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Boy Meets Girl: How To Write Romance That Impacts Your Reader

All About Boy Meets Girl ‘Boy Meets Girl’ is a plotting archetype that underpins probably 90% of romance stories. Across all subgenres and cross-genres of romance, we can see it in action because that’s what our readers and viewers WANT. I thought I would trace this powerful archetype and what makes it hit so hard. Ready? Let’s go … ‘Boy Meets Girl’, Beat for Beat 1)  The Set Up Like all stories across all mediums and genres, this archetype begins with the set up. We join the protagonist in their normal life and understand what missing there on an emotional… Read More »Boy Meets Girl: How To Write Romance That Impacts Your Reader

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5 Reasons Why You Should Build Fear Into Your Story’s Turning Points

Why You Should Build Fear into Your Turning Points When it comes to storytelling, fear is more than a feeling; it’s an underlying force that runs through multiple story elements. Influencing plot, character arc and development, conflict, and theme, fear draws readers in and makes the story feel human and authentic. This emotion is at its most potent when plot and character arc dovetail to create the question readers most want to answer: Will the character surrender to their fear or master it? Using Turning Points to Plot a Character’s Fear Journey Turning points – those pivotal events or complications… Read More »5 Reasons Why You Should Build Fear Into Your Story’s Turning Points

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5 Top Tips For Writing Romantasy That Bites Back

How To Write Romantasy That Bites Back I was at London Screenwriters Festival this weekend just past, where I did a masterclass on writing romantasy. This subgenre has exploded in the past three or four years across all media, yet many people get it wrong on why it’s so popular. Romantasy is NOT just fantasy with some kissing. The romance angle powers the story, while giving us brutal worlds, high stakes and love that complicates everything. It is all about danger and desire, fused. Ultimately, good romantasy is all about that core promise: if it doesn’t hurt, it’s not romantasy.… Read More »5 Top Tips For Writing Romantasy That Bites Back

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Ink and Emotion: Tracing The Path Of A Romance Novel

From Idea to Page: Tracing The Journey Tracing the path of a romance novel is all-important in understanding what your target reader wants. The latter is not about ‘selling out’, but selling. It’s what professional writers DO. As I’ve written before on this blog, romance is the #1 genre of all time. Whether you love it or loathe it yourself, it’s fair to say readers LOVE it! Tracing what they enjoy and why does not have to mean writing solely for the marketplace. It’s possible to give readers what they want, while also writing what YOU love too. It may… Read More »Ink and Emotion: Tracing The Path Of A Romance Novel

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The #1 Killer Opener Mistake That Nearly All Screenwriters Make

Killer Script Opener Mistakes There are lots of killer opener mistakes your spec screenplay needs to avoid. The beginning of your spec screenplay needs to do some serious heavy lifting for your story – not just for your characters, but the plot as well. This means screenwriters simply must do the following in their spec screenplays … Start with a strong, visual opener. Spec screenplays need to start with a visual that places us in the storyworld, genre and tone of your story. For more on this (including screenshots of opening images from produced TV shows, CLICK HERE). Introduce us to… Read More »The #1 Killer Opener Mistake That Nearly All Screenwriters Make

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Self-Editing Your Draft: From “WTAF?” to “Hell Yes, I Wrote That!”

All About Self-Editing Your Draft Whether you’re writing a novel or a screenplay, self-editing is key. Yet many writers don’t realise self-editing is even a thing! They may get in contact with a script editor like me to tell them what to do. Yet as I always say on this blog and the B2W social media, self-editing is a great idea. Doing this first is always going to get you better, more robust results than going straight to paid-for feedback-givers like B2W. It’s also A LOT cheaper! But how, exactly, do writers self-edit? Here’s my checklist, step by step. Ready?… Read More »Self-Editing Your Draft: From “WTAF?” to “Hell Yes, I Wrote That!”

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Bad Deals, Brave Asks and Why You’re Allowed To Walk Away (Yes, REALLY!)

