Know how it ends before you start writing one page.

Be subtle about your pipe-laying and foreshadowing. Don’t call attention to it with huge chunks of dialogue, or the eventual payoff won’t be a surprise.

Don’t hide thinly-veiled references to your favorite James Cameron films in your action script.

When are you going to show us what your main character actually wants? Page 1? Page 10? Page 20? Never? (Hint: It better not be never.)

And then it was gone, as quickly as it came. With a sly smile and a tip of its hat, Guest Post Week 2 vanished over the horizon and out of our lives.

Now all that’s left are the memories of the week we shared. And what memories they are! Who could forget the bold stance taken by Tip #6, the intriguing specificity of Tip #11, or the comment section controversy stirred up by the polarizing Tip #2?

Goodnight, Guest Post Week 2, wherever you are. Goodnight… and godspeed.

When two people are fighting one can’t reach for a weapon in plain view of the other.

-tip by Christian H

Nobody has a prescription for Anthrax, so when the terrorists on page 31 are stealing prescription-grade Anthrax, that doesn’t make sense. Think of another word for pure.

-tip by patrickoriley

You’re a screenwriter, not a poet. Save your best words for the dialogue.

-tip by emilyblake

“It can’t see you if you don’t move” made a T-Rex frightening once, but now it just makes your monster lame.

-tip by elias_1955

If there is any way to give your protagonist a motivation that doesn’t involve having to prove something to his/her father, please do so.

-tip by Brie

Purchase legit screenwriting software.  It does the format for you, sets the accepted font and size, includes spell check and is easy to use.  Of course, grammar and the story itself is up to you.  Sure, it may be close to $200, but that Five Figure paycheck should cover it.  Otherwise, find a new hobby.

-tip by Mr. A

Does the first word of your title end with “-ing,” and is it followed by a character’s name? If so get a new title, you unimaginative hack.

-tip by JW

If you are writing a romantic comedy, don’t end with a last-minute airport run.  EVER.  There are ways for your protagonist to declare his/her love that are both more plausible and haven’t been done to death.

-tip by The Unprofessional Critic

Telling me that “it’s satire!” and that I didn’t get it doesn’t take away from the fact that the joke still failed.

-tip by JMO

If you’ve yet to sell anything don’t subtitle your spec Part 1 or The Beginning or any other first installment qualifier. If you’ve got ten sequels lined up, great. Sell me in the script, not on the title page.

-tip by Zeb