Skip to content

agents

Is Your Writing As Good As You Think It Is?

Good Writing, Objectively Good writing is what everyone wants. Le duh. No writer starts a project, be it screenplay or novel, actively wanting it to be bad! That would make no sense whatsoever. But the dead reality is, most of the spec pile is NOT good. So, what does ‘good writing’ mean? And how do you KNOW yours is good? Why does your work deserve to be produced or published? Obviously everyone has personal preferences about what makes good writing. Some writers are lauded for stuff like dialogue, epic story worlds, nuanced themes, diverse characterisation, non linear plotting and so on. But what… Read More »Is Your Writing As Good As You Think It Is?

Share this:

A Spotlight On Due Diligence For Writers

Due Diligence Writers are urged to do their ‘due diligence’ a lot. This is especially relevant when it comes to finding and evaluating agents, producers and publishers, but also any services or we might pay money for. This may include obvious stuff like screenwriting, novel and short story contests, but also other things like writing courses, software and other things we may buy or use. However, as many Bang2writers may have noticed lately, there is a small but nevetherless stubborn contingent of writers around who think practicing ‘due diligence’ means slagging off and/or smearing people, products and services, especially on… Read More »A Spotlight On Due Diligence For Writers

Share this:

How To Write A Script Report

[Updated] The Script Report (Aka ‘Script Notes’ or Coverage) In my experience as a script reader, there is NO definitive script report template. Instead, when working for script initiatives, screen agencies and some literary agents or production companies I have been supplied with *their* script report template. Crucially, every single script report template I have seen has been quite different … Some are quite short (1-2 pages maximum) and an “overview” Others are very detailed, with many different sections (the longest being 8-10 pages!) Some look SOLELY at the story and craft of the screenplay (what’s on the page) Others… Read More »How To Write A Script Report

Share this:

How Your Concept Can Kill Your Writing DEAD

What’s The Concept? Concept, premise, controlling idea, seed of the story … Whatever you want to call it, you need that THING at foundation level in your story to be clear and compelling, otherwise your story is SUNK. Put simply, if you don’t have a great concept at the foundation of your screenplay or novel? YOU GOT NUTHIN’! Supersadface. It can’t be true … can it?? How Concepts Kill Spec Scripts & Unpublished Novels YES! It is true. The short version: if your concept STINKS? Your pitch won’t work. You will never get off the starter blocks – no one will like… Read More »How Your Concept Can Kill Your Writing DEAD

Share this:

5 Ways To Stand Out In The Script Pile

One of the top searches on B2W is ‘How to get an agent or manager’ – so if this is you? Then make sure you check out this brilliant initiative from Coverage Ink! They’re a US company that offers quality screenwriting reports – I should know, ‘cos B2W reads for em (and so, incidentally, does B2W sistren Write So Fluid). What I love about Get Repped Now is that it’s a win-win situation for writers: get that feted CONSIDER, a bona fide literary manager will check out your writing … But even if you don’t,  you get a detailed script report… Read More »5 Ways To Stand Out In The Script Pile

Share this:

5 Steps To The Perfect Elevator Pitch

Whether you’re writing a TV script, a book or perhaps designing the next must-have app, executing your idea is only the start of a rocky (but enjoyable!) journey. The simple truth is, investors won’t know about your product until they’re told – and you might only get one chance to tell them. It’s for this reason that you have to nail your elevator pitch – the pitch that perfectly sums up your product or idea so succinctly, you could tell an investor all about it during an elevator ride. Here’s what you need to do: 1) Go straight to the… Read More »5 Steps To The Perfect Elevator Pitch

Share this:

3 Things I Learned From Literary Agent Fiona Kenshole

It’s not very often you get to hear it straight from the source EXACTLY what producers, publishers or literary agents are looking for. However, I was lucky enough to sit down recently with Literary Agent Fiona Kenshole who shared more than a few great tips for Bang2writers! Fiona was a guest of InDevelopment, a network of professionals who work in film and TV script development. InDevelopment meets regularly for drinks and discussion about the craft of developing, script editing and producing fiction for the screen and is organised and hosted by script consultant Sarah Olley. Fiona has over twenty years… Read More »3 Things I Learned From Literary Agent Fiona Kenshole

Share this:

6 Things To NOT Do When Submitting Your Script

You have hundreds of pages of a shiny submission all ready to go. The words you’ve painstakingly churned out have been read and re-read and checked, edited, checked, tweaked and checked again! So let’s try and give you and your script a fighting chance, here’s what NOT to do when submitting your script … 6)  … Ignore the submissions guidelines I see you rolling your eyes at me. Yes, they must be read. Yes, they must be followed, TO THE LETTER. The first person who gets to look at your work will be looking for any excuse to throw it… Read More »6 Things To NOT Do When Submitting Your Script

Share this:

How To Build Your Own Online Platform

Many thanks to Bang2writer Karen who asked for my thoughts on building a platform/following online. If you’re thinking of launching yourself into the virtual world as a writer, here’s some tips to think on based on my own experiences. Remember, if you have a burning question for the blog that’s not been covered before, or you want to write a guest post yourself – then contact me via email, post in the Facebook group, or tweet me! Building your own online platform is not difficult in terms of set up, but it is difficult to a) know where to start… Read More »How To Build Your Own Online Platform

Share this:

5 (More) Things I Learned Pitching In Hollywood

The ‘X Things I Learned’ series is becoming a REALLY great source of insider and ‘behind the scenes’ info — if you want to share the insights you’ve learned out in the industry; on a course; when you met a famous writer — or something else! – then please do get in touch. Us Bang2writers want to hear all about it! In the meantime, here’s another perspective on pitching in Hollywood for you. If you recall, Tim gave his POV 3-4 of years ago, so here’s KT with her own nuggets of wisdom. Enjoy … Whether you’re pitching in London… Read More »5 (More) Things I Learned Pitching In Hollywood

Share this:

10 More Writer Fails (And How To Avoid Them)

Two of the most searched Google terms on this blog are, ‘writer mistakes’ and ‘writer fails’, so I thought I would take a look at you actual WRITERS and what you might doing to kill your screenplay dead. Ready?? Brace yourselves you lot … ‘cos here’s how you’re MURDERING your chances! 1) By … Waiting for inspiration Novelist W. Somerset Maugham said (though some attribute it to Peter De Vries and other writers) “I write only when inspiration strikes. Fortunately it strikes every morning at nine o’clock sharp.” I love this quote (whomever said it) because it gets straight to… Read More »10 More Writer Fails (And How To Avoid Them)

Share this:

The 1 Epic Mistake Nearly ALL Writers Make

So. Much. Truth. Writers are a funny bunch. We often make life a lot harder for ourselves, when all we need is a mindset adjustment. I was trawling through Facebook – as you do – when I saw this pic via super-agent and veteran Bang2writer Julian Friedmann … Why this pic is particularly relevant to writers As any script editor, agent, producer or mentor will tell you, they see writers clinging on to: Concepts that don’t work Drafts that suck Scenes that are waaaay out Rubbish dialogue Characters who are dull, derivative or weird Ill-advised approaches to gatekeepers Marketing or… Read More »The 1 Epic Mistake Nearly ALL Writers Make

Share this: