Go Into The Story

Daily Dialogue theme next week: Ice Cream

Join the Daily Dialogue crew: 3,754 consecutive days and counting.

Daily Dialogue — August 25, 2018

TEDDY: You know, when we found your guy and killed him. (off look) That's right, the real John G. Over a year ago. I helped you find him…

Reader question: How may I approach a favorite screenwriter (since I’ve got their personal email)?

Tread carefully, my friend. Tread carefully.

Screenwriting Back to Basics, Day 5: Reader Identification

Imbue the Protagonist with qualities with which a reader can connect.

2018 Scene-Writing Challenge: Day 15

Write some scenes. Win a great prize.

Writing and the Creative Life: The Tactile Experience of Writing

Words. Created. On. Paper.

Daily Dialogue — August 24, 2018

Helen Tasker: Have you ever killed anyone? Harry Tasker: Yeah, but they were all bad.

Reader Question: What to do when you feel out of touch with creative energy?

“Be sure not to overlook an obvious consideration: Do you have a strong emotional connection to the story you’re writing?”

Screenwriting Back to Basics, Day 4: Character = Function

Every character in a screenplay has to be there for a reason. That is their narrative function, who they are and what they do tied to the…

2018 Scene-Writing Challenge: Day 14

Write some scenes. Win a great prize.

The Business of Screenwriting: “I don’t have to smell it to sell it”

An object lesson in Agent Talk.

Daily Dialogue — August 23, 2018

Matthew Poncelet: That boy? Walter? Sister Helen Prejean: Yeah? What? Matthew Poncelet: I killed him. Sister Helen Prejean: And Hope? Did…

Attention U.K.-based writers!

I will be giving 4 presentations and leading a Master Class at this year’s London Screenwriters’ Festival between September 6th–9th, 2018.

Screenwriting Back to Basics, Day 3: Plot Emerges From Character

No matter what paradigm or theory you use to craft your screenplay’s plot, the single most important thing you can do is this: Start with…

2018 Scene-Writing Challenge: Day 13

Write some scenes. Win a great prize.

Script To Screen: “Jackie Brown”

A scene from the 1997 movie Jackie Brown, written by Quentin Tarantino, based on an Elmore Leonard novel.

Daily Dialogue — August 22, 2018

Walt comes into the sanctuary and Father Janovich looks up.

Thanks for that excellent analysis, Judah.

Again, thanks. Your insights are provocative and really got me thinking about the movie again.

Screenwriting Back to Basics, Day 2: The Protagonist’s Arc

Transformation lies at the heart of the Hero’s Journey.

Spec Script Deal: “Singles Day”

New Line Cinema acquires romantic comedy spec script “Singles Day” written by Lillian Yu. From Deadline:

2018 Scene-Writing Challenge: Day 12

Write some scenes. Win a great prize.

Screenwriting 101: John August

“A lot of screenwriting is disciplined daydreaming. It’s like you’re trying to put together a jigsaw puzzle, but you’re not quite sure what…

Daily Dialogue — August 21, 2018

Hannibal Lecter: After your father’s murder, you were orphaned. You were ten years old. You went to live with cousins on a sheep and horse…

Plot = Structure

A screenplay is a unique literary form. It both tells a story and serves as a blueprint to make a movie. As such, understanding structure…

Screenwriting Back to Basics, Day 1: Writing Scenes

With every scene, you should ask yourself this question: What is the scene’s Beginning, Middle, and End?