Top 25 B2W Articles
For the first time, I’ve collected all the most-hit articles on this site together in this handy Top 25. Make sure you bookmark it. Enjoy!
How To Write A TV Series Bible That Sells Your Pilot
July 13, 2009
What Is A ‘TV Series Bible’? A TV Series Bible refers to the treatment, or pitch document that accompanies a spec TV pilot when it goes out on submission. Since there are spec TV pilot scripts flying all over the place, your bible needs to “stand out” from the rest of ’em. But how? Well, for… Read More »How To Write A TV Series Bible That Sells Your Pilot
29 Ways NOT To Submit To An Agent
March 5, 2013
Some real submission horror stories here!! Many thanks to Carole Blake from the Blake Friedmann Literary Agency for providing a VERY comprehensive list on how NOT to submit to an agent. This is a fab list and I have actually had a number 27 myself!! Maybe it was the same lady??? Enjoy, plus don’t forget to… Read More »29 Ways NOT To Submit To An Agent
5 Openers That Make Readers GROAN
December 19, 2011
Updated for 2020 It’s all about PAGE ONE We hear loads about the judgements made on our first ten pages, but spend even a short while as a script reader and you’ll see in real terms many scripts don’t even make it past the first PAGE. Le shock! How can this be??? It’s very… Read More »5 Openers That Make Readers GROAN
Which Screenwriting Software Is The Best? (Paid-For & Free)
September 24, 2009
[Kept updated as much as possible] All About Software One question new writers always ask in the B2W Facebook group is whether they should buy screenwriting software. So hello to Michelle who asks: “I’ve heard mixed advice from everyone on the screenwriting software issue… Some advise getting it, others say there’s no need for expensive… Read More »Which Screenwriting Software Is The Best? (Paid-For & Free)
7 Things Readers Can Tell About Your Script On Page 1
September 23, 2012
I’ve lost count over the years of how many writers have told me readers *can’t* know their story from the first ten pages. Those writers complain it’s not enough time and that readers are nasty creatures who form premature and false assumptions about the writing in front of them. It’s not fair, etc. Well I… Read More »7 Things Readers Can Tell About Your Script On Page 1
Top 5 Ways Writers Screw Up Their Characters
March 22, 2013
Don’t Screw Up Your Characters Characters are the lifeblood of any great story, so we don’t want to screw up on this … BUT writers frequently do. There are multiple, multiple ways to screw up on characterisation, but here are the typical ways … Characters are ‘tropey’, ie. derivative of existing characters, so boring They… Read More »Top 5 Ways Writers Screw Up Their Characters
Screenplay Format – The B2W One Stop Shop
April 30, 2010
Good Format Is … … Not getting BUSTED! Screenplay format is top of the pile when work experience kids read our work (and they are!). Unfortunately, screenplay format is what they understand and latch onto. Whilst any writer can obviously do what they want, there are obvious and basic things a writer can avoid/cut/change to make… Read More »Screenplay Format – The B2W One Stop Shop
How To Use Plot Devices – Voiceover, Flashback, Montage, Intercut and Dream Sequence
April 10, 2008
Plot Devices With A Bad Name … There are lots of plot devices in scriptwriting we hear are “frowned on”. We shouldn’t use voiceover or flashback is the usual (or voiceover WITH flashback!). I’ve also heard montage maligned in a similar fashion, as well as intercut and dream sequence. This is a load of rot… Read More »How To Use Plot Devices – Voiceover, Flashback, Montage, Intercut and Dream Sequence
How To Avoid Killer Errors In Your Screenplay’s Scenes
June 22, 2014
Killer Scenes I’ve been working my way through a GIGANTIC pile of Bang2writers’ screenplays of late and noticed a common theme between most of them: their individual scenes needed work (as well as overarching story & characterisation). Since screenplays are the sum of ALL their parts, I thought I would compose a complete rundown of… Read More »How To Avoid Killer Errors In Your Screenplay’s Scenes
6 Tips On Writing A One Page Pitch For Your Script Or Novel
November 4, 2012
All About The One Page Pitch Is there any more misunderstood and feared document than the one page pitch? Sometimes called a ‘one pager’ or synopsis (especially for novels), the one page pitch can make or break your submission. Lots of writers want to avoid writing a one page pitch. This is is a big… Read More »6 Tips On Writing A One Page Pitch For Your Script Or Novel
How To Put Together Your Writer’s Resumé For Submissions
February 5, 2012
What should you put in your writer resumé? “How do you put together a writer’s resumé? What should go in, what should be left out, what counts as relevant experience?” This is a great question I get all the time, so warrants a lengthier post. Many thanks to Gail over on the B2W Facebook page… Read More »How To Put Together Your Writer’s Resumé For Submissions
NEWSFLASH: Loglines Are Not Taglines. Here’s Why
May 11, 2010
Loglines Versus Taglines Loglines Are Not Taglines!! Cannot. Stress. This. Enough. Every week I see scores of pitches sent to my inbox, to my ears or via script listing sites. Yet every week I see loglines and taglines being mixed up!!! In the course of this post, I will breakdown which is why you need to… Read More »NEWSFLASH: Loglines Are Not Taglines. Here’s Why
