Go Into The Story

Tweetstorm: On Story Notes

“The unknowable will always feel more interesting/unsettling. Because we’re programmed to want to know.”

2018 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: 2 Days and Counting!

Your chance to take on Procrastination and Perfectionism.

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 27: “(500) Days of Summer”

Why 30 screenplays in 30 days?

Screenwriting 101: Barbara Stepansky

“When I write scenes, I want to make sure that it drives the plot forward. If a scene doesn’t have a cause and effect built into it, it…

Daily Dialogue — February 27, 2018

Young Birdman: It’s a beautiful day. Forget about the Times… everyone else has. Come on. Stand up! So you’re not a great actor. Who cares…

Character Development Keys

Starting March 5, my 1-week online class not only immerses you in five key archetypes, you also use them to workshop one of your stories.

Zero Draft Thirty: Story Prep

In March, write a draft of an original movie or TV script.

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 26: “Little Miss Sunshine”

Why 30 screenplays in 30 days?

On Writing

“Convince yourself that you are working in clay, not marble, on paper, not eternal bronze.”

Daily Dialogue — February 26, 2018

Jesse: There’s these breeds of monkeys, right, and all they do is have sex, all the time, you know? And they turn out to be the least…

Screenwriting News (February 19-February 25, 2018)

The week’s writing deals and movie project news.

Go Into The Story Interview: Sarah Jane Inwards

My interview with 2017 Black List screenwriter and 2017 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winner.

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 25: “The Silence of the Lambs”

Why 30 screenplays in 30 days?

Interview (Video): Alex Garland

Half-hour conversation with the writer-director of Annihilation.

Daily Dialogue — February 25, 2018

“They FUCK YOU at the drive-thru, okay? They FUCK YOU at the drive-thru! They know you’re gonna be miles away before you find out you got…

Daily Dialogue theme next week: Walk and Talk

Join the Daily Dialogue crew: 3,572 consecutive days and counting.

Interview (Part 6): Sarah Jane Inwards (2017 Black List, Nicholl Winner)

My 6-part talk with the writer of the script “Jellyfish Summer”.

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 24: “The Social Network”

Why 30 screenplays in 30 days?

Saturday Hot Links

Time for the 330th installment of Saturday Hot Links, your week’s essential reading about movies, TV, streaming, Hollywood, and other…

Daily Dialogue — February 24, 2018

Businessman: It says one hundred percent guaranteed, you moron! Brad Hamilton: Mister, if you don’t shut up I’m gonna kick one hundred…

Reader Question: What’s the best way to approach pitching?

There’s not one ‘right’ way to pitch a story, but this approach has proven to be successful.

Interview (Part 5): Sarah Jane Inwards (2017 Black List, Nicholl Winner)

My 6-part talk with the writer of the script “Jellyfish Summer”.

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 23: “Pan’s Labyrinth”

Why 30 screenplays in 30 days?

Writing and the Creative Life: How Does “Creativity” Translate Across Different Cultures?

Originality. Meaningfulness. Value. Collaboration. All part of what creativity is about in the 21st century.

Daily Dialogue — February 23, 2018

Customer: Excuse me? Look, I ordered one Good Burger with nothing on it. Ed: That’s what I gave you. Customer: No! You gave me a bun. Just…