Pitching & Selling · 4 min
Why Taylor Sheridan Is The Most Relevant American Screenwriter
After seeing Sicario and sourcing the script in 2015, I instantly fell for the voice of this new writer. But Taylor Sheridan was not new. His…
The Journal
Vol. 17 · 1,240 entries
25 August 2026
Story & Structure · 5 min
Ready To Break Rules? One Word Will Tell.
Nothing appears more appealing to the beginning writer than to break rules. And nothing is more annoying than hearing "Do this; don't do that!" Some will…
Script Check · 4 min
FORMATTING TIP: Accent, dialect and foreign language in dialogue
A powerful tool in creating distinctive characters is their language, using accent, dialogue and even foreign language. In the real world, everyone speaks in a way…
Story & Structure · 8 min
Reading Screenplays — Without Wasting Your Time
One of the most effective ways to learn about screenwriting is - wait for it - reading screenplays. Duh! Yet, I've read so many rants about…
Story & Structure · 9 min
Taming The Industry Standard 1-Page Synopsis
Isn’t it remarkable how a simple synopsis, a seemingly innocuous 1-page text, can give a writer a world of pain. If it’s such a drag, then…