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Zeitgeist Stories

13 Experts Share What They’d Like To See Next In Diverse Literature

Check out the official site of #WeNeedDiverseBooks, HERE. After yesterday’s post where our experts gave us a GREAT reading list of diverse books to get stuck into, I asked them what they’d like to see NEXT from diverse books … Enjoy! 1) Jessica Reid, Legend Press. For more of diverse books to get noticed and receive the praise they deserve! 2) Oli Munson, Literary Agent, AM Heath. I’d like to see more literature representing the modern African experience IN Africa, not just the diaspora. Genuine African settings which avoid clichés LIKE THESE. 3) Paula Daly, Author. I would love to see a… Read More »13 Experts Share What They’d Like To See Next In Diverse Literature

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8 Mistakes That Will Kill Your Comedy Screenplay DEAD

Being gifted at comedy always makes people popular. Why? Because no one EVER says, “You know what I need to do LESS in my life?? Laugh.”  On this basis then, writing comedy is a great way to get you and/or your work noticed. But, just like other genres that have their own specific pitfalls, comedy is no different. Feast your eyes on these issues that can make your comedy craptacular and your funny fizzle out in your spec screenplay: 1) Forget Physical Comedy Funny dialogue is absolutely essential in comedy screenplays, whether feature, TV pilot, sitcom or short film. However,… Read More »8 Mistakes That Will Kill Your Comedy Screenplay DEAD

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Top 10 Writing Misconceptions

Whenever anyone asks what I do and I reply, “I’m a writer” and/or “I’m a script editor“, they’ll reply, “Wow! How interesting.” My reaction to this is always an indulgent, “Awwwwwwwww …” because as anyone knows, there’s a STACK of misconceptions laypeople (and indeed other writers!) have about writing in general. Here’s just ten of them … Enjoy! 1) Writers love writing Hahahaha. No. And Yes. And NO NO NO NO … just no. I hate writing SO MUCH. Except when I don’t and it’s awesome. MORE: 7 Writing Reminders 2) Writing is all about talent Some of us are uber-talented.… Read More »Top 10 Writing Misconceptions

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8 Mistakes That Will Kill Your Sci Fi Screenplay DEAD

I get a LOT of Science Fiction at B2W … It’s a genre that’s been cool for a good while now, especially in spec TV pilots. In addition, it’s a fab genre for writers to really show off how BIG they can think in their feature scripts, especially as samples but also for those writers wanting to crack the US studio system. Also, just because  Science Fiction is high concept doesn’t mean it *can’t* be low budget either, so it can work for short film too. In short, Sci Fi has got plenty going for it for spec writers. Yet… Read More »8 Mistakes That Will Kill Your Sci Fi Screenplay DEAD

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Top 7 Writing Tips For Great Characterisation

One thing Bang2writers ask me all the time is, “HOW do I write a great character?” and many of them get frustrated when I say, “it depends”. But it does! On any number of things, not least of all: 1) WHAT you’re trying to achieve  Look. It’s very fashionable to say “character is everything”, but we know it’s not really:  a character-led drama is NOT the same as a high octane genre piece; literary fiction is NOT the same as genre fiction. That’s not to say characterisation doesn’t matter in the latter because that’s clearly not the case. But what you’re trying… Read More »Top 7 Writing Tips For Great Characterisation

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8 Mistakes That Will Kill Your Horror Screenplay DEAD

Horror is a high concept genre that can lend itself easily to low budget filmmaking (both feature and short film), so it’s no wonder I get so many of them across my desk via B2W and my industry clients. What’s more, audiences’ gore tolerance is on the UP, so television can be considerably more scary and violent than it used to be as well. Yet just there ARE some classic clangers scribes can fall into when attempting the horror genre, so check this out for size because they will kill your Horror screenplay DEAD: 1) Just write a string of… Read More »8 Mistakes That Will Kill Your Horror Screenplay DEAD

