# Style & Substance

A new spin on the art of craft—without the buzzy, cliché keywords.

Whatever Happened to the Political Thriller?

Whatever Happened to the Political Thriller?

But since 2012, there have been precious few political thrillers popping up on the big screen. Why? It’s not like there aren’t stories ripe for the picking ...

# Read # The Business of Art # Style & Substance
6 min read

Are Cliffhangers Ruining Storytelling?

Are Cliffhangers Ruining Storytelling?

Does any story ever just conclude these days?

# Read # Style & Substance
4 min read

Editing Advice From a Dyslexic, Independent, and Dysfunctional Self-Publishing Author

Editing Advice From a Dyslexic, Independent, and Dysfunctional Self-Publishing Author

... you're sure the editor hates your words, your soul, your children, and even your dogs. Revel in this misery. It's why you became a pen monkey.

# Read # Style & Substance
6 min read

Fish: And Why It’s Not So Easy To Write What You Know

Fish: And Why It’s Not So Easy To Write What You Know

Because, yes, there is merit to writing what you know—but when you’re in the middle of something, you absolutely do not know it. It isn’t over yet.

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8 min read

Film's Best Franchise? Star Wars? Nope, It's Mission: Impossible

Film's Best Franchise? Star Wars? Nope, It's Mission: Impossible

It’s not CGI. We buy it because seeing is believing.

# Read # Style & Substance # Reviews
5 min read

How To Use Participant Observation To Write Better Stories

How To Use Participant Observation To Write Better Stories

—the moment you become part of a community’s story, it will forever be part of you.

# Read # Style & Substance
10 min read

New York. What a Character.

New York. What a Character.

They say if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere. What they don't tell you is that once you do make it here, you'll never want to make it anywhere else.

# Read # Style & Substance
8 min read

Crafting a Compelling Character Desire

Crafting a Compelling Character Desire

What does your character think they’ll feel after they get their revenge, secure the promotion at work, save the world from the evil wizard, or get their happily ever after?

# Read # Style & Substance
5 min read

Writing in Shapes and Colors

Writing in Shapes and Colors

My first step was learning how the professionals broke the rules. If they can do it, I can do it, right?

# Read # Style & Substance
8 min read

Q&A: Formatting Series - Can I Use Artwork in My Script?

Q&A: Formatting Series - Can I Use Artwork in My Script?

Perhaps the scope of the project is so compelling, it might feel like a disservice not to attempt concept art. But … a script is not a mood board.

# Read # Q&A # Style & Substance
2 min read

Never Think You're Bigger Than the Gods

Never Think You're Bigger Than the Gods

If Martin Scorsese doesn’t act bigger than the gods, no one should.

# Read # Style & Substance
5 min read

The Emmy for Best Comedy Goes to ... "Succession"

The Emmy for Best Comedy Goes to ... "Succession"

To paraphrase Logan Roy, we are not serious people.

# Read # Style & Substance
6 min read

Do You Read the Whole Thing?

Do You Read the Whole Thing?

Every single script I recommended my bosses read officially had my stamp of approval on it. And how bad do you think it would make me look if I wasted some of their precious time with a mediocre piece of material?

# Read # The Business of Art # Style & Substance
7 min read

The Importance of Emotional Cause and Effect

The Importance of Emotional Cause and Effect

... character decisions are rooted in their emotions. Those emotions, in turn, are rooted in the character’s core beliefs and their perspective on the world, in their backstory.

# Read # Style & Substance
4 min read

A Simple Guide to Writing the Dreaded Synopsis

A Simple Guide to Writing the Dreaded Synopsis

It’s also important to not forget about the voice and tone of the story when creating your synopsis.

# Read # Style & Substance # The Business of Art
2 min read
Click here for our recommended reading list.

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