Join the screenwriters who write to me each week saying, "Your columns are so inspiring," "The light came on after reading this," "Great newsletter this week!!! Always seems to be what I need for my writing. It’s like you’re a mind-reader! Thank you!"
Read scripts, learn screenwriting! (Your December Script Club invite)
Read scripts, learn screenwriting! (Your December Script Club invite)Script Club is back for December — and we’re going festive. This month we’re reading Jingle Bell Heist by Abby McDonald. It’s a holiday heist romcom with a ton of useful lessons packed into a really fun read. If you’re interested in writing a two-hander, romcom, holiday movie, or heist movie (or you just like a smart, charming script), this one’s for you. You’ll find all the details and the download link for the screenplay below. Welcome (back) to Script Club — the reading club for screenwriters.WHO: Screenwriters and people who like to read and discuss screenplays. WHAT: ’Tis the season, so I thought Jingle Bell Heist would be a fun read! Plus, it has some great lessons for anyone who wants to write a two-hander, a romcom, a holiday movie, or a heist movie. And even if none of those is true for you, there’s some great writing in these pages — I noticed examples of voice-y scene description, clever transitions, and sharp character intros I can’t wait to discuss with you. WHEN: Sunday, December 14, 2025 @ 9am Pacific / 12pm Eastern. WHERE: We'll meet on Zoom. I’ll send the meeting link out in next Friday’s Weekly Memo email, so keep an eye out for it. WHY: To read good scripts, talk about what makes them work, and identify some takeaways you can apply to your own writing. HOW:
No need to RSVP — just read the script and watch for the Zoom meeting link in next week's email if you’d like to join. (It's a free event!) 😊 Until next time, Naomi P.S. It's the last Script Club of the year! I don’t know how we got from New Year’s resolutions to “festive criminal activity” season so fast, but here we are. |
Naomi | Write+Co. for screenwriters
Join the screenwriters who write to me each week saying, "Your columns are so inspiring," "The light came on after reading this," "Great newsletter this week!!! Always seems to be what I need for my writing. It’s like you’re a mind-reader! Thank you!"
Quick reminder: the Finish Strong: Writing an Act 3 That Delivers workshop is next Sunday, May 17th. There's still time to sign up. With the extra week, I'm rewatching movies I'll use as examples. 😊 If you have a suggestion, send it my way! Today's topic... Suspense isn't just for thrillers (4 ways to use it in your script) Suspense is one of the most powerful tools for creating audience engagement. But if your first thought is, “This doesn’t apply to me because I don’t write thrillers…” stay...
Hey, it's Naomi with your weekly screenwriting memo! Today's topic... Making sure your stakes matter This week's article is one I pulled from Practical Screenwriting. Also, if you're struggling with understanding story stakes or want to learn how to make the most of your script's stakes, take a peek at Raise the Stakes! --- Here's an often-overlooked aspect of the story's Climax: its effect on stakes. The Climax is the culmination of the "resolution" phase (Act 3), and of the story as a...
Hey, it's Naomi with your weekly screenwriting memo! Today's topic... Are your story’s stakes falling flat? Tell me if this sounds familiar: Your story is doing everything “right": the plot moves, the scenes build, the characters want things. And yet, something’s missing. It’s technically solid, but still doesn’t land. Readers aren’t connecting. They’re not invested. They may even give the dreaded, "Why do we care?” note. That’s not a plot problem — it’s a stakes problem. 3 ways to keep your...