Go Into The Story

Reader Question: When is the best time to reveal a character’s backstory?

Key character revelations from their past. When? Where? How?

“Conversations With Wilder”: Part 25

Billy Wilder. Cameron Crowe. Conversation and creative insight.

Great Scene: “To Kill A Mockingbird”

“To begin with, this case should never have come to trial. The State has not produced one iota of medical evidence to the effect that the…

Writing and the Creative Life: Why Creative People May Feel More Anxiety

I’m even nervous posting this…

Page One: “August: Osage County” (2013)

Screenplay by Tracy Letts

Why are we fascinated with Bad Guys?

So many current TV series feature anti-heroes. Why?

“Conversations With Wilder”: Part 24

Billy Wilder. Cameron Crowe. Conversation and creative insight.

Reader Question: Where do you go for inspiration when the words just aren’t coming?

What to do to break through a creative funk?

The Business of Screenwriting: The Importance of a Writers Group

There’s that image of a writer. Sequestered in a room. Struggling over a blank piece of paper. Crumpled pages strewn about. A cup of booze…

Page One: “Attack the Block” (2011)

Written by Joe Cornish

Tarantino, Sorkin, and Dialogue as Purpose

Analysis of long dialogue-centric scenes in The Social Network and Pulp Fiction reveals that underneath the entertaining conversations lies…

“Conversations With Wilder”: Part 23

Billy Wilder. Cameron Crowe. Conversation and creative insight.

Reader Question: Is it okay to take more time than normal to set up the story in Act One?

What if that script you’re writing insists on having a 30+ page first act?

Screenwriting 101: Sidney Lumet

“Chayefsky used to say, ‘There are two kinds of scenes: the Pet the Dog scene and the Kick the Dog scene. The studio always wants a Pet the…

Page One: “Atonement” (2007)

Screenplay by Christopher Hampton, novel by Ian McEwan

Google “short film script contests.”

Also, go to reddit/screenwriting and post your question there.

Dumb Little Writing Tricks That Work: What to Do After You Finish Your First Draft

It may seem like a really dumb idea, but it’s a crucial step in rewrite process.

“Conversations With Wilder”: Part 22

Billy Wilder. Cameron Crowe. Conversation and creative insight.

The Trouble with “Character Flaws”

“Characters, at least good ones, are multilayered individuals.”

Video: “How I Wrote ‘Arrival’”

A Behind the Curtain video featuring Eric Heisserer talking about how he adapted the Ted Chiang short story into a hit science fiction…

Page One: “Arrival” (2016)

Screenplay by Eric Heisserer, based on the story “Story of Your Life” written by Ted Chiang

Reader Question: What if you fall out of love with a script?

“What about a script you fall out of love with after 2–3 drafts, and just can’t finish? Put it aside for now or just push through?”

“Conversations With Wilder”: Part 21

Billy Wilder. Cameron Crowe. Conversation and creative insight.

When something happens… something ELSE happens

The dynamic dual nature of a screenplay universe.

On Writing

“One word after another. That’s the only way that novels get written and, short of elves coming in the night and turning your jumbled notes…