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!"
Why you still need to know your stuff, even with AI {time sensitive}
Why you still need to know your stuff, even with AIRight 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 director. The executive editor. Which means:
That’s why improving your own skills and instincts still matters. Maybe more than ever. If you’re going to lead the room (or the robot), you need to know your craft. You need to be the one who can confidently say, “Yes, this is the right protagonist,” or “This is the ending that delivers the strongest emotional payoff.” And that’s exactly what we’ll do in Turn Your Idea Into a Story — a 90-minute workshop designed to help you develop sharper instincts, clearer story thinking, and stronger ideas you can actually build a screenplay around. The live workshop happens on August 10th, and a replay is included. 👉 Early bird pricing ends tonight.
Let’s make sure you — not your AI assistant — are running the show. Until next time, Naomi |
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!"
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... 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....
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...