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How Do I Format An Interruption In My Screenplay Dialogue?

All About Interruption If you want to signify an interruption in your spec screenplay’s dialogue, you have come to the right place. Many thanks to Bang2writer Mohammed, who’s been in contact this week with this writing-related query … Can I ask how to format this correctly? Someone is reading a letter out loud, and the voice of the letter writer cuts in to finish the letter. I’ve done plenty of hunting around but I haven’t found anything on it. Like many screenplay formatting questions beyond the non-negotiable ones (such as font, size, margins, etc)  there’s NO fancy or specific way to… Read More »How Do I Format An Interruption In My Screenplay Dialogue?

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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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Top 5 Craft Mistakes Writers Make

Writing Craft versus Format Too often, spec screenwriters think “craft = format”. No. NoNoNoNoNoNo! Format involves the “look” of the page and is the VERY LEAST you should do, Bang2writers. What’s more, you can get on top of the latest expectations and preferences in format by script readers and their bosses very easily. Just check online lists like the one at The B2W Format 1 Stop Shop. So … Screenplay format is the ‘done thing’ (aka HOW you lay it out on the page) Craft is HOW you do it – ie. the actual storytelling. So, what are the top 5… Read More »Top 5 Craft Mistakes Writers Make

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Top 5 Screenplay Format Mistakes

How’s your screenplay format? Screenplay format gets a bad rap and is often conflated with writing craft. Whilst sometimes the two things DO cross over, this post will deal predominantly with **how** your script looks ON THE PAGE. Continuing in the Top 5 Mistakes series, I’ll be concentrating on screenplay format today. (I’m assuming your layout, spelling, punctuation and grammar are awesome already. If not, you can check here: 10 Common Errors In Your Writing You Need To Fix Right Now.) Ready, then? Let’s go … 1) Overly long sluglines (aka ‘scene headers’) A slugline or scene header in a… Read More »Top 5 Screenplay Format Mistakes

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A Look In The Spec Pile: @Create50, THE IMPACT

Following on from Wednesday’s brilliant post by @ShoreScripts on spec screenwriting clichés, here’s a look inside in the Create50 “lock-in” for LondonSWF’s second crowd-sourced feature film, THE IMPACT. Basically, Team LSF – and some very knowledgeable guests – locked themselves inside Ealing Studios during bank holiday weekend. Over the course of the two days, we re-read and deliberated over the finalists in extreme detail. From there, we created The Impact’s storyworld and built a preliminary story arc of 50 final screenplays, so filmmakers can make their choices in phase 2 of the project. An announcement re: the final 50 will… Read More »A Look In The Spec Pile: @Create50, THE IMPACT

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3 Steps To Reader Proof Your Screenplay

Reader-Proof Your Screenplay I always recommend Bang2writers reader-proof their scripts. Whilst there are no rules in this screenwriting malarkey, but there are best practices. It should be noted I am talking principally about writing CRAFT here. (There are also lots of format niggly pet peeves that really wind script readers up, which is why I list them all HERE). But what do I mean when I say writers need to reader-proof their script? More, next. STEP 1) Wanted: Good Stories, Well Told First things first. If we want to beat the gatekeepers, it’s very simple. We have to give the… Read More »3 Steps To Reader Proof Your Screenplay

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7 Best Proofreading Tools For Writers

As a writer, you likely have a pretty long list of fears. What if people don’t love your work? What if you don’t find your audience? What if your writing is riddled with typos? While online tools can’t help with the first two concerns, they can certainly eliminate the fear of embarrassing mistakes in your novel. These proofreading tools can cross one thing off your list, at least: 1) Hemingway Editor The best writers can take long, complicated thoughts and turn them into simple, easy to read sentences. Nobody did this better than Ernest Hemingway. Bring a little Ernest Hemingway… Read More »7 Best Proofreading Tools For Writers

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4 Tips For Building Your Screenwriting Competition Submissions Strategy

Screenwriting Competitions can be an excellent way to ignite your screenwriting career. Benefits may include: Circulation of your script to producers/agents, garnering industry attention Networking opportunities with industry professionals Marketing soundbites to include in cover letters or on your website The motivation of a deadline Strengthen your writers’ CV (aka resumé) Boost you confidence in your abilities as a writer Script analysis with an overview of the strengths and weaknesses of your script $$££€€ cash prizes BUT … there are now so many screenwriting competitions, preparing submissions is time-consuming and can set you back quite a bit of $$££€€. So… Read More »4 Tips For Building Your Screenwriting Competition Submissions Strategy

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Happy New Year From B2W!! Plus more free stuff

It’s a new year!! So, what are your writing goals for 2016? To help you achieve those goals, I’ve updated the 3 most popular PDF downloads on B2W – The 1 Page Pitch Reference Guide; The Last Minute Submissions Checklist; plus The 1 Page Screenplay Format Reference Guide. You’ll also find links to various free ebooks, cheat sheets and a .doc version of the B2W novel writing pitch template. GET THEM ALL, HERE or click the pic below. Also, if you’re wanting to connect with your fellow writers and creatives, be sure to join the new Facebook group, Bang2writers. Since its… Read More »Happy New Year From B2W!! Plus more free stuff

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Watch Out For These Five Top Writing Mistakes, courtesy of Grammarly

First impressions count Yet novelist or screenwriter, there ARE common errors writers make when submitting their work to readers, agents, filmmakers, producers and publishers. It’s all very well saying “the story is everything” – and you’d be right! – but at the same time, if your poor writing CRAFT gets in the way of that, HOW is your story going to shine??? The good news is, it’s never been easier to fix the top writing mistakes novelists and screenwriters make. Check out this brilliant infographic from Grammarly which puts the most common errors in the spotlight, having worked with nearly… Read More »Watch Out For These Five Top Writing Mistakes, courtesy of Grammarly

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