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Top 10 Things to Avoid as A New Writer

Are you wondering why your work isn’t getting the reaction you think it deserves? Then you may be making some simple but harmful errors as a new writer. New writers often make mistakes, and while some enable you to learn and grow, others will make your writing bad, or make you seem unprofessional. Here are some things that you should avoid when writing: 1) Complicated Language Many new writers think that in order to come across as professional, they need to use as many complex words as possible. This is far from the truth, in fact, you should use simple… Read More »Top 10 Things to Avoid as A New Writer

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5 Things I Learned Converting My Screenplay Into A Novel

About Converting Screenplays Thinking about converting your screenplay into a novel? Bang2writer Brian did this and learned some interesting & useful lessons. Check out what he has to say below and make converting your own screenplay MUCH smoother! Thanks Brian and over to you … 1) Hollywood is not in the risk business What was I thinking?  I wrote an epic scale, special effects-laden science fiction action blockbuster.  And nobody in Hollywood knew who the hell I was.  How was I going to sell this screenplay? MECHCRAFT (the screenplay) began life some four years ago, and when it was ready,… Read More »5 Things I Learned Converting My Screenplay Into A Novel

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5 Reasons Every Writer Should Have A Blog

If you write for a living, you have a career that many others envy. You pick your own hours; you pick your own location; you pick the type of writing you want to do – so long as someone is willing to pay for it, that is! Being a freelancer means constant hustling; you will always have to market yourself to potential new employers, marketplaces, agents, publishers and filmmakers. And one of the best ways to do that is to have a blog, creating a following and platform for your work. Here are five things you will get out of… Read More »5 Reasons Every Writer Should Have A Blog

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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

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5 Excruciating Ways of Being Annoying When You Want Help

Help Me Help You … As every writer knows, we ALL need help from time to time. There’s no RIGHT way to ask for help … but there are MULTIPLE wrong ways. Feast your eyes on these 5 super-clangers! 1) Cyberstalk People I love social media. But I also hate it, because every single day I get cyber-stalked by well-meaning, but let’s just say DESPERATE writers. I get a plethora of emails, private messages, tags and tweets from writers every day. I try and respond to all of them, but some inevitably slip through the net. Other times, these messages,… Read More »5 Excruciating Ways of Being Annoying When You Want Help

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7 Useful Things You Can Do Between Drafts

Many thanks to Juanma, who asks this pertinent writing Q: Almost everyone agrees the best thing to do after you finish the first draft is to take a break from the story in order to have a clearer mindset when you come back to the script. But what should I do during that time? The answer to this query obviously depends on the individual, especially ‘where’ s/he is in terms of the drafting process. So, if you’ve developed the project for a suitable length of time and ‘signed off’ on the draft (i.e. it is ready to submit)? Then the… Read More »7 Useful Things You Can Do Between Drafts

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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

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6 Things I Learned From Making Someone Else’s Script

2015 ended on an incredible high for Apple Park Films and we were keen to capitalise on the momentum this gave us, so we set about developing a short film. As a writer I struggle with the short film format, so I put out an open call for short film bloglines. We received over 200 applications, which lead to us producing Emotional Motor Unit. What follows are 6 things that I learned from being on the other side of the process and working with another writer’s work: 1) Only send what you’re asked for when responding to an open call This… Read More »6 Things I Learned From Making Someone Else’s Script

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10 Things You Can Do With Zero Talent

Worried You Have Zero Talent? I spend a lot of time with writers, so it’s often not longer before a B2Wer confesses they’re worried they have zero talent. They’ll tell me they’re worried they just don’t have what it takes. My reply is always: ‘Okay, let’s say you DO have zero talent. What’s the worst that can come out of that?’ They might blink for a second and then say, ‘That I don’t get anywhere.’ ‘Okay, so does this mean everyone who fails has zero talent?’ I counter. ‘No,’ they’ll admit eventually, ‘There’s lots of very talented people who get… Read More »10 Things You Can Do With Zero Talent

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5 Important Hacks Writers Need To Know To Make A Living

Writing for money is the dream, but it can turn into a nightmare. After all, you don’t get paid if you can’t meet those all-important deadlines … And the mere thought of rushing the work can make you desperate. It’s a pressure that’s not easy to handle. The good news is: you’re not alone. All professional writers have experienced this, so the most committed ones have come up with hacks that keep them going. Here’s a few useful hacks to keep you going and make you money as a writer: 1) Become your own worst critic One of the great… Read More »5 Important Hacks Writers Need To Know To Make A Living

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7 Point Newbie’s Guide To American Film Market (AFM)

Would be screenwriters hear about the American Film Market  (AFM) and wonder what is is and whether they should attend. Stephen Potts wondered in 2015  then attended in 2016, and now shares what he learnt. 1) What AFM is not: AFM is not a gathering of screenwriters, directors and other creatives (go to the London Screenwriters’ Festival for that).  Nor is it a festival with premieres, high-profile screenings, retrospectives or Q&A sessions with directors (go to Berlin, Cannes, Edinburgh or Toronto for that). Tip 1. AFM is neither a conference nor a festival. 2) What AFM is: The clue is… Read More »7 Point Newbie’s Guide To American Film Market (AFM)

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INFOGRAPHIC: Most Annoying Writing Mistakes

Script editors and script readers should not be confused with proof readers or copy editors. It’s a common error writers make, but we give STORY NOTES, whereas proof readers will check and correct your grammar, punctuation and spelling; a copy editor will also check for accuracy and ‘flow’ of the read. However, I’d be lying if I said I DIDN’T give the odd note on grammar and word usage whilst giving said story notes. I’ve written time and time again on this blog about the pet peeves readers have when giving notes to writers. There are also words that get… Read More »INFOGRAPHIC: Most Annoying Writing Mistakes

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