The story world, like the real one, is filled with characters of every level of intelligence. How to write the less-intelligent ones authentically and entertainingly without debasing yourself or your audience in the process?
Read moreSTORY ENDINGS: THE EXPERT'S QUICK GUIDE
Happy? Sad? Ironic? Nail the type of ending your story should have and work backward from there. Here’s how. And learn more at TheWriterCoach.com.
New Course on LinkedIn Learning!
Check out my new mini-course “Learning Screenwriting” on LinkedIn Learning
Read moreTOOTSIE: FROM MOVIE TO MUSICAL
Recently I had the privilege of spending time with Robert Horn, who won a Tony for writing the book to the Broadway musical “Tootsie.” We shared the unique opportunity of comparing scenes from the Best Picture winner with analogous scenes from the musical, and discussing the fascinating process of adapting a classic and setting it to music. It’s a master class for writers of comedy, film, stage, and music.
Read moreGet your screenplay seen by the pros
I’m pleased to announce my association with Event Horizon Films as an official judge and consultant. Event Horizon Films provides Hollywood access to filmmakers and screenwriters by partnering with film festivals, film professionals and leading film companies. As part of EHF’s commitment to share exceptional work with award-winning film professionals, EHF has asked me to judge entrants in several major film festivals, and for select writers, provide real world evaluations on the story's overall strength. Visit Event Horizon Films at Event Horizon Films.
Don’t find time to write.
“I can’t find time to write.” It’s the single most common plaint of the creative or commercial writer, right before, “I don’t know what to write.” Today we focus on solving the first problem. Ready?
Forget about it. You’ll never find time to write.
And don’t think I’m about to say, “You must make time to write, grasshopper!” If you think you’re capable of creating time, you’ve got a bigger problem than finding time to write. (See “ grandiose adjective gran·di·ose\ˈgran-dē-ˌōs\.)
Read moreA File Format That Will Make You a Better Writer?
There’s a file format — a structure for saving data — that is as powerful a tool in the writing world as a U.S. passport is in world travel. It’s known by the acronym OPML, and those letters should become as familiar to you as QWERTY.
Read more
