I find it incredibly helpful to ask myself: "What happens in this scene that causes the next scene to take place?" For me, this is a pretty quick way to figure out if the pacing of the story is as tight as it can be, and if the plot and characters are moving the story … Continue reading Writing Tip: Cause and Effect
by Ann Marie Williams Keep those creative juices flowing this Halloween! What if each group of costumes was a writing prompt? What story could you conjure up in which those characters all come together?
© 2021 by Ann Marie Williams Concept gets them in the door... Story gets them to stay... Characters get them to come back... Yes, it's a super broad generalization. But I think this general idea is worth considering... Concept Gets Them in the Door A potential audience will be drawn to a project (a book, … Continue reading Concept. Story. Character.
by Ann Marie Williams © 2021 Writing takes time. Simple, I know. But I didn't realize I hadn't fully accepted this until last year when I quit agonizing over how long it was taking to fix aspects of my story. Once I accepted that it would take a while, I started making breakthroughs far quicker … Continue reading Writing Takes Time
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…
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?
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
by Ann Marie Williams © 2020 When the answer to a mystery is finally revealed, I think the audience's reaction should be: "Oh my gosh, WHAT!?" followed by, "Oh wait... of course!" In other words, a story should be laid out so that audiences can try to solve the mystery, don't, but after the reveal … Continue reading Quick Tip: Writing Mysteries
by Ann Marie Williams © 2020 Today’s writing tip is something we probably all (subconsciously) understand. But as the writer, being consciously aware of it can enhance the impact and clarity of the story you’re crafting, help tighten your story's pacing, and provide a new tool to direct your audience's understanding of the plot. I’m … Continue reading Writing Tip: The Power of the Last Word
Why the Proper Use of Scene Headings (aka Slug Lines) is Necessary to the Conveyance of Your Story by Ann Marie Williams Script scene headings may seem clunky, obtrusive, and just plain awkward. It can feel like they “get in the way” of your story. That the break the flow. That they pull the reader … Continue reading The Importance of Scene Headings
by Ann Marie Williams Keep those creative juices flowing this Halloween! What if each group of trick-or-treaters was a writing prompt? What story could you conjure up in which those characters all come together?
Except from Screenplay Competitions: Tools and Insights to Help You Choose the Best Screenwriting Contests for You and Your Script by Ann Marie Williams © 2019 As a screenwriter, you need to be aware, not just of the pacing of your story, but also of the pacing of your script. The two should be the … Continue reading Writing Tips: Conveying Story and Pacing
Screenplay Competitions 