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Rejected? Top 5 Tips What To Do About It

Rejected Again? Rejected Bang2writers seemed to be sharing their disappointment everywhere on social media last week, especially in the B2W Facebook group. This was because the results for the BBC Writersroom Spring Drama call were out and many of us (me included, by the way) did not advance, in either the first or second sifts. Savvy Bang2writers know we will get rejected. It’s not possible to move forwards in our writing careers without this happening. We also appreciate it (usually) hurts less and less each time we get rejected. So, by this logic, we have to just keep going. Right?… Read More »Rejected? Top 5 Tips What To Do About It

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Top 5 Mistakes Writers Make Getting (And Taking!) Notes

1) Not realising that it’s NOT ABOUT YOU One of the most important things I learned about giving notes is to make it about the script and not the writer. This is not personal. This is about a piece of writing. This is about improving that writing and it’s not saying you’re a bad person or a bad parent or a cheating husband or any of that. I once had a client whose pilot was about a husband and wife divorcing and the notes wrote stated that the wife was unlikable and hard to connect to. He was furious and… Read More »Top 5 Mistakes Writers Make Getting (And Taking!) Notes

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10 Lies Writers Tell Themselves About New Projects (And How To Embrace Them)

If you’re a writer with a blank sheet of paper in front of you, chances are you’re currently optimistic. The possibilities stretch out in front of you, and the world you are about to craft begs to be written. But a word of warning. If you want to finish the story, you’re going to have to manage those expectations. This might seem like a negative post – but don’t read it that way! For all these lies, there are ways to fix them! 1) ‘This will be easy’ At the beginning of a story you’re convinced that you’ll get through… Read More »10 Lies Writers Tell Themselves About New Projects (And How To Embrace Them)

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Top 5 Screenwriting Contest Mistakes Writers Make

One of the remits of B2W is demystifying script reading, especially screenwriting contests, so I’m DELIGHTED to have Phil Gladwin of UK contest Screenwriting Goldmine back on the site. The contest is currently open for entries, so make sure you utilise Phil’s great insider info here before submitting your script. Don’t miss the extra links at the bottom, either. Good luck! 1) Miss the early bird entries A lot of contests, including Screenwriting Goldmine, reward early entries with a discount on entry fees. They do this because it helps them stagger the reading . If you miss out on these windows… Read More »Top 5 Screenwriting Contest Mistakes Writers Make

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Top 5 Winning Tips From The Finish Line Screenwriting Competition

The Finish Line Script Competition recently announced its winners for the 2017 season with a drama pilot by R.B Ripley taking Grand Prize and two screenplays by women, M. Colleen Burns and Helen Darvall winning runner-up awards. Finish Line is a bit of a different competition by design because writers can submit their scripts and then continue to work on them throughout the competition and resubmit for free. Here is some insight into what works for us: 1) Know your story The scripts that stand out for us are ones that feel understood by their writers. KNOW YOUR STORY. Whether… Read More »Top 5 Winning Tips From The Finish Line Screenwriting Competition

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12 Insider Tips If You Want A Writing Career

So, I’ve got Nelson Nutmeg‘s Jan Caston on B2W today … As well as being a producer, Jan’s also a screenwriter and a novelist, so be sure to listen to her GREAT advice! Enjoy … Are You Ready To Commit and Submit? WELL DONE! You’re trained, getting a name, have your script, and you’re ready to hustle for a sale that will earn you money. Stop right there! Your script may have been written with your heart, but it will always be sold by your head. Curb your excitement – you still need to eat – so don’t rush to… Read More »12 Insider Tips If You Want A Writing Career

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It’s Time To Quit Stalling And Make That Jump

So, I’ve posited before that of ALL the people who might get in the way of their progress? It’s actual writers themselves. Many writers may go so far to express disbelief at this. It’s not hard to understand why. When they’re just beginning on their writing career path, they’ll say things to me like: ‘I can’t wait until I ‘make it’!’ ‘When I get my first opportunity, I’m going to grab it with BOTH HANDS!’ ‘I’m gonna do this, whatever it takes!’ I don’t mean these guys don’t mean the above. I believe absolutely they do. But they still get… Read More »It’s Time To Quit Stalling And Make That Jump

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How To Build Your Writing Career From Zero

Starting At Zero So you’ve decided to become a writer, but it feels like you’re at zero … You have no idea where to start! It might seem like a difficult to journey to pursue but don’t let the fear of the future scare you out of doing it. Sometimes you just have to cast your net and take a chance! Here are some of the tips I used to build my own writing career from zero … 1) Build your social skills It is known that many writers are introverts and love working by themselves. There is a whole world… Read More »How To Build Your Writing Career From Zero

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How To Win At Screenwriting Competitions

Many thanks to Phil Gladwin for this GREAT insight into the Screenwriting Goldmine contest, which is open for submissions at the moment. Phil is a script editor and fab champion of writers, so make sure you check out his previous articles on B2W too before you submit: Is Your Writing READY? AKA 12 Questions To Ask Of Your Writing How To Beat The Gatekeepers – Terrifying Case Study From Screenwriting Goldmine And if you enter the contest, GOOD LUCK! Over to you, Phil … It’s that time again. Scripts from new writers from around the UK are dropping into my… Read More »How To Win At Screenwriting Competitions

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5 Ways Filmmaking Will Make You A Better Writer

MANY, many thanks to David today for his filmmaking insights and how it impacts on your writing … I agree with everything he says here!! Some of you may recognise David as one of our rockstar volunteers at LondonSWF, plus his film started out as a Create50: THE IMPACT script!! So even if you can’t donate to his crowd fund campaign, PLEASE press the buttons at the bottom of the post and SHARESHARESHARE!!! Writing screenplays is great. But getting them made is better. And if no-one else will make them, then do it yourself! Make a short (or few) and… Read More »5 Ways Filmmaking Will Make You A Better Writer

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5 Quick Tips For Effective Networking

Following on from my Top 5 Social Media Mistakes, today’s tips focus on REAL LIFE networking, both in creating relationships with others (and doing your research), as well as investing in yourself. Enjoy! I hate networking. If there was anything I could change about the film industry, it would be that. But, unfortunately, networking is vital in getting known and recognised. Because I know what it is to be an introvert in an industry of extroverts, here are a couple of tricks for easy networking. 1) Don’t be afraid to talk and ask questions I finally have accepted that I… Read More »5 Quick Tips For Effective Networking

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6 Ways Writing Flash Fiction Will Help Your Craft

As any Bang2writer knows, I LOVE short stories (aka “flash fiction”, dependant on word count), which is why I threw my hat in the ring over at www.create50.com for its “Twisted” initiative! (Read my short story for Vol 1- THE RETRIBUTION OF ELSIE BUCKLE, here. Plus you can also check out my entry for Vol 2, SUPER NITS). So Gay Degani has some GREAT advice if you’d like to join me over at @Create50 – or indeed enter any other short story contest … Lawks knows there’s PLENTY OF THEM! You can get a free PDF of 25 of my… Read More »6 Ways Writing Flash Fiction Will Help Your Craft

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