Step back and look at the big picture. What arguments are made by Acts One, Two and Three? Taken together, what is the whole script trying to say?
If you’ve never tried writing a particular genre, how do you know you’re not good at it?
Every once in a while, allow yourself a day where you write nothing, do nothing, and don’t think about writing. Your brain will thank you.
When you write conflict between your protagonist and her family members, remember that they’ve been arguing for years and they probably know each other better than anyone else.
A great idea is nothing without great characters.
If you don’t know how your script ends, that’s a good sign that you haven’t figured out the real theme yet.
When writing satire, be clear and incisive. If you disguise it too thoroughly, you risk accidentally glorifying the thing you were attempting to satirize.
Sometimes two conflicting themes work together like a dialogue. But usually they end up canceling each other out. Make sure you’re not arguing against yourself.
Good villains don’t just make it worse for the protagonist. They make it personal.
Don’t think of Act One in terms of “setting up plot” or “introducing characters”. Think of it as setting the stakes, i.e. showing us what the characters want.
Hey folks. Just letting you know that I’ll be taking a short break due to travel. Daily tips will resume in a week or so.
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When it comes to the Dark Point, you can’t be too cruel. This is your chance to have the other characters tell the protagonist what they really think. It should feel like a house of cards crashing down.
You’re the one in control, not your characters. If they start “doing something you didn’t plan”, make them stop. Inspiration is great but not if it wrecks your carefully crafted structure.
You can’t write what you don’t believe.
Create supporting characters who challenge your main character. Even friends fight. Don’t fill your cast with a bunch of people who all agree with the protagonist.