Josh Olson, screenwriter of A History of Violence, wrote this fantastic article about a non-writer “friend” who asked him, as a favor, to read an outline. This explains exactly why writers shouldn’t spend free time reading work that isn’t at a peer level. Because the average non-writer douchebag isn’t really interested in notes. They just […]
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Director Michael Hoffman on Finding the Truth of the Story
I had another favorite moment in the Telluride Film Festival Q&A after the screening of Michael Hoffman’s “The Last Station,” about the last year of Leo Tolstoy’s life. The movie stars Christopher Plummer as Tolstoy, Helen Mirren as his wife, James McAvoy, Paul Giamatti and Kerry Condon. Ken Burns moderated a discussion with Helen Mirren […]
Helen Mirren on Gerard Depardieu and What’s on the Page
Today’s the last day of the 36th annual Telluride Film Festival. There were a couple of highlights, but my favorite was the Q&A after the screening of Michael Hoffman’s “The Last Station,” about the last year of Leo Tolstoy’s life. The movie stars Christopher Plummer as Tolstoy, Helen Mirren as his wife, James McAvoy, Paul […]
Writing Down the Page
“Writing down the page” is an expression that basically means the thrust of the story moves down the page with action, description, dialogue and carefully chosen sparse elements, so the reader’s eye is continually pulled down the page and then to the next page. You should aim not to get the reader’s eye stuck in […]
Subject Matter: The Legal Thriller
You might not like it, but I just have to say it: My advice with legal thrillers is “just say no.” Legal thrillers can be completely amazing, but this genre is pretty well tapped out. We’ve now birthed three solid generations of “Law and Order” and franchise viewers, as well as two strong generations of […]
Subject Matter: Be Fresh
Let’s take a fresh look at writing “fresh” subject matter. Subject matter is key, because there is a tremendous amount of material out there that doesn’t bring something that feels new or unique to the table. There is no fresh take on the material. Hollywood doesn’t really want something totally new. This is for a […]
2009 CineStory Screenwriting Awards: Enter Now!
The 2009 CineStory Screenwriting Awards are now accepting submissions. CineStory is a very unique non-profit that mentors writers to help them improve their craft and workshop their writing with industry professionals. This is a fantastic organization and worth entering the competition. Competition winners are invited to a special retreat in Idyllwild where they will work […]
Playing With Ideas: Part II
This next information might seem completely basic to you, but take note. Some of my best ideas come in just a fragment of a thought. It might not even be a complete thought. It might just be one small thing, that later connects to another small thing, and then once the connections start, something evolves. […]
Playing With Ideas: Part I
I guess lately I’m in the zone, because I feel like every time I talk with someone I end up giggling like an idiot and saying, “Hey, that would make a great starting concept for a movie.” Of course, I don’t generally point this out to other writers. Well, sometimes. But, non-writers usually tilt their […]
Our Universal Theme
It’s said that every writer has a universal theme. We write about what we’re working on emotionally in our lives. It is our own personal fatal flaw, that one issue that we’re unable to move past. Likely the thing from our developmental years that torments us. Real or imagined, it doesn’t matter. It’s that thing […]
Don’t Sit on Your Ideas
I have a lot if ideas. I find an idea in everything. Sometimes I can come up with an idea years before I actually sit down to write it. They sort of kick around in my head while they gel, but then once the characters start nagging me, I know it’s time for them to […]
We Write to our Weaknesses
I’m still in the stage wherein every time I embark upon a new project, I’m teaching myself something about the technical process of writing and also about the human experience. I think the greatest gift a writer can give is in illuminating the human experience in a fresh or unique way, and in the experience […]
The Importance of a Writers’ Group
I am a huge advocate of the peer writers’ group. Finding a supportive and encouraging peer writers’ group is really important. This is critical to growing as an artist. I can’t recommend having a group enough. I was in a bad way last night and had a pep talk with a friend from my writers’ […]
2009 PAGE Awards Semifinalists Announced
The 2009 PAGE Awards semifinalists have been announced. For a list of semifinalists, click here.
Don’t Wait for the Muse: Create Your Own Inspiration
When inspiration strikes, it can feel like lightning from heaven. We all know that feeling of being so passionate about something that we just need to get it on the page – and we don’t stop until it’s written. That can be an amazing feeling. However, we can also have droughts when there’s not a […]