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How Does Exposition Work? AKA 9 Common Exposition Qs Answered

All about Exposition I’ve been talking a lot recently with Bang2writers about exposition and its place within their stories, whether novel or screenplay. As I’ve heard some common misconceptions, I thought it useful to put exposition under the microscope and really consider WHAT exposition is and HOW we can use it, framed as questions to answer. Enjoy! 1) Isn’t exposition a **bad** thing? No. Exposition in all stories – whether novels or screenplays (or something else) – is 100% necessary. Exposition is basically just the background information a reader or viewer needs in order to be able to understand the… Read More »How Does Exposition Work? AKA 9 Common Exposition Qs Answered

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How NOT To Write A Novel: 5 Mistakes Writers Make

Too many writers attempt to write a novel, but go wrong somewhere down the line … and aren’t even sure where, or why. Here’s 5 clangers to think about in advance, so you can avoid them! 1) Writing Occasionally Writing is not at ALL like it’s shown on movies or TV serials (coughCASTLEcough). Writing is a full time job that requires patience and a lot of labor. Motivation is the only factor that keeps writers glued to their work. If you want to write a really good novel, you have to learn to write every day and as much as… Read More »How NOT To Write A Novel: 5 Mistakes Writers Make

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6 Things Every Hero Needs

Hollywood is in love with the hyper-masculine hero to such a degree that an ordinary guy is simply not enough anymore … He has to be exceptional, even genetically modified, a so-called SUPER hero! I’m fascinated by representations of heroism in both movies and novels, so I love this food for thought from Paul. Enjoy! 1)    A Serious Case of Self Loathing Think of a hero and you automatically think of strength, intelligence, a morally upstanding figure, but underneath all that is a serious case of self loathing. They don’t like themselves for the person they have to be seen… Read More »6 Things Every Hero Needs

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5 Reasons J.J Abrams’ STAR WARS Doesn’t “Owe” Anyone Gender Diversity

[CHRISTMAS 2015 EDIT: Okay, so this post is even more hilarious in retrospect now we know Rey is not the “token female”, but the PROTAGONIST in an otherwise male-centric franchise! But hey, apparently that’s STILL not good enough because now Rey is “too good” – yes, this is actually a thing! OMG … Well, at least you’re consistent Twitter in that you’re NEVER fecking happy. This is why we can’t have nice things or GOOD FEMALE CHARACTERS you nunchucks. CLICK HERE for a free ebook on how NOT to write female characters and if you’re one of the whiners?? DOOF! Punch… Read More »5 Reasons J.J Abrams’ STAR WARS Doesn’t “Owe” Anyone Gender Diversity

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5 Ways To Impress A Literary Assistant (Or At Least Not Irritate Them)

It’s been yet more Submissions Insanity this week at B2W Towers, though for once the shoe has been on the OTHER foot as I’ve found myself in hot water for daring to share my last article in an online screenwriting group that I was invited to join and start a discussion?? Guess I didn’t read the admin’s mind well enough! Whatevs, homies. Unlike some jumped-up jobsworths out there in www.land, REAL industry gatekeepers out there don’t want you to try and resort to telepathy … Instead, they WANT you to clear those hoops and get your fantastic submissions into their… Read More »5 Ways To Impress A Literary Assistant (Or At Least Not Irritate Them)

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7 Ways YOU’RE Screwing With Your Writing Chances

So, you think all that stands between you and “making it” is the strength of your writing, the shininess of your craft and a horde of other writers, rabid with the THIRST FOR SUCCESS? Nope, sorry (not sorry). There’s you as well. That’s right … YOU! I’ve seen so many writers divert or even kill their OWN chances in meetings, online, at pitchfests, developing their work … Anywhere you care to mention, in fact. Recognise any of these? 1) “But this happens in real life!” If I had a squid for every time a writers tells me this? I could… Read More »7 Ways YOU’RE Screwing With Your Writing Chances

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WHY This Story? … Or 8 Questions They’re **Really** Asking

One of the questions I’ve been asked and heard other writers asked most is the ubiquitous, “WHY this story?” Very often this triggers a writer to look like a rabbit in the headlights and start garbling plot. But that’s NOT what publishers, agents, producers and filmmakers are asking. Here are 8 possible things they want to know about your project … or you! 1) WHY  these characters? Remember, we don’t want characters that are THE USUAL … but equally, we don’t something completely out of the left field either. We want something surprising, that is still recognisable. So, what’s different… Read More »WHY This Story? … Or 8 Questions They’re **Really** Asking

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4 Simple Reasons Why Many Writers Don’t Succeed

Following on from my post on how writers stand in their OWN way of writing success and “making it”, here’s Nikolas with some sage words of advice. Enjoy! 1) I Have to Make More Time??? Many beginners dream about what their life will be like when they’re a ‘real’ writer. They have a room of their own where they can be creative, spend hours writing, and be completely supported by their habit. They make good money and everyone, or at least their beloved audience, devours every new book or piece of writing. The reason it’s called a dream is because it’s… Read More »4 Simple Reasons Why Many Writers Don’t Succeed

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6 Ways YOU’RE Stopping Your Own Writing Success

You’re Stopping You NEWSFLASH – someone is stopping your writing success and it’s not who you think it is … It’s you! True story. When it comes to writing, forget those mythical “gate keepers” who won’t give you a chance … A writer can be his or her OWN worst enemy. Here’s 6 ways I’ve seen – and been! – it: 1) You’re scaring everybody off This is the thing. How you present yourself – especially online, but also networking in real life – is how people will decide whether they CAN work with you. So if you leave this… Read More »6 Ways YOU’RE Stopping Your Own Writing Success

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5 Reasons Bullying Happens At School

Today, my youngest ever Bang2writer, Harri (just 12 years old!) is talking about his new book and why he thinks kids get bullied at school and how bullies are created … This is a great opportunity for adult writers to see school from a kid’s perspective – I found number 5 particularly useful, I’d never thought of this being a useful way of avoiding bullies! So make sure you check out the post and Harri’s sites and profiles — and buy his book! Enjoy! It’s About Being “Different” … 1) Talents For example, if you’re particularly good at something like… Read More »5 Reasons Bullying Happens At School

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6 Ways To Put The Spark Back In Your Writing Relationship

Writing and I have a volatile relationship. I think about breaking up with writing at least once a week but somehow I can’t let go. One day we’ll be curled up on the sofa making plans for our future together and the next, writing looks past me at the telly even though I’m dancing around in my knickers doing my best Beyoncé meets Brontë impression. Call me a fool but I just can’t leave, so here are six ways I put the spark back into my own writing relationship. They stop me weeping into my laptop keyboard whenever I think… Read More »6 Ways To Put The Spark Back In Your Writing Relationship

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5 Reasons Why Compromising Can Lead To Creativity As A Writer

In February 2012 at The Guerilla Filmmakers’ Masterclass, Chris Jones encouraged people to stand up and make a commitment to make something and despite having no intention of doing so when I arrived, that’s how the journey, of my feature film of ‘The Journey’ began. Now yes, I am a writer/director, the story behind this film is quite a complex one and I learned a great deal from it. In any creative role, you should always admit that you never stop learning. Once you embrace this as an ideology, creativity will always work with you, not against you. From the… Read More »5 Reasons Why Compromising Can Lead To Creativity As A Writer

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