Fictional Skies

Calvin's approach to writing is a general beginner or non-writer view on writing: Waiting for inspiration before doing any work . It's not completely wrong. You do need inspiration in order to come up with a great idea to write and to fill it with fresh and exciting ideas, characters and scenes. But you don't need it to get started; and definitely not to continue. It's said that "the professional doesn't wait for inspiration and writes no matter the weather." If they didn't not much work would get done - and what's the use in that. Inspiration is a fantastic feeling to behold and it transforms your mood and writing session, not to mention, your writing project. It can even transform your life. However, it's not meant to occur everyday and hold your hand until your story is complete. In other words, you don't need it to get your story done. Writing is a trade - a craft that occasionally rises to the level of art. There are bas...

Naturally, I went into horror feature  Project Nightingale with high hopes. Even though it didn't work out to how I had initially wanted, I was enlightened by what I found. Going in I knew that this project would be the last one I would develop in my usual way, as a new standard had been calling in the way I deal with projects. Justice in the story concept was all I was looking for. However, the more I developed things the more ways I could see this going, and the original idea looked less sweet. So I had to reinvent what I had invented. But the thing did improve and I could feel that I was getting closer. It was maturing and had come a long way but something was fundamentally wrong. I kicked its behind and wouldn't let up until I could identify what was bothering me about it. Then one day, it all became clear. I believe I have now found the story experience, what the project is, and how it fits into the marketplace. It could be made by a small crew and market...

Vince Gilligan (via  David D. Burstein ) has three excellent  storytelling tips  for those not wanting to ruin their work by rigid long term planning. Script Quack  offers two words and great  craft insight  for those struggling to get to grips with structure. Danny Stack  touches on the  realities  involved in becoming a professional screenwriter for those looking to create a ten-year plan. Jeffry Hirschberg  shares his  11 Laws of Great Storytelling  for those wanting increase the odds of their screenplay achieving greatness. Screenwriter's Digest

“ Most aspiring screenwriters simply don’t spend enough time choosing their concept. It’s by far the most common mistake I see in spec scripts. The writer has lost the race right from the gate. Months — sometimes years — are lost trying to elevate a film idea that by its nature probably had no hope of ever becoming a movie .”  - Terry Rossio [Shrek, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Mask of Zorro]

" The pursuit of perfection often impedes improvement . " - George F. Will There is a danger with beginner writers who may feel that their first draft has to be perfect. I know because it's how I used to think. However, a first draft is not meant to be brilliant. There's no way to get a first draft right other than to get it wrong. Or some of it, at least. It's why it's called an  exploratory draft. It's where you follow your curiosity and explore ways of doing things to see how it plays out. It needs time to be left alone. It's meant to be torn apart later on. The majority of it doesn't have to make the second draft. This stage is less about quality and more on getting something down. It doesn't have to be great but it has to be something. You need to go through what doesn't work in order to find what does. The first draft is an essential part of that discovery. Rewrite Later  You only get one chance to make a good fi...

It can be tough finding the right medium to tell a story in especially when you discover a versatile concept that could work or crossover into either television, film, web, literature, stage, radio, video-game or graphic novel. How do you know what to write it as? The short answer is: you don't. Unless you're specifically: a playwright, scriptwriter, or novelist. However, if you've yet to figure that out or commit to a set course, or want to write in more than one discipline, then it's not as simple as knowing what you don't want to write. Everything is possible. You can chat to people about it or consult writing books. You can do some research consuming a mass of product looking at how others have done things with the story concept they had. Ultimately, you just have to follow your instincts and see where it takes you. The goal is to do the story concept justice - to attract a producer/company and an audience. Naturally they want their money's wo...

It's not easy embarking on any ambition but screenwriting offers the newcomer a new level of difficult. Today the aspiring markets are more flooded than ever and so competition is fierce. Anyone can write by sitting down to write but not everyone can write well. Even less are willing to put the time in to improve and do their homework. Then there's the art of selling it; and yourself. As well as facing numerous rejections and disappointments that are commonplace in the creative industries. It's a long journey that requires more than discipline, passion and resilience to survive. The Art of Dreaming To constantly dream of an ambition and desirable state of being will get us nowhere. In the beginning, this is all we had once the dream was discovered . And so, compelled and obsessed as we were we turned up to write and dream. We put in years of creative efforts in order excite, thrill, feel and escape. To role play in fictional worlds. Then we come of cre...

