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10 Ways Being A Freelance Writer Prepares Me For A Screenwriting Career

I love this post from Pinar cos it’s SO TRUE – I started off back in the day as a freelance writer and it has paid DIVIDENDS for my writing career. If you’re feeling the burn from the day job and want to make your writing PAY, then make sure you pay close attention!     So you want to be a successful, well-paid screenwriter. Me too. But it’s damn hard work, and the road to success is filled with rejection, tears and swear words. After all, competition is insane, and studios are buying fewer screenplays than they used to.… Read More »10 Ways Being A Freelance Writer Prepares Me For A Screenwriting Career

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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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The Perfect Screenplay Writer’s Resume: 5 Key Ingredients

One of the most popular and “evergreen” posts on B2W is How To Put Together A Writer’s CV / Resume, so when Michael got in touch about writing a new post on this, I jumped at the chance! Here’s some great pointers on what to put on yours … Good luck with your submissions!  Nowadays, having a well-thought out resume that is able to showcase your skills and traits as a screenwriter in the best possible light is an absolute necessity. Although some would dismiss the idea and point out that one’s work speaks for itself, let us remind you… Read More »The Perfect Screenplay Writer’s Resume: 5 Key Ingredients

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4 Steps To Building A Successful Freelance Writing Career

More and more Bang2writers contact me saying they want to go freelance. I thought with the new year around the corner, NOW is a great time to looking at building a career in this field. So, if you’re wanting a change and to make your own work, read these great insights from Antonio Tooley. Want to earn money from your writing online, this new year? Great news – in this world of the web, freelance writers are in demand! These 4 steps will not only direct you to where you can find the best freelance writing gigs, but they will also… Read More »4 Steps To Building A Successful Freelance Writing Career

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I’ve Written A Book, Now What? (Indie Versus Traditional Publishing)

Updated Following the runaway success of the rebooted “I’ve Written A Screenplay, Now What?” page, lots of Bang2writers requested a similar one for book writing and publishing. So without further ado, here’s Luke with a short and sweet rundown of the basics. There’s plenty of great linkage too. Enjoy everyone! So, you’ve written a book Congrats! Go out and celebrate. Pat yourself on the back. Pat yourself all over. Eat a cake. Eat two. Writing a book is hard, so you should celebrate it. However, writing is only the first step in publishing a book, because that’s the ultimate goal… Read More »I’ve Written A Book, Now What? (Indie Versus Traditional Publishing)

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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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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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10 Ways To Make A Good Impression As A Writer

Look, we KNOW it’s all about the writing … and totally NOT all about the writing. But bar networking and meeting people, what else do writers actually need to do, to earn that all-important good first impression? After all, we know a bad impression has a nasty habit of lasting and stinking us all out with its fetid whiff, so chew on these advance solutions for size: 1. Send them all they ask for, the way they ask for it. C’mon guys, this is a no-brainer, right? Well, you would *think* so. But until submissions guidelines get READ, never mind adhered to,… Read More »10 Ways To Make A Good Impression As A Writer

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Submissions Insanity: Demystifying The Spec Pile

One weapon in writers’ armoury is KNOWING how best to approach agents, publishers and filmmakers – but also, how others before them have screwed up! This is why I attempt to demystify the spec pile wherever possible. On this basis, I’m a Script Magazine columnist. My monthly advice page is called – you guessed it – Submissions Insanity! Check out some of the articles posted already: The Basics Of Online Submissions Familiar Ideas To Avoid  How To Win Or Place Highly In Screenwriting Contests And keep an eye on my Scriptmag Author Page, here for more articles, updated every month. Also, check out my tweets… Read More »Submissions Insanity: Demystifying The Spec Pile

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Can I Pitch My Unfinished Projects?

  Unfinished Projects Many thanks to Bang2writer Jon Ryan, who asks this question on the FB page: “I often speak to journalists about a story I’m working on and if they’re interested, they say to ‘check in’ later when it’s closer to being ready for them to cover. Is it ever worth doing that with a producer? I’m thinking of at LondonSWF if you don’t have a final draft. Or do they get so many pitches that it would be wasting their time? You often say concept is king – if that is rock solid, can it hurt to pitch… Read More »Can I Pitch My Unfinished Projects?

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5 Steps To Writing The Perfect Cover Letter

Congratulations – you have written a novel! This is no small thing, for in the words of Hemingway, “There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.” After the effort that has gone into your manuscript, it’s understandable that you’re eager to secure a literary agent, but you need to be patient for long enough to write a great cover letter. It’s the gateway to getting your book published. Here are 5 tips to help you on your way: 1. Write concisely Your letter should be no longer than one page. Not one-and-a-bit,… Read More »5 Steps To Writing The Perfect Cover Letter

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5 Career Strategies For Writers

All About Careers Various Bang2writers have been asking me, especially on Twitter, about career and submissions strategies, so here’s a quick breakdown of approaches you may want to consider/try. As ever, the usual disclaimer: “buyer beware” and do your homework on all submissions opportunities … Plus, *obviously* nothing “guarantees” success and you may find you want to/need to tweak various elements of these approaches to suit your own life. Equally, if you have a strategy you feel I’ve missed here, let me know in the comments section and I’ll add it. Before we get started, here are resources that are… Read More »5 Career Strategies For Writers

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