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Women & Writing

Top 15 Genius Creatives And What Writers Can Learn From Them

Want to be thought of as a GENIUS in this writing lark? Then you need to check out what’s gone before … But also crucially, who’s trod the path before you, too! Many thanks to Michael for this brilliant dose of inspiration in this very diverse list. Whilst you may not have enjoyed every piece of work these creatives have produced, fact is they’re at the top of their game. There’s lots we can learn from them in our own writing journeys. Enjoy! Genius Creatives If you want to become a genius creative yourself, it’s a good idea to try… Read More »Top 15 Genius Creatives And What Writers Can Learn From Them

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What Marvel Can Teach Us About Writing Powerful Villains

Marvel Villains Every hero needs an opposing villain. They go together. Plus you can’t get more heroic or iconic than the notion of a SUPER hero! There have always been stories of these special kinds of hero, in every culture. There’s always talk of ‘superhero fatigue’ online, but the reality is audiences can’t get enough. It’s no accident that studios like Marvel have been doing so well with superheroes. Marvel knows what entertains their target audience and they have provided it. AVENGERS ENDGAME finally usurped TITANIC at second place on the biggest box office smashes of all time recently.  Love or loathe… Read More »What Marvel Can Teach Us About Writing Powerful Villains

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How To Write With Emotional Truth

What Is ‘Emotional Truth’? Industry pro or audience member, it seems everyone wants emotional truth in writing. But what is this? We hear a lot about the fabled writer’s voice, or the more vague notion of writers having ‘something to say’. But frequently this just is not enough to guide writers. So I sat down and gave it some thought. In my book, Writing And Selling Drama Screenplays, I defined ’emotional truth’ as: The part of the story that values the honesty and integrity of emotion, via authenticity, passion and pain.  Let’s break this definition down some more. Passion, Pain,… Read More »How To Write With Emotional Truth

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How To Be A Successful Writer – Tips From Joanna Penn

Be A Successful Writer – meet Joanna Penn! B2W always says it’s worth asking those who DO the job you want … So I cracked open my little black book and contacted successful ‘authorpreneur’, Joanna Penn. Joanna is an award-nominated, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of thrillers under ‘J.F.Penn’, she also writes non-fiction for authors. She’s also a podcaster and an award-winning creative entrepreneur. Her site, TheCreativePenn.com has been voted in the Top 101 sites for writers by Writer’s Digest. What I love about Joanna’s advice here is it’s just as applicable for screenwriters as it is… Read More »How To Be A Successful Writer – Tips From Joanna Penn

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7 Things I Learned At The Comedy Awards

The Comedy Awards Earlier this week the best movie, TV and radio writers came together for The Writers’ Guild of Great Britain Awards 2019. You don’t often see writers at televised awards ceremonies. We’re an unloved category on most glitzy nights. Our natural inclination to introversion and perceived lack of dress sense define us as bad telly. The awards aren’t televised but they do attract some of the biggest names in the business, while reminding producers, agents and commissioners how great stories and the people who tell them remain at the heart of our creative industries. There are now three… Read More »7 Things I Learned At The Comedy Awards

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10 Top TV Writers Share Their Writing Career Secrets

Career Secrets of TV Writers There’s lots of Bang2writers who want to be TV writers. But writing career secrets can be hard to come by when everyone’s journey is so different. It becomes easier to imagine breaking in and grabbing that elusive career is all just luck. But it’s not. If we focus on BUILDING a career, then we can see it is all in our own hands. The TV writers below have all broken into the industry and built a career, so why can’t we? Here’s what my 10 (okay, 11!) Top TV writers said when I asked them,… Read More »10 Top TV Writers Share Their Writing Career Secrets

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10 Top TV Writers Share Their Writing Craft Secrets

Craft Secrets ‘Writing secrets’ brings writers to this blog every day. It would seem everyone thinks there’s secrets out there that everyone else knows, but they don’t. I’m not immune to this either, I would LOVE to know! So I thought I’d round up a bunch of top TV writers and ask THEM what their personal writing secrets are … Here’s the answers I got asking, ‘What’s your top tip for writing craft?’ Enjoy! 1) ‘Emotional courage stands out’ – Ashley Pharoah My tip is not to bury the emotion under the craft. Emotional courage is what is needed to… Read More »10 Top TV Writers Share Their Writing Craft Secrets

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Top 10 Links To Help You With Great Characterisation

All About Great Characterisation Great characterisation is key in storytelling, whether we are writing screenplays or novels. But what specifically makes great characterisation? More importantly, how do we create authentic characters? Characters who feel so real we hate them with a passion, or develop a crush on them. It should be a surprise to no one that creating amazing characters takes skill! To help you with yours, here’s a round up of  what you need to know: 1) 5 Simple Tips for Powerful Character Development Characters are the soul of your story. Take care in naming them. Think about their backstory.… Read More »Top 10 Links To Help You With Great Characterisation

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50 Empowering Quotes From Fictional Female Characters

Quotes From Fictional Women Both ‘quotes’ and ‘female characters’ are often sought-after Google topics on this site … So when I saw this graphic combined BOTH, I couldn’t resist! For more quotes and insights from pro writers and fictional people, check THIS POST out. I think my favourite of the quotes below is Kitty Pryde’s, especially this bit: “You keep waiting for the dust to settle … then you realise, this is it. This is your life going on.” It reminds me of one of my fave Doris Lessing quotes: “Whatever you’re meant to do, do it now. The conditions… Read More »50 Empowering Quotes From Fictional Female Characters

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We Need To Talk About Lionel Shriver

Shriver Roars Again Is Lionel Shriver okay? The reason I feel I have to ask is because she’s been making waves AGAIN about diversity in the arts. So much so, it would seem she’s got herself booted off the judging panel of the Myslexia short story contest, as you may have seen on social media yesterday: (Being so against the concept of diversity I’m only surprised Shriver ever wanted to be part of a judging panel that ‘favours’ female writers when they ‘should’ be picked SOLELY ON THEIR MERIT, but moving swiftly onwards). But Who Is Lionel Shriver? But okay,… Read More »We Need To Talk About Lionel Shriver

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39 Animated Heroes Offer Their Advice To Writers

Animated Inspiration Animated properties like comic books, movies and TV shows are often popular with children – and more and more, we take these first loves into adulthood as well. It’s not hard to see why, either: our animated heroes – particularly superheroes – have many life lessons and morals to teach us. Looking at icons such as Batman, Spider-Man and Wonder Woman can be particularly useful to writers, whether we personally like them or not. After all, these are some of the most enduring characters of the modern age, meaning there are certain questions we can consider for our… Read More »39 Animated Heroes Offer Their Advice To Writers

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Top 5 Ways To Make Your Web Series Successful

Web series can be a great way for a writer to making content that is meaningful to them. It’s also a fab way to get that content in front of an audience without waiting around for a network or commissioner to greenlight a project. But just like every other part of a writing career, producing a successful web series requires planning and persistence. Here’s my advice and top tips after creating my own web series BLACK GIRL IN A BIG DRESS, which currently has over one million views online! 1) Know your goals and plan specifically for them To use… Read More »Top 5 Ways To Make Your Web Series Successful

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