It’s gonna be a mixed bag.

Here are some of my predictions:

You’re excited, motivated, and ready to connect – so you pour your heart into a long, thoughtful email to that connection who might just open doors for you and… crickets.

Here’s what might be going wrong – and how to fix it. (Pst - be sure to read all the way to the bottom for the most important rule of all!)

Both of these YouTube breakdowns on exposition are pretty fabulous. You should give them a watch

Clashes of values reveal who your character truly is and drive your story, giving it depth and resonance.

The truth is, as humans, “our capacity to feel is limited.” if stakes get too large without being emotionally grounded, it could push your audience into psychic numbing, aka unconsciously shutting off emotionally.

The film industry's on the brink of a major shake-up, and if you're a screenwriter—aspiring or otherwise—you'd better pay attention.

Stakes (monetary or otherwise) are essential - we need them in order to care about anything that happens in your story.

9 hooks elements to start your screenplay: a quick and incomplete guide on how to immediately engage readers and keep them invested:

Let’s talk about what value changes are, go through some examples and then get into the practical application of this concept.

Before you roll your eyes and scroll away - this isn’t just any box. This is "The Productivity Box," and it automates a number of simple focus techniques, combining them to massively boost your ability to knuckle down and get things done.

Reducing screen time could help you reclaim more than 25 hours a month

The Pomodoro Technique is a great way to wrestle through anxiety, writer’s block, and straight up get through shit you. Do. Not. Want. To. Do.

The Ticking Clock is a classic literary device used by writers to inject their stories with urgency, tension, and suspense. You might also know this device by another name: Hitchcock’s Bomb Theory

There are SO MANY THINGS I could talk about when it comes to exposition - and believe me, I’ll get there, but before I can get too far, I need to be sure you understand the foundations.

Let’s start with the basics:

Crafting a bio can feel like squeezing into the perfect parking spot… except you have to parallel park, your car is too big, everyone is watching and oh god did you just hit that Mercedes!?

Let’s cut through the crap and give you the tools you need to succeed.

As streamers are increasingly re-integrating advertising into their business models, a return to stronger, more traditional act breaks feels imminent.

Isn’t it in your best interest as a writer to keep your audience hooked so they’ll return after a commercial break?

It certainly is if you want to keep your job!

In an ideal world, your act break will leave an audience hanging on the edge of their seats, desperate for the next part of your story.

So instead of lecturing you this week, I’m going to lead by example 😉

If you’re desperately seeking permission to take a load off, this is it:

Experts argue that our most significant breakthroughs often emerge when we step away from our desks.

People love to copyright & register scripts with the WGA. 

Writers feel like it protects them and makes them look more professional,

But the truth is…

If you’ve never sent on your script to a professional before…

You will definitely benefit from knowing how to send your script in a professional and polished manner on your own.

Read how, here.

Last week someone reached out in my Suggestions/Article Requests and asked: what keeps me going?

I’d love to do a longer post and give this topic the time it truly deserves, but for now I figure I’d give a boost to a TED talk I wish everyone in the film industry could see.