I'm not going to talk about the present or future James Moran and his two feature films up for release this year. No - it's about that new writer on the scene and prolific blogger, and curse word user, who had just sold his first spec script we know as 'Severance' back in 2005. James has been blogging in his writing journal for around 9 years now. This tempted me to travel back in time and see what he was like in the beginning . Although, it's not the actual beginning from when he first started writing, but from when he won the Sci-Fi Channel's Sci-Fi Shorts Competition, got his ten-minute script entry made, and got an agent. I flicked through a few more early entries from 2003 - 2005 which are interesting and quite fascinating, as he talks about the umpteenth draft of Severance, then named P45, which was becoming quite a nuisance. But what interested me and thought I would pinch and share are some great and insightful words from 2005.  So I will unless ...

For the last two weeks I've had a welcomed break from writing. Specifically, script and development work. At first, I wasn't sure how it would go but soon realised it was what I needed. It's said that you should write everyday in some capacity and we should. However, I have learnt that every once in a while it's nice to step back and have a short time out. For me, the greatest pressure in my life are the expectations I place on myself. This isn't ideal. It pays to know when you're being unreasonable but it's also healthy to push yourself at times. Like anything, it's about balance. Only now am I realising the importance on easing up and taking breaks. A valid reason to take a short break is to catch up on the things that have been piling up while you've been focused on writing. Like a cluttered space things soon stack up and can pollute your mind. It's a great way to refresh, de-clutter and recharge the batteries. During the sho...

What is the best way forward for a new writer, aspiring or otherwise: Go online? Stay offline? Do both? This is something that has interested me for quite some time and has seen my allegiance wander back and forth. Let's start by defining new writer : as someone with none to a few years experience writing. Is it ever too early for a new writer to go online? Should they make the rush and reap the benefits of networking and sharing their early work, passion and opinions a.s.a.p.? Alternatively...  Is it ever too late to go online as a new writer? Should they stay offline and focus on writing for enjoyment, to find their voice and develop writing skill and a portfolio first? While the Internet has benefits and opportunities for new writers, I feel it makes sense to take time to hone your craft and writing skill before developing into a online presence as a writer. The Internet can be a tough place for new writers as they are bombarded with a mass of infor...

The Script Lab has a helpful piece on the first ten pages of a screenplay for those wanting to hit those five crucial elements. Andrew Stanton offers an insightful talk for Ted on what he knows about storytelling  for those interested in story and the man himself. Gideon's Screenwriting Tips  has a useful piece on the common mistakes of novice screenwriters for newcomers looking to develop. Michael Ferris at Script Mag  passionately outlines his four secrets to screenwriting success for those wanting to break through the noise and maximise opportunities. Go Into The Story has an excellent piece and list on clichéd dialogue for those wanting to avoid it and know when it's necessary. Screenwriter's Digest

So you choose to stay in for the weekend instead of being social. Those who go out or invite you out don't understand why you chose to stay in, or when you do venture out, may avoid alcohol. It's difficult for some non-writers to understand (and respect) what goes into living a creative life and ambition. They think taking a random day or weekend off is no big deal, drinking a beer or two; doing this or that. But if we're serious about writing and our commitment - and enjoy it - then these are big deals to us. The Long Road  A writing ambition is a long road and requires a daily effort. There are times to relax and have fun, but productivity and momentum are the main stay. If the wrong fuel is going into the train then it's not going to work properly, or at all. Things must always be moving. If they're not - then we fall behind. To achieve that ideal, sacrifices have to be made. We can try to explain and help others to understand our actions and passion ...

Saturday May 5th saw my story contribution to 3 Hundred and 65 . Some people may compose and send their story tweet from work, while juggling the kids, or put a few casual hours in beforehand. Or like me - the days leading up to it are ripe with inspiration, creativity and practice tweets - some major indulgence. Although, the final story tweet and overall story development almost went a different way. As I thought about bringing in a new storyline at the time and ambitiously, to push for a multi-narrative story. In fact, it almost went all wrong, and was heading for this: Hunched over, his fingers clasped to a jar: frozen tears imprisoned by glass. The Orphan glared at the Stranger by the mast.  Thankfully, I voiced my intentions on the 3 Hundred and 65 Widows unofficial Facebook fan page , and soon realised new characters and narratives wasn't what the story needed. Therefore, my Orphan character, Stranger by the mast, and the frozen tears imprisoned by glass - bit th...

