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Research or Die # 7: Writing Plays And New Writing Competitions & Initiatives

Another addition to this occasional series because I’m feeling in need of a new challenge and direction for the new year… Enjoy!———————————————————————————– WRITING PLAYS Tips For Writing A Great Play By Troy M. Hughes Playwriting 101: In-depth Tutorial on Writing A Play by Playwright Jon Dorf Resources on Writing Plays – fantastic list of links, including “Why Writing Plays Will Make You A Better Screenwriter” Brief Intro To Greek Theatre Database of Modern American Plays and Playwrights Brief Intro to Roman Theatre Small Online Archive of full-length plays, one act plays, ten minute plays & monologues Help, Am I Writing… Read More »Research or Die # 7: Writing Plays And New Writing Competitions & Initiatives

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Rejection: Get Over It

When you train as a teacher on a BEd or a PGCE, you’re encouraged to start looking for jobs between April and May of the year you graduate. This is apparently the time most already-employed teachers give notice, so that September’s positions are up for grabs for the newbies. The newbie teachers then will have to do very long interviews – these usually last the whole day and there is no pay. You will usually do a tour of the school or college you’re applying to; you may have to talk to the other applicants whilst someone from the school… Read More »Rejection: Get Over It

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It’s Official: I Am A Red Planet Reject

This just popped into my inbox: Dear Lucy, Unfortunately, your submission “Miss Conception” has not been shortlisted for this year’s Red Planet Prize. Take heart from the fact that there was a huge response and the quality of work has been outstanding. We will be running the competition again next year so keep writing and good luck. Best Wishes Red Planet Pictures Ah, the delightful FOFE as a friend calls them – the “Fuck off on Friday Email”, lol. No really: good they they notify the losers as well AND make it personal for each by addressing the unlucky recipient… Read More »It’s Official: I Am A Red Planet Reject

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Red Planet Commiserations (Or How Danny Stack Was Saved)

Congratulations to everyone who got through on Red Planet – you all know who you are and I’m VERY pleased so many Bang2writers got through again. There’s some talented scribes out there. Commiserations though to everyone who DIDN’T make the cut. Remember, it’s easy to denigrate your efforts on the basis of this result, but please don’t. Just because you didn’t doesn’t mean you’re shit, your script is just not what RP is looking for. I’m not saying this from a lofty position of “I’ve got through, loo-hoo-ser-huh” either, ‘cos I didn’t. Again. I won’t lie either: it smarts, especially… Read More »Red Planet Commiserations (Or How Danny Stack Was Saved)

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Welcome To Rom Com Hell: 8 Awful Ways To Write Romantic Comedy

Rom Com / Real Life Hell Rom Com was always one of those genres I avoided through my teens and early twenties. Being a Goth, I was way too cool for boy-meets-girl, obviously. Besides which, by 18 I was a total cynic … I had after all been the girl who’d met the boy, then got knocked up and ripped off by him! I’d been left with a broken heart, a wailing baby and a man-hating attitude problem for approximately five years.  I was also of the (not unreasonable) belief that post-FOUR WEDDINGS in the late 90’s/early noughties that all… Read More »Welcome To Rom Com Hell: 8 Awful Ways To Write Romantic Comedy

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Needed: Your True Stories

Hi Everyone, I need a favour please. I need your true stories – specifically of attending raves and festivals in the 90s (legal and illegal), though any outdoor/indoor and/or raucous party in which something CRAZY, interesting, weird or sad has happened would also be great. Why am I doing this? Well I’ve teamed up with the marvellous Schuman at Studio Schoque and we’re collaborating on a new feature that is INSPIRED BY TRUE EVENTS. So this is your chance to have your story immortalised by my fair screenwriting hand. So drop me a line on Bang2write”at”aol”dot”com or leave a message… Read More »Needed: Your True Stories

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All About Dramatic Irony And Twists In The Tale

All About Dramatic Irony Dramatic irony is a tool I see often in produced and published works, but hardly ever in spec scripts or unpublished novels. Recently I was talking with Uber-Agent Julian Friedmann and mentioned how much I love Yves Lavender’s book Writing Drama. Segnor Friedmann replied how much he loves the book’s section on dramatic irony, lamenting the fact that so few screenwriters actually use this fantastic device. His comments really struck a chord, so I think I’ll have a good look at what makes dramatic irony so great. What is Dramatic Irony? First off however, what is dramatic irony? Well, this… Read More »All About Dramatic Irony And Twists In The Tale

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Bluecat # 2: 5 Exercises To Get Inspired

Writers often contact me to ask if I have solutions to the problem of so-called Writer’s Block – that supposed condition where you *can’t* write. I’ve always been of the opinion that it’s not that you can’t, it’s that you FEEL you can’t, so addressing whatever problem is in the way of your creativity is your first stop. However I’m a script reader, not a psychologist, so I can’t very well write back and say, “Do you have a problem with your childhood/parents/siblings/some bizarre phobia??” Instead I usually recommend they take time AWAY from writing, stop obsessing on it, stop… Read More »Bluecat # 2: 5 Exercises To Get Inspired

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Be Your Own Biggest Fan… But Know What You’re Doing Too

As human beings we measure ourselves and others by success or condition. It makes sense to us psychologically: we like to pigeon hole things, create a sense of order in an otherwise somewhat random world. Yet so often we make arbitrary assumptions about ourselves or other people based on what they have – or don’t have. It’s crazy when you think of it: why isn’t he married? (Because he’s unlovable). Why is she married? (Because she’s a doormat). Why does he work in a bar? (Because he’s lazy). Why didn’t she go to university? (Because she’s stupid). Though we are… Read More »Be Your Own Biggest Fan… But Know What You’re Doing Too

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Research or Die # 5: Medical

NHS Direct – encyclopediac site that covers just about everything medical! NHS Careers – another great site, this time about medical jobs Guide To Medical Jargon How to Deliver A Baby Safely Without A Doctor or Midwife A Week by Week Pregnancy Guide Demonstration of Mouth To Mouth Resuscitation – sign in required for this video The Recovery Position – with pictures, step by step What To Do When Someone Has An Epileptic Fit What To Do When Someone Has A Heart Attack How To Stop Excessive Bleeding Guide To Types of Wounds Created By Blades Methods of Injury and… Read More »Research or Die # 5: Medical

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Research or Die # 4: Times & Money

On This Day – fantastic BBC site that recounts everything that has happened on any day’s date On This Day In History – as above, but MSN’s version Today In Literature – similar to the above sites, but in literature (subscription required) Today In Music – musical history On This Day – another site that lists ALL historical events, including music, literature, war, etc Crazy Fads – everything that’s popular from decades past 20th Century History – useful timelines here The People History – useful links to the decades and individual information about computers, money, how much things used to… Read More »Research or Die # 4: Times & Money

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Research or Die # 3: Language

The History of The English Language – an amazing site dedicated to English through the ages, including Ye Olde English! English Language Usage Dictionary of Slang and Colloquialliams used in the UK Slang Used In The US A Short Lexicon of UK Teen Speak Teen Talk – The Lowdown – includes some useful text/instant msg speak The Urban Dictionary Common Errors in English – really useful if one of your characters is supposed to be a non-native English Speaker An Elizabethan English Dictionary Differences in Language In The UK, US and Australia Dictionary of Cockney Rhyming Slang Machine Translation –… Read More »Research or Die # 3: Language

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