Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Lucy V Hay
How Rare Are My Opinions?
1. Agree or disagree: Golf should be banned. Agree Disagree 2. Agree or disagree: Disney movies are overrated. Agree Disagree 3. Agree or disagree: Social media is an overall positive for humanity. Agree Disagree 4. Agree or disagree: I'd rather it be too hot than too cold outside. Agree Disagree 5. Agree or disagree: AI technology is, overall, good for humankind. Agree Disagree 6. Agree or disagree: Books are better than movies. Agree Disagree 7. Agree or disagree: Nobody should be a billionaire.
120+ Positive Qualities & Character Traits (with Definitions)
Download Article Plus, learn how to write realistic characters with positive traits Download Article What kinds of positive qualities can a person have, and how do those qualities affect them? Whether you’re doing a little introspection to determine your own characteristics or fleshing out a character’s best traits for a story, it’s essential to understand the many different types of positive qualities that exist—and we’re here to help.
10 Brutal Writing Lessons
10 Brutal Writing Lessons I’m not a fan of the term ‘brutal honesty’. This is because too often, the person being honest is paying more heed to the brutality than the honesty. Yuk. No thanks! That said, sometimes we all need a hardcore reality check. This is especially the case in screenwriting, filmmaking and publishing. There’s so much romantic BS and myth-making going on in these industries, it can be difficult to see that reality.
How To Write A Likeable Character
Likeable characters can become the beating heart of your narrative. Readers root for them and stick with them throughout their journeys. But what exactly makes a character likeable? It’s not just about being nice but making them relatable. So, let’s look at how to write such characters! A likeable character is helpful, compassionate and patient with others because it’s part of their personality … NOT because they want something in return. They will even be kind when it’s not convenient to themselves.
The Bechdel Test
The Bechdel Test The Bechdel Test (sometimes referred to as the Bechdel-Wallace Test) is frequently held up as a standard for female characterisation. You may have seen it doing the rounds, especially if you’ve read B2W’s free eBook, How Not to Write Female Characters. The Bechdel Test is based on the 1985 comic strip, Dykes To Watch Out For by Alison Bechdel. It’s frequently used to measure effective female characterisation in film and other fiction.
Top 10 Female TV Sitcom Characters Of All Time
G.O.A.T Female Sitcom Characters In a world full of amazing, funny, kick-ass female sitcom characters, it’s hard to pick a top ten. I did it anyway, all in chronological order. Don’t see your fave here? Then add it to the comments! 1) Lucille Ricardo – I Love Lucy Lucille ‘Lucy’ Ricardo (Lucille Ball), ran in the U.S. from 1951 to 1957. Chances are you know of this iconic character, yet it’s 2024.
3 Simple Things Compelling Characters Need In Your Story
Wanted: Compelling Characters ‘How to write a compelling character’ is one of the most searched-for terms leading to this blog. I frequently write about characterisation, especially with reference to important topics such as diversity and inclusion, or advanced elements like archetypes. But what if you just want a more straightforward, back-to-basics approach? No problem! B2W’s got you covered.
Don't Get Burned Out! Top 8 Self-Care Ideas For Writers
Self-care tips When you’re suffering through rejections, self-doubt, and criticism, it’s important to know how to take care of yourself. These self-care ideas can help guide you to creating a self-care routine. It’s no secret that writers face many struggles and challenges, often worsened by how isolating writing can be. Why self-care matters for writers Many writers struggle with their mental health. Practically all writers could benefit from creating a self-care routine.
5 Reasons Writers SHOULD Include Sex Scenes In Their Writing
Hey Writers: Include Sex Scenes In Your Writing! Yeah I said what I said: I have argued for a LONG time that writers should include sex scenes in our writing. In the past twenty years I’ve seen sex scenes in the spec screenplay and unpublished novel pile DECREASE. But it’s not anti-feminist to include sex scenes in your novel or screenplay … plus modern storytelling is NOT porn, as Matt (below) points out. It’s a worrying trend that people KEEP making this accusation of stories on social media.
The #1 Question Writers Need To Ask Of Their Writing (Do It!!)
The Question You Need To Ask So a couple of weeks ago, I published an article, Top 5 Mistakes Writers Make On Their Page 1 Of Their Screenplays. In the article I gave two examples of (fake) screenplays that had issues. I also posted these script examples to the B2W social media, asking the Bang2writers ‘What’s wrong with THIS page 1?’ (below). Here’s what the Bangers said … ‘Not enough details about Katie – is she the protagonist? If so, what is she wearing?
