Skip to content

case study

Tropes Vs. Stereotypes Vs. Clichés: Why Knowing The Difference Is Important

Tropes Vs. Stereotypes Vs. Clichés If you are confused about the differences between tropes, stereotypes and clichés, you are NOT alone. So few people get it right online – including actual writers and critics! – that it’s no wonder everybody’s brains are melted. Without further ado then, I am going to break it all down here. Ready? Let’s go … What Is A Trope? A trope is simply a recurrent idea we see a lot in stories. Nothing more, nothing less. A trope may be positive, negative or neutral. A lot of tropes in storytelling start first in society before… Read More »Tropes Vs. Stereotypes Vs. Clichés: Why Knowing The Difference Is Important

Share this:

Ho! Ho! Ho! Top 10 Christmas Episodes of Favourite TV Sitcoms

Sitcom Christmas Episodes So I love sitcoms and I love Christmas … so it made sense to round up my favourite festive episodes for the holiday season. This time, I took them from my favourite 5 sitcoms of all time: New Girl, Modern Family, Brooklyn 99, Will & Grace and Friends. Be sure to share your faves in the comments! Ready? Let’s go … New Girl 1) LAXmas (s4, ep10) I think this might just be my favourite sitcom Christmas episode of all time! A storm causes chaos at the airport as Jess attempts to go to the UK to… Read More »Ho! Ho! Ho! Top 10 Christmas Episodes of Favourite TV Sitcoms

Share this:

5 Weird Tricks To Help You With Your Grammar & Punctuation

Weird Tricks For The Win Grammar and punctuation can be dry AF, which is why I always tell my ‘Bang2writers’ to use these weird tricks. They are memorable and fun, plus they’re quick to do. So, without further ado, here’s a list of 5 wonderfully weird tricks writers can use to fix their grammar and punctuation in their screenplays and novels. Ready? Let’s go … 1) The Vampire Comma Test Good for: Novels, Short Stories and Screenplays (dialogue & scene description) Remember The Count in Sesame Street? ‘One … ah, ah, ah … two … ah, ah, ah’ AND SO… Read More »5 Weird Tricks To Help You With Your Grammar & Punctuation

Share this:

#1 Error That Kills Interest In Your Pitch 100% Of The Time

#1 Error That Kills Your Pitch Obviously there are lots of ways to kill your pitch, but there’s a #1 error I see most often. This error is so widespread and so simple, you’ll kick yourself once you see it … … HIDING your story behind intangible, thematic stuff. In other words, writers go for VIBES over the actual events of the story. Instead of being overt about what literally happens, the writer will fall back on that #1 pitching error like this … A retired bodyguard faces his demons from his traumatic past as he guides a kidnapped girl… Read More »#1 Error That Kills Interest In Your Pitch 100% Of The Time

Share this:

Pros & Cons Of Writing A Prologue: 6 Key Things To Consider

All About Prologues Every word counts in a story and first impressions matter. Traditionally, a prologue is an introductory chapter that sets the scene, tone and genre of your novel. But should you write one? The million-dollar question! Believe it or not, using a prologue can be quite controversial in the social media age. So, let’s put prologues under the microscope, so you can make an informed choice on whether YOU should use one … let’s go! What Is A Prologue? Put simply, a prologue is an introductory chapter that lays the groundwork of what’s to come. Their purpose is… Read More »Pros & Cons Of Writing A Prologue: 6 Key Things To Consider

Share this:

An Introduction To Kishōtenketsu, The Art of Plot Contrast Over Conflict

All About Kishōtenketsu If you learned storytelling in the West, you may not have heard of kishōtenketsu. Whilst some literature and screenwriting degrees may include it, most prioritise what I call ‘the transformative arc’.  The most obvious transformative arc is, of course, The Hero’s Journey. A protagonist must go from ‘zero to hero’ while challenging a ‘Big Bad’ of some kind. Most often that protagonist will undergo fundamental changes in dealing with a villain. This villain may or may not be emblematic of ‘The System’. Good examples of villains that are part of ‘The System’ include Darth Vader (The Evil… Read More »An Introduction To Kishōtenketsu, The Art of Plot Contrast Over Conflict

Share this:

Why Your Favourite Movie Isn’t Perfect (Or Why THE MIST Has Dated – And That’s Okay!)