Three months ago I began work on my second project for the year: an urban horror series.  The first:  Project Spacebound began over four months ago and is being written at the same time.  From Half-Idea to Series  The big bang moment for this came when a half-idea met its title-to-be and fused together to become something with potential. The combination of those two intriguing elements told me that this was something to pursue. Its title was a word I thought I had initially made up, as it just appeared in my head and got me hooked. It conjured up emotion, atmosphere, genre and images. Later on, I discovered it was a real word, however, its slang meaning better suited the show and helped define a major element. The 'half-idea' was a notion and genre twist on a recent news story at the time. A 'what if...' scenario resulted and one that would lead into a high-concept horror sub-genre story. From then, I knew I had to construct a new and compelling ...

It's never wise to write a script solely for a competition. The only thing on your mind being: The Reward & Winning Write a script because you enjoy the process; are interested in the exploration of story, character and form; saying something about the human condition; forming an emotional and entertaining journey; and developing as a writer and person. Not because you want to pimp it out to a competition and get something back. Script competitions are great for a previously completed script that may be ready or just needs a rewrite/polish. They are ideal for an experienced writer who has a body of spec work and is looking for some recognition and a way forward. They are also good for beginner writers entering once or twice to test the waters, or for fun as a screenwriting hobby. If you get a kick out of the process and thrill of writing a script for a competition: enjoy the challenge and creating to a deadline. Keep on doing what you're doing. But keep i...

The story of Facebook and its rise and rise and rise fascinates. Most success stories and personal achievements inspire, but this one is different. That has only deepened over the last week as I received The Social Network on rental and have watched it four times. That includes 2 x film watch, 1 x with David Fincher commentary and 1 x with Aaron Sorkin & cast commentary. Even after four watches, I am more drawn to and compelled by the film than ever - as well as the origin of Facebook's success story, filmmaking, the industry, business and people in general. Ultimately it's about people: their personalities and desires; their talents and flaws; their failures and achievements. Everyone is the same under the surface but different and fascinating in their construct and actions. As writers, the more we experience, observe and learn about people the more informed, realistic and powerful our writing becomes. Facebook's Success  Ultimately what I feel the succe...

" Every single Pixar film, at one time or another,  has been the worst movie ever put on film.  But  we know. We trust our process. We don't get scared and say, 'Oh, no, this film isn't working.'"  - John Lasseter    A Day in a Life  Bringing Inanimate Objects to Life 

I look at my read/write/watch routine on a weekly basis and often identify a common thread: I write more than I watch and watch more than I read.  Writing overshadows them both by some way which I think it should. But have felt that reading less than watching could be a weakness and imbalance in my routine. Should we be reading more than we watch?  Balanced Reading  I often read a script on my day off which is two days a week, but note, I do say 'often' because other things can get in the way and sometimes I miss the chance to get one script in a week. My desk and writing environment with two whiteboards chock-full with notes screams " Writing! Writing! Writing! " whenever I am there or nearby. But not so much " Reading! Reading! Reading! " Of course, if we are to write well - we must read. However, not to the extent that if you wanted to impress a producer - instead of doing so with your excellent script you reveal that you've read 2...

Two and a half months in and things are progressing nicely. Project Spacebound has a first draft and soon-to-be-announced Project Nightingale has an outline for its pilot episode. I found myself working on the first draft of Project Spacebound for three days during the week. Then at weekends developing and doing the prep work for Project Nightingale. I prefer prep work at the weekends because it's more relaxed and there's more time to give. Plus the prep work should be developing quicker than the script draft. So it worked out nicely. Adapting to Change  As previously mentioned , I have three projects set aside for the year and two of those have already begun. But I've decided not to bring the third one into the mix just yet. Again, like discovering the stacking projects method at the last moment, this decision was much the same. I'm comfortable with two projects going at once and really enjoy it. But feel I need to gain experience with two projects and see...

This book has taught me a lot. In fact, I taught myself screenwriting with the third edition before going to university to study it, as a result: didn't learn anything new on the craft for the first two years. Luckily, I wasn't going there to be taught the craft. This is a  great book for beginners and is there to prevent you from rushing into things and suffering the potential side effects: Start writing a feature screenplay of Roman epic proportions: get stuck four pages in and give up.  Jump straight into theory/methods from intermediate + material from Syd Field, Blake Snyder, Robert McKee, John Truby, etc: get a headache, overwhelmed, and possibly get writer's block before you even start.  Religiously follow professional screenwriter blogs and websites for advice, how to info, craft insight, competitions, success stories, agents, spec sales, box office, and so on: feel worse off, more insecure, develop a severe migraine and/or inferiorit...

