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Which Screenwriting Software Is The Best? (Paid-For & Free)

[Kept updated as much as possible] All About Software One question new writers always ask in the B2W Facebook group is whether they should buy screenwriting software. So hello to Michelle who asks: “I’ve heard mixed advice from everyone on the screenwriting software issue… Some advise getting it, others say there’s no need for expensive software, at least not until you’re in the thick of it. What’s your take?” Biiiig question! Ready? Let’s go … There’s lots of software choices now Some people like screenwriting software; others see it as an excuse for a company to make shedloads of cash.… Read More »Which Screenwriting Software Is The Best? (Paid-For & Free)

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Guest Post: Characters On The Couch: Psychiatry & Screenwriting by Stephen Potts

Few writers make a living from their work: we necessarily have Day Jobs, and even if we don’t we have Other Lives to draw on. For more than 22 years my day job’s been in the NHS, as a psychiatrist, currently working with A&E and the transplant service. Until recently I kept this entirely separate from my writing (kids’ adventure fiction, drama for stage and radio, and now for the screen). I’m not sure why: maybe it just felt wrong to be stealing patient’s stories, however I dressed them up. But the more screenwriting manuals I read, the more psychiatric… Read More »Guest Post: Characters On The Couch: Psychiatry & Screenwriting by Stephen Potts

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6 Reasons Writers May Need To Sacrifice Facts For Drama

Sacrificing facts for drama is a difficult balance. After all, all of us want our reader (and thus our audience) to suspend their disbelief; the last thing we want them to do is splutter, “As if!” Here’s a list of why we might sacrifice facts for drama: 1) Drama Really obvious, but writers consistently duck away from really engaging with the dramatic, myself included. They’ll write a good scene, but refuse to take it as far as they possibly can in order to squeeze the most drama out of it. Often this will be because they won’t want to put… Read More »6 Reasons Writers May Need To Sacrifice Facts For Drama

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The Importance Of Research

BEWARE: SPOILERS (CHILDREN OF MEN) Thanks to Jill, who asked me recently about research and where she can find various stuff to do with hospital treatment and accents. The internet, I think, was made especially for screenwriters: Google is God. In fact, this was the inspiration for my Research or Die series last summer – anyone interested will find links to useful sites on stuff like language, events, disasters, heroes, villains, times, medical, crime, money right there… In fact, if an obvious thing/person/ isn’t there, let me know – better still, send me the link and I’ll add it. Check… Read More »The Importance Of Research

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Top 5 Reasons Why Parentheticals Are Useless

Updated So, parentheticals aka ‘wrylies’ have a tendency to turn up in screenplays … and they’re NOT NEEDED. They interrupt the flow of the read and what’s more, seriously ANNOY actors and filmmakers as well as script readers. TRUTH! Don’t believe me? Fine … check these out for size: 5. You are the writer, NOT the director! Unless you are the writer/director, the Director and Actors need room to make THEIR interpretation of your screenplay! This is the most-oft quoted case AGAINST parentheticals: if loads of lines of your dialogue tells the actors HOW to say lines “(condescendingly)”, “(pleadingly)”, “(wryly)” or whatever,… Read More »Top 5 Reasons Why Parentheticals Are Useless

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Research or Die # 7: Writing Plays And New Writing Competitions & Initiatives

Another addition to this occasional series because I’m feeling in need of a new challenge and direction for the new year… Enjoy!———————————————————————————– WRITING PLAYS Tips For Writing A Great Play By Troy M. Hughes Playwriting 101: In-depth Tutorial on Writing A Play by Playwright Jon Dorf Resources on Writing Plays – fantastic list of links, including “Why Writing Plays Will Make You A Better Screenwriter” Brief Intro To Greek Theatre Database of Modern American Plays and Playwrights Brief Intro to Roman Theatre Small Online Archive of full-length plays, one act plays, ten minute plays & monologues Help, Am I Writing… Read More »Research or Die # 7: Writing Plays And New Writing Competitions & Initiatives