How We Created & Marketed A Short Film With Zero Dialogue
How To Make A Film With NO Dialogue In May 2021, I was pitched a 5 page ‘dark comedy with zero dialogue that lights the way to the end of abuse against women’. Making a short film is almost always a challenge, but this was even more difficult. How could we convey a woman trapped in an abusive relationship without a single word being spoken by her or her controlling husband? 1) Purpose-Led (At All Times) Initially, I worried zero dialogue was just a technique added in for a unique twist.
No, Characters In Your Story DON'T Have To Change. Here's Why
Do Characters ‘Have’ To Change? In any conversation online about characterisation, it’s never long before somebody pops up proclaiming characters HAVE to change. They may even insist that a character who doesn’t change has ‘no arc’. Calling the department of WRONG! No, characters do NOT have to change. I can’t stress this enough. In fact, sometimes it’s desirable they DON’T change. Have I blown your mind? If I have, I’m not surprised.
Five Top Tips To Smash Your Writing Goals in 2024
It’s hard to believe, but 2023 WHIZZED by. It’s been a tough one for many of us, with strikes, rising cost of living and a whole host of other things. So to help writers get their writing done in 2024, here are five essential things writers should consider … In 2024, it will be crucial for writers to establish a consistent writing routine that suits their lifestyle. Set aside dedicated time each day or week for writing and treat it as a priority.
Your Ultimate Guide To Getting Representation As A Writer
Want Representation? Then Read THIS … One thing writers ask B2W about A LOT is how to get representation as a writer. Then Tom Vaughan popped up in my timeline recently with these gold nuggets below. I particularly love his points about being ‘pre-scrutinised’. It’s SO true that relationships are the lifeblood of the industry. I just had to ask Tom if I could republish his pointers here on the main site. Luckily Tom agreed … and make sure you sign up for his awesome newsletter, HERE.
Unlocking Cause & Effect In Your Writing With The Story Chain
All About The Story Chain Cause and effect is super-important in your novel or screenplay, which means a solid ‘story chain’ is everything. Cause and effect creates an engaging and cohesive story. In simple terms, cause and effect is all about showing how one event leads to another. This creates that ‘chain reaction’ that ultimately shapes the story. An obvious example of this we’re all familiar with is The Hero’s Journey.
Brandon Sanderson's 3 Laws For Magic Systems In Fantasy
Actual Laws for Writing?! Not to worry, you won’t get fined for breaking Sanderson’s laws! He named them ‘laws’ as a bit of a joke (I’m guessing there’s a science joke in there, somewhere). However, Brandon Sanderson is probably one of the best people to learn from for developing magic systems that feel unique. So, it definitely can’t hurt your writing to follow his guidelines on the matter.
1 Simple Tip For Writing Characters UNlike Ourselves
Should writers write characters UNlike themselves? In the 2020s, writers frequently want to write characters UNlike themselves. I do, too! Looking at my books, I have written characters who are not like me. My characters may be (in no particular order): male; older or younger than me; gay; American; black; Romany; British Chinese; transgender; Australian; upper class; homeless and many more besides.
How To Write A Scapegoat Character In Your Novel Or Screenplay
Family Drama If you feel you’re seeing the word ‘scapegoat’ all over social media right now, you’re not wrong. In the past couple of years, psychological terms such as ‘gaslight’, ‘narcissist’, ‘toxic families’, ‘family estrangement’, ‘no contact’ – and now, ‘scapegoat’ – are real talking points. You may have seen these terms ion Facebook memes, talked about them yourself on Twitter, or watched therapists’ TikTok videos.
Top 10 Tips On Writing Sexual Tension In Your Writing
What is Sexual Tension? Sexual tension is a key ingredient in many successful published novels and produced screenplays. Whilst sexual tension turns up most in romance stories, it can be part of ANY story in any genre. For example, I wrote sexual tension in my crime novel, The Other Twin. Sexual tension is that feeling of excitement and anticipation you get when something hot and heavy is happening between the characters, but they haven’t yet acted on their desires.
3 Ways New Authors Can Get Their First 100 Amazon Reviews
Calling New Authors … It is incredibly hard for new authors to build sales momentum. One critical step in creating organic sales is getting at least 50 to 100 positive reviews of your book on Amazon. The reviews establish social proof that your book is worth reading and will help you convert more browsers to buyers. How do you connect with readers willing to give your untested book a chance? 1) Message people on Reddit who like similar books There are so many Reddit groups about books.
3 Top Tips On Querying Via Email (Plus 3 