Carlos Sellan

Page One: "Materialists" (2025) | Go Into The Story Get more from Go Into The Story on Patreon

Page One: "Materialists" (2025), written by Celine Song

Read the screenplay here.

www.patreon.com/posts/145088... #movies #screenwriting

One of the most important things with screenwriting is simply having an intention.

It's choosing what you want in that scene and in that moment. After that, everything else is pretty much just problem-solving.

It's all the non-choices that kill most screenplays.

#screenwriting

Flash fiction is a great way to practice making every word count! Learn more about writing very short fiction in our latest blog post: vist.ly/4gr55 #WritingTips

All's I know is that the guy's name is Andrew, and we care about all the same stuff. We have somewhat-different takes and VERY different vibes (lol), but I see this dude, and what drives me drives him.

Whew, I shit-sure can't make a diagram like that. Jesus. You'd think it'd be easy, but I'm a writer, not a fucking architect. I don't know how to do shit like this. I can't even work Excel.

"The real secret of dramatic #storytelling is that it's basically just a series of nested, dramatic arcs."

With a cool diagram. Man, I ❤️ this channel. This is so my speed. It's in the name, #TheArtofStorytelling 🤓

youtu.be/WDZbTJGFtF0?...

This is a great #LOTR vid; I agree #theatricalcut better

Ever try to sneak a happy ending into a horror story and it just... won't stick? The genre demands dread, but I still want a sliver of hope. How do you balance payoff with fear? #horrorcommunity #writinghorror #amwriting

YouTube video by Behind the Curtain How I Wrote Little Women — Greta Gerwig's Writing Advice

Although not the book I’m adapting, this is an insightful interview of Greta Gerwig and her approach to adapting Little Women.

youtu.be/vG906HuUz38?...

Strike conversational tone in nonfiction book The most significant problem with nonfiction books that I edit is their tone – they are either a dry read or too preachy. By dry, I mean they stick solely to the facts and sound like an encycl…

#nonfiction #truestory #askeditor #writingcommunity #amwriting #writerscommunity inventingrealityediting.com/2... inventingrealityediting.com/2...

#Writetip: Storytelling isn’t linear. It’s more like a spiderweb with tales and characters starting at the outer edges and ending up all connected in the center. It’s complex and beautiful, a pattern woven together with skill and car.

#amwriting #writingcommunity #notebook #storiesmatter

YouTube video by Tennyson E. Stead How To Write Theme as Subtext

Action good! Theme bad!

We've talked a lot about how writers need to put their agendas aside and build their stories around the actors... so what happens when a writer has something they want to say on the screen?

youtu.be/GAQ4t0FH5wY #screenwriting #scriptsky #writersky #writing #film #filmmaking

If your characters are compelling, the plot engaging, the pacing tight, the emotion authentic, and the story concept strong, none of the so-called rules matter. The only thing that does is how your story plays on the page. #screenwriting

TEST: If you can cut the first three chapters and the reader will still understand your plot, your pacing is too slow. More about when your Inciting Incident needs to hit to keep readers engaged... Comment DEV EDIT for more. #devedit #storystructure #savethecat #writingtips #pacing

I write into "Dimly lit hallways."

7-point-plot structure, so strong notes on character, setting, and problem, then I let them try things and see where it takes us.

Generally have an estimate on length and a "how it ends" in mind. Rest is fun.

Good writing isn’t about avoiding tropes—it’s about reinventing them. 🔄 Learn how to twist, subvert, and combine tropes to surprise your readers: vist.ly/4fmcs #WritingTips

Talking About the Miscommunication Trope Because Our Characters Sure Won't

I'm talking about the miscommunication trope in my article for this week. Head to Substack to read that, andmore fiction content #writingcommunity #fantasy #booksky
open.substack.com/pub/crystald...

Guillermo del Toro says adapting a classic is ‘like marrying a widow’, you inherit the history, the baggage, and the expectations.
#scriptanatomy #screenwriting #storytelling #writingtips

I switch POV when it serves the story. I’ve found that establishing the POV at the very start of the chapter makes it clear to the reader that they’re in a new POV and that’s worked well.

What is the point of this scene? If you can’t answer this question, figure out the scene’s purpose… or cut it. #screenwriting

Can a Reader tell what genre your script is from the first few pages?

Yup, that's something they look for.

Luckily, there's loads of ways to weave or hint at genre both subtly and explicitly.

Use one, or use a few, whatever works. #scriptsky

David Guggenheim, screenwriter of SAFE HOUSE, discussing one way to absorb notes and feedback, during his appearance at Storytelling360: State of the Story on October 5, 2025 at the Directors Guild Theater in NYC.

#screenwriter #screenwriting #storytelling #writingcommunity #writersky #scriptsky

What is the Difference Between a Horror and a Thriller? The Definitive Guide What is the difference between a horror and a thriller? An expert guide breaks down the core distinctions: goals (fear vs. suspense), antagonists (monsters vs. humans), and pacing. Master the two genr...

Curious whether a story is horror or thriller? This definitive guide breaks down the emotional engine: horror shocks you with fear and the unnatural, while thrillers grip you with...
Read here: www.davidstewartbooks.com/what-is-the-...
#GenreTalk #HorrorVsThriller #WritingTips #Storytelling

How to Strengthen a Scene with Dramatic Irony Do you know how to write this into your scripts for greater tension?

How to Strengthen a Scene with Dramatic Irony flip.it/86A-uO #writesky

Tuesday Trope Treasures Pirate Chest that is open with shiny coins sticking out

Happy Trope Tuesday! Today's topic: Height difference romance (tall man with a short woman or the opposite)

Is this a trope you like? Where have you seen it done well? Where have you seen it done bad? Do you just absolutely hate it?

Check below for our stance on Tropes!

#writesky #booksky 📚 🪐 💙

Does every author struggle with this?
No? Just me then.

#authoring #storytelling #writing #books #tellingstories #inmyhead #dreamsvsreality #theharshreality #thecoldtruth #manifesting #writingbooks #author #writer

When I am cirtiquing someone’s manuscript, I have this distinct feeling that I can tell who is reading actively within their genre and who is not reading much at all.

#WritingCommunity

Sometimes the easiest way to refresh a sci-fi trope is to flip its moral centre. Take the “chosen one” narrative: what happens when the prophecy is wrong or the hero refuses the role?
Subversion can reveal a deeper truth the trope usually hides. #Writing #SciFi #AmWriting

Stranger Things nails ensemble plotting: every group follows its own thread, finds unique clues, and the pieces only make sense when they come together at the end.
#DraftHappens #StrangerThings #WritingTips #Plotting #StoryArcs

I recently read someone’s spec pilot and it left me a little confused. So when I was giving notes, I asked some clarifying questions. So here’s a thread on 3 QUESTIONS YOU ABSOLUTELY NEED TO BE ABLE TO ANSWER with your script/pitch.
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#Scriptsky #Screenwriting #WritingCommunity

Want to know the difference between a trope and a cliché? 💡 Learn how to tell them apart: vist.ly/4eiie #WritingTips

Tuesday Trope Treasures Pirate Chest that is open with shiny coins sticking out

Happy Trope Tuesday! Today's topic: Evil animals (demonic dogs/cats/horses/etc.)

Is this a trope you like? Have you written it? Where have you seen it done well?

Where have you seen it done bad? Do you just absolutely hate it?

Check below for our stance on Tropes!

#writesky #booksky 📚 🪐 💙

Script Analysis: “The Silence of the Lambs” (1991) — Scene By Scene Breakdown. A great way to analyze a screenplay and its story structure. gointothestory.blcklst.com/script-analy... #movies #screenwriting