Go Into The Story

Screenwriting 101: John Swetnam

“Even if you don’t feel like it, you have to show up. And I think as an aspiring writer — and I tried to do this — was to take that…

Daily Dialogue — September 11, 2018

“Remember when Tess came in for that interview? She was so beautiful. She was the best candidate, but it didn’t matter. I had to give her…

Reader Question: How to approach writing a villain Protagonist?

How to write a hero when they are an anti-hero.

2018 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 10

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.

Reflections on Carl Jung (Part 1): Are We Related to the Infinite or Not?

Carl Jung’s theory of individuation is directly applicable to the Protagonist’s journey in a screenplay.

On Writing

“A little talent is a good thing to have if you want to be a writer. But the only real requirement is the ability to remember every scar.”

Daily Dialogue — September 10, 2018

“I hate space.”

Screenwriting News (September 3 — September 9, 2018)

The week’s writing deals and movie project news.

2018 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 9

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.

Script To Screen: “Harold and Maude”

The delightful 1971 movie Harold and Maude, written by Colin Higgins, is most noted for its co-stars Harold [Bud Cort] and Maude [Ruth…

Interview (Written): Gary Dauberman

The screenwriter talks about the new horror movie The Nun.

Daily Dialogue — September 9, 2018

“The next morning, right about the time Raquel was spilling her little secret, a man nobody ever laid eyes on before strolled into the…

Saturday Hot Links

Time for the 358th installment of Saturday Hot Links, your week’s essential reading about movies, TV, streaming, Hollywood, and other…

2018 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 8

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.

Interview (Audio): Michael Arndt

Conversation with screenwriter of Little Miss Sunshine and Toy Story 3.

Daily Dialogue theme next week: Outer Space

Join the Daily Dialogue crew: 3,768 consecutive days and counting.

Daily Dialogue — September 8, 2018

“Good afternoon, this is the Barrow gang. Now if everybody will just take it easy, nobody will get hurt.”

Reader Question: How do you go about writing a remake?

Should you really write a spec based on a preexisting Hollywood movie?

2018 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 7

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.

Writing and the Creative Life: There are no useless ideas

The best way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas.

Daily Dialogue — September 7, 2018

Sylvia: Anybody got a cigarette? Maria: Yeah, I do — Sylvia, you don’t smoke! Sal: You don’t smoke? Sylvia: No. Sal: Why do you wanna start…

Reader Question: What about submitting a 187-page script?

Sure… if you want the script reader to hate you!

2018 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 6

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.

3 Trends Screenwriters Need to Heed

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

The Business of Screenwriting: If you write a great script…

…Hollywood will find you.