Writing a Novel? Think Like a Screenwriter: Why Structure Matters
As someone who’s lived through the heartbreak of endless rewrites and computer-crying sessions: writing without a plan is a one-way ticket to frustration. My first novel took three years and countless revisions. It was only because by a miracle I was able to land a script writing job and learn a whole new set of skills that I was like WAIT A SECOND! I did the book writing thing all wrong.
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How to Craft Characters That Bring Your Script to Life
So… fun important fact about me: I wrote a 327-page novel, poured three years of my life into it, only to find myself with a manuscript that didn’t go anywhere. I had a lot happening—cool scenes, shocking twists and a story. I knew it wasn’t working but didn’t know why until I read this ONE BOOK.
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5 Things That Count as Writing… That Aren't Actually Writing
As writers, we often get trapped in the idea that we must constantly be typing words on a page to make progress. But what if the best way to keep going creatively is by letting go of that pressure? The truth is, creativity is a journey, not a race to the finish. Austin Kleon captures this beautifully in Keep Going: 10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad. Kleon’s book provides an inspiring look at ways to stay focused, motivated, and resilient as a writer, reminding us that even the simplest daily rituals can fuel our creative fire.
5 Essential Screenwriting Books to Uplevel Your Craft Whether You’re an Amateur or Pro Writer
The worst thing that ever happened to me as a writer is taking the idea of “plotters” vs. “pants-ers” to heart. If you’re not familiar with the terms, you may be familiar with the concept. The idea is that there are two equally effective writing styles, the first one being a “plotter” someone who meticulously plans each story beat before the scripting even starts, and a “pants-er” someone who crafts their story “by the seed of their pants.”
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6 Proven Ways to Crush Distractions and Supercharge Your Writing
Being a writer is an incredibly rewarding yet challenging endeavor, and perhaps the hardest part isn’t coming up with brilliant ideas—but staying focused long enough to write them down. I’ve struggled with distractions myself: the never-ending to-do list, kids (or in my case, a cat) needing attention, notifications pinging, and let’s not even mention the temptation of social media. The good news? I’ve found some tools and strategies that actually help you avoid distractions and stay in your creative flow.
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Must-Have Gifts for Writers: Luxury and Budget-Friendly Options
As a professional writer for over seven years and an amateur writer since I wrote my school play in fifth grade, I may hold the record for most writing-related gifts ever received. I completely understand how shopping for the writer in your life can be frustrating and confusing. We are weird, emotional, reclusive people. So I wanted to help ya’ll out and make a writer’s gift list that the writer in your life will ACTUALLY want.
And look, this post may or may not be a subtle note to my friends and family: very few writers want a framed "WORD NERD" canvas with a sketchy picture of a typewriter or a mug that says, "Don’t piss off the writer or I’ll name a character after you and kill them."
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How Astrology Can Make You A Better Writer
You can have the best plot in the world, but without compelling characters, your script just becomes “COOL STUFF HAPPENING” which is the kiss of death in scriptwriting.
It may go against every bad screenwriting book you’ve ever read, but if you start with character FIRST then your writing will up-level. I promise, because it happened to me.
By Annamarie Davidson | The Text Files Blog