All About Bad Deals NEWSFLASH: bad deals are not worth it! One thing I see over and over again with writers is this: They want it so badly that they’ll accept almost anything. An “opportunity” lands in their inbox. It sounds exciting, even flattering. It sounds like this might finally be the thing. Then, because they don’t want to miss out, writers don’t ask questions. They don’t push back. They don’t stop to think whether the deal actually helps them advance in their careers. Here’s the truth many writers don’t want to hear: A bad deal is often worse than no… Read More »Bad Deals, Brave Asks and Why You’re Allowed To Walk Away (Yes, REALLY!)

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10 Quick Tips To Writing Romance In The 2020s

All About Writing Romance So, you want to write romance in 2026, huh? Good. But before you roll your eyes at another “boy meets girl” idea, let me stop you. Romance isn’t dead, it’s thriving … and if you want to write it without looking like a clueless dinosaur, here’s what you need to know. Ready? Let’s go … 1) Romance goes with EVERYTHING! Yep … Everything. Thrillers? Romance. Dark fantasy? Romance. Even your grim post-apocalyptic world needs a smidge of “OMG, they might die but also maybe get together?” Humans crave relationships, so don’t ignore them. 2) Diversity isn’t… Read More »10 Quick Tips To Writing Romance In The 2020s

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5 Top Tips Crime Writers Can Learn From BBC1’s THE TRAITORS

What Crime Writers Can Learn from The Traitors The Traitors has been sweeping the UK. Three times a week, millions of people take time out of their day to watch a bunch of regular folks trying to solve an Agatha-Christie-style murder mystery. What is it that works for this series? 1) Everyone Wants To Be A Traitor It has to do with the format, of course. At the beginning of the show, Claudia Winkleman, the host, interviews each player and asks whether they would like to be a Faithful or a Traitor. Very few want to be Faithfuls. First, it’s… Read More »5 Top Tips Crime Writers Can Learn From BBC1’s THE TRAITORS

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5 Reasons Your Script Is a “Zombie” (And How to Fix It)

Is Your Script A ‘Zombie’? You followed the rules. You hit the beats. Your structure is technically sound …. So why does the script feel dead when you read it back? If your story makes sense but doesn’t move you, you may be dealing with what I call a Zombie Script. This is a term I developed while analysing the gap between Western cause-and-effect plotting (as seen in models like the Three-Act Structure) and Eastern emotional design. A Zombie Script walks, talks, and functions, but it has no pulse. Here are five common reasons scripts go zombie, and how to… Read More »5 Reasons Your Script Is a “Zombie” (And How to Fix It)

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On Character Motivation: How Your Main Character’s ‘Why’ Powers Your Story

All About Character Motivation Motivation is key in any good story: I call it the ‘why’ of characterisation. Your characters should not simply exist to serve the plot. Instead, they should drive the plot through their own choices, behaviour, worldview, backstory and actions. A subtle difference, but crucial. In other words then, a great character wants or needs something for a reason … and they must struggle to get it. Their ‘why’ may be personal, ranging from the good or neutral, through to the outright evil and villainous. Whatever makes your character act, fight or sacrifice, that ‘why’ is everything.… Read More »On Character Motivation: How Your Main Character’s ‘Why’ Powers Your Story

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Top 10 Quick, Actionable Resolutions For Writers In 2026

Your Writing Resolutions For This Year Writing resolutions can get a bad rap, especially when writers FAIL at enacting them … but they can be super-useful at helping writers focus and get stuff done. I think the main problem with writing resolutions are … i) Writers go too big and get overwhelmed ii) Go too small and get bored iii) Or they go too vague and aren’t sure HOW to get them done That’s why I’ve deliberately kept these resolutions focused, actionable and meaty enough to move the needle (but not so large they’ll freak you out). Ready?? Then let’s go!… Read More »Top 10 Quick, Actionable Resolutions For Writers In 2026

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