Go Into The Story

Interview (Part 6): Jake Disch

Jake Disch has made the annual Black List two times: In 2018 for his script Gunfight, then in 2023 with The Adults in the Room. Recently, I…

Dumb Little Writing Tricks That Work: Read your dialogue aloud

This is truly one of the easiest things you can do to improve your dialogue writing: When you finish a draft of your script, read aloud…

Page One: “Miss Congeniality” (2000)

Written by Marc Lawrence & Katie Ford & Caryn Lucas

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 26

This is the 15th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Why a story idea each day for the month? Because the best way to come up with…

Interview (Part 5): Jake Disch

My interview with 2023 Black List writer for his script The Adults in the Room.

Script To Screen: “Blue Velvet”

A scene from the 1986 movie Blue Velvet, written by David Lynch.

Page One: “Batman Returns” (1992)

Screenplay by Daniel Waters, story by Daniel Waters and Sam Hamm, characters created by Bob Kane

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 25

This is the 15th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Why a story idea each day for the month? Because the best way to come up with…

Interview (Part 4): Jake Disch

My interview with 2023 Black List writer for his script The Adults in the Room.

How They Write A Script: Shane Black

Shane Black. Black, along with Joe Eszterhaus, drove the spec script frenzy in the late 80s and early 90s. Shane has an interesting…

Page One: “Being the Ricardos” (2021)

Written by Aaron Sorkin

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 24

This is the 15th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Why a story idea each day for the month? Because the best way to come up with…

Interview (Part 3): Jake Disch

My interview with 2023 Black List writer for his script The Adults in the Room.

Spec Script Deal: “Here Comes the Dark”

Paramount Pictures acquires supernatural thriller spec script “Here Comes the Dark” written by Carey Van Dyke and Shane Van Dyke. Via THR:

Page One: “Bean” (1997)

Written by Richard Curtis & Robin Driscoll

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 23

This is the 15th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Why a story idea each day for the month? Because the best way to come up with…

Interview (Part 2): Jake Disch

My interview with 2023 Black List writer for his script The Adults in the Room.

Screenwriting 101: Billy Ray

“Don’t let anybody outwork you. Don’t let anybody out-hustle you. Be the person who’s always willing to do more drafts and push yourself…

Page One: “The Beguiled” (1971)

Screenplay by Albert Maltz and Irene Kamp, novel by Thomas Cullinan

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 22

This is the 15th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Why a story idea each day for the month? Because the best way to come up with…

Interview (Part 1): Jake Disch

My interview with 2023 Black List writer for his script The Adults in the Room.

On Writing

‘’Why do we want to have alternate worlds? It’s a way of making progress. You have to imagine something before you do it. Therefore, if you…

Page One: “Batman Forever” (1995)

Screenplay by Lee Batchler & Janet Scott Batchler and Akiva Goldsman, story by Lee Batchler & Janet Scott Batchler, characters created by…

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 21

This is the 15th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Why a story idea each day for the month? Because the best way to come up…

Dumb Little Writing Tricks That Work: Name That Tune!

Pick songs which speak to the core essence of specific characters.