Want help adapting a book for screen?
This week I have two new resources for you if you want help adapting a book for film or TV, or are a reader/viewer who’s interested in seeing how writers set about transforming works for…
Why most people are crap at persuading
GETTING GOOD AT PERSUADING This message was intended solely for writers and film-makers, until I realised that pitching and persuading is something that everyone in the media has to get good at. And then I…
Are writing courses worth it?
The world seems to be full of courses offering to teach you how to write. I should know, I’ve attended some and taught many. This week, Jeff, fellow writer and follower of my email list…
7 steps that make a satisfying ending
In 2000 the movie What Lies Beneath opened to mixed reviews. Despite a strong opening, cast (Harrison Ford, Michelle Pfeiffer) and director (Robert Zemeckis), reviewers talked of its “decomposing script” and said it “ran off…
Historical drama on screen – to write or not to write?
Historical drama is big in TV and film at the moment,but is it a good idea to write one? David Oman sent this question: Hello Charles I’m still enjoying your excellent books, and prefer studying…
Launch Party: The fatal flaws of screenwriting, and free drinks
If you’re near London on Thursday November 27th, you’re invited to join me for free at the party to launch my new book Teach Yourself: Complete Screenwriting Course. Fatal screenwriting flaws and breaking the rules I’ll…
Amber ending: How they could have broken the rules and succeeded
Were you made red with range over the ending of the often excellent mini-series Amber – or did you feel it was fresh and realistic? Is it possible to break the rules as much as they did?…
What the World Cup taught me about screenwriting
I have to confess: much of what I know about life, let alone screenwriting, has come from football, and in particular the World Cup. There, I’ve said it. Feel free to shun me and pass…
Top 5 screenwriting clichés of the year awards
The Charles Harris Screen Imitation Gold Wellington Boot Awards for the top screenwriting clichés of the year.
How to express yourself without killing your screenwriting career
There’s a phrase that’s popular among writing courses at the moment – we’re all expected to “express ourselves”. Self-expression is the thing. And it certainly is, if you want to kill your career stone dead. This article tells you how to deal with big issues and get away with it.
Post-Christmas Tip: Everything counts
Aiming to get a little writing done now that the holidays are over – or even a lot of writing – here’s a tip that will immediately improve your productivity: Count what you do. It’s…
What do you do next? Procrastinate?
Last Monday I talked about finishing. So after you’ve finished – what do you do next? Do you push on straight to your next project, or what? I once invited psychologist Andrea Perry to come…
Are we there yet?
There must be something in the air: I’m in the mood for finishing things. I just finished writing a novel after a mammoth three years – and just finished the latest Euroscript Screen-PLAY Summer School…
Give your flashbacks the kiss of life
There are a thousand myths about flashbacks in scripts. Some people say you shouldn’t ever write them. Some people say you must – that fractured narrative is the only way forward in screenwriting (or should…
Why sometimes you have to write a bad scene
This may sound strange, but did you know that writing a good scene may not be right for your script – sometimes only a bad scene will do. This week I reached a climactic point…
Writing successfully in a recession
I’m thinking a good deal about creativity at the moment, as I prepare for the launch of my next novel. In particular I’m aware that these are difficult times to let yourself go and be…
Just one trick for screenwriting success
How can the most successful video on YouTube help you find screenwriting success?