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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

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Top 15 Unwritten Rules Of Writing: How Many Do You Know?

Rules, Schmules B2W always says there’s no rules to break, just risks to take in writing. However, there are numerous things we can do when learning and honing our craft … ‘best practices’ if you will. These best practices can be thought of as ‘unwritten rules’ if you’re so inclined. I rounded up 15 of these so-called rules for us all. If you think you have missed any, feel free to add to the comments. Ready? Let’s go! 1) Know Who You’re Writing FOR! Whenever I say to a writer they need to know their target reader or viewer, this… Read More »Top 15 Unwritten Rules Of Writing: How Many Do You Know?

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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

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Top 15 Lies Slam Reviewers Share Online: Writers, Have You Had Any Of These?

All About Slam Reviewers Slam Reviewers are different to actual reviewers. Here’s why: my objection is not that slam reviewers didn’t enjoy a book, TV show or movie … that’s absolutely fine. Hell, giving a one star review is fine! I’ve said it multiple times on this blog and I’ll say it again …  our writing is not ‘for everyone’ and that’s part of life’s rich tapestry. We have to accept this as writers. We do this by letting go and moving on. But slam reviewers are those who take it one step further They will give a bad review… Read More »Top 15 Lies Slam Reviewers Share Online: Writers, Have You Had Any Of These?

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“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

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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

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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

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FRIENDS at 30: What Lessons Can Writers Learn From This Classic Sitcom?

30 Years Of Friends For many of us, it’s hard to believe Friends is 30 years old … but for others, it’s all too obvious. Comedy dates and 30 year old humour can sink like the Titanic. But even 30 years on since its first broadcast on September 22nd, 1994, Friends seems to be as popular as ever in the social media age. There are countless accounts dedicated to the sitcom, some run by fans who weren’t even born when it started. (Hell, my youngest loves it and was born donkey’s years after it FINISHED!). When I started writing case… Read More »FRIENDS at 30: What Lessons Can Writers Learn From This Classic Sitcom?

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What Writers Can Learn From Jason Bateman: 6 Of His Top Roles

All About Jason Bateman Jason Bateman has long been a famous face in Hollywood, known for his various acting abilities and compelling performances. As a respected character actor, he is well-known for his versatility like his fellow A-Lister Ryan Gosling. I always recommend Bang2writers study their favourite actors’ work. This is because too many screenwriters forget actors are not just ‘meat puppets’. Actors choose stories that appeal to them, plus they work very hard at interpreting their roles. Actors also frequently have a very good eye for ‘the hook’ that will get viewers through the door of the cinema, or… Read More »What Writers Can Learn From Jason Bateman: 6 Of His Top Roles

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5 Steps To Better Sex Scenes, The Bridgerton Way

Intimate Scenes, The Bridgerton Way Anyone who’s seen Bridgerton – and who hasn’t? – can surely not have missed the intimate sex scenes the show is famous for. I was lucky enough to be in the audience at an exclusive screening of Bridgerton Season 3 Part 2 with Shonda Rhimes (Creator, Showrunner, Executive Producer) and Jess Brownell (Showrunner). The Bridgerton team and Jessie gave us all a step-by-step guide to portraying intimate moments on screen. The step-by-step process Step 1: Talk to the actor! (OR for writers – think about the character and the specific intimacy that’s required for the… Read More »5 Steps To Better Sex Scenes, The Bridgerton Way

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5 Reasons Writers SHOULD Include Sex Scenes In Their Writing

Hey Writers: Include  Sex Scenes In Your Writing! Yeah I said what I said: I have argued for a LONG time that writers should include sex scenes in our writing. In the past twenty years I’ve seen sex scenes in the spec screenplay and unpublished novel pile DECREASE. But it’s not anti-feminist to include sex scenes in your novel or screenplay … plus modern storytelling is NOT porn, as Matt (below) points out. It’s a worrying trend that people KEEP making this accusation of stories on social media. Far from being progressive (as many insist), complaining that ‘all’ expressions of… Read More »5 Reasons Writers SHOULD Include Sex Scenes In Their Writing

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3 Examples of Great Author Brands (And Why You Need A Brand Too)

Why An Author Brand Is Important ‘What’s your brand?’ is a question that may seem like nothing to do with writing, but it’s super-important in the 2020s. Social media and blogging has democratised the writing industry, bringing down barriers. But this also means it’s harder than ever to stand out! Some reasons a brand is important include: It can help you connect with agents and publishers. Having a strong public image and great social media presence are keys when it comes to networking with professionals in the writing world or when pitching your projects to agents. Having a brand lets… Read More »3 Examples of Great Author Brands (And Why You Need A Brand Too)

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