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5 Tips For Pushing Past The Fear Of Never Getting Published

“What If No One Ever Publishes My Novel?” Worried that your novel might never get published? You’re in good company. Almost every writer I know has stared down that fear – and yes, sometimes it actually happens. It’s normal for a manuscript to be rejected dozens of times (at least!). Rejection tends to sting the most when we’re just starting out. Failing to get noticed right away can feel devastating, or like the universe is giving you a signal. You might even think: if writing is really my path, wouldn’t I get published immediately? Here’s the reality: a “no” doesn’t… Read More »5 Tips For Pushing Past The Fear Of Never Getting Published

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Inside The Spec Pile: Novel No-Nos To Avoid In Your First 3 Chapters

Novel No-Nos To Avoid The first three chapters are the main event when it comes to your novel submissions. (Want to know what else you should submit with your first three chapters? CLICK HERE). Yet as any script reader, sifter, intern or agent’s assistant can tell you, the average first three chapters simply don’t hit the mark. These ‘novel no-nos’ can be varied, so I’m going to list the most common here with links to help. Ready? Then let’s go … 1) Starting with the weather Uh oh! This is one of classic author Elmore Leonard’s Top 10 Writing Rules. Remember:… Read More »Inside The Spec Pile: Novel No-Nos To Avoid In Your First 3 Chapters

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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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The Genius of THE SHINING: Foreshadowing and Dramatic Irony Done Right

Happy Halloween From B2W The Shining is one of my favourite movies of all time. You may have noticed my fab poster in the background of my Zooms, livestreams and selfies (below). One of the reasons it is one of my favourites is because it was part of my own writing journey. I first watched the movie when I was a teenager. I was a strange kid who loved to watch things over and over in a loop. In doing so, I realised there were a variety of ‘giveaways’ of what would happen in the story. I was confused at… Read More »The Genius of THE SHINING: Foreshadowing and Dramatic Irony Done Right

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5 Steps To Writing Success (Or Why Optimism Bias Kills Your Chances)

What Is ‘Optimism Bias’? Optimism bias is the tendency of an individual to overestimate the likelihood of positive events and underestimate the possibility of negative events. I see it all the time in writers, who may feel their masterpiece novel or screenplay will get picked up right away … and when they don’t, they get VERY downhearted. All of us are vulnerable to optimism bias, by the way. It’s very easy to get carried away and imagine our futures accepting Oscars, seeing our books on shelves, our TV shows on Netflix, or movie posters in our mind’s eye! What’s more,… Read More »5 Steps To Writing Success (Or Why Optimism Bias Kills Your Chances)

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Mastering Deep Third POV: How to Write Stories That Feel Fully Immersive

All About Deep Third POV First up: NO, deep third POV is not some kind of porno act. Wash your brain out with soap. Outrageous. It is however something you’re going to want to know how to do if you’re writing a novel. Deep Third POV is a type of third person perspective (she, he, they) that creates an immersive experience. This is because Deep Third POV closely follows a single character’s consciousness, thoughts, sensory experiences and emotions. In short, the reader feels like they’re ‘behind the character’s eyes’ and even inside their body. Think of it like a video… Read More »Mastering Deep Third POV: How to Write Stories That Feel Fully Immersive

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Stuck On Act 2? 5 Tips To Take Your Story Towards A Great Ending

The Dreaded Act 2 ‘Slump’ Screenwriter or author, many – if not most? – writers fear Act 2. Lots of Bang2writers I’ve worked one-to-one with label it ‘The Wasteland’! It’s not hard to see why. While Act 1 is full of promise, plus Act 3 is the ‘wrap up’, so it’s easy (and normal!) to stall in Act 2. Many writers stall because they’re not entirely sure what Act 2 is for. So, breaking it down, Act 2 is for … Escalation of the conflict (with characters ‘climbing walls, each one bigger than the last‘) Development of character arcs, so… Read More »Stuck On Act 2? 5 Tips To Take Your Story Towards A Great Ending

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3 Common Problems Writers Have Getting Words On The Page

Having Issues Getting Words On The Page? If you’re having issues getting words on the page, you’re not alone. It’s probably one of the most common laments I hear from screenwriters and authors. It’s so common as to be NORMAL, with even pro writers wrestling with the page too. The good news is, B2W can help – especially if you’ve found yourself thinking any of these … Ready? Let’s go! 1) “I don’t have enough time to write.” Do you have a day job, a disability, mental health issues, or neurodivergence, money problems, kids or other caring commitments (or maybe… Read More »3 Common Problems Writers Have Getting Words On The Page

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Top 5 Reasons A Writing Retreat Will Help Your Writing

So, You Want To Go On A Writing Retreat? A writing retreat offers the rare chance to step away from everyday life and fully immerse yourself in your novel or screenplay. Whether it’s tucked away in a stunning countryside location or held virtually from the comfort of your own home, a retreat provides dedicated time and space to prioritise your writing. It’s a sad fact that many writers struggle to carve out time for their craft. Between demanding jobs, family responsibilities, and the mental toll of modern life, it’s easy for writing to slip to the bottom of the list.… Read More »Top 5 Reasons A Writing Retreat Will Help Your Writing

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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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‘This Story Defies Genre!’ Why That’s NOT The Flex You Think It Is

There’s A Weird Snobbery Around Genre … Bangers we need to talk: some writers seem to think that being “genre-defying” is something to aspire to. That if you’re working within genre conventions, somehow your story’s less intelligent, less original, less… special. Let me be clear: that attitude is killing your script or novel. I’m not kidding. Let’s unpack the biggest myths I hear (daily!) from writers about genre — and why sticking your nose up at it is a mistake. 1) “My story defies genre!” Oh dear. Where do I even start? When a writer says this, what they usually… Read More »‘This Story Defies Genre!’ Why That’s NOT The Flex You Think It Is

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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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