By Tate Taylor. Based on the novel by Kathryn Stockett. This screenplay has been on my to read list for a few months and caught my eye after seeing its trailer. It looked like an interesting and moving story of a black maid who spent her life serving others. To this: I wondered what hardships she must have faced and how did she get through it. So with interest and hopeful expectations. Did it deliver? The verdict is: Yes and no. Well, it depends... The story takes place in South America in Jackson, Mississippi during the civil rights movement of the sixties and centres on black maid, Aibileen, in her fifties, as her dutiful and oppressed routine is disturbed when an aspiring author wants to enlist her to expose the hardships local maids face at the hands of their white employers. Aibileen is coy on stirring up trouble and doesn't want to rock the boat, although, raw feelings within her find the offer tempting. The screenplay was enjoyable, often dramatic, good-humoured...

Love to be creative? Love to support a cause? Have a twitter account? Then you can be one of the three hundred and sixty five authors contributing to this  amazing project and campaign to raise money and awareness for The Teenage Cancer Trust . The 3 hundred and 65  project is a public authored graphic novel where twitter users reserve a story tweet date and subsequently tweet a continuation of the story in 140 characters which artist  Dave Kirkwood then turns into an illustration. All story tweets and accompanying illustrations are published on the website ,  facebook page  and newly released app  through iTunes for all to experience and enjoy. The story project will run all year round, although, currently there are only a few months worth of unclaimed story tweet dates left. One of which could be yours. Hurry as they are going fast! Even Stephen Fry knows this that's why he's picked Wednesday 23rd May as his sto...

" Nobody tells people who are beginners, and I really wish somebody had told this to me.... is that all of us who do creative work, we get into it and we get into it because we have good taste. But there's a gap. That for the first couple years that you're making stuff, what you're making isn't so good. It's not that great. It's trying to be good, it has ambition to be good, but it's not quite that good. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, your taste is still killer  and your taste is good enough that you can tell that what you're making is kind of a disappointment to you. A lot of people never get passed that phase and a lot of people at that point they quit. And the thing I would just like to say to you with all my heart is that most everybody I know who does interesting creative work, they went through a phase of years where they had really good taste, and they could tell what they were making wasn't as good as the...

John The Animator Guy has an interesting and helpful piece on visual storytelling  for newcomers. Lucy V at Write Here, Write Now  offers great advice  on how to put together a Writer's CV for those looking to do so. Scott at Go Into The Story has an excellent ten-part series on his scriptwriting process for the curious. Michelle Goode of So Fluid: Confessions of a Screenwriter  has some great info and resources on social networking and peer feedback for writers wanting to network and share work. Brian at Screenplay Readers  shares some golden advice on how to get a 'Recommend' on your script coverage for those wanting to improve their game.

For the last month or so I have been working diligently on a new TV project: an animated adventure series for children. Although this is the grand reveal, I'm afraid it'll be a no show as to specific details. You know the score. If it was Comic-Con then I would be happy to share all! Instead I will offer a little insight on the origin of the idea, its rebirth and end with some notes on the early development for this. Project Spacebound is not the actual title. Although, a rather cool one come to think of it. It's the codename for the show and a way to talk about it other than referring to it as the vague New Project 2012, New Project1, 011011100010011 or Animated Children's TV Series, or God forbid, to reveal its actual title before its time! From Short Animation to Series  The revival for this stems back to a chat with Danny Stack a few months back. The act of being able to share the story concept with him and have it received well was revitalising and encou...

Being miserable or happy is a choice and the latter starts by doing what you love and forgetting the rest. Enjoy the moment and learn to seize the day. Work towards a better more knowledgeable self, a body of work and a positive network. Only that way will your ambitions and goals be attainable. Who knows you may even find they may shift a little but as long as you love what you are doing it doesn't matter. Enjoy the experience. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity. It's your  life. Have the courage to live it.

