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1 Wrong Belief That Is Destroying Your Scene Description

Did you know? The one craft element Bang2writers struggle with – probably more than anything else, in fact – is (wait for it) … … Scene description.  WTAF! I hear you say. Surely character and structure are more problematic?? Well yes, I’ll give you that – especially when we’re talking HOLISTICALLY. But when we’re talking about looking at elements IN ISOLATION – as in literally looking at the page in front of us, in order to try and improve our actual screenwriting craft generally – then it’s scene description all the way that causes the biggest headaches for writers of ANY… Read More »1 Wrong Belief That Is Destroying Your Scene Description

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Top 5 Reasons To Use WriterDuet Screenwriting Software

Click onto any writers’ group on social media (such a Bang2writers on FB – join now!) and you won’t have to scroll far to find posts asking “what screenwriting software do you use?” There are a lot of options out there, some of which I talked about in my Top 5 Tips For The Long Distance Screenwriter article for B2W back in 2014. But that article was written B.W.D. – Before WriterDuet! There’s my top 5 reasons why you should be using it too: 5) Collaboration Collaboration with other writers is easier than ever in the digital age, and WriterDuet makes it… Read More »Top 5 Reasons To Use WriterDuet Screenwriting Software

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5 things I Learned From DOC MARTIN Screenwriter Julian Unthank

In a world of Game of Thrones, Big Little Lies & endless choices on Netflix, TV offers far more to the sophisticated audience who in turn EXPECT a certain quality and standard of writers nowadays. Here’s where screenwriter Julian Unthank comes in to help us at Bang2Write. Julian has worked on shows such as ITV’s Doc Martin, The Bill, New Tricks and Robin Hood, plus his short film Love at First Sight starring John Hurt shortlisted for an Oscar in 2011. I was lucky enough to speak with Julian and have him share his top 5 tips on how YOU… Read More »5 things I Learned From DOC MARTIN Screenwriter Julian Unthank

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The 1 Sentence That Will Kill Your Story DEAD

7 Little Words … There’s a single sentence that I find myself asking Bang2writers all the time … and it’s probably not what you think it is. It’s not: – “What the hell is this??” – “How did you think this is a good idea??” – or even, “Are you on crack??” This is cuz, contrary to popular to belief – not to mention the smack talk on this blog – B2W is always very respectful of writers, guiding them to various realisations about their work (both good and bad) WITHOUT the need for smashing them over the head with… Read More »The 1 Sentence That Will Kill Your Story DEAD

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6 Things I Learned From Making Someone Else’s Script

2015 ended on an incredible high for Apple Park Films and we were keen to capitalise on the momentum this gave us, so we set about developing a short film. As a writer I struggle with the short film format, so I put out an open call for short film bloglines. We received over 200 applications, which lead to us producing Emotional Motor Unit. What follows are 6 things that I learned from being on the other side of the process and working with another writer’s work: 1) Only send what you’re asked for when responding to an open call This… Read More »6 Things I Learned From Making Someone Else’s Script

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Top 5 Story Mistakes Even Good Writers Make

Good Writers CAN and DO Screw Up, Too Good writers are everywhere, but that doesn’t mean they do everything perfectly.  B2W is known as a blog that recognises it’s probably easier to figure out what NOT to do as a writer … So it’s no accident my ‘Top 5 Mistakes’ series is so popular! From craft issues and loglines, through to female characters, research and more, I’ve been trying to outline the numerous ways we COULD trip up. Here’s the top 5 story mistakes even GOOD writers make … Recognise any of these?? GOGOGO: 1) Not planning or outlining beforehand Look,… Read More »Top 5 Story Mistakes Even Good Writers Make

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How To Set Meaningful Goals And Stick To Them

About Getting Stuff Done One thing my fellow writers always say to me is: “How do you get all this writing AND other stuff done?? Don’t you have kids?? Can you BEND TIME??” Well, first up I recognise I am privileged to call writing my job. As a freelancer, teacher and blogger, I’m able to make my schedule work for me. I purposefully work within the creative industries so I can always feed my writing habit (and if it sounds like drugs, that’s because it is to me) and also earn money. But it wasn’t always this way. I MADE… Read More »How To Set Meaningful Goals And Stick To Them

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How To Use Foreshadowing In Your Writing

Foreshadowing (also known as “guessing ahead”) is one of the most powerful storytelling tools, but only if used right. The main goal of foreshadowing is to prepare the readers for what comes next. However, this goal can be achieved with the help of different methods, and that’s when the challenge starts. Sometimes writers fail to achieve this goal at all, giving the details of the main secret right away instead of subtly hinting that a certain thing is about to happen. This is the main reason why readers sometimes hate foreshadowing. When it is used in a wrong way, it ruins… Read More »How To Use Foreshadowing In Your Writing

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5 Ways Filmmaking Will Make You A Better Writer

MANY, many thanks to David today for his filmmaking insights and how it impacts on your writing … I agree with everything he says here!! Some of you may recognise David as one of our rockstar volunteers at LondonSWF, plus his film started out as a Create50: THE IMPACT script!! So even if you can’t donate to his crowd fund campaign, PLEASE press the buttons at the bottom of the post and SHARESHARESHARE!!! Writing screenplays is great. But getting them made is better. And if no-one else will make them, then do it yourself! Make a short (or few) and… Read More »5 Ways Filmmaking Will Make You A Better Writer

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15 Reasons Your Story Sucks

Your Story Sucks Look, I’m not saying your spec screenplay or unpublished novel SUCKS but if you’re consistently getting … rejected ‘It’s not bad but …’ radio silence Then sorry, but it PROBABLY DOES!!! But how do you know, for sure your story sucks?? Well, check out these reasons below and BE HONEST with yourself … Could you try harder on any of these, below??   1) Your concept is not clear enough Concept, premise, seed of the story … Do you know what yours IS? And can you actually describe what it is? Sounds mad, but a huuuuge proportion… Read More »15 Reasons Your Story Sucks

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4 Top Lessons On Writing Children

As I mention in my book, Writing & Selling Thriller Screenplays, I frequently see child and teen characters in specscreenplays that ‘feel’ like ‘movie kids’ rather than rounded, three dimensional characters. So I was delighted to read the excellent WATERBABIES by Writer/Director Andy Simpson, which doesn’t make this basic mistake! When Andy suggested writing a guest post on this subject for B2W,  I jumped at the chance … His script tips are contrasted with his directing experience, so Bang2writers get the ‘full picture’ of going BEYOND the page, too. Invaluable!! Over to you, Andy … Are there children in your script?… Read More »4 Top Lessons On Writing Children

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Crowdfunding 101: Top 10 Tips

Whether you’re crowdfunding for your movie or short film on Kickstarter; your book on Unbound; a charity on JustGiving – or something else! – you would do well to check out the mahvellous Zee from FNAFilms’ top tips on crowdfunding today. FNA ran a very successful campaign for its debut feature The Stagg Do, so it’s safe to say they know their stuff. Over to you, Zee! Don’t underestimate how much hard work goes into a crowd funding campaign. You can’t set up a campaign and leave it. Build it and they will NOT come, unless they know about it.… Read More »Crowdfunding 101: Top 10 Tips

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