Big Ideas Blog
How to Write a Screenplay? Be A Self-Taught Screenwriter!
Autodidactic is a fancy word for someone who is self-taught. When it comes to how to write a screenplay, many aspiring screenwriters believe that they can be self-taught, and acquire all the skills that they need. In my mentorship sessions with consulting clients, I...
Story Foundation: Where Great Scripts Begin
When learning how to write a screenplay, there is a lot of focus on structure. But if you want to create a truly strong script, craft a story foundation first. As I worked with seminar students during their mentorship, I wanted them to have an effective way to...
S-E-X Tips for Screenwriters – How To Get In Bed With An Agent
Dearest Dr. Turner, One thing that will make my life complete. There is only one thing in the world that I want, need, dream of night and day. One thing that will make me a success. An agent. Please tell me how I can get an agent of my very own. Help me Paige!...
How to Start Your Own Writers’ Group
Guest Blog by Mark Fergus So, you’ve heard of this thing called a “writers’ group.” But what is it, why is it and who is it? A screenwriters’ group is a collection of creative people whose passion is to create stories that can some...
Novice to Nominee! First Scripts That Conquered Hollywood
I can’t count the times an aspiring writer complained to me, “But I read a script by So-and-So Famous Writer and they did that! And now you’re telling me I can’t?” Yes, they did break so-called sacrosanct screenwriting rules. But you can't break conventions until you...
The “Just One Thing” Rewrite: A Guide to Better Rewrites
Ernest Hemingway is credited with saying, “The only kind of writing is rewriting,” although countless writers have expressed a variation on “Writing is rewriting.” While this conventional wisdom is solid, in screenwriting, continually doing a traditional Page-One...
Building Relationships – From A Spark to A Blaze to Ignition
I frequently talk about the immense power of building relationships in my ScriptMag column, as it is essential to breaking into the industry and it is definitely the best way to ignite your career. I’ve written about the importance of relationships, from the power to...
S-E-X Tips for Screenwriters: Help! My Script is Too Long!
Paige, I need your help. It's my page count. My script is too long! It's a whopping 123 pages! I know it will be instantly rejected by everyone, everywhere. This is my passion project, and it doesn’t stand a chance. This is so unfair! Who makes up these rules?...
Screenwriters Speak: Themes That Fascinate A-List Writers
Theme is a strong tool that can power your writing. Identifying your Personal Thematic, is a concept I first learned from producer and screenwriter Meg LeFauve, and story consultant, Laurie Hutzler that can impact your entire writing process. Themes add...
Turn No, No, No Notes to Yes, Yes, Yes!
Throughout your career as a writer, you will get notes. Hopefully you will receive some excellent notes that help elevate your material by offering news eyes and a fresh perspective. But I guarantee that you will get notes that you do not agree with. You will get...
Can you hear me now? Writer’s Voice Excites the Industry!
It is one of the highest compliments a writer can receive. The most sought after characteristic. The hallmark of a true storyteller. It sets pros apart from the rest. It’s the writer’s voice. The writer’s voice is a magic ingredient that...
Mentorship – A Powerful Hand Up
A few weeks ago, I was working at my “Saturday coffee shop," musing over what my next article should be, when a woman from across the patio got up and made a beeline in my direction. I could tell she wanted to ask me something. As she got closer, I was astonished to...
Confessions Of A Screenwriting FanGrrl: My A-List
I have publicly admitted that I am a storyaholic. Actually, I have proclaimed it proudly. What I have not been as forthcoming about is that I don’t just adore great storytelling. I fall in love with great writers. Literally. I relish those times when I have read a...
S-E-X Tips For Screenwriters: Conflicting Notes – What to do?
I’m ready to tear my hair out. Script notes are going to leave me bald and bitter! I put in a ton of work into the latest draft of my screenplay before sending it out to get feedback from fellow writers and from contest readers. The notes were completely in conflict...