Screenwriting FAQ

Here are some of my answers to frequently asked questions by aspiring screenwriters (click on the links to see my answers):

In movie credits, when there is more than one writer, how can I tell which writer did what?


What is wrong with American screenwriting today? What can be improved about American screenwriting today, if anything?


What are some great movie scenes with little to no dialogue?


How do screenwriters feel about bad reviews, in particular claims of formulaic writing?


What's it like to have your film flop at the box office?

Why should screenwriters, filmmakers and film buffs join Quora?

What are the risks in writing a screenplay from a book to which you don't own the rights?

What are the best Conan the Barbarian stories written by Robert E. Howard, and which story would be the best to adapt as a motion picture?

What are the best examples of "Plant and Payoff" in well known movies?

How do I write a screenplay?

What advice would you give to someone pursuing a career as a screenwriter?

What's it like to watch a movie as an experienced screenwriter?

Which screenplays should aspiring screenwriters read?

What is the best theory of story structure for screenwriting, and why?

On average, how long does it take to write a movie script?

In a movie or screenplay, what does it mean to “raise the stakes?”

Why is it a bad idea to write specific song choices into my script, or have a character sing a Lady GaGa song in the shower?

What are the best books, blogs, and online references for screenwriting or script-writing?