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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 10 Fillers To Delete From Your Screenplay Or Novel Right Now

Delete Delete Delete! If you’re editing your draft right now, then the delete key is your friend … especially when it comes to storytelling fillers. But what are these? Well, fillers are those moments in your story that seem like action, but serve no real storytelling purpose. When it comes to storytelling, actions and behaviour are king (or queen … or monarch!). Simply put, every little thing that happens in your story has to do two things … i) reveal character (WHO are they? WHAT is their role here? WHY are we investing in their journey?) ii) Push the story… Read More »Top 10 Fillers To Delete From Your Screenplay Or Novel Right Now

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How Great Visual Writing Works In Your Screenplay Or Novel

You’ve Heard It All Before: ‘Show, Don’t Tell’ Whether you’re writing a screenplay or a novel, visual storytelling is your secret weapon. Why? Because readers and viewers don’t connect with lists of facts. They connect with images, action and emotion. But how do we write these three things? Well, I’m putting them under the microscope in this blog post with 5 top tips to concentrate on. Ready? Let’s go! Let’s explore how to write visually and bring your scenes – and your characters – to life. 1) Think: Scene Description = Scene Action In screenplays, scene description *is* what we… Read More »How Great Visual Writing Works In Your Screenplay Or Novel

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How To Write A Synopsis For Your Screenplay Or Novel

Why Writers Still Need The Traditional Synopsis (Yes, Really!) Let’s get one thing straight upfront, Bang2writers … When it comes to submissions, the traditional synopsis is still very much a thing. It’s true, I’ve advocated for one page pitches A LOT on this site (you can grab a free reference guide, HERE) … But  sometimes you just can’t beat a good old-fashioned traditional synopsis. I know, I know. You’d rather chew glass than try and summarise your 90,000-word novel or your 120-page screenplay in just one or two pages. But here’s the kicker: agents, publishers, and producers EXPECT it. Like… Read More »How To Write A Synopsis For Your Screenplay Or Novel

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3 Top Tips For Writing A Likeable Character In Your Script Or Novel

So, You Want To Write A Likeable Character? A genuinely likeable character can be hard to achieve in your novel or screenplay. In the 2020s, most characters in books, TV shows and movies tend to be antiheroes. This is because target readers and audiences enjoy shades of grey in their characters. However, that doesn’t have to mean writers can’t write a likeable character. In hard times, such characters can be a real comfort to read and watch. Here’s 3 top tips to ensuring your characters are likeable … Ready? Let’s go! TIP #1: Kindness WITHOUT An Agenda A likeable character… Read More »3 Top Tips For Writing A Likeable Character In Your Script Or Novel

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15 Quirky, Weird And Sometimes Gross Habits Of Famous Writers

Quirky, Weird, Sometimes Gross Habits I’ve been called weird all my life. It’s not surprising this ‘weirdness’ has found its way into not only in to my work, B2W’s online following and even my writing process. The evidence? Well, every single time I start planning a new story, I ‘have’ to buy a new pair of earrings. It gets even more specific: the earrings have to have *something* to do with the story! As an example, when I was writing The Coven, I bought a rather fetching pair of (ethically sourced) Dreamcatcher earrings. I love them so much, I wear… Read More »15 Quirky, Weird And Sometimes Gross Habits Of Famous Writers

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Destroy Role Models: Why Female Characters Don’t Need to Be ‘Good’

Female Characters = Role Models?? NO THANKS If I never hear the term ‘good role models’ applied to female characters ever again, it won’t be a moment too soon! When was the last time you heard a male character described as a good role model? Yeah, exactly — it doesn’t happen. Male characters are allowed to be whatever the story needs them to be. Good, bad or ugly, that male character doesn’t have a ‘standard’ applied to him.   This is especially true if the male character is white, straight, and able-bodied. Somehow, this ‘default guy’ is STILL given the… Read More »Destroy Role Models: Why Female Characters Don’t Need to Be ‘Good’

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10 Brutal Writing Lessons You’ll Wish You Learned Sooner (I’m Not Kidding)

10 Brutal Writing Lessons I’m not a fan of the term ‘brutal honesty’. This is because too often, the person being honest is paying more heed to the brutality than the honesty. Yuk. No thanks! That said, sometimes we all need a hardcore reality check. This is especially the case in screenwriting, filmmaking and publishing. There’s so much romantic BS and myth-making going on in these industries, it can be difficult to see that reality. I’ve made it my life’s work to demystify the spec pile, the process and the industry. With that in mind, here’s 10 brutal writing lessons… Read More »10 Brutal Writing Lessons You’ll Wish You Learned Sooner (I’m Not Kidding)

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4 Ways The Hunger Games Books & Movies Subvert Expectations Sensitively

All About The Hunger Games  I’m a huge fan of The Hunger Games. If you’ve read the 2023 update of my Thriller Screenplays book, you’ll know the first book and movie is a case study there. As an example of ‘The Hero’s Journey’ plotting archetype, the story is a good reminder that heroism is not gendered. Katniss Everdeen is also a GREAT example of a character with a ‘flat arc’ (ie. she doesn’t change). Unlike many heroes, Katniss does not go from ‘zero to hero’. Volunteering as tribute for her little sister Primose is a selfless and heroic act from… Read More »4 Ways The Hunger Games Books & Movies Subvert Expectations Sensitively

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Yes, Obviously You Can Kill Your Female Characters (Just Not Like THIS!)

NEWSFLASH: Don’t Use The ‘Fridged Woman’ Trope I predominantly write crime fiction and thriller, which means I kill a LOT of characters. Some of them, inevitably, will be female … because, *obviously* (shrugs). However, because female characters were *just* dead bodies and sidelined too long in novels, movies and TV, it matters how writers kill them. I’ll explain why. One of the most unpopular, toxic female character tropes is ‘fridged woman’. Every single time I post about the fridged woman trope on B2W’s social media, I get pushback. They’re always some variation of these two arguments … ‘B-B-But it’s not… Read More »Yes, Obviously You Can Kill Your Female Characters (Just Not Like THIS!)

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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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