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3 Important Beta Readers You Just Have To Impress

What Are Beta Readers? So you’ve written your novel/screenplay/whatever and you’re ready to let it get the once-over before you package it neatly for the publisher or producer’s inbox. A beta reader (aka peer reviewer) is important. Fresh eyes are invaluable – after all, you’ve probably missed over half your mistakes! But it’s not just about how many people read your work (although generally, the more, the merrier). Who are your best quality beta readers? 1) The Published Writer This is someone who’s been through the wringer, and who understands what it takes (or at least took at one point) to… Read More »3 Important Beta Readers You Just Have To Impress

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4 Ways To Kick Ass On Your Second Draft

On The Second Draft Audrey asks: “What are some of the ‘working’ methods for writing the second draft? I’ll take anything at this point!” Audrey’s not alone in panicking over the second draft. I always find it interesting then writers say they love the first draft, yet hate the rewrites. Bang2writers tell me all the time the second draft is the one they really get stuck on. I would bet real money B2W reads more second drafts than any other. Myself, I’m all about rewriting. Perhaps it’s my script editor hat getting in the way, but I LOATHE writing the… Read More »4 Ways To Kick Ass On Your Second Draft

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10 Writing Fillers To Cut Right Now

Whether we’re writing screenplays or novels, there are multiple filler words that take up unnecessary space. Chew on these little blighters that creep into our scene descriptions and novel sentences and make sure you CHOP THEM OUT today! 1) Just ‘Just’ is actually a good word and has several functions, including time (as in ‘recently’) or to make sentences stronger (‘Just STOP!’). Unfortunately, writers let it creep in so often it becomes a beat in the sentence and adds to flabby prose. 2) Really This is a word that relates to certainty, but yet again, writers just use it randomly… Read More »10 Writing Fillers To Cut Right Now

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Top 5 Proofing Mistakes Writers Make

Proofreading is an essential practice when it comes to writing. It’s that final check to make sure spelling and grammar are correct because misspelled and misused words can destroy the quality of your work. Even the best writers need to edit and proofread. Often, when we proofread our own work, the mind does not catch the little mistakes because it was that same mind that wrote them in the first place. This is why it is important to find a second party to read your writing. However, not all of us have proofreaders on hand, which is why we must… Read More »Top 5 Proofing Mistakes Writers Make

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8 Stages Writers Go Through Writing A First Draft

So, I’ve been working with a LOT of writers on their first drafts these past few months, both via mentoring schemes like LondonSWF’s Talent Campus, but also with individual writers (if you want to do this too, drop me a line, spots go fast). It’s fair to say pretty much ALL writers struggle with first drafts! Now writers may ENJOY the freedom of the first draft, but new writers and more seasoned types may struggle with plotting in particular. Even pro writers have their own issues … I’ve noticed in the last couple of years character motivation can be a… Read More »8 Stages Writers Go Through Writing A First Draft

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INFOGRAPHIC: Most Annoying Writing Mistakes

Script editors and script readers should not be confused with proof readers or copy editors. It’s a common error writers make, but we give STORY NOTES, whereas proof readers will check and correct your grammar, punctuation and spelling; a copy editor will also check for accuracy and ‘flow’ of the read. However, I’d be lying if I said I DIDN’T give the odd note on grammar and word usage whilst giving said story notes. I’ve written time and time again on this blog about the pet peeves readers have when giving notes to writers. There are also words that get… Read More »INFOGRAPHIC: Most Annoying Writing Mistakes

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9 Unusual Writing Tips From @TEDTalks Speakers

TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) talks have been known to move and inspire people through a vast array of topics. One of its most moving themes may yet be on writing. Some of the most prolific writers also prove to be engaging speakers, and have shared important tips with aspirants on the stage. Here’s a compilation of amazing TED speeches from renowned authors all over the globe: 1) Everybody has creativity In a society fixated on ‘genius’ and being unique, Elizabeth Gilbert shares how everybody has the capacity for such creativity. Aspiring young authors should feel comforted by the fact that… Read More »9 Unusual Writing Tips From @TEDTalks Speakers

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Top 5 Screenplay Format Mistakes

How’s your screenplay format? Screenplay format gets a bad rap and is often conflated with writing craft. Whilst sometimes the two things DO cross over, this post will deal predominantly with **how** your script looks ON THE PAGE. Continuing in the Top 5 Mistakes series, I’ll be concentrating on screenplay format today. (I’m assuming your layout, spelling, punctuation and grammar are awesome already. If not, you can check here: 10 Common Errors In Your Writing You Need To Fix Right Now.) Ready, then? Let’s go … 1) Overly long sluglines (aka ‘scene headers’) A slugline or scene header in a… Read More »Top 5 Screenplay Format Mistakes

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Top 5 Submissions Mistakes Writers Make

1) Not reading the submissions guidelines Seriously, always read the submissions guidelines and/or the FAQs. What’s more, every single time I head up a writing competition or scheme, I get sent the wrong documents by overeager writers … Or worse, I get blank ones! Look, I get it. Everyone makes mistakes, plus sometimes technology is responsible for not delivering attachments, but it’s still very easy to avoid these clangers. 2) Sending to the wrong person/ place Don’t send a comedy script to a horror filmmaker; don’t send a heartfelt drama piece to an agent or publisher that specialises in science… Read More »Top 5 Submissions Mistakes Writers Make

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How Do I Pick A Writer’s Pseudonym? 6 Top Tips

Many thanks to Bang2writer Amber Isleib, who asks this question: Do you have any advice on picking a pseudonym? I’m sure I can’t be the only one struggling with this. It seems I either come up with something that sounds nice but is boring, or sounds weird but appeals to me for some dorky reason, but nothing fits what I want my professional persona to be. Help!!! Pick a name: 1) You identify with There’s no rules to this. You can pick whatever you want, you’re the one using it. Just because you’re female doesn’t mean you “have” to use… Read More »How Do I Pick A Writer’s Pseudonym? 6 Top Tips

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Infographic: Surefire Writing Strategies For Those Who Think They Can’t Write

Many thanks to Stacey Wonder at Essay Tigers for this great infographic and food for thought, today – GREAT way to kick off a rainy Monday! Having a great idea for a novel or a movie is just the first step to creating one. The next and the most important step is writing that novel or movie. Do you fear that your work will turn out to be a total disaster … ie. You sit down to start, but all you end up with is a blank page??? Keywords “fear of writing” appears to have 260 monthly searches. This means you’re… Read More »Infographic: Surefire Writing Strategies For Those Who Think They Can’t Write

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5 Reasons To Start Writing Collaboratively

Writers often see their writing as a task that is done alone, but why is that? In school we learn that two heads work better than one, but often as adults we seem to move away from that. Here are 5 reasons why you should look into writing collaboratively, starting today: Reason 1: Stop writer’s block, once and for all Have you ever begun writing a story, well-planned or not, then got stuck half way through? Maybe you should remember group work in school. Your teacher/professor assigned you a task and you had to work with other students to get… Read More »5 Reasons To Start Writing Collaboratively

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