Pitching & Selling · 6 min
Pitching’s Holy Trinity
There are two ways to pitch your scripts: in person, or via query letter. Learning to perfect the verbal pitch, though, only makes sense for writers…
The Journal
Vol. 17 · 1,240 entries
26 August 2026
Quote of the day
Take what’s useful, argue with the rest.
Vol. 17
Stuff · 5 min
Shakespeare for Scaredycats
I once studied English literature at university, from Beowulf over Shakespeare to contemporary works. Somehow along the line, I managed to forget everything. A shame, because…
Story & Structure · 1 min
How to Write a Story? (Video)
All my successful writer friends and clients are writing every day. Moreover, they are constantly coming up with new stories. But how do you do this?…
Story & Structure · 4 min
Un-quirkify
When I try and list the Australian movies I loved just before moving here, the ones that spring to mind are Priscilla, Love Serenade, Strictly Ballroom,…
MM on Monday · 6 min
Elements of Suspense (1)
“If, in the first chapter, you say there is a gun hanging on the wall, you should make quite sure that it is going to be…
Best of the Web · 1 min
Best o/t Web 9 May 10
:: Failed screenplays: don't be another statistic. :: With so much action, how to balance character and plot. :: How to pull off an unscripted documentary.…
Story & Structure · 1 min
Video: Truby on Sci-Fi
The other day I stumbled upon this really bad quality video with John Truby talking about writing SciFi. But I liked his simple lesson so much…
Story & Structure · 10 min
Desire: the Primacy of Purpose
Next month, Michael Hauge and Steve Kaplan will be in Australia for two weekends of story classes. This month we run a special guest contribution by…
Story & Structure · 3 min
Are you a Reverse Chess Master?
My brother is three years younger than me. When we were kids, the perception was that I was way smarter than him. But he would beat…
Stuff · 4 min
Three F***ing Dee.
Okay if you were hoping to get anything on screenwriting or story structure, come back later. I'm going to whinge about today's experience with How To…
Script Check · 4 min
POV Jack: [the movie]
In newbie screenplays I often read "POV [Character Name]". This is almost always unnecessary. BTW, Any technical element that is about HOW it is filmed rather…
MM on Monday · 3 min
Merciless Logicians …
... & The Sliding Scale of Plausibility. Okay, a question for all the scribes: Must a thriller be totally plausible in order to be entertaining? Many…
Best of the Web · 1 min
Best o/t Web 2 May 10
:: Don't let your script's Sunk Costs mislead you. :: The pulp science fiction renaissance has begun. :: First thought: Best or worst? :: The struggling indie…
Story & Structure · 5 min
4 Variations on the Theme
Although theme is rarely what a movie sells on, your movie better have a theme or ‘it won’t stick’. The theme is what makes a great…
Story & Structure · 5 min
Writer, writer pants on fire!
Somebody once told me, if you’re good at gossip, you’re a good storyteller. But what about if you’re skilled at telling sweet little lies (with respect,…