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Top 5 Mistakes series

Top 5 Subplot Mistakes Writers Make

  All About Subplots Subplots are key to making a killer script. But misusing them can also be its downfall. So, what is a subplot? A subplot is a secondary storyline which runs parallel to the main story. They are the secret to making a truly compelling screenplay and can be the lifeblood of your act two. Great subplots allow you to bring meat to your script, flush out your storyline, and reveal new aspects of your central and supporting character’s personality. All too often subplots are under-utilised or go way off the rails. Let’s look at a few hazards… Read More »Top 5 Subplot Mistakes Writers Make

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Top 5 Science Fiction Mistakes Writers Make

Today’s post is from William R. Leibowitz, author of the bestselling science fiction series, Miracle Man. Whether you’re writing a novel or screenplay, there’s some great tips here on what NOT to do with your science fiction story. Enjoy! On Writing Science Fiction So, you want to try your hand at writing science fiction? Readers of science fiction are generally sophisticated. They tend to have real standards which they’ve developed by reading the great writers who developed the genre. They’ve also watched countless good quality science fiction movies and television programmes. Here are some of the things that I think most… Read More »Top 5 Science Fiction Mistakes Writers Make

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Top 5 Networking Mistakes Writers Make

Networking Mistakes You’ve been counting down for months, excited about the upcoming event you’re going to.  The plan is to network with agents, publishers and fellow writers.  In your head you’re fabulous at networking … Or are you?? In order to survive a networking event without disastrous consequences avoid making the following mistakes as though your life depends on it.  First impressions last a lifetime! Here’s what NOT to do when networking, plus what you should do instead. 1) You Ignore Others You’ve arrived. You’re milling through the crowds of people and spot someone your desperate to talk to.   However,… Read More »Top 5 Networking Mistakes Writers Make

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Top 5 (More) Mistakes Comedy Writers Make

Previously On B2W … Comedy is super-popular amongst us Bang2writers. So Dave Cohen aka @davecohencomedy is back, this time with 5 MORE Mistakes Comedy Writers Make. Dave really knows his stuff, so is well worth a follow on Twitter and Miss the last one on this topic? Then CLICK HERE. Enjoy, comedy writers – and good luck if you enter the BBC Comedy Window. Over to you, Dave … It’s That Time Of Year Again! The BBC Comedy Window opens on April Fool’s Day, and you’ve got until 29 April to hone your budding scripts into comedy gold. Last year… Read More »Top 5 (More) Mistakes Comedy Writers Make

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Top 5 Mistakes Writers Make Trying To Get Agents

All About Agents Agents are always in every writer’s sights. With a new year beckoning, NOW is a great time to think about your submissions strategy. But whether you’re a novelist or a screenwriter, do make sure you avoid these epic clangers! 1) Not Following The Submissions Guidelines First up, the obvious one. I know I always bang on (!) about following submission guidelines, but this is because writers STILL don’t do this! NEWSFLASH: all legitimate agents will have their submission guidelines listed on their websites. Before you submit ANYTHING, look at their websites and find out what they are.… Read More »Top 5 Mistakes Writers Make Trying To Get Agents

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Top 5 Dialogue Mistakes Writers Make

Dialogue Problems Dialogue for movie and TV screenplays. Writers obsess over it, laypeople quote it on their social media profiles. It’s important. But it’s also one of things holding spec screenplays back! Supersadface. But you’re here to learn how to deal with dialogue problems in your script. Are you dropping any of these clangers?? Better check and see: 1)  Expositional Dialogue Lots of writers get confused about expositional dialogue. After all, exposition is just the background information needed to understand the story … So it is a good thing, right? Nope. If you get the note, ‘too much expositional dialogue’, this… Read More »Top 5 Dialogue Mistakes Writers Make

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Top 5 Scene Description Mistakes Writers Make

Scene Description Problems Scene description can be the key difference between your spec screenplay sinking or soaring. This is because there’s SO LITTLE good scene description in the pile … But if a writer is great at this craft element, it often follows they’re  pretty awesome at the rest. So, investing in your scene description is a no-brainer! But there’s no ‘right’ way to write scene description, just multiple wrong ways … Are you doing any of these top 5 mistakes? Check it out: 1) Too much ‘black on the page’ First, the classic issue. When writers have ‘too much… Read More »Top 5 Scene Description Mistakes Writers Make

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Top 5 Mistakes Writers Make With Email Marketing

Marketing is one of the biggest challenges to writers … It’s also something I ended up discussing with Bang2writers A LOT last weekend at LondonSWF. I’ve long said the power of email is EVERYTHING, but a lot of you just don’t know where to start. That’s why I am delighted to welcome Jeda to B2W today! Make sure you download her brilliant email marketing checklist. Good luck! If email marketing sounds like a heinous, impossible and uncomfortable puzzle, fear not! It can actually be a simple and incrediblly effective way to create a thriving communityof readers, fans and potential clients… Read More »Top 5 Mistakes Writers Make With Email Marketing

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Top 5 Mistakes Writers Make Starting Out

Starting out as a writer, it’s easy to think success comes solely from talent. Nope! No matter how good some of the most famous literary works are, EVERY writer had their peaks and troughs creating them. So, in order to save your time and refine your writing, take a look at top 5 mistakes commonly made by writers starting out: 1) Forgetting ‘Show, Don’t Tell’ The purpose of any work is to trigger the reader’s’ imagination. Simply telling a story via narration or dialogue is not eye-grabbing enough. You must make sure you are writing visually! It takes skills to… Read More »Top 5 Mistakes Writers Make Starting Out

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Top 5 Mistakes Writers Make With Low Budget Horror

Low budget horror has been all the rage for YEARS now. But don’t take my word for it  — I’ve drafted in an expert, Samantha Horley, an ex sales agent. Sam used to work at such companies as Salt and Summit Entertainment, so really knows her onions – she even helped make the commercial success that was The Blair Witch Project. Over to you, Sam! Low Budget Mistakes I get approached regularly by investors, sales companies and distributors, directors and producers, looking for low budget horror films. Some of them even  have that rare beast – the cash to fully… Read More »Top 5 Mistakes Writers Make With Low Budget Horror

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Top 5 Mistakes Writers Make With Mental Health

All About Mental Health in Writing Good mental health is key in writing … not just for us as creatives, either! As writers we also need to represent mental health in authentic and meaningful ways in our writing too, as I described in my previous article on How To Challenge Stigma In Your Writing. So I’m delighted to welcome junior psychiatrist and author Rosie Claverton with some big NO-NOs and pitfalls to avoid in your scripts and novels. Over to you, Rosie … Mental Health Representations As we talk more about mental health, depictions of people with mental health problems… Read More »Top 5 Mistakes Writers Make With Mental Health

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Top 5 Concept Mistakes Writers Make

Concept IS Story Concept aka ‘premise’, ‘controlling idea’, ‘seed of the story’. Whatever you want to call it, that concept is the FOUNDATION of your story, whether you’re writing a novel or screenplay. Contrary to the popular belief amongst ‘aspiring’ screenwriters on social media that it’s ‘the execution that counts’ (newsflash: it’s NOT), concept is actually the MOST IMPORTANT BIT. Why? Because if your concept does not sound interesting from pitch level UP, then no one will invest their time or money in your work – whether they are agents, producers, publishers, viewers or readers.  It’s not rocket science!!! Concept… Read More »Top 5 Concept Mistakes Writers Make

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