 5, 2018

“I don’t know what to say, really. Three minutes to the biggest battle of our professional lives. All comes down to today, and either, we…

That’s a tricky question, Paul.

However, I’ve known writers who were motivated by their script’s placement to keep writing and over time, they got represented. I never say…

Walter Murch and The Rule of Six

When this notable figure in cinema talks editing… think screenwriting.

Writing Goals: 2019 [Part 2] — Assessing Where You Are

10 part series for writers to consider what we did in 2018 and will do in 2019.

The 25 Best Films of 2018: A Video Countdown

From Indiewire senior critic David Ehrlich.

Screenwriting 101: Bo Burnham

“I have to work inside out. It has to work moment to moment before I even start to extrapolate from a scene to feature-length. It has to…

Daily Dialogue — December 4, 2018

“People don’t start playing ball at your age, they retire!”

Reader Question: How to raise the stakes in the plot?

One suggestion: Focus on and elevate the Protagonist’s psychological stakes.

Writing Goals: 2019 [Part 1] — Looking Back

10 part series for writers to consider what we did in 2018 and will do in 2019.

On Writing

Most of my friends who are novelists have told me that they never know the end of their novels when they start writing them; they find it…

Daily Dialogue — December 3, 2018

Reggie Dunlop: I am personally placing a hundred-dollar bounty on the head of Tim McCracken. He’s the head coach and chief punk on that…