You're An Idiot: Making Value From Reaction To Your Screenwriting

If you're like me, if someone doesn’t like something about my screenplay, my very first reaction is always the same. You're not as smart as me. If you knew what I knew, you would understand what I wrote. And you don't understand what I wrote, because you don't know as much as I do. About everything, in general. In short, life. You know, people. Planet Earth.

How To Get Started As A Writer

Writing for me, and a lot of other people, has always been quite easy. It helps to have an interest and it helps to have nimble fingers. I read a lot and meet a lot of people. That also helps.

Finding Prompts to Inspire Your Stories

Sometimes a story idea just hits a writer. An idea pops into your mind and you are off and writing. Other times, you are not so lucky. You sit at your desk and wonder what you will write today. Prompts are a wonderful way to jumpstart your writing. You may be wondering where you can find your own muse-inspiring writing prompts in the real-world.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Near Death Experience Confrontation

It is at the stage of the Near Death Experience that a Hero often confronts the antagonism in one form or other. In Straw Dogs (1971), David fires Cawsey et al. In Scarface (1983), the FBI arrest Tony et al.

Writing for Profits Online

Writing for profits online is so very exciting. I enjoy doing it, and there are many others online who enjoy it, too. But I think that there is both an art and a science to writing for profits online. I think that there is in a sense a formula to making it work, and I think that there is an underlying art to writing for profits online.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Blood and Transmogrification

The progression of the Transmogrification - the physical change - is often symbolised by the appearance of blood. In Straw Dogs (1971), David shoots the bird...the bloood seeps out and onto his clothes.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Physical Marker of the Oracle

A physical marker to the Oracle (or one that separates the Hero's World from that of the Oracle) is not uncommon. In Straw Dogs (1971), David opens the cupboard door to find the dead cat.

Three Concerns for Writers When Writing Fiction

An author should be unique in writing style, and should possess a voice that attracts readers and inspires them to want to seek out books that mimic yours, rather than leave them guessing for whom you take after. That said, there are a number of tics that readers (and editors) may find more annoying than amusing. In the spirit of previous articles on the subject of style, I hereby submit three more personal nitpicks of mine: devices and phrases I have seen in bestsellers and small press offerings. The following are not necessarily incorrect or improper, but may cause distraction if overused in a manuscript. Grab a pen and proceed with caution.

Point Of View In Fiction - What's Right And What's Wrong

Who is telling your story? Which point of view should you use and why? Writing guru Rob Parnell tells all.

Creating Ideas For Children's Books

Where do you get your ideas? Robyn Opie, author of 61 published children's books, is asked this question all the time. Read this article to find out.

What Do Publishers Want?

Ever wondered what you need to do to get published? Author of 61 published children's books shares her experience of publishers.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Outer Cave of the First Threshold

The Outer Cave of the First Threshod is where the Hero's Outer Challenge is made explicit, In Straw Dogs (1971), David sees Charlie put her hands on Amy's throat; he hides behind the curtain - a metaphor for his hiding in the house.

Writing Effective Press Releases

There is a heck of a lot of time being spent in America writing useless press releases that go nowhere. Sometimes even the company commissioning them don't expect them to go anywhere. Why waste time with PR schlock when you could be getting press releases that actually promote your business?

Press Releases - Step By Step Guide To Writing And Formatting

OK. You have a message to convey, all your facts and figures are well-researched, and you're ready to put pen to paper, or fingers to the keyboard! But, what is the best way to format a press or media release for maximum impact?

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Third Catharsis

With the Antagonist vanquished, his allies and lieutenants slip away. In Lord of the Rings (2004), the enemy armies disappear in smoke. In The Matrix (1999), the other agents run from Neo after he defeats Smith.