by Jenna | Nov 21, 2024 | ScriptMag Articles
In this month’s “Ask the Coach” article, I’m responding to a writer about character naming, who says:
“If I have many characters of a certain group, Ninjas for example, too many to name individually in the story, though they have some dialogue, what do I call them? I’m using (Ninja) for all of them, even though there are many. Their faces are covered so can’t see each 1 anyway.”
I dug around for some extra links and resources for the article, including some nifty tips about naming characters from other writers, including John August, which should be useful for writers of all sorts, not just screenwriters.
In the main article, my answer included some tips about ways and reasons to differentiate even minor characters to make the script more interesting and clearer for readers and for potential actors.
One other opportunity to keep in mind here is that by naming them creatively, rather than keeping your characters in the background and/or generic, they may begin to differentiate themselves in your writing and storytelling too, stepping forward into the story a little more than they otherwise might.
Want the full scoop? Get all the details in the full article on Script Mag:
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by Jenna | Oct 18, 2024 | ScriptMag Articles
In this month’s “Ask the Coach” article, I’m responding to a writer about script marketing, who says:
“Hello, I come by this way to be informed about where to send my 44 movie scripts? I sent it to CAA (Creative Artists Agency) and wrote to Steven Spielberg… and they don’t answer. I called CAA by cellphone and they turned my call off. Can you please help me make the next steps?”
There are a number of aspects to this question, so I’ve addressed them one-by-one. Here’s a quick high level view of the article’s main points:
- Be aware the signals you’re sending.
- Understand who you’re approaching.
- Recognize marketing one script at a time will position it best.
- Pick your best script to market first.
You’ll want a professional, simple, and direct query letter that positions your script as attractive to industry professionals and demonstrates that you can clearly convey both the story and what makes it marketable.
Want the full scoop? Get all the details in the full article on Script Mag:
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by Jenna | Sep 20, 2024 | ScriptMag Articles
In this month’s “Ask the Coach” article, I’m responding to a writer about confidence, who says:
“I’ve had a rough year and a half, which is affecting my writing confidence hugely now.”
In the article, I share some thoughts about approaches and strategies you might consider to rebuild confidence and trust that it will last.
- Give yourself time, space, and support to recover.
- Be as “full of yourself” as you can.
- Write when you can, as much as you can.
- Find writing lifelines.
- Get feedback from trusted sources.
- Trust the muse.
- Soothe your inner critic.
It takes courage and intention to move (back) into creative risk-taking, but we can do it. Take it one step at a time — as easily and as slowly as you need to — trusting you will gradually reconnect with the truth of who you are and what you were put here to do: write.
Want the full scoop? Get all the details in the full article on Script Mag:
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by Jenna | Aug 15, 2024 | ScriptMag Articles
In this month’s “Ask the Coach” article, I’m responding to a question about recovering a writing practice after a busy summer.
Hi Jenna, I’ve lost a lot of my writing momentum over the summer between travel and my kids being off school, though I’ve been able to keep working at a sort-of minimal level. What tips do you have for getting back on track with writing?
Great question! Many parent-writers are in a similar boat, including me.
First, good for you for staying connected even at a minimal level — that will make it much, much easier to regain your momentum.
In the article, I share some tips for getting back on track with writing when your writing practice has been disrupted by all the good stuff summer has to offer.
- Remember, it won’t take long to reconnect to writing.
- Update your writing schedule.
- Create supports to help you stay on track.
- Tap into the “back to school” energy.
- Set a target amount of writing time for each day.
There’s a convenient aspect to the fall energy of “back to school” we can all rely on right now — a sense of motivation and activation to recommit and move ahead with projects we’ve maybe let languish a bit. Give yourself permission to “start over” with this revitalized energy to take action and make writing happen. It can feel fun, empowering, and even exciting.
Don’t think of this as a slow, struggling reboot, but a fresh, happy restart.
Want the full scoop? Get all the details in the full article on Script Mag:
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by Jenna | Jul 18, 2024 | ScriptMag Articles
In this month’s “Ask the Coach” article, I’m responding to a comment from a writer about recovering a writing practice.
Hi Jenna, I’ve found recently that the way I used to write just isn’t working for me anymore. I don’t know if it’s because of the pandemic exactly, but that was when things shifted for me. I used to write every day at the same time, and now I just… can’t. What should I do? I feel like writing has gotten away from me and it feels terrible, like I’ve lost my way.
Regardless of the cause (pandemics, major life disruptions, industry strikes, social change), when our writing practice gets disrupted and we change as a result, what works for us as writers can change as a result.
In the article, I share some strategies that worked well for me in finding new ways to approach my writing practice that got me back on track:
- Be clear (or as clear as you can) about wanting to write.
- Let go of expectations about your former writing practice.
- Believe there is a new way forward.
- Create space to find out what works for you now.
- Lean into sources of inspiration to reinvigorate your imagination.
- Build writing support structures.
- Pay attention to what has changed within you as a writer.
It’s smart to admit when an old pattern isn’t fitting you and your life anymore. We grow and change all the time — and life changes too — which means you may need to adjust your writing practice to better fit where things are for you.
Want the full scoop? Get all the details in the full article on Script Mag:
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by Jenna | Jun 20, 2024 | ScriptMag Articles
In this month’s “Ask the Coach” article, I’m responding to a comment from a writer online about having a moment of wondering why she’s still trying to write.
Having one of those nights where it feels like all of my writing is just a giant waste of time and nothing is ever going to come of it so why do I keep trying 🙃 (This feeling means I’m due for some kind of success like, tomorrow, right??)
I love the positive spin at the end! I had a similar response, which was, “My take is that it means you’re on the verge of a breakthrough with your current script!” And, I immediately had several further thoughts on the subject, so I asked for permission to elaborate, which was granted.
In the article, I discuss the following suggestions for supporting yourself in a dark night of the soul moment:
- Know that dark nights of the soul are real and normal, yet painful.
- Ask yourself what it would look like not to write.
- Remind yourself why you love to write.
- Hold that no writing is ever wasted.
- See frustration as a sign of an impending breakthrough.
- Focus your appreciation on the process of writing.
- Create your own outcomes.
Although it might feel scary, these deep, dark nights of the soul are excellent fodder for equally deep moments of clarity.
Want the full scoop? Get all the details in the full article on Script Mag:
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