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

Submission Horror Stories ‘How NOT to submit to agents’ is one of the top searches leading to this blog! It should be noted there’s no ‘right’ way to submit writing, but there *are* multiple wrong ways, so check this post out. There are some real submission horror stories here … Many thanks to Carole Blake… Read More »Submission Horror Stories: 29 Ways NOT To Submit To An Agent

Updated for 2020 It’s all about PAGE ONE First impressions count, so you don’t want the reader to GROAN the moment they open your screenplay. This might sound obvious advice … because it is! But how do we stop them from groaning? We hear loads about the judgements made on our first ten pages, but… Read More »5 Openers That Make Readers GROAN

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

[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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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’

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

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

Want to be a professional writer? One of the most-hit searches leading to this blog is ‘how to become a professional writer’. So good news – you’re here! I can definitely help advise you on this. But this is the thing. You’re doing all the classes … You’re reading all the sites and trades …… Read More »7 Things You Must Stop Doing If You Want To Be A Professional Writer

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

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 …

 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

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

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?