Screenwriting

Screenwriting

by | Craft

  I have recently started screenwriting, and let me tell you, it has been a shock. The basic principles remain the same. If anything, they are even more important because the structure of the story – the GMC, the plot points –give a film its structure and focus....
THAD

THAD

by | Craft

  Sometimes, the scene you’re writing focuses on an exchange between characters: maybe witty banter, tense negotiation, subtle questioning, some necessary information. Whatever it is, the emphasis is on the dialogue. Unfortunately, even if you’ve...
Imposter Syndrome

Imposter Syndrome

by | Writing Life

How do you beat Imposter Syndrome?   Ever feel like you’re not good enough as a writer, and worse, that perhaps you’ll never be good enough? Almost every writer I know has had Imposter Syndrome: the depressing, anxiety-inducing feeling that I’m going to refer to...
Plot Twists

Plot Twists

by | Writing Life

The problem with plot twists.   Honestly, personally, I have no problem with plot twists. I used be glued to the TV when they ran Twilight Zone marathons on the odd holiday weekend. I watched The Sixth Sense and was blindsided by the ending. Now, in a world where...
Natural Dialogue

Natural Dialogue

by | Craft

How do you write natural sounding dialogue?   Here are two examples of dialogue: “If I see you again, Mr. Anderson, I promise that the outcome will be far less civil… and you will regret it.” “Get outta here, Jack. Because next time I see you, I swear, I’m...