Category: Opinion

Peggy Bechko’s Tips for Writing a First Draft

Writers World
by Peggy Bechko

Read Peggy's new comic -collectors edition #1!
Read Peggy’s new comic – collectors edition #1  of course!

Writing a first draft? Yeah, well, so am I. So I thought I’d bring up a few first draft points. Reminders for the experienced. Suggestions for the less experienced.

The first draft can be daunting. The urge to nit-pick everything from the beginning is there and it is strong. This applies to screen scripts and novels as well. I’ve done both and believe me that urge is always a haunting presence. I mean you know all this stuff. You shouldn’t hit dialog on the nose. You shouldn’t get too ‘wordy’. You need to avoid purple prose and writing. So, as a result you face the first draft with trepidation and you try to do everything ‘right’ on the first round.

Sorry, not happening. You have to be willing to cut ‘n chop, always. So the first draft needs to be whatever you throw on the page to allow your characters to bounce off each other, have fun and develop. See where it all takes you in the context of your brilliant idea. If you’re smart, no one but you is ever going to see that first draft of script or novel. Really. No one. First draft is not the time for sharing. Do what you need to, but not in public. read article

munchman sees BOJACK HORSEMAN

Whoa! An absolutely atypical BOJACK HORSEMAN flashback frame. Cuz that's how yer friendly neighborhood munchman rolls.
Whoa! An absolutely atypical BOJACK HORSEMAN flashback frame. Cuz that’s how yer friendly neighborhood munchman rolls.

by munchman

Like our Beloved Leader, LB, I’m smitten by Netflix’s BOJACK HORSEMAN series, which has just been picked up for a third season of heavy truth-telling, inventive visual puns, tragedy, and even a little humor.

Wait. Truth to tell, the show is funny as hell if you’re the kinda person who enjoys seeing other people’s deepest, most hidden fears come roaring to the surface to confront well-placed banana peels that you yourself aren’t tripping on.

THE GOOD: read article

More TV Questions and Answers for and from LB

This picture perfectly captures my writing process. And my mental age when I write too.
This picture perfectly captures my writing process. And how old I feel while I write.

by Larry Brody

Related questions from a TVWriter™ visitor who needs answers.

Actually, she demands answers, as in this particular questioner re-sent her questions when it took me more than two days to respond. You’re a tough one, lady. Which means you’ll probably go far.

Now where were we? Oh yeah: read article

Peggy Bechko’s Writers World

writers-worldRemember the Basics
by Peggy Bechko

Admittedly, I write and I write about writing. I write a bit of everything – at different times – and I’ve given basic mechanical advice at times.

Today I want to revert to the very basics and give a few reminders. How basic?

Well, for starters the writer needs to show up. Every day. And by that I mean write every day. Have a place where you can sit down and write and do it. And if you can’t do it every day, have a schedule and stick to that. Barring an ultimate emergency, stick to it no matter what happens. You simply have to ‘show up’ if you want to get it done. read article

A Couple of Questions for LB

by Larry Brody

I know, I know. The backlog of career questions I’ve promised to answer but haven’t gotten around to yet is almost as big as Donald Trump’s ego. I’m genuinely sorry about not through them all (or even making a dent). I mean, who doesn’t want a chance to tell old war stories carefully making her or himself the hero?

Now that the People’s Pilot Winners have been announced and I have a (very) short breathing space until plunging into the Feedback, let me reach into ye olde emailbag and see what I can say:

Fp-i-crom SZ: read article