Category Archives: Process

Writer’s Block – Myth or Reality?

Posted on May 31, 2015 by merlenygate

I recently script edited a talented writer who wrote a terrific story outline, an excellent scene-by-scene breakdown but, when it came to the first draft, instead of flying through it and delivering on the promise of her preparation, she not … Continue reading →

Posted in Process, Script Editing, Writing | Tagged character, Julia Cameron's Artist's Way, Process, script editing, Shakespeare in Love, Shakespeare's Globe, Writer, writer's block, writing | Leave a comment

Taking Stories Apart

Posted on February 28, 2015 by merlenygate

Recently I gave a writer some screenwriting advice and like most of my suggestions to other people – it’s something I needed to do myself. If you admire the writing of any TV show or film or novel, or you … Continue reading →

Posted in Novel, Process, Reading, Script Editing, Writing | Tagged chocolate, novel, Process, reading, script editing, writing | Leave a comment

Top Tips for Author Interviews on Radio

Posted on October 15, 2014 by merlenygate

Yesterday I did my first author interview on Brooklands Radio, in Weybridge, Surrey for Be My Friend, the first in the Darkbridge series of psychological suspense novels. I was nervous because although I’ve talked to groups of people, the last … Continue reading →

Posted in Novel, Process, Publishing, Writing | Tagged Be My Friend, Brooklands Radio, Darkbridge, Radio interview | Leave a comment

Be My Friend

Posted on October 2, 2014 by merlenygate

Next week, October 10th, my first full novel will be available on Amazon. For a script editor, it’s a little odd to be sitting on the other side of the table, waiting for the feedback, waiting for the tough review, … Continue reading →

Posted in Process, Publishing, Script Editing, Writing | Tagged Gregg Hurwitz, novel, Process, psychological suspense, script editing, setting, story world, Survivor, theme, writing | Leave a comment

Short Cuts and Dirty Writing Tricks: How to Keep Your Story Outline in Proportion

Posted on August 31, 2014 by merlenygate

Most screenwriting writers will have experienced the treatment/outline writing dilemma, whether it’s for a feature, short film, TV episode, audio drama, or any other preliminary blueprint for the final version. The process is sometimes: outline (a present tense, 1-3 page … Continue reading →

Posted in Novel, Process, Script Editing, Writing | Tagged outline, short cuts, step outline, treatment | Leave a comment

How to Structure An Emotional Arc

Posted on July 31, 2014 by merlenygate

In a single narrative, it’s satisfying to an audience if the character changes. It doesn’t matter whether the character is a better or worse person, what’s important is that they’re not emotionally static. So the obstacles that you throw at … Continue reading →

Posted in Process, Writing | Tagged character, emotional arc, Narrative, story, story map, story structure, structure | 7 Comments

Can Stephen King teach an old writing dog new writing tricks?

Posted on June 30, 2014 by merlenygate

I recently read Mr Mercedes by Stephen King and I found it both brilliant and depressing. Brilliant because it’s a terrific book: strong characterisation, rich and rhythmic language, deft pacing, clarity and so on. And depressing because it’s a terrific … Continue reading →

Posted in Novel, Process, Publishing, Reading, Writing | Tagged crime writers, Mr Mercedes, Stephen King | Leave a comment

Feel The Fear and Write It Anyway

Posted on May 31, 2014 by merlenygate

At the moment I’m developing a new project and as I do so, I’m conscious of the stages that I’m going through because no matter how many writing projects I develop, the fear process is always the same. Step 1 … Continue reading →

Posted in Novel, Process, Script Editing, Writing | Tagged Creative writing, novel, Process, Writer, Writer Resources | 2 Comments