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Welcome To Rom Com Hell: 8 Awful Ways To Write Romantic Comedy

Rom Com / Real Life Hell Rom Com was always one of those genres I avoided through my teens and early twenties. Being a Goth, I was way too cool for boy-meets-girl, obviously. Besides which, by 18 I was a total cynic … I had after all been the girl who’d met the boy, then got knocked up and ripped off by him! I’d been left with a broken heart, a wailing baby and a man-hating attitude problem for approximately five years.  I was also of the (not unreasonable) belief that post-FOUR WEDDINGS in the late 90’s/early noughties that all… Read More »Welcome To Rom Com Hell: 8 Awful Ways To Write Romantic Comedy

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All About Dramatic Irony And Twists In The Tale

All About Dramatic Irony Dramatic irony is a tool I see often in produced and published works, but hardly ever in spec scripts or unpublished novels. Recently I was talking with Uber-Agent Julian Friedmann and mentioned how much I love Yves Lavender’s book Writing Drama. Segnor Friedmann replied how much he loves the book’s section on dramatic irony, lamenting the fact that so few screenwriters actually use this fantastic device. His comments really struck a chord, so I think I’ll have a good look at what makes dramatic irony so great. What is Dramatic Irony? First off however, what is dramatic irony? Well, this… Read More »All About Dramatic Irony And Twists In The Tale

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Research or Die # 6: Crime

Dumb Crooks’ Crime Database The 14 Characteristics of a Serial Killer Top 100 Serial Killers Of All Time Crime Library: Notorious Murders, Assassins, Spies, Serial Killers, Terrorists Notorious Murders and Criminals in History Casebook devoted to Jack The Ripper Unsolved and Missing # 1: Lord Lucan Unsolved And Missing # 2: Genette Tate Unsolved and Missing # 3: Ben Needham Unsolved and Missing # 4: Madeleine McCann A – Z of Crimes and Police Procedure UK Police Roles, including Special Constables and Community Support Officers The Ranks of UK Police FINALLY: An A – Z of Crime Drama! It’s pretty… Read More »Research or Die # 6: Crime

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Research or Die # 5: Medical

NHS Direct – encyclopediac site that covers just about everything medical! NHS Careers – another great site, this time about medical jobs Guide To Medical Jargon How to Deliver A Baby Safely Without A Doctor or Midwife A Week by Week Pregnancy Guide Demonstration of Mouth To Mouth Resuscitation – sign in required for this video The Recovery Position – with pictures, step by step What To Do When Someone Has An Epileptic Fit What To Do When Someone Has A Heart Attack How To Stop Excessive Bleeding Guide To Types of Wounds Created By Blades Methods of Injury and… Read More »Research or Die # 5: Medical

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Research or Die # 4: Times & Money

On This Day – fantastic BBC site that recounts everything that has happened on any day’s date On This Day In History – as above, but MSN’s version Today In Literature – similar to the above sites, but in literature (subscription required) Today In Music – musical history On This Day – another site that lists ALL historical events, including music, literature, war, etc Crazy Fads – everything that’s popular from decades past 20th Century History – useful timelines here The People History – useful links to the decades and individual information about computers, money, how much things used to… Read More »Research or Die # 4: Times & Money

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Research or Die # 3: Language

The History of The English Language – an amazing site dedicated to English through the ages, including Ye Olde English! English Language Usage Dictionary of Slang and Colloquialliams used in the UK Slang Used In The US A Short Lexicon of UK Teen Speak Teen Talk – The Lowdown – includes some useful text/instant msg speak The Urban Dictionary Common Errors in English – really useful if one of your characters is supposed to be a non-native English Speaker An Elizabethan English Dictionary Differences in Language In The UK, US and Australia Dictionary of Cockney Rhyming Slang Machine Translation –… Read More »Research or Die # 3: Language

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