Our weekly-ish newsletter about things that are interesting to writers.
Inneresting
In Episode 649 of Scriptnotes, John talks with Simon Rich (Miracle Workers, American Pickle) about what makes a strong comedic premise, and how the format changes the focus. What’s funny in a three-minute SNL sketch often doesn't translate to a 100-minute feature. This week, let’s go
Inneresting
Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra was at work writing a second volume of the stories of Don Quixote when a curious thing happened: A different author published a second volume. Cervantes then made the effort to use his own sequel to criticize the unauthorized volume, yet in doing so made some
Inneresting
In an episode of Tim Harford's podcast Cautionary Tales, Tim narrates the biography of William McGonagall, aka The Worst Poet in the World. But the focus of the story isn't on the quality of his writing, but the ferocity with which he pursued it and promoted
Inneresting
Comfort viewing wasn't invented during COVID lockdown, but since that moment it's become a larger talking point. What makes a comfort watch, and how do we talk about it? Kathryn VanArendonk looks at the relationship between prestige TV and comfort TV, pointing out how the latter
Inneresting
How many hyphens do you want in your title? We look at when actors write and writers act.
Inneresting
Let's take a look at some real events that made it to the screen more than once.
Inneresting
Forget saving the cat. Show the reader your hero's inner dog.
Inneresting
With scenes and sequences in a story, who has the power? Who's in control? And what will it take to change the character in the driver's seat?
Inneresting
or: How I Learned to Stop Trying to Turn Off the Feelings Marvin Gaye said, "Great artists suffer for the people." The First Noble Truth of the Buddha is The Truth of the Existence of Suffering. There are enough popular examples of the tortured artist stereotype to fill
Inneresting
How can a story show it has a strong, personal understanding of its audience? Should a story start from there, or find its way?
Inneresting
Sometimes we use science to talk about craft, like when a study about conversations can teach something about dialogue.
Inneresting
We're talking about the Garbage Can Model and how a description of chaotic organizations can help writers think about their minds and their craft.