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9 Ways To Celebrate The Progress Of Female Characters, Writers & Makers

Great news, Bang2writers: I think we can safely say 2013 was a good year for female characters. Why? Well check this out:  And this: Aaaaaaand this:  [If you want to read more, click on the pics.] The three movies above were not the only big budget fare this year to feature unusual female characters; THE WOLVERINE featured not just one, but TWO Women of Colour in prominent roles; PACIFIC RIM also featured a WoC in a prominent role: Mako Mori, who was widely praised for her representation by feminist commentators. In addition, there has been a veritable EXPLOSION of commentary about… Read More »9 Ways To Celebrate The Progress Of Female Characters, Writers & Makers

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Is “Good” Characterisation Really About Change?

Characters SHOULD change? At first glance, it would seem the answer to this question about character change is obvious. It’s oft said so-called “good” characterisation is about change by writing Gurus, script readers, editors and educators. It’s said that a character – usually the protagonist – must make a personal realisation or change something physical (or indeed, both), whilst DOING something else (usually the situation apparent). What’s more, the notion of  “arc” and “character development” is drummed  into writers of ALL descriptions, but especially screenwriters. Since the advent of transmedia and convergence of all the mediums then, it makes sense that novelists… Read More »Is “Good” Characterisation Really About Change?

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5 Inspiring Monsters

Many thanks to Lorna Freytag (and the lovely David for facilitating) in bringing the awesome Sock Monster to mine and my WGs’ attention! I love the simplicity of the story and find the notion of storybook apps really interesting, plus my girls Emmeline and Lilirose adore the Sock Monster and have been searching for one in their bedroom all week to feed *their* socks! What I love about Lorna’s post  is how she demonstrates how the existing “pre-sold” monsters helped inform her story, yet also make hers stand out too: the “same, but different” in action! Over to Lorna … Enjoy!… Read More »5 Inspiring Monsters

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#LondonSWF 2013 – On My Way!

So I’m off on my travels all day today to London for the fourth annual London Screenwriters’ Festival! Tonight I’ll be at the networking and registration drinks. Come and find me and practice your networking skills or pitches on me. That’s right – I ASKED FOR IT, C’MON! But before you do, watch out for these pitch killers or I’ll blast a klaxon in your face! FRIDAY Tomorrow, in the morning I will be in the Final Draft Marquee, ready to answer delegates’ questions as an LSF Roving Expert. There is a whole fleet of us, you can’t miss us:… Read More »#LondonSWF 2013 – On My Way!

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B2W is on Ask.Fm: Answering Your Writing Qs

FYI, B2W is now on Ask.FM as well as all the usual channels, for longer questions and for those Bang2writers who prefer to ask about writing Qs anonymously. Here is a round up of a few I’ve answered recently. See you there! 1) How do you get representation as a writer, without previous work under your belt? I have scripts that I would love to get out, but I don’t know where to start with getting my work out there. Any advice?  I get asked how to get representation all the time, so here’s my post on the subject. Generally speaking… Read More »B2W is on Ask.Fm: Answering Your Writing Qs

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How To Make It As A Writer (HINT: This Shit Ain’t Accidental)

DYK? Success is NOT Accidental So, if there’s one thing that drives me batshit crazy, it’s when people think success is somehow accidental. Those people will say: “It’s DIFFERENT for you.” But yeah, okay: fine. Let’s run with that. Yes, it WAS different for me …  I was a very young single Mum, with no money. I lived literally in the middle of nowhere, with no childcare. Social media had not been invented yet! There were very few books, courses or whatever … And the ones that *were* around I couldn’t afford or weren’t relevant to me anyway (waaaah). … In other words?… Read More »How To Make It As A Writer (HINT: This Shit Ain’t Accidental)

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12 Top Tips For Taking Writing Meetings

All About Meetings I’m delighted to say the hardcore contingent of the Bang2writers are taking meetings more and more often now. These writers getting meetings are most often those with … A specific writing strategy (more on these, HERE) Know ‘where’ they are in creating their own careers Stick to their writing goals, but also review and re-evaluate them too However, this also means these writers are asking me more and more often what is the “right” way to take meetings! With this in mind, I thought it was time for a post on the subject. First things first, it… Read More »12 Top Tips For Taking Writing Meetings

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Top 10 Reasons Your Blog Sucks

Blog Kung Fu So, about about a year ago, the inemitable Chris Jones said to me my old blog looked like crap. “Screw you, whiskers!” I said (OK I didn’t. I wouldn’t dare start a fight with Chris; his scriptwriting/filmmaking Kung Fu is too strong … He would crumple me like a beer can). Instead I said: “OK Christoff. What do you advise?” He said, “… That your blog is your shop window, young Skywalker!” … And turned green. Yeah Chris Jones is Yoda. Here’s why: your blog IS your shop window. You can be one of those X-Rated shop windows with the… Read More »Top 10 Reasons Your Blog Sucks

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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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What Is A Screenplay Option Agreement & How Does It Work?

All About Option Agreements Many thanks to  Bang2writers Eileen, Neil, Jordan and Elle who’ve all emailed or left messages asking about how a screenplay option works recently. A screenplay option is  usually a pretty straightforward thing which generally do the following … 1) Rights The writer assigns the producer or filmmaker the rights (or ownership) of the screenplay and/or story behind it for a limited time. 2) Exclusive The Producer buys that time for a certain amount of money, for “exclusivity”. The screenwriter is not permitted to work on that screenplay with anyone else during that time. 3) Revert At the… Read More »What Is A Screenplay Option Agreement & How Does It Work?

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How Do I Write A Great Character?

We hear all the time about two dimensional, stereotypical or even downright offensive characters. None of us can believe we’d EVER write something **like that**, so instead we point figures at those who do and keep on writing our stuff, sure ours are that much better. A lot is said about the “usual” characters, too: how readers are seeing the *types* of characters, doing the same types of things, for the same types of reasons, in the same types of stories. Then there are the writers trying to go against the tide  and do *something different*. Though admirable in intent,… Read More »How Do I Write A Great Character?

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The 7 Deadly Writing Sins

Many thanks to the marvellous Gill Kirk who suggested “The 7 Deadly Sins of Writing” as a blog topic! (If you have an idea for a topic or a writing question, then tweet me or leave a message in the B2W Facebook group.) 7) Lust No, I’m not talking about sleeping your way to the top … though whatever floats your boat! Under its old meaning, “lust” referred to the notion of DESIRE – and desire to succeed can cloud writers’ judgement in all kinds of surprising (and potentially career-kicking) ways. Obviously a healthy desire to succeed is good. But then… Read More »The 7 Deadly Writing Sins

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