2 Things ALL Writers Get Wrong In Early Drafts
January 25, 2014
What Writers Always Get Wrong There’s two things writers get wrong more than ANY OTHER writing craft elements … Yep: Not. Even. Kidding. We’re talking novelists AND screenwriters, plus pro writers JUST AS MUCH as the seasoned and newbies too ! Just about every single writer IN THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE including aliens (and why wouldn’t *they*… Read More »2 Things ALL Writers Get Wrong In Early Drafts
Do Your Preparation: How To Write Outlines, Beat Sheets And Treatments
May 16, 2008
You should do your preparation! Bang2writers often ask me what is the “best” way to go about writing a screenplay or novel. My answer? There is no “best” way. But it’s definitely going to help if you’ve done your preparation first in the form of an outline, beat sheet and/or treatment. Here’s why preparation work… Read More »Do Your Preparation: How To Write Outlines, Beat Sheets And Treatments
How To Get Past ‘No Unsolicited Material’
October 15, 2012
Updated No Unsolicited Material? So Get It Solicited … I’m always hearing from Bang2writers bemoaning the number of prodcos and agents that tell them they’re not accepting new clients, or that they won’t consider unsolicited material. My answer? Get them to SOLICIT YOUR WORK. Le duh. After all, ‘no unsolicited material’ simply means ‘don’t send… Read More »How To Get Past ‘No Unsolicited Material’
8 Mistakes That Will Kill Your Horror Screenplay DEAD
May 15, 2015
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… Read More »8 Mistakes That Will Kill Your Horror Screenplay DEAD
How To Become A Script Reader
September 22, 2011
How I became a script reader One question I get asked all the time is, “How do I become a script reader?” So, once and for all – here is the lowdown on how my consultancy Bang2write started – plus make sure you check out my course, Breaking Into Script Reading, back for its seventh year… Read More »How To Become A Script Reader
7 Things You Must Stop Doing If You Want To Be A Professional Writer
September 14, 2014
Want to a professional writer? Join the club! But this is the thing. You’re doing all the classes … You’re reading all the sites and trades; you can even pitch and network like a pro … but there’s one problem: You’re not thinking like a professional writer. That’s the bad news. The good news: you… Read More »7 Things You Must Stop Doing If You Want To Be A Professional Writer
6 Ways To Annoy The Crap Out Of People Online
September 22, 2013
ANTI-Social Media I talk to A LOT of people because I spend a lot of time on social media. You may have noticed. (Just a bit!). What you may not have realised however is how much I READ about social media. It’s a subject that really interests me, especially the notion of “best practices”. Why?… Read More »6 Ways To Annoy The Crap Out Of People Online
How To Maximise Your Screenplay Portfolio
October 3, 2012
Script Leads What’s in a screenwriter’s portfolio is very important. Most screenwriters know this, especially when they ask me for script leads. But there is usually a disconnect. The screenwriters often have the vain hope they MIGHT have *something* that magically ‘matches up’ with what producers and directors are looking for. Of course, 9 times… Read More »How To Maximise Your Screenplay Portfolio
9 Steps To Get Your Spec TV Pilot Written, Edited & Sent Out …
March 30, 2014
Writing, Editing & Submitting Your Spec TV Pilot Writing a spec TV pilot? Lots of writers are! Whilst many spec TV pilots **end up** great, their writers often tie themselves up in terrible knots getting them written, slowing themselves down, especially when they often send out works in progress, left, right and centre AS WELL.… Read More »9 Steps To Get Your Spec TV Pilot Written, Edited & Sent Out …
Top 20 Quotes For Writing Success
May 9, 2015
Sign up for the B2W Mailing List, HERE! If like me you’re feeling a little weary this week (with no destination in sight for the forseeable), I thought you’d appreciate some of my fave quotes on what constitutes SUCCESS … I bet you’re at least halfway there already! Also, don’t forget you can now check… Read More »Top 20 Quotes For Writing Success
What’s The Difference Between Thriller And Horror?
November 2, 2013
Thriller Vs. Horror Thriller and Horror … They’re practically the same genre, right? NOPE. Not by a long shot. Whilst they may share certain characteristics, Thriller and Horror are two definitive genres and this post will attempt to explain why in more detail. It’s A ‘Thriller / Horror’ Though I touch on this issue in… Read More »What’s The Difference Between Thriller And Horror?
10 Ways To Conquer Your Scene Description
March 3, 2013
All About Scene Description Scene description is arguably the most problematic, yet most important, element of your screenplay. You probably write more of it than anything else (that’s right … even if you subscribe to the notion “less is more”!). I’ve been writing a fair bit about scene description lately in notes for people lately.… Read More »10 Ways To Conquer Your Scene Description