Have you ever had an idea for a story or character journey and could not only picture its existence as a film but could also see it expanded as a television series? Maybe an idea began as a comedy series for television but would work well as a radio series with less budget and more chance of being commissioned? Alternatively, it may have began as a short film but has the potential to work as a feature with expanded development and more characters? But ultimately were put off by the amount of work and wrote it in one format - while dreaming of the other. Or could not decide and left them both. It can sometimes be troubling and a killjoy to visualise an exciting story concept in another form to then reach a deadlock. However, the important thing is to keep moving forward regardless. Passion Vs. Logic  From experience the more insight and knowledge I've gained into what would work and fit into a particular form the more my instincts are attuned to what will work bes...

I have recently found this great eHow video on script writing for children in both an animated and live-action context. It's an essential video and sound advice, if like me you're starting out writing your first major children's animated project or even if your live-action script has a child character or two in there, or a whole main cast of them. It's a useful insight on what's important when writing for children that can be easily forgotten when writing, as we tend to write and appeal to the child within us first. But the longer we ignore our audience the more we run the risk of damaging our script, characters' voices, credibility and will bore. The last thing we want to do is disrespect them and convey a lack of professionalism and talent to a script reader and/or producer. Step out of the story for a moment and watch the video to be reminded of the fundamentals on writing for children. How to Write Scripts for Children -- powered by eHow ...

I read this morning, an excellent piece of project management advice from Go Into The Story that will change my writing life forever. This promptly made its way to ScriptSense . It arrived in the last minute of the eleventh hour to prevent me going any further with my proposed Rotating Triangle Approach to Screenwriting and Project Management. After four weeks on the preliminary work on the Primary Project (Codename: Spacebound). I was set to rotate and start the prelim-work on Secondary Project today. As well as share the initial idea on the approach. If you wish, you can read the unpublished post on the abandoned approach here . What it shows is that I was on the right lines searching for a solution to managing and progressing with three projects at once. Although, last night did spot weaknesses in the approach which were going to led to modifications and to include the overlapping of projects. But I needn't do any more on it now. The First Hour  I have no d...

The New Year for me has kicked off in style and has been long awaited. As always: it's great to be alive and writing! The new groove is partly due to reaching challenging genres and approaching the year's worth of projects in a different way. As well as reaching a foreseen change of direction and new level of writing; with growing confidence and a relaxed and focused outlook. The aim is to write great scripts - that all starts with concept and genre. ...but what happened to the old ones?  The last two years writing has essentially been spent on writing the same project: not exactly the truth, but most have existed in the contemporary drama arena of varying degrees. It's not ideal material for a body of spec work - but then again, I knew that going into some of them. However, they all have a home and a place in time where they belong, which is a great thing. As for WWII Drama Screenplay, that's an entirely different matter and is a project that has more than ...

*Shmm*  That was the improvised sound of a new connection forming in the brain. Opening up new possibilities in your writing and the way you view the world.  All via this lovely and inspiring piece of work.  Imagination is key.  Unlock it.  Live it. 

No purchase necessary, no hidden scam. Just free common sense advice from an expert that isn't myself. Everyone has different levels of creativity and I assume it's safe to say that at some point in our creative endeavours our conscious mind has gotten the better of us. There are many factors involved that can stifle and cut a creative moment short but just like anything the way to overcome it is by understanding it. In this case, to understand what is going on under the surface and what the act of creativity involves and needs in order to thrive. I'm not going to go into that myself but as the topic has been covered will direct you to an excellent article on creativity and the various bad habits that people get into that dampen their chances of success. Take me there now! As the Doomsday Clock moves 1 minute closer to midnight, by clicking on the link above and reading you've just advanced your Success Clock 1 minute closer to its midnight. That can be increa...

TheScriptJoint   Ellexia   Most stories are a combination of 2-3 genres. Amplify the primary genre & put other elements of genre in where they fit.  TheScriptLab   The Script Lab  "Realistic dialogue only gives a flavor of reality."  tsl.cm/d5sunY   robthor   Robert Thorogood   Never be cynical - always write with passion and love.  UnkScreenwriter   Unknown Screenwriter   The longer the dialogue, the more EMOTION. The shorter the dialogue, the more DRAMA.  Screenwriter911   Will Chandler   Keep in mind that your Antagonist THINKS he's the Protagonist.  TheScriptLab   The Script Lab   5 Key Screenwriting Skill Sets  tsl.cm/h004lM   MatcoopLeeds   Matthew Cooper   Every script and every scene and every character should have an active question. What is the active  question of your script?  XanderBennett   Xander Bennett   Screenwriting Ti...