What’s Your Next Script?

Some screenwriters face the dreaded writer’s block, while others have far too many story ideas to write. Both cause untold distress to the screenwriting species. The latter may not be as much of a problem as you previously thought. Having too many screenplay concepts means you have choices. Then comes the big question. What screenplay…

How To Write Characters Who Lie

Screenwriters will have to write lying characters in at least one screenplay. There are various patterns and gestures that liars fall into, so it helps to make them believable. This article isn’t so much about ‘liespotting,’ ‘gotcha,’ or ‘bazinga’ moments. but rather an overview of the behavior of liars so you can write more authentic…

4 Ways To Test Your Characters

Character conflict is the basis of an engaging screenplay. What exactly are the causes of conflict? It’s more than two or more characters arguing about a goal. It’s about pushing your characters to their limits to see what they can withstand. These limits form the basis of the character arcs of good screenwriting. They tie…

How Do Your Characters Communicate?

Screenwriting involved mining character relationships and their interactions. There are a number of ways characters communicate with each other. As a screenwriter, you must give each character a predominant communication style to complement their personality. Moreover, look at ways to give your main characters opposing communication styles to generate conflict between them. When constructing your…

What Should You Expect From Screenplay Feedback?

Every screenwriter should get feedback on their screenplays. Always. You are too close to your material to be able to see it objectively. There are so many things to consider such as who you are getting feedback from and their credentials. What are their respective agendas? Are they well-meaning friends and family who want to…

Why You Must Kill Your Screenplay Darlings

Screenwriting is hard. Really hard. No surprises here. Shaping and telling a story takes a long time. It’s a long process of trial and error. You must write many permutations and combinations of your story during the outlining, writing and rewriting process. This process of creating, destroying and recreating your screenplay is something every screenwriter faces…

What To Do When Your Screenwriting Muse Needs Some Help

Creativity ebbs and flows. Flows and ebbs. It is finite, yet it is infinite. Sometimes there’s a story inside us dying to get written. Sometimes, there isn’t. As screenwriters, our creative juices don’t flow at will. Their will, not ours. But it doesn’t all have to be doom and gloom. Embrace the messiness of the…

Note To Screenwriters: Audience Lives Matter

Screenwriters write both to express themselves and to emotionally stimulate an audience. Even if you write a screenplay that you never intend to show anyone, you still have an audience of one.  Audience matters. They need to feel something to continue watching. It’s vital to know your audience. Talk down to them and they’ll dismiss…

Are You Ready To Become A Screenwriter In Demand?

You’ve been clacking on your keyboard for years. Toiling. Churning out movie script after movie script. Your screenplays are piling up, but getting little traction. You start doubting your writing skills. Will you break through? In order to succeed, you need to embrace the screenwriting grind. There is no way around it. Athletes cannot skip…

How Much Research Should You Do For Your Screenplay?

Listen up fellow screenwriters.  We’ve all been told to do background research before writing your screenplay. How much should you actually do? Why Do Research At All? Quite simply, it adds authenticity to your screenwriting. It lets your audience know they’re in good hands and your story is factually correct. That said, your research should…

Why Is Fear So Important In Your Screenplays?

FEAR is a significant motivator of human behavior. It dictates what we do and what we don’t do. Therefore it’s important for screenwriters to understand how fear works in human development and subsequently write richer characters in your stories. Fears make our characters human. It exposes vulnerabilities and informs character backstory. Fears are either physical…

What Makes An Engaging Screenplay?

This is one of the most common questions screenwriters ponder after “How do I sell my screenplay?” The screenwriting bar has been raised many times over the years, so a strong grasp on the writing craft is vital. Your ability to create solid characters with defined goals and formidable obstacles, write scintillating dialogue, and have…