Go Into The Story

Page One: “Better Man” (2024)

Written by Simon Gleeson and Oliver Cole and Michael Gracey

Interview (Part 5): Colton Childs

My interview with the 2024 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winner.

Hero’s Journey as Psychological Journey

When we think of the Hero’s Journey, what comes to mind is a geographical adventure. The Heroine starts out in their Ordinary World…

Page One: “I Saw the TV Glow” (2024)

Written by Jane Schoenbrun

Interview (Part 4): Colton Childs

My interview with the 2024 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winner.

Download 2025 WGA Screenwriting Award Nominated Screenplays

10 screenplays. Get them here.

Page One: “Civil War” (2024)

Written by Alex Garland

Interview (Part 3): Colton Childs

My interview with the 2024 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winner.

The Key to Character Introductions

What is it we need to know about a character to help us craft an effective introduction? Their core essence.

Page One: “Nickel Boys” (2024)

Screenplay by RaMell Ross & Joslyn Barnes, book by Colson Whitehead

Screenwriting 101: Mark Bomback

“A big misconception that people have about these franchise movies is that all the studios care about is the action. It’s very cynical and…

Interview (Part 2): Colton Childs

My interview with the 2024 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winner.

Page One: “The Seed of the Sacred Fig” (2024), original title: “Dane-ye anjir-e ma’abed”

Written by Mohammad Rasoulof

Interview (Part 1): Colton Childs

My interview with the 2024 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winner.

On Writing

“Don’t write about a character. Become that character, and then write your story.”

Page One: “The Fire Inside” (2024)

Written by Barry Jenkins, based on the documentary T-Rex

The Iceberg Theory of Writing

How much character development is enough?

6 Old Grammar Rules That Are Finally Going Out of Style

Writers should feel free to write stories how the stories need to be told.

Page One: “Moana 2” (2024)

Screenplay by Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller, story by Jared Bush & Dana Ledoux Miller & Bek Smith

Guest Series: Extend Your Script’s Message with Hidden Easter Eggs

A deep dive into movie “Easter eggs”

Best Writing Approach: Routine or Ritual?

I am fascinated by creativity, in particular how creativity manifests itself in the wide variety of people I meet or learn about. That has…

Page One: “A Different Man” (2024)

Written by Aaron Schimberg

Guest Series: Extend Your Script’s Message with Hidden Easter Eggs

Part 5 of the series written by Karen Grube.

Writers on Characters

Quotes from professional writers about the importance of characters in the story-crafting process.

Page One: “Memoir of a Snail” (2024)

Written by Adam Elliot