The following article discusses "Theme," which is a huge aspect of the newly launched Script Quack screenwriting class. Want to know more?  CLICK HERE.

Setting up or describing a location definitely isn’t the sexiest part of screenwriting, but it’s essential.

A good script is easy for the reader to visualize and no matter how you shake it, location is a big part of that visualization.

But new writers can get stuck on setting up their locations. So we decided to take a look at how some of great writers set up locations in their scripts.

Keep reading, and you’ll never get stuck on describing locations again.

If you’re struggling to write strong characters, chances are you've forgotten what really makes people unique, both in the real world and in your scripts.

Maybe you've started focusing on the way people talk. Or what they wear. Or what their job is.

But none of those things are really personal. Sure, a special way of talking will set a character apart from the others in your script, but that alone won’t make them unforgettable.

The same is true for the other details mentioned above. All that stuff is superficial. If you really want your characters to shine, you need to go deep.

Keep reading to find out how.

So if you’re looking for real, actionable advice on how to improve your writing – look no further.

Here’s 5 (More) Ways to Become a Better Writer in 2014…

When Chelsea and I first started writing, we got a lot of frustrating notes.

Everybody that read our worked really liked it, but our writing didn't quite resonate enough for them to actually buy, produce or option our scripts. 

Over and over, people would say things like..

"The writing was really strong, but sometimes it felt a little flat..."
OR
"It was a great read, but we didn't connect with the concept..."
OR
"You clearly know how to tell a story, but it just didn't stick with me..."

It was FRUSTRATING. We had read all the books and we had learned all the rules, but our writing just wasn't hitting as hard as we needed it to.

So we studied up... 

We read every great script we could get our hands on and we studied them inside and out. 

Here's what we discovered...

Happy New Year! Happy New Day! Happy Right Now!

This is a bit of a belated New Year post but it’s still January, so I think it’s fair game. 

If you’re like many people around the world, you started this year off by setting unrealistic goals for 2014, and resolving to change the way you live in drastic ways that you’ll never be able to achieve.

But where you’re writing is concerned, there are plenty of small things you can do to become a better writer in 2014. (And they are totally achievable!)

We wrote a similar article last year (How to Become a Better Writer in 2013). Consider this article an update on that.

So forget all those other resolutions you made. Losing weight. Gaining muscle. Finally quitting Candy Crush…

Pick an item from this list (or every item), and become a better writer in 2014.

They don't have an agent or manager to help with the decision, and all of the options can feel a little overwhelming.

This article will address each of those issues, so whenever it’s time to choose a new project, come back here, and the process will be made that much easier.

Keep reading.