Why you still need to know your stuff, even with AI Right now, a lot of writers are asking whether and how to use AI in their writing projects. Where I land is this: AI can (when used well) be a useful creative assistant that helps with things like brainstorming ideas, offering options that get your wheels turning, or acting as a pushback machine that forces you to analyze, evaluate, and defend your story choices. But it’s just that: an assistant. You are the showrunner. The creative...
24 days ago • 1 min read
Hey, it's Naomi with your weekly screenwriting memo! Today's topic... Is your story idea actually ready to write? Story ideas are like seedlings. Some are ripe and ready to plant, others need more light, more time, or maybe they were never meant to grow into a full-blown screenplay. But many writers never stop to vet their ideas before they start writing. We get excited about an interesting or funny “what if?” We dive in — maybe even write 30 or 40 pages — only to hit a wall when we realize...
27 days ago • 1 min read
Hey, it's Naomi with your weekly screenwriting memo! Today's topic... This is the very last time I'll mention the 30-day Zero Draft Challenge starting on April 6th (that's this Sunday). 😊 We have a great group of writers, all ready to dive into writing their next (or first!) screenplay!Join us and finish your Zero Draft by May. And if you haven't heard, find out what a Zero Draft is here. 😉 Let's write a screenplay 7 types of story stakes you may be overlooking Stakes are one of the most...
5 months ago • 5 min read
Hey, it's Naomi with your weekly screenwriting memo! Today's topic... Get your movie idea into screenplay form with a 4-week, guided event. Doors are open for the Zero Draft Challenge, and we start on April 6th. (Join now so you have time to prep your story idea before we begin!) Sign me up Expanding 8 sequences into scenes When you’re using the eight-sequence method to plan what happens in your screenplay, you may find it’s not too difficult to figure out those initial eight broad strokes of...
5 months ago • 3 min read
Hey, it's Naomi with your weekly screenwriting memo! Today's topic... Terry Rossio's pep talk for screenwriters Whether you're considering joining the Zero Draft Challenge or not, this story told by Terry Rossio (co-writer of things like Shrek and Pirates of the Caribbean) may be just the pep talk you need today: “Director Robert Rodriguez said something profound to me once, talking one night about creativity. I believe he was repeating a story he had heard, though it could have been an...
5 months ago • 1 min read
Hey, it's Naomi with your weekly screenwriting memo! Today's topic... The 8-step outline of your screenplay Before we get into today's enticing subject, a quick update on the Zero Draft Challenge: Sign-ups are open! All systems go! I'm a little excited! 😂 I hope you'll join me so we can chat in the Slack group, talk about screenwriting in the live Zoom sessions, and get you moving on your next great screenplay! ICYMI: The Zero Draft Challenge is a month-long event I’m hosting, designed to...
5 months ago • 6 min read
Hey, it's Naomi with your weekly screenwriting memo! Today's topic... How to make a scene One of the resources I’ve been putting together for the upcoming Zero Draft Challenge is a brand new Short Guide to Writing Scenes. To be honest, it started out as a short guide but it grew, so I'm not sure what I'll call it now. 😂 But it's still a straightforward primer on what goes into a scene and how to approach writing the scenes in your screenplay, and I think you’ll find it helpful – that’s always...
6 months ago • 9 min read
Hey, it's Naomi with your weekly screenwriting memo! Today's topic... Fast writing starts with smart planning You might have heard of (and even tried) something like a "speed draft" or "vomit draft" or "messy first draft." The idea behind them being to get through a first draft as quickly as possible, and without overthinking things. To be clear, you don’t have to write a fast first draft; it's just one strategy. But as a writing strategy, this method can be effective if you're struggling...
6 months ago • 5 min read
✅ A quick note before we begin: If you've been stuck on what to write or how to start… I have something for you! 🎬 Imagine having a draft of your screenplay in weeks, not years. Keep an eye out, details arriving soon... 👀 4 drafts that will make finishing your screenplay easier, and your finished screenplay better Now that March is upon us, you may be thinking about how to add a little focus to your screenwriting efforts, or how to get on track for the rest of the year. (The year is not so...
6 months ago • 3 min read