By Ann Marie Williams © 2019 Many of the major screenwriting competitions begin releasing their written critiques to entrants around this time of year. So, I thought it might be helpful to post (or re-post) some tips for dealing with those critiques. However, these tips can be just as helpful for whatever format you're writing: … Continue reading Tips for Dealing with Feedback of your Story: Identify the True Source of the Problem
Tag: rewriting tips
Writing Takes Time
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
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.
Dealing with Critiques and Rewrites: The Story, The Page, The Theme
by Ann Marie Williams © 2020 When you receive a critique, it's helpful to determine which comments pertain to one or all of the following: The story (the vision you have for your story — this may or may not be accurately conveyed on the page). The page as it’s written (the story that’s on … Continue reading Dealing with Critiques and Rewrites: The Story, The Page, The Theme
Dealing with Critiques and Rewrites: The Script, The Story, The Theme
by Ann Marie Williams When you receive a critique, it's helpful to determine which comments therein pertain to one or all of the following: Your story (the vision you have for your story — this may or may not be accurately conveyed on the page). Your script as it’s written (the story that’s on the … Continue reading Dealing with Critiques and Rewrites: The Script, The Story, The Theme
Rewriting Tips: Save, Delete, Test
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 Finding the best version of my story often means having to delete beloved parts from my script. For the sake of the story, I’ll have to sacrifice a beautiful … Continue reading Rewriting Tips: Save, Delete, Test
Writing Tips: Conveying Story and Pacing
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
Dealing with Critiques and Rewrites: Try to Find Something Actionable in Every Critique You Receive
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 It’s important to realize that you don’t have to take every suggestion from every critique you receive. However, if you find that you’re disregarding all your critiques, then it could be because you’re too … Continue reading Dealing with Critiques and Rewrites: Try to Find Something Actionable in Every Critique You Receive
Dealing with Critiques and Rewrites: Be Honest with Yourself
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 A fundamental skill you need as a writer is the ability to be honest with yourself. No critique, including your own, will ever be as effective as it could … Continue reading Dealing with Critiques and Rewrites: Be Honest with Yourself
Ways to Analyze Critiques of Your Writing: Identify the True Source of the Problem
Reprinted (with slight modifications to fit the blog format) from Screenplay Competitions: Tools and Insights to Help You Choose the Best Screenwriting Contests for You and Your Script. Have you experienced this situation when reading a critique of your writing: The critic points to a moment in your story that he/she found unnecessary and suggests … Continue reading Ways to Analyze Critiques of Your Writing: Identify the True Source of the Problem
Screenplay Competitions 