I once read a script that was about a party and the first half of the script was about introducing all the characters at the party.  One person arrived and the writer gave us his name and backstory and why he was there then moved to the next person who arrived.  This is boring when [...]

*Continued from yesterday’s post on how your insecurities could be causing you to write the wrong story. One of the hardest things to figure out as a new writer is what your story is about.  Sometimes it’s not that easy to see that your story doesn’t match your concept.  Some indicators that suggest your story [...]

A common problem with new writers is their script doesn’t match their concept.  Why would this happen?  I can only deduce from experience that these writers are afraid to write that story, either because: They don’t feel ready They have a fear of failure/success They’re procrastinating They’re inexperienced What do you mean I’m writing the [...]

A Hollywood producer friend of mine said the biggest frustration he has with new writers is that they don’t write from the heart so a lot of their scripts are just bullshit. You might be passionate about your idea, but if the story itself doesn’t come from a deep-rooted need to understand something about human [...]

So now you’ve realized your lead isn’t leading your story.  How do you fix it? There are two questions you need to ask: What is my story and whose story is it? Once you know your lead isn’t leading, that’s half the battle.  Figure out what he needs versus what he wants or thinks he [...]