I rewatched The Mist recently (Frank Darabont version) The Mist made a big splash when it came out back in 2o07. Here at B2W, Halloween is traditionally horror month, so I’ve been talking about the genre a lot with Bangers. I thought it would be fun to put an ‘old’ horror movie like it under the microscope to see how it stands up, seventeen years on. But you can also find other horror case studies and articles here, too: Candyman: A Startlingly Relevant Halloween Horror 5 Top Tips From The Black Phone (2021) Writers Can Learn 3 Awesome Tips On… Read More »Why Your Favourite Movie Isn’t Perfect (Or Why THE MIST Has Dated – And That’s Okay!)

Share this:

“I Like Your Style!” Top 10 Writing Tips To Improve Yours

Your Writing Style Is Important Writing style is unique, but there are things we can consider in making our style the best it can be. As Lucy always says on this site, good writing craft is the least we can do. Style is part of that. Of course, there are no rules. Experienced writers can get away with anything. However, below are some things to be aware of, especially if you are writing a book or short story for the first time. “Writing fiction is a delicate balance.” Sol Stein from Stein On Writing 1)  Avoid The Passive Voice The… Read More »“I Like Your Style!” Top 10 Writing Tips To Improve Yours

Share this:

Top 10 Deadly Female Serial Killers In Movies And TV

All About Female Serial Killers  Whenever we think of serial killers, it is often ruthless, unhinged men who dominate our screens. However, the film and TV industry have brought a chilling range of female serial killers to life. Here is a curated list of the top 10 female serial killers from movies and TV that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Let’s explore what makes them horrifying and unforgettable … Ready? Let’s go! 1) Villanelle From Killing Eve Unique Traits: Seductive and Unpredictable Villanelle is portrayed by Jodie Comer. Her performance is already one of the most… Read More »Top 10 Deadly Female Serial Killers In Movies And TV

Share this:

Top 10 Female TV Sitcom Characters Of All Time

G.O.A.T Female Sitcom Characters In a world full of amazing, funny, kick-ass female sitcom characters, it’s hard to pick a top ten. I did it anyway, all in chronological order. Don’t see your fave here? Then add it to the comments! 1) Lucille Ricardo – I Love Lucy Lucille ‘Lucy’ Ricardo (Lucille Ball), ran in the U.S. from 1951 to 1957. Chances are you know of this iconic character, yet it’s 2024. Sitcom characters usually worked like  the ‘straight’ character to their husband, Lucy was the central focus. She was spontaneous, clever, and managed to coax others into new crazy… Read More »Top 10 Female TV Sitcom Characters Of All Time

Share this:

5 Things I Learned About Plotting From THE SERPENT on BBC1

The Serpent on BBC1 The Serpent is a 2021 BBC limited series about a real-life serial killer Charles Sobhraj who befriended, robbed and murdered dozens of young western backpackers in Asia in the 1970s. Its eight 60 minute episodes got 6-8m views when it first aired in 2021 and it seems to be developing a cult following. It spans decades, crosses continents, and involves multiple cases of mistaken and stolen identities. It could so easily be baffling,  yet it is effortlessly bingeable and often has an almost hypnotic, dreamlike feel. Five examples of top-class craft in the pilot episode of… Read More »5 Things I Learned About Plotting From THE SERPENT on BBC1

Share this:

3 Important Reminders About Writing Fat Characters In Your Script Or Novel

All About Fat Characters Did you know: ‘fat’ is not a dirty word … and nor is being fat unusual, or a sign of a moral failing or character flaw! When considering character diversity in writing – prose, film, or television – it can be easy to overlook certain types of characters. Aside from racial and gender representation, it’s also important that we write diverse body types responsibly and without tokenising fat characters. A study on the role of mass media in weight stigmatisation was conducted on how news, entertainment, advertising, and social media play a significant role in raising… Read More »3 Important Reminders About Writing Fat Characters In Your Script Or Novel

Share this: