Writer's Detective ✍️🕵️‍♂️

The Writer’s Detective Bureau is finally a VIDEO podcast. youtu.be/RtzjfewSza4

Screenwriting notes often come in the language of emotion rather than craft. - I liked this. I didn't like this. - If I were you, I would do this... It's up to us to determine what's actually wrong. Here are 15 common notes and their most likely structural fix. 👇 1. It took too long to get started. The inciting incident is coming too late. 2. It starts slow. The writer is taking the “ordinary” in the “ordinary world” too literally. 3. I didn’t care about the characters. Act 1 needs work. Give special attention to the relationships and the protagonist's emotional desires. 4. It took too long to know what it was about. The central dramatic question comes too late. 5. It felt like two different movies. The dramatic question changes. 6. It felt too simple. The supporting characters and subplots aren't bringing anything to the party. 7. It just seems to plod along. All plot, no story and/or not enough great scenes. 8. It started well but dragged as it went on. Weak midpoint. 9. It’s slow. Not enough great scenes and/or a failure in scene-to-scene narrative momentum. 10. It’s all over the place. The story is not clearly defined, and/or the plot lacks story discipline. 11. I don't know what this is about. The story is not clearly defined, and/or the plot lacks story discipline. 12. Nothing is unique here. You lack a concept that generates great scenes. 13. You didn't take advantage of your own idea. You have a concept, but you either lack great scenes or they're too generic and unrelated to the concept. 14. It ended too quickly. Act 3 was too short and unsatisfying. 15. The ending wasn’t satisfying. All plot, no story, and/or Act 3 wasn’t an answer/response to Act 1. - These aren't definitive; they're just the first place to look. There are endless variations to all kinds of notes, and the skill comes from identifying the source problem. But this is why we learn story structure. It's not just about writing that first draft. It's about knowing how to fix what isn't working. That's a wrap for this post! If you enjoyed this post and are interested in screenwriting: 1. Follow me @storyandplot for more of these. 2. Share this post. It just takes a click!

@CapitalOne locked me out of my account while traveling abroad. Sent in my ID. Now I have to “wait 7 to 10 business days” for the fraud dept. to call me back & unlock card. Now I get to switch all reservations to other cards & pay phone company $10/day to wait for their call.🤬

@lisabilyeu Thank you so much for your keynote at #VidSummit yesterday. 💯% life-changing advice for working with your spouse. Cheers to playing doubles!

I wish I had a pencil-thin mustache, and I could solve some mysteries too. RIP 🦜JB🦜

@LarryDWilcox Happy birthday!!

Thanks to all for my B DY wishes- Spa Day

One thing about the WGA strike that I constantly think of is the studios saying they will continue to pay late. When I signed my deal for my sitcom, I waited a YEAR to get paid. My boyfriend at the time borrowed money from his family for us to get by. Always remember the fight.

In this ✍️🕵️‍♂️ podcast ep., I answer writers’ questions about DA Investigators, the legalities of warrantless arrests in a home, and what it takes to run a cover-up. writersdetective.con/135

The former Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs on DEAD FALL by @BradThor.

@cookson_emma 💪💪💪

@JoshOnAir The Wire.

ON-AIR DEBATE POLL: Which was the greatest HBO scripted TV series for guys? 🤔

Threads App, Life Insurance Lookups, VINELink, Confidential Name Chances, Restraining Order Violations writersdetective.com/134

Who's a group you don't wanna mess with? I'll start:

@FinishLineScrip I figure stuff out and then show people who know to type how they can do it too.

Best answer gets a prize!

Uhh…it’s probably easier if you just find me on 🧵🪡

@robertoblake Thanks for sharing this. Nate’s great!

If you enjoyed Channel Makers, subscribe to Nate Black! @ThatNateBlack" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">youtube.com/@ThatNateBlack He’s doing his own thing now and helping Creators. He and the previous company have parted ways! Support him on his solo channel!

#Writers, NEVER “read the writing on the wall.” Was w/friends. He wants to #write a novel and is in his 50s. His wife said, “Read the writing on the wall. You’re too old.” Reminded me of an ex who still can’t believe I published my first novel AND joined the #WGA in my 50s.

@TubeBuddy Detective helping writers

Describe your channel in just 3 words 👇

@robertoblake @PatFlynn @seancannell @patrickbetdavid @theChrisDo 💯

Something I’ve always admired about @PatFlynn @seancannell @patrickbetdavid and @theChrisDo is not just how accomplished they are as an entrepreneurs… but as men who built families, keep learning from others, keep exploring and evolving, and how invested they are in their children and the life they built for their families. Admire them as much for the fathers and husbands they are, as I do for what they have built.

@themilwaukeemob @JackCarrUSA 💯

@JackCarrUSA @WritersDetctive The book is far far better then the films

A.J. Quinnell was born on this day in 1940. He is best known for his novel MAN ON FIRE which introduced the world to Mr. Creasy, a protagonist whose name belongs with the most iconic characters of the thriller genre. MAN ON FIRE was twice adapted for the big screen, first in 1987 starring Scott Glenn and again in 2004 starring Denzel Washington. A.J. Quinnell was one of my early professors in the art of storytelling. His work encouraged me along my path into special operations and into my current profession as a writer. • I always wanted to make the pilgrimage to Gleneagles Bar in Malta to buy A.J. Quinnell a drink. Now that meeting will have to wait. • A.J. Quinnell 25 June 1940 - 10 July 2005 •