Go Into The Story

“Inception”: Carl Jung’s Wet Dream

Either Christopher Nolan has studied Carl Jung or he tapped into the collective unconscious big time with his movie Inception.

What is your daily writing “workout” routine?

Some advice from A Quiet Place screenwriters Scott Beck and Bryan Woods.

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 17

This is the 10th year in a row I’ve run this series in April.

Ctrl, Alt, Del: Three Act Structure

It’s right there on your keyboard!

Script To Screen: “Rushmore”

The revenge sequence from Rushmore written by Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson.

Daily Dialogue — April 17, 2019

Babette: I have a favor to ask, ladies. Martine: Certainly, Babette. Filippa: Sit down, Babette. Babette: I’d like to prepare the…

Reader Question: What is the connection between the Protagonist and the inciting incident?

“Something. Happens. In my view, that is the essence of an inciting incident.”

Great Scene: “It Happened One Night”

A classic scene from the 1934 comedy which is one of three movies to win all the Big Five Oscars: Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor…

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 16

This is the 10th year in a row I’ve run this series in April.

GITS Interviews — Black List Writers

Over the years, I’ve interviewed dozens of writers whose scripts appeared on the annual Black List: 54 as of April 2019. Their collective…

Screenwriting 101: David Rabinowitz

“Write as much as you can. Quantity leads to quality. Show your work early and often, and embrace feedback.”

Daily Dialogue — April 16, 2019

“You wanted cake, you got cake! Now… EAT IT!”

Interview: Daniel Stiepleman

My conversation with the screenwriter of the movie On the Basis of Sex.

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 15

This is the 10th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Last week, I provided a daily explanation about why you should make it a…

My Interviews with 34 Nicholl Fellowship Screenwriting Winners

The Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting competition is the most important of all screenplay contests. Founded in 1986, it is administered…

On Writing

“Persist. If you stop, then you’re removing yourself from the conversation. You have to keep going and weather rejection until you find the…

Daily Dialogue — April 15, 2019

“It’s ice cream. You eat it.”

Screenwriting News (April 8-April 14, 2019)

The week’s writing deals and movie project news.

Character Type: Destroyer

“Rampaging and hell-bent on destruction. There is no negotiating. No resolution with these kind of Destroyers. They themselves must be…

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 14

This is the 10th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Last week I provided a daily explanation about why you should make it a habit…

Go Into The Story Interview: Allison and Nicolas Buckmelter

My interview with the 2018 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winners.

Screenwriting Advice From The Past: The Actor’s Angle [Part 1]

If you are a screenwriter, you should know about Anita Loos. Loos was one of the most influential writers in the early stages of American…

Daily Dialogue — April 14, 2019

“Now we’re cooking!”

Saturday Hot Links

Time for the 386th installment of Saturday Hot Links, your week’s essential reading about movies, TV, streaming, Hollywood, and other…

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 13

This is the 10th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Last week I provided a daily explanation about why you should make it a habit…