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Top 5 Mistakes series

Top 5 Genre Mistakes Writers Make

Carrying on my Top 5 mistakes series, it always surprises me how some spec screenwriters will start blindly writing a genre, without researching it robustly. Look, I know it’s tempting to just dive in, but believe me when I say it SHOWS if you haven’t done your homework!! So, be warned and stay away from: 1) Depressing Dramas OK, first off I’m breaking my own rule by putting something on a drama in a genre post … but when so many spec screenwriters don’t understand the difference between drama and genre anyway, chances are you may be here looking for… Read More »Top 5 Genre Mistakes Writers Make

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Top 5 Craft Mistakes Writers Make

Writing Craft versus Format Too often, spec screenwriters think “craft = format”. No. NoNoNoNoNoNo! Format involves the “look” of the page and is the VERY LEAST you should do, Bang2writers. What’s more, you can get on top of the latest expectations and preferences in format by script readers and their bosses very easily. Just check online lists like the one at The B2W Format 1 Stop Shop. So … Screenplay format is the ‘done thing’ (aka HOW you lay it out on the page) Craft is HOW you do it – ie. the actual storytelling. So, what are the top 5… Read More »Top 5 Craft Mistakes Writers Make

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Top 5 Social Media Mistakes Writers Make

As everyone knows: I love social media, but I also TOTALLYHATEITSOMUCHOMG. Continuing my Top 5 Mistakes Series, here’s where some people online go HIDEOUSLY WRONG … 1) Pitch people or demand help straight away The clue is in the name, people! It’s SOCIAL media, which means you need to build relationships with people BEFORE you ask them for their help, time or money. It’s not rocket science – you wouldn’t just wander into a bar and ask a random person to marry you, would you?? (Or if you did, the chances are they’d say a big fat NO!). It’s the… Read More »Top 5 Social Media Mistakes Writers Make

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Top 5 Female Character Mistakes Writers Make

So, carrying on with my Top 5 Mistakes series, I thought I’d return to what many of you come to B2W – female characterisation! But let’s flip it for a change – rather than, say, 5 Ways To Write A Strong Female Character, let’s look at how NOT to write her … Enjoy! 1) Define her by the men in her life Repeat after me: women have their own lives, thoughts and problems … And very often, we’ll see male characters defined as such in spec screenplays, yet female characters? Forget it. They’ll end up as sounding boards, facilitating male… Read More »Top 5 Female Character Mistakes Writers Make

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Top 5 Mistakes Even Savvy Writers Make With Loglines

Savvy Writers I’m assuming we’re all savvy writers who all know loglines are NOT taglines … So let’s put REAL loglines under the microscope in the next instalment of my Top 5 Mistakes series! 1)  Writers forget 1 (or more) of “The 3 Cs” Clarity, characters, conflict – in that order, please! Here’s why: Without clarity, we don’t understand what’s going on We need to know who your character/s are to want to get on board the journey We need to know the conflict to understand what your character/s are up against. EXTRA TIP FOR YOU: I’ve noted savvy writers… Read More »Top 5 Mistakes Even Savvy Writers Make With Loglines

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Top 5 Screenplay Format Mistakes

How’s your screenplay format? Screenplay format gets a bad rap and is often conflated with writing craft. Whilst sometimes the two things DO cross over, this post will deal predominantly with **how** your script looks ON THE PAGE. Continuing in the Top 5 Mistakes series, I’ll be concentrating on screenplay format today. (I’m assuming your layout, spelling, punctuation and grammar are awesome already. If not, you can check here: 10 Common Errors In Your Writing You Need To Fix Right Now.) Ready, then? Let’s go … 1) Overly long sluglines (aka ‘scene headers’) A slugline or scene header in a… Read More »Top 5 Screenplay Format Mistakes

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Top 5 Submissions Mistakes Writers Make

1) Not reading the submissions guidelines Seriously, always read the submissions guidelines and/or the FAQs. What’s more, every single time I head up a writing competition or scheme, I get sent the wrong documents by overeager writers … Or worse, I get blank ones! Look, I get it. Everyone makes mistakes, plus sometimes technology is responsible for not delivering attachments, but it’s still very easy to avoid these clangers. 2) Sending to the wrong person/ place Don’t send a comedy script to a horror filmmaker; don’t send a heartfelt drama piece to an agent or publisher that specialises in science… Read More »Top 5 Submissions Mistakes Writers Make

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Top 5 Mistakes Writers Make Giving Feedback

So, I’ll be running a new series on B2W, this time “Top 5 Mistakes”. I’m kicking off with Feedback and will be following up with my top 5 mistakes on Submissions. Have an idea for another in this series? Then let me know in the comments, on Twitter or via email. First off then, here’s my top 5 mistakes on GIVING feedback – Enjoy … and BEWARE! 1) Highjacking Another Writer’s Vision Look, we get it – it might seem OBVIOUS to you how the story has missed opportunities, or that writing a story *that* way just doesn’t work. But… Read More »Top 5 Mistakes Writers Make Giving Feedback

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