Two "Simple" Questions to Ask Yourself by Ann Marie Williams © 2020 Some problems a story faces are easy to fix. But, sometimes I'll find myself deep into my work in progress, struggling to fix a fairly massive issue (or, at least, it sure feels massive when I can't find the solution). I don't mind … Continue reading When You’re Stuck on a Problem in Your Story…
Category: Posts on Writing
A Solution Exists
by Ann Marie Williams, © 2020 One of the biggest roadblocks to my writing doesn’t stem from plot holes, character arcs, or finding ways to hide exposition. It’s that little voice that whispers, “There might not be a solution to this.” I firmly believe there is a solution for every problem a story encounters. That … Continue reading A Solution Exists
Quick Tip: Honing Your Story and Deciding What to Delete
Think through your script: is there a moment where the audience would say, “Now’s a good moment to get more snacks”? If so, probably a good idea to revise (or delete) that part of the script.
Holidays and Writers…
Scenes are like Dominos…
by Ann Marie Williams For the majority of a story, scenes should fall into each other like dominos. In other words, each scene should be the catalyst for the next. One domino (scene) causes the next to fall — a scene unable to play out without the one before it. This applies to the story … Continue reading Scenes are like Dominos…
Hating your writing…
by Ann Marie Williams There comes a time in (I'm guessing) every writer's journey, where they simply hate the story they are working on. Everything about it seems terrible. And the "I've never been any good at writing" monster of doubt creeps in. However, just because you're at a point where you hate your writing, … Continue reading Hating your writing…
QUICK TIP: WHY SCREENPLAY DESCRIPTIONS NEED TO BE SHORT
by Ann Marie Williams Proper screenplay formatting requires that a certain amount of white space (a mix of description and dialogue) should appear on nearly every page of a script. Not only does this standard help measure the number of minutes the story will be once filmed, but it is also an accurate way to … Continue reading QUICK TIP: WHY SCREENPLAY DESCRIPTIONS NEED TO BE SHORT
QUICK TIP: HONESTY IN WRITING
One of the most important aspects of writing is honesty. The ability to be honest with yourself about your own work. And within the story, being honest with your audience.
WRITING TIPS: WHAT IS THEME?
by Ann Marie Williams © 2020 We're finally here! The last post in my week long discussion of concept, plot, structure, format, and theme — how each are unique, and how each affect one another. I've been giving my explanation of these terms, their role in storytelling, and how they interrelate with each other. As … Continue reading WRITING TIPS: WHAT IS THEME?
WRITING TIPS: WHAT IS FORMAT?
by Ann Marie Williams © 2020 Each day this week I'm discussing one of the following writing terms: concept, plot, structure, format, and theme. I'll give my explanation of the terms, their role in storytelling, and how they interrelate with each other since, even though each term represents a different attribute of story, they do … Continue reading WRITING TIPS: WHAT IS FORMAT?
WRITING TIPS: WHAT IS STRUCTURE?
by Ann Marie Williams © 2020 If you've been reading my last few posts, you already know that each day this week I'm taking a look at one of the following terms: concept, plot, structure, format, and theme. I'll give my explanation of the terms, their role in storytelling, and how they interrelate with each … Continue reading WRITING TIPS: WHAT IS STRUCTURE?
WRITING TIPS: WHAT IS PLOT?
by Ann Marie Williams © 2020 This week I'm discussing the terms concept, plot, structure, format, and theme. Each is a different attribute of story, but each also affects one another (e.g. structure affects plot, plot affects theme). So, since that can complicate how we define and understand each term, I'm going to look at … Continue reading WRITING TIPS: WHAT IS PLOT?
WRITING TIPS: WHAT IS CONCEPT?
by Ann Marie Williams © 2020 In my previous post, I discussed how the terms concept, plot, structure, format, and theme are often used in the writing world, but there isn't always a universal definition for each term. Moreover, even though each term refers to a unique attribute of storytelling, those attributes affect one another … Continue reading WRITING TIPS: WHAT IS CONCEPT?
WRITING TIPS: CONCEPT, PLOT, STRUCTURE, FORMAT, THEME, part one
by Ann Marie Williams © 2020 If you write, you've likely heard terms like concept, plot, structure, formatting, and theme. Each is important. Each is different from the other. But each also affects the other. The trouble is, there is little consistency in how these terms are defined. Terms like plot and structure, for example, are often … Continue reading WRITING TIPS: CONCEPT, PLOT, STRUCTURE, FORMAT, THEME, part one
7 Tips to Help You Focus on Your Writing in a Hectic World
by Ann Marie Williams, © 2020 It's rarely easy to sit down and put thought to paper. But when the world is screaming for your attention, that challenge is amplified even further. So, I thought I would take today to share some of my tips for “getting back into writing.” And, if you’ve got … Continue reading 7 Tips to Help You Focus on Your Writing in a Hectic World
Screenplay Competitions 