Story and Plot Screenwriting
A weekly screenwriting lesson from a professional screenwriter of 28 years who has been teaching the subject for almost as long.
How to manage a large cast of characters.
The Story and Plot Weekly Email is brought to you by the Story and Plot Courses. If you have found the email helpful, you will find the courses and one-on-one coaching absolutely transformational. Here is my personalized recommendation for [COPY_NAME GOES HERE]: You're in Pro! Don't miss this Thursday's office hours at 2pm CST. Make sure you RSVP to get a reminder! How to manage a large cast of characters. The last two screenplays I read both felt like they had a massive cast of characters....
The choice of the action line is the emotion.
The Weekly Email is just one part of Story and Plot. It is the courses and workshops that make the Free Weekly Email possible. And if you think the email is helpful, wait until you get a load of these: Here is my personal recommendation for [COPY_NAME GOES HERE]: Thanks for being a member of Story and Plot Pro! Remember, there are Masterminds being formed this week. If you want to join or need to switch days, just fill out the form at this link: Join a Story and Plot Pro Mastermind. If you...
Dealing with disappointment.
The Weekly Email is just a part of Story and Plot. It is the courses and workshops that make the Free Weekly Email possible. Here is a personal recommendation for [COPY_NAME GOES HERE]: Thanks for being a member of Story and Plot Pro! Make sure you take advantage of a writing sprint this week! If you have any questions or if you want to update or change your membership, let me know. Remember, I’m here to support you. Now, on to this week's email... Dealing with disappointment. A few weeks...
Whose story is it?
There is more to Story and Plot than The Weekly Email. Here is my personal recommendation for [COPY_NAME GOES HERE]: You’re in Story and Plot Pro, so next step is probably to join us for a writing sprint and get some work done! Remember, I’m here to support you. Jump into the community, or email me and let me know what you need help with. Have you said "Hi!" to any of the new members? And ask questions! I love those coaching-in-public videos! I want more of ‘em! Now, on to this week's email!...
Back to Basics: Story Structure
If you like The Story and Plot Weekly Email... You will LOVE the Story and Plot courses. While the Weekly Email is designed to help your screenwriting, the courses are designed to transform it. Here is a personal recommendation for [COPY_NAME GOES HERE]: Thanks for being a member of Story and Plot Pro! Don't forget to take advantage of some writing sprints this week. Now, on to this week's email... Back to Basics: Story Structure I am upfront with my UH students. I tell them on Day One that I...
The Rules of Screenwriting
The Weekly Email is just one part of Story and Plot. It is the courses and workshops that make the Free Weekly Email possible. And if you think the email is helpful, wait until you get a load of these: Here is my personal recommendation for [COPY_NAME GOES HERE]: Thanks for being a member of Story and Plot Pro! Remember, there are Masterminds being formed this week. If you want to join or need to switch days, just fill out the form at this link: Join a Story and Plot Pro Mastermind. If you...
The Passion Polish
The Weekly Email is just a part of Story and Plot. It is the courses and workshops that make the Free Weekly Email possible. Here is a personal recommendation for [COPY_NAME GOES HERE]: Thanks for being a member of Story and Plot Pro! Make sure you take advantage of a writing sprint this week! If you have any questions or if you want to update or change your membership, let me know. Remember, I’m here to support you. Now, on to this week's email... The Passion Polish. Many years ago, my...
A movie is one image after the next.
The Story and Plot Weekly Email is brought to you by the Story and Plot Courses. Thank you for being a part of Story and Plot Pro! One image after another. My goal for every screenplay: To evoke the emotional and visual experience of watching the movie on screen. When the reader has finished my screenplay, I want them to feel like they have seen the movie. This gives me the best chance of getting to yes. Yes, to produce it. Yes, to direct it. To star in it. Finance it and distribute it. I...
As long as its obvous.
It can be subtle, as long as it's obvious. I’ve worked with two writers this week who both had me referencing perhaps my favorite concept from Billy Wilder, “It can be subtle, as long as it’s obvious.” (His exact words were always much more elegant, but the way I learned it 30 years ago has always stayed in my mind.) Like these writers and many before, I struggled with the same perspective. I wanted to be a smart writer. I wanted smart people to like my work. So I thought that meant being...
How do I write this genre?
The Story and Plot Weekly Email is 3 years old. In April of 2023, I had a list of 1173 emails from teaching for nearly 20 years. I decided to write a screenwriting email every Tuesday to share what I know and promote my courses. Three years later, there are now 13,400 subscribers I assumed I would miss an occasional Tuesday, but I never have. Not one. Writing this email every week has gotten me through some tough stretches, and I hope it has helped elevate your screenwriting as no other...
A weekly screenwriting lesson from a professional screenwriter of 28 years who has been teaching the subject for almost as long.