Go Into The Story

2020 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Story Prep (Part 1) — “What if…”

A series to help prepare writers for next month’s Zero Draft Thirty writing challenge.

The Theology of Cinema: Salvation

“On the one hand, salvation is directed toward saving someone else. On the other hand, it is a gift, not an achievement.”

Interview (Part 6): Sean Malcolm

My interview with the 2019 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winner.

Interview (Video): Benh Zeitlin

Conversation with the co-writer and director of the new movie Wendy.

Daily Dialogue — February 23, 2020

Rick: Last night we said a great many things. You said I was to do the thinking for both of us. Well, I’ve done a lot of it since then, and…

Great Scene: “Back to the Future”

Where Marty meets his father for the first time… in the past!

Interview (Part 5): Sean Malcolm

My interview with the 2019 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winner.

Daily Dialogue theme next week: Coen Brothers

Join the Daily Dialogue crew: 4,300 consecutive days and counting.

Interview (Video): Kelly Reichardt

A 50-minute conversation with the writer-director of the new movie First Cow.

Daily Dialogue — February 22, 2020

“In case I don’t see ya’… good afternoon, good evening, and good night.”

Your Writing Time Should Be “Non-Negotiable”

Four years ago, my alma mater, the University of Virginia, hired a new football coach. He has a name I would have loved to give to one of…

Interview (Part 4): Sean Malcolm

My interview with the 2019 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winner.

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

“Globally, we move from this image or old fascination of the individual genius toward an idea that everyone can create. And beyond that, we…

Daily Dialogue — February 21, 2020

Princess Leia: I love you. Han Solo: I know.

Negative Fear, Positive Fear

“Fear of writing, understandable, but a negative influence. However, fear of NOT writing and what that prospect could mean, that can be a…

Interview (Part 3): Sean Malcolm

My interview with the 2019 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winner.

The Business of Screenwriting: Don’t stand in water where you should be fishing

I use fishing as a metaphor for one’s approach to screenwriting. Seriously.

Daily Dialogue — February 20, 2020

“Write me well.”

The Power of Conflict in Storytelling

We have all heard the old saying, “You can’t have drama without conflict.” Yet the power of conflict in storytelling extends beyond merely…

Interview (Part 2): Sean Malcolm

My interview with the 2019 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winner.

Script to Screen: “Joker”

Joker kills Murray on live TV in the 2019 movie, written by Todd Phillips & Scott Silver, based on characters by Bob Kane, Bill Finger…

Daily Dialogue — February 19, 2020

Frodo: Sam, I must go, I was a ring bearer, you will never truly know what it did to me.

“Momentum is the midwife of creativity.

I like that!

Write. Every. Day. The single best piece of advice I’ve ever received and given.

Second best piece of advice: Finish what you start. Or as I like to say about a first draft: Get the damn thing done!

Great Scene: “Alien”

The famous “chestburster” scene from the 1979 horror science fiction movie.