Go Into The Story

Daily Dialogue — June 24, 2017

“Rollo Tomasi.”

2017 Annual Black List Feature Screenwriters Lab

Now open for submission for October 8–14, 2017 intensive writers workshop.

John, I believe that’s an old Monkees song.

You might enjoy this. So directly after Taj finishes his set, a gaggle of gals, rushed to the side of the stage. As we had to get to our…

Writing Tip: Go With Diverse Casts

The most successful movies appeal to diverse audiences.

Katie, you are quite right, we don’t grow as writers in a vacuum.

My point is there is no right way to write and by extension no right way to LEARN to write. I’ve lived too long, worked in the business for…

Black List writers on the craft: Characters (Part 5)

Over the years, I have interviewed over 40 Black List screenwriters. This month, I will run a series featuring one topic per week related…

Screenwriting Lessons: “The King’s Speech” — Part 5: Moments

Five-part series exploring lessons from David Seidler’s Oscar winning script.

Writing and the Creative Life: Why Staring Into Space Is an Important Strategy for Success

Via Psychology Today, is there any writer alive who hasn’t experienced this?

Daily Dialogue — June 23, 2017

Luke: [screaming] How is she?! Theo: She’s bleeding everywhere!

Reader Question: Shouldn’t a writer figure out the craft on their own?

A question from @AndrewMcDermot1:

Black List writers on the craft: Characters (Part 4)

Over the years, I have interviewed over 40 Black List screenwriters. This month, I will run a series featuring one topic per week related…

Screenwriting Lessons: “The King’s Speech” — Part 4: Shadow

Five-part series exploring lessons from David Seidler’s Oscar winning script.

The Business of Screenwriting: “If it ain’t got no soul, it ain’t gonna sell”

The time the legendary musician Taj Mahal laid words of wisdom on me.

Daily Dialogue — June 22, 2017

Jules is behind the wheel, Vincent in the passenger seat and Marvin in the back. VINCENT: Ever seen that show "COPS?" I was watchin' it…

Reader Question: What does it mean to “workshop” a script?

My two cents worth based on years of leading writing workshops.

Interview (Written): Michael Showalter

The director of The Big Sick, written by Kumail Nanjiani & Emily V. Gordon.

Black List writers on the craft: Characters (Part 3)

Over the years, I have interviewed over 40 Black List screenwriters. This month, I will run a series featuring one topic per week related…

Screenwriting Lessons: “The King’s Speech” — Part 3: Talismans

Five-part series exploring lessons from David Seidler’s Oscar winning script.

Script To Screen: “Beetlejuice”

A memorable scene from the 1988 movie Beetlejuice with some significant changes from script to screen [screenplay by Michael McDowell and…

Daily Dialogue — June 21, 2017

[singing] “Born free, as free as the wind blows As free as the grass grows Born free to follow your heart”

Why rewrite now?

A guest post from screenwriter Tom Benedek.

Interview (Written): Don Winslow

New York Times best-selling novelist and screenwriter.

Black List writers on the craft: Characters (Part 2)

Over the years, I have interviewed over 40 Black List screenwriters. This month, I will run a series featuring one topic per week related…

Tim, I read your Suzanne Sullivan post, all the way through it.

Rejection is a strange thing. It can be debilitating. It can be motivating. It can also take a long time to see what it means in the long…

Paul, here’s to stopping birthday celebrations!

I love Breaking Away, one of my favorite movies. It was one of the very first screenplays I read (way back in 1986). It’s an apt metaphor…