But it's been several years since I tried my hand at writing a screenplay. My default is novelist, not screenwriter. I needed a step-by-step process that would allow me to write a spec script I was proud to share, a good story that was worth a production company's investment. “ A...
Something (that may be) similar to what you describe is the size of the hobbits in Lord of the Rings. We know that hobbits are smaller than humans but Tolkien doesn’t remind us all the time. He just drops in a hint here and there. We need to keep in touch with the characters’ ...
If you’re writing a spec script, you should steer clear of using a transition unless there’s no other way to describe what’s happening in the story. For example, you might use ‘DISSOLVE TO:’ to show that a large portion of time has passed. ...
While Sophie claims she hasn’t been obsessing over this project all night, the actions in between her words indicate there’s nothing on her mindbutwork. The result is that youshow, through the action beats vs. the dialogue, Sophie being hardworking—rather than telling it. ...
Describe your routine when conceiving of a book and its plot, before the writing begins. Do you like to map out your books ahead of time, or just let it flow? I have a pretty good idea of where my book is going when I start writing. I’m very old-fashioned, in the sense that ...
They use phrases like “optimize” and “invigorate” to describe what the site might bring to the area. They insist it will be “mutually beneficial.”But these benefits, if they are even to be taken seriously, are one-sided. Life in this pastoral community depends on finely tuned ...
It would be possible for the reader to guess what each tasted like, but here, Ima seems to be going out of her way not to describe them. Now that you’ve read the text of her entry through twice (at least, I hope you have), though, did you happen to catch the typo t...
My writing epiphany was when somebody told me to stop adding ‘ly’ to describe, it was a cop out. But in terms of yours, I’d like to know what really happened on that double-decker bus? Kristi: Wha— whaddya mean?! (wipes sweat from brow) Niamh O’Connor: I wanna know the ...
I consider that to be a blessing because it pushes me out to the garden or out of the house altogether a lot more often. Nothing better for thinking things through than being away from my computer. Long walks, I love you. Research Not having done enough research is often the reason why...
Eisenberg and Culkin’s great acting is showcased, especially during the scenes where they let their emotions rip. Their best scene together is atop a hotel, where they smoke pot and old wounds furiously come to the surface. Besides the acting, Eisenberg, the screenwriter, immerses the audience...