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Why Writer Luck Is More Than Throwing Spaghetti At The Wall

Spaghetti Sticks … We’ve all heard the metaphor of writer luck being a case of throwing spaghetti at the wall. This makes sense, because the more spaghetti you cook up, the more you throw at the wall, the LIKELIHOOD of spaghetti sticking is increased. So, in other words, keep on keeping on. You’ve also probably heard of the notion, ‘The harder I work, the luckier I get’! But this doesn’t have to mean just randomly throwing spaghetti at that wall. There ARE things you can do to work smart, rather than hard, at getting that spaghetti to stick. Such as: 1)… Read More »Why Writer Luck Is More Than Throwing Spaghetti At The Wall

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8 Mistakes That Will Kill Your Drama Screenplay DEAD

Drama can be ANYTHING. Literally, anything. So why am I reading the same stuff??? Whether short film, TV pilot or feature, here’s how to KILL your drama screenplay’s chances in the spec pile: 1) Write about the same-old, same-old These are the facts. Everyone writes dramas about: i) depression/suicide ii) addiction iii) domestic violence iv) terminal cancer v) poverty Sometimes ALL of these in one piece! True story. Now, you CAN write about these things, but you gotta have some authenticity and emotional truth, otherwise DON’T BOTHER (see number 2). Also, make sure it’s not written the same way as… Read More »8 Mistakes That Will Kill Your Drama Screenplay DEAD

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Give Them What They Want And Get What You Want

This is the thing. Whilst it’s true some people are philanthropic, most people are not going to let you do what you want without you first giving them something THEY want. This applies in all walks of life, from relationships and sex, through to the world of school and work, ESPECIALLY money. Life is a series of negotiations and compromises. That’s how human society works – and probably, a lot of the animal kingdom too. We certainly see this element of bargaining in our cousins in ape society. But we all know this, really. Yet, when it comes to creative… Read More »Give Them What They Want And Get What You Want

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Tropes Vs. Cliches: A Storyteller’s Guide

Oh, internet – WE NEED TO TALK!! You bet your ass there’s “tropes” everywhere in writing, filmmaking or any other creative work. That’s because the REAL definition of “trope” is thus: trope trəʊp/noun a figurative or metaphorical use of a word or expression. “both clothes and illness became tropes for new attitudes toward the self” a significant or recurrent theme; a motif. “she uses the Eucharist as a pictorial trope” (definition via Google) Redefined For The Digital Age? Seems to me, internet-wide, the word “trope” has come to mean THIS: – I don’t like this genre – I don’t like… Read More »Tropes Vs. Cliches: A Storyteller’s Guide

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5 Screenwriting Hard Truths (Or The Best Way To F*** Up Your Screenplay)

I’m proud to welcome my collabro JK Amalou back to B2W today to share with his thoughts on what REALLY sells your writing “off the page”, which is a great concept! Like I always say to Bang2writers and screenwriting students, I can read great writing whenever I want so how are you going to differentiate if you want to make a SALE? Even if you want to write samples, you STILL need to differentiate from the rest in the pile!! Read it and weep, spec screenwriters … and take the first step towards harnessing the power of concept by contacting JK today,… Read More »5 Screenwriting Hard Truths (Or The Best Way To F*** Up Your Screenplay)

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Want A FREE Podcast On Writing The Thriller Genre?

We interrupt this Scriptchat Sunday to make you the following offer!!! Read on to find out how to get this free podcast … Want to write a Thriller screenplay? Well the industry want them … especially if they’re low budget, with a kickass central concept. You SHOULD be writing Thrillers! But maybe you JUST DON’T KNOW WHERE TO START and you want some inspiration? Maybe you have no idea what separates Thriller and Horror; or why your Thriller feels like a drama? Maybe you want to avoid typical stories and problems in the thriller spec pile; or maybe you’re unsure… Read More »Want A FREE Podcast On Writing The Thriller Genre?

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