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Top 10 Quotes To Keep Going As A Writer

Keep Going … Or Else ‘Keep going’ is probably the top advice I offer to writers. So often writers start feeling energised and enthusiastic … but as time goes on … and the rejection piles up … they just STOP. Look, I get it. It’s effing hard to keep going when it feels like every door is slammed in your face. Plus there’s no guarantees, so it can feel easier to quit rather than bang your head against a brick wall. But this is the thing … if you stop you will NEVER get anywhere! This is why writers need… Read More »Top 10 Quotes To Keep Going As A Writer

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Top 5 Mistakes Writers Make Writing School Scenes

Prepare To Get Schooled! You probably went through the school system, so that means you know how to write a school-based scene, right? Nope …. Even if you only left school recently, the chances are that things have already changed. It’s important to do your homework if you want to get 10/10 for authenticity. Here’s my top 5 mistakes I see in school scenes with suggested alternatives (FYI – this is based on the British school system, so be sure to do your research on your own country). 1) Teachers arriving and leaving school at the same time as their students… Read More »Top 5 Mistakes Writers Make Writing School Scenes

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6 Genius Writers Share Their Writing Secrets

Genius Writers Do you have a favourite genius writer? Genius writers are those we admire. We may admire them for their craft, their work ethic, their perspective on life … Maybe all of this and more! I’ve always believed it’s a good idea to check out what others who’ve gone before us think … We can then decide ourselves if we agree, disagree or are neutral. In turn, this helps us work out how we see our own writing craft working. Look, before anyone gets their knickers in a knot, let’s get one thing cleared up. As every Bang2writer knows, there… Read More »6 Genius Writers Share Their Writing Secrets

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Top 5 Grammar Mistakes Writers Make

All About Grammar Mistakes There’s one thing that stands in the way standing in the way of great content: grammar mistakes. We can all attest to reading badly written content. Sometimes it leaves us wondering whether they even passed their English exams at all. Of course, we all make grammar mistakes. No writer is perfect, plus we don’t need to be total purists to write flawless content. That said, you can transform your writing skills by becoming aware of the most common grammar mistakes. Not only will you save time proofreading, but the content readability will improve. Plus, you can engage with your… Read More »Top 5 Grammar Mistakes Writers Make

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT: 10 Screenwriting Commandments From William Goldman

About William Goldman William Goldman was a novelist and screenwriter. If you’ve never heard of him, then where have you been?? His contribution to the creative arts is phenomenal. He was also a huge influence on B2W!! Goldman’s works include his thriller novel Marathon Man and his cult classic comedy/fantasy novel The Princess Bride, both of which he also adapted for the film versions. Goldman also won Oscars for his screenplays Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) and All the President’s Men (1976). He also did a brilliant job of illuminating the process for writers in his non fiction books… Read More »IN THE SPOTLIGHT: 10 Screenwriting Commandments From William Goldman

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Writers, This Is The Very Least You Can Do

Newsflash! Good screenplay format is the VERY LEAST expected of a screenwriter. Yup, it’s true … Writing craft doesn’t mean what you think it does. Too many spec screenwriters OBSESS on format, thinking that equals good craft. NOPE!!! Seriously wish this was the least we need. Eek. So by all means study screenplay format and “reader proof” your script … If your script looks professional, this might get you through the door. That’s the good news. The bad news? You ARE NOT going to stay there if your concept, characters and story ain’t up to scratch. Hashtag facts! It’s different for… Read More »Writers, This Is The Very Least You Can Do

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7 Important Writing Lessons From The Simpsons

The Simpsons Gets An A+++ One of the most popular posts on B2W is my case study of two episodes of The Simpsons. Both from season 10, I break down the plotting of two classic Simpsons episodes, Lard of The Dance and Maximum Homerdrive. You can find that post, HERE. Since it’s been a few years now, I thought I would revisit The Simpsons and make another case study. Regardless how you feel about the show, most writers have seen multiple episodes, plus at only approx. 20 mins long it is useful for watching in the classroom. As a result,… Read More »7 Important Writing Lessons From The Simpsons

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Top 5 Mistakes Writers Make Writing Relationships

All about Relationships Relationships are the best, aren’t they? Not always – fortunately – otherwise they’d be dull to write about. Creating modern relationships for modern audiences does require staying fresh and relevant, however. Here’s what to avoid to make sure your fictional relationships don’t crash and burn (unless you want them to…). 1) Love is only for the young  Falling in love can happen to anyone, at any time. We’ve seen the ‘two star-crossed lovers’ storyline play out for eons, so if you want a fresher way to approach this trope, you might have to look a little higher up the… Read More »Top 5 Mistakes Writers Make Writing Relationships

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6 Top Tips On Writing Characters of Colour

Writing Characters of Colour Lots of white Bang2writers say they want to write characters of colour, but are afraid of ‘getting it wrong’. So I am delighted to welcome eight talented black screenwriters to the site today to share their top writing tips. The writers below all appear in the curated list Highly Recommended Scripts by Black Screenwriters, curated by @avishaiw. If you are a producer or filmmaker, make sure you check the list out! If you are not, please pass it on by sharing it via your profiles and pages. Thanks! 1) ‘Be open to others’ thoughts’ ‘My best tip:… Read More »6 Top Tips On Writing Characters of Colour

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How To Develop Your Structural Toolbox

What Is A Structural Toolbox? Do you have a structural toolbox? When most writers (novelist or screenwriter) have structural problems in their drafts, having a structural toolbox can pay dividends. But what is this?? Put simply, a structural toolbox is the foundation work all writers need to put in to ensure they … understand how structure works in their novel or screenplay can apply structural techniques to their writing Think of it as a collection of ‘stuff’ you have to hand in order to identify and fix your stories. I like to call it a structural toolbox because one size… Read More »How To Develop Your Structural Toolbox

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No, Diverse Characters DON’T Have To Drive The Plot

Diversity Drive Calm down Doris I have not lost the plot! The drive for more diversity (*cough* variety) in all stories is still very much part of this website. Obviously B2W would never advocate ‘ignoring’ the politics of characterisation. It’s literally this blog’s remit … I wrote an entire book about this subject, FFS!  So, what am I banging on about? Well, there’s a common misconception writers have about diversity in storytelling … They think diverse characters can ONLY exist for **plot reasons**. I’m here to say NOPE. Here’s why.  A Quick History Lesson Not so long ago, diverse characters… Read More »No, Diverse Characters DON’T Have To Drive The Plot

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Plotters Versus Pantsers: What Type of Writer Are YOU?

Plotters Versus Pantsers The ‘plotters versus pantsers’ debate often rages between writers. Should we … … plot everything in advance, writing outlines and even populating spreadsheets with everything that will happen? Or should we fly ‘by the seats of our pants’ and surprise even ourselves AS we write? The  mighty Margaret Atwood and Stephen King count themselves as  pantsers. King even goes so far to say, ‘Outlines are the last resource of bad fiction writers who wish to God they were writing masters’ theses.’ EXCEPT not so fast hombre! With famous plotters including the likes of JK Rowling and John… Read More »Plotters Versus Pantsers: What Type of Writer Are YOU?

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