What do writers want? Not in the big picture – standing onstage thanking a bunch of folks for an Oscar win – but in the day-to-day struggle that is writing. I think it is to be in The Flow – that illusive sweet spot where words, sentences, and thoughts pour almost effortlessly from your brain […]
S-E-X Tips for Screenwriters: What to say when people ask if I’m a “real writer”?
Dear Doctor T., The absolute worst part of the holidays wasn’t the travel travails, shopping stress, or even the heated family political arguments. It was the incessant questions from so called well-meaning family and friends: You still doing that writing thing? So when are we going to see your name on the big screen? You’re […]
How To Be (Not So) Great At Networking
I have been generous in letting Dr. Paige Turner hijack my blog. dig into her mailbag and answer writers’ questions with a suggestive nudge and a saucy wink, not to mention a bit of snark. But, I’ve been getting correspondence of late that begs for me to vent my frustrations and hopefully, shed some light […]
Negotiations: It’s Nice To Be Important, But It’s Important Not To Be A Jerk
Dear Paige, Woman-to-woman, do you think women always get the shaft in negotiations? I’ve read about top tier actresses getting paid far less than their male co-stars and even less than male supporting actors. I want to stand up for myself and get the best deal possible, but aren’t women who do this labeled “bitches”? […]
S-E-X Tips for Screenwriters: Reading for Friends and Strangers “Just Say No!”
Dear Paige, I‘m a giving kind of guy, so I’m always open to reading the work of other writers. I’ve put a lot into building my skills as a writer. I think this is a great way to build relationships. But Paige, some of these scripts… umm, stink. Despite this, I’ll kill myself on creating […]
The Idea File — Exercising The “Is this a good idea for a movie” Muscle
Every writer should have an Idea File – preferably a whole bunch of them, a little notebook you carry around, a file on your computer, a file folder, your iPhone, a shoebox. Anything and everything that works for you. My first junior development executive job was working for writer-producers Bruce Evans and Ray Gideon. They […]
S-E-X Tips for Screenwriters: Avoiding Logline Wipeouts
Dear Doc Turner, I give up. I can’t do it. I consider myself a writer, but putting together a logline has been more frustrating than writing an entire screenplay. How can a single sentence be so hard to write? I read up on loglines online and followed all the advice I could get. I’ve tried […]
The Logline Dilemma – Does Word Count Count?
Loglines seem deceptively simple. A single sentence, right? A sentence that must make people in the industry eager to read your script. If you’re trying to break in, the logline may be your most effective selling tool – indeed – it may be the only one available to you. But, strong, effective loglines are deceptively […]
S-E-X Tips for Screenwriters: The Free Rewrite
Dear Paige, I couldn’t be more excited! I’m finally working with a real, Hollywood professional! At first, they told me they LOVED my script. What a rush! But now they want me to make all these changes. For free. I thought that once I was a real, working writer, I’d be getting paid to write. […]
Wishin’ and Hopin’ Is Not Enough – Drive Baby, Drive
I’ve just finished a ScriptMag.com article on “drive” for my column, Breaking & Entering, comparing how automotive engines work to propela car forward, to what it really takes to successfully propel yourself toward a career in screenwriting. Operating on four-wheel drive means constantly creating material, building craft, generating ideas, and studying the marketplace while preparing […]
S-E-X Tips for Screenwriters: Are You Writing With Beer Goggles On?
Paige, please settle this debate once and for all. I’ve had it with all the back and forth. Is it really necessary to outline a script before you begin? I adore the thrill of the moment. Creating little details is so pleasurable. It’s the tiny touches that are arousing. Letting the story take me where […]
S-E-X Tips For Screenwriters: The Happy Ending
Dear Paige, I’m hoping for your advice. I’ve gotten my script into the hands of readers, and the feedback I’m getting is that they don’t like the ending. I don’t want to cave to peer pressure and the relentless push toward commercialized crap by grafting on a traditional, clichéd happy ending to my romantic comedy. […]
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