What is a Mary Sue? This much-maligned character type is often the subject of fierce online debate, and pinning down a precise definition requires sorting through swaths of debate and disagreement. In this post, we will be explaining everything you need to know about the Mary Sue trope. We’ll get started with a definition, then examine why this type of character is so derided, look at some examples, and attempt to end things on a positive note by searching for a silver lining.Continue reading What is a Mary Sue — Character Types Explained
How do you write an action scene in a screenplay? How specific and technical should you get? Or, is it better to leave the action description simplistic with the knowledge that a director, choreography, and stunt coordinator will be working out the details of the action? Different screenwriters answer these questions in different ways, and there is no ONE correct answer. Since action can be approached in a multitude of ways, let’s learn through examples and look at scripts that tackle action through three distinct methods.Continue reading How to Write an Action Scene in a Screenplay — 3 Methods
Negative connotation plays an important role in how we regard words and symbols – but what is a negative connotation? We’re going to explore the meaning of negative connotation by looking at examples in literature and film. By the end, you’ll know how to recognize words, signs, and objects with negative connotations, and how to implement them in your work.Continue reading What is a Negative Connotation — Definition and Examples
To understand appropriate sentence structure is to understand the grammatical building blocks of the English language. By having a strong grip on the structures of your sentences, you will be a more versatile writer. In this article, we’ll break down what sentence structure is, what the four types of sentence structures are, and how to use them.Continue reading What is Sentence Structure — Examples and Tips for Writers
While cinema is known for being a primarily visual medium, there is no doubt how much of an impact music can have on a film. Some of the most iconic scenes in history are remembered with a song attached. Sometimes the music choices are left to a director far after the screenplay is written. However, other times music is baked into the screenplay itself and how a scene may operate. In this article, you’ll learn when and how to write music into a screenplay so that you can create unforgettable scenes through music.Continue reading How to Write Music into a…
If you want to get those creative juices flowing, one of the best things you can do is make a writer mood board. This is basically a collage of images, words, and anything else that inspires you and gets you in the mood to write. Not sure how to make one? No worries – I’ve got you covered. Read on for tips on creating a writer mood board that will get you motivated to write. Continue reading How to Make a Writer Mood Board & Inspire Your Storytelling
Irony is everywhere, both in art and in real life. Ironically, this can make it all the harder to spot. As one of the most misunderstood rhetorical devices, irony can remain elusive for even the most skilled artists and hawk-eyed audience members. In this article, we’ll lay out some of the best irony examples and explain what makes them work, and what makes them ironic.Continue reading Irony Examples — 3 Forms of Irony in Literature and Film
We’ve all heard of irony. We hear phrases like “Isn’t it ironic how…” incessantly. And yet, for all its ubiquity, irony remains a tricky term that gets misused over and over again. Understanding what irony means, and what it doesn’t mean, can allow you to further appreciate its use in storytelling, and apply its lessons to your own writing. So what is irony? And how can we use it?Continue reading What is Irony — Definition, Examples & Types Explained
What is an unreliable narrator? We expect the narrator of a film to guide us through the journey and tell us the truth. But what happens when the narrator’s credibility is thrown into question? When we can’t even trust the narrator, it changes our perception of the film.When done well, an untrustworthy narrator can create more complex characters, flesh out pertinent themes, and develop plot twists people talk about for years to come. We’ll provide you with the unreliable narrator definition as well as the different types of unreliable narrators in case you’re thinking of including one in your next…
Most movies tell a story with a beginning, middle, and end. Many of those narrative features tell the story of a single individual that can span a certain amount of time, ranging from a few days to a few decades. Some of those focused narrative movies are also memoirs, which can include original and adapted screenplays. But what is a memoir and how can you identify one?Continue reading What is a Memoir — Definition, Examples in Literature & Film
