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The #1 Killer Opener Mistake That Nearly All Screenwriters Make

Killer Script Opener Mistakes There are lots of killer opener mistakes your spec screenplay needs to avoid. The beginning of your spec screenplay needs to do some serious heavy lifting for your story – not just for your characters, but the plot as well. This means screenwriters simply must do the following in their spec screenplays … Start with a strong, visual opener. Spec screenplays need to start with a visual that places us in the storyworld, genre and tone of your story. For more on this (including screenshots of opening images from produced TV shows, CLICK HERE). Introduce us to… Read More »The #1 Killer Opener Mistake That Nearly All Screenwriters Make

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Bad Deals, Brave Asks and Why You’re Allowed To Walk Away (Yes, REALLY!)

All About Bad Deals NEWSFLASH: bad deals are not worth it! One thing I see over and over again with writers is this: They want it so badly that they’ll accept almost anything. An “opportunity” lands in their inbox. It sounds exciting, even flattering. It sounds like this might finally be the thing. Then, because they don’t want to miss out, writers don’t ask questions. They don’t push back. They don’t stop to think whether the deal actually helps them advance in their careers. Here’s the truth many writers don’t want to hear: A bad deal is often worse than no… Read More »Bad Deals, Brave Asks and Why You’re Allowed To Walk Away (Yes, REALLY!)

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Into The Spec Pile: 12 Quick Tips On Making Your Submission Stand Out

Into The Spec Pile I’ve been diving into the spec pile of screenplays and novels for 20+ years now. ‘Spec’ is short for ‘speculative’, meaning no one in the industry has asked the writer to create that story. Instead, the writers have done it themselves ‘on spec’. I always call it the SPEC pile rather than the more common ‘slush pile’. To me, ‘spec pile’ is much more neutral, whereas ‘slush pile’ seems very derogatory. It is essential to remember that ANY story – script or novel – is someone’s hopes and dreams. However, I also like to shine a… Read More »Into The Spec Pile: 12 Quick Tips On Making Your Submission Stand Out

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5 Tips To Crush Self Doubt & Get More Confident As A Writer

Self-Doubt Versus Confidence If you want to crush self-doubt and get more confident as a writer, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s some common beliefs of writers and how to crush them for good. Ready? Let’s go … 1) “I don’t know if my writing is good enough.” I remember having self-doubt about my own writing. I agonised for ages about whether I was ‘good enough’. Then someone said something very wise to me: ‘You don’t get to decide that.’  That person was absolutely right. It didn’t matter what I thought … it mattered what agents, producers, publishers, readers… Read More »5 Tips To Crush Self Doubt & Get More Confident As A Writer

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6 Top Tips For Writing About Controversial Topics

All About Writing Controversial Topics Writing about controversial topics can feel like walking through a minefield. One wrong step and the internet might explode. These 6 tips on writing controversial topics don’t guarantee that the internet won’t explode. However, the points below gave me the confidence to write about it and even publish the book, Until the Walls Come Down. My novel is a story about a Jewish Israeli woman who discovers her childhood home in Jaffa used to belong to her Palestinian husband’s family. Here’s what I learned navigating the very real – and potentially controversial – elements of my… Read More »6 Top Tips For Writing About Controversial Topics

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3 Ways Anti-Wokists Are Right About Storytelling In The 2020s

Let’s Talk about So-Called ‘Anti-Wokists’ ‘Anti-wokists’ are those voices in the culture wars claiming stories have become “too political.” They complain that writers are prioritising agendas over quality. They may say that entertainment has lost its way altogether. Let’s get one thing clear first: no, I have not lost or changed my mind. I believe in inclusion, authentic representation, and thoughtful storytelling. (It would be bonkers if I didn’t, I literally wrote an entire book on this!). But I also believe in looking critically at all perspectives … Yes, even the ones we fundamentally disagree with. (Because, obviously – on… Read More »3 Ways Anti-Wokists Are Right About Storytelling In The 2020s

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Top 7 Tips To Help Your Indie Book Sell (Even Without Viral Marketing!)

The Silent Bestseller Why do some indie books thrive, even without viral marketing? We all hear stories of self-published books skyrocketing to bestseller status overnight, thanks to a viral TikTok trend or an influencer’s endorsement. But what about the indie books that don’t explode right away? How do they quietly build an audience over time? That’s been my journey. As the author of three suspense-thriller novels – Caught In Cryptic, Falling Cryptic, and Nighty Night, Dear – I’ve come to appreciate the long game. Some books don’t need a viral moment … They just need the right readers to find… Read More »Top 7 Tips To Help Your Indie Book Sell (Even Without Viral Marketing!)

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15 VERY Unpopular Opinions About The Craft & Business Of Writing

Unpopular Opinions About Writing Bang2write was built on ‘smack talk’, which means I’m known for my outspoken opinions. That said, I never *just* give opinions! I’ve always backed them up and based them on experience, with examples. So, looking for unpopular opinions about writing? You’ve come to the right place.  Bring it … Ready? Let’s go! The Craft Of Writing 1) Many first drafts are literally unfixable Hemingway got it right … Most first drafts are shit. Sad but true! Hell, even the ‘good’ ones will be full of missed opportunities and obvious issues. Also, don’t be afraid of going… Read More »15 VERY Unpopular Opinions About The Craft & Business Of Writing

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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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How To Maximise Your Book Tour: 6 Essentials Tips For Authors

All About Your Book Tour If you want to promote your book, a book tour is a great idea. This is because you have to get out there and spread the word. However, you shouldn’t just pack up and leave without a plan! Here are six steps to help maximise your book tour and find success without getting overwhelmed. 1) Consider Teaming Up With Another Writer The key to maximising your book tour is not to overburden yourself, especially if it’s your first time out on the road. The first step to book tour planning is teaming up with a… Read More »How To Maximise Your Book Tour: 6 Essentials Tips For Authors

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Goodbye Boring Bios! How To Write An Online Bio That Gets Results

Goodbye to Boring Bios! A good online bio is a MUST for every author or screenwriter. Whether it’s for your website, your socials, the back of your novel, schemes or contests, or other sites like IMDB, you will need one. In fact, B2W always recommends having a bio ready to go! That way you can cut back on the time it takes to pull submissions together. To save time, I always have the following: A ‘long’ version of approximately 150-200 words Another of 50-75 words AND an uber-short one for sites where you only have a few characters That way,… Read More »Goodbye Boring Bios! How To Write An Online Bio That Gets Results

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Don’t Do It: 13 Warnings From The People Who Read Your Screenplay

#1 Warnings From Real-Life Script Readers   There’s lots of warnings on this site, because I spend a lot of time demystifying the spec pile. It’s why one of my most popular articles series is the Top 5 Mistakes Writers Make. I think Bang2writers like writing warnings so much is because as everyone knows, there’s no ‘right’ way to write a story … but reading scripts, day after day, has taught me there are multiple WRONG ways. But hey, don’t take my word for it. Check out these warnings from other script readers that aren’t me. Be sure to click… Read More »Don’t Do It: 13 Warnings From The People Who Read Your Screenplay

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