Writers Store: Articles

Articles

Expert Series

Taking the Mystery Out of Writing Mysteries
by Dennis Palumbo
Writers often think the most important aspect of a good mystery is the ingenuity of the crime, which is why many writers are scared to death of even trying to write a mystery or thriller. Fear no more.

The Lure of the Dark Side
by Pamela Jaye Smith
Audiences want to find out how characters and things go bad. Learn how to reveal why characters become the way they are: not to excuse their behavior but to get the audience engaged with them.

Writing is Rewriting
by Derek Rydall
Many screenwriters struggle with evaluating their own script. Use these tips from expert Derek Rydall to help you master the ability to analyze your own work.

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Gatekeeper Q&A

Agent, Manager or Both?
by Fran Harris
Reader Melissa Gallardo from San Francisco, CA asks:

Do I need an agent or a manager or both?

Expert Fran Harris replies.

Cutting Scenes from a Screenplay
by Martha Alderson, M.A.
Reader Alexa Adams from Milford, CT asks My scene count is making my screenplay too long, but I can’t see cutting any of the scenes I’ve written. What should I do? Expert Martha Alderson replies.

Writers and Directors
by Jack Rothman
Reader Gail McCall of Toluca Lake asks: What attributes do directors believe writers need to have for good collaboration to take place on the set?
Expert Jack Rothman replies.

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Interviews

Interview with Jeffrey Stepakoff, Author and TV Writer
by Writers Store Staff
Author and TV Writer Jeffrey Stepakoff sat down with The Writers Store to answer a few questions about the TV industry.

A Little Confession is Good for the Soul: An Interview with Writer/Director Stefan Schaefer
by John Gaspard
Writer/Director Stefan Schaefer learned a lot while working on the script for his movie, Confess. He benefited from public readings, workshops, and mentors. In this interview, author John Gaspard speaks to Stefan Schaefer about the screenwriting process.

Interview with the "Stranger Adventures" Writing Team
by Christie Taylor
The Writers Store asked the writing staff of 'Stranger Adventures,' an online interactive adventure Web series, where they thought this new medium was headed.

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Writing Prompt

Alternate History
by The Writers Store Team
Write an alternate history of a significant moment in your life. Think about what could have been if one key moment had been different.

The Cliche
by the Writers Store Team
Cliches are cliches because there is an element of truth to them. Defend or argue against a cliche.

Where Are They Now?
by the Writers Store team
Pull out an old high school yearbook, and flip to any page and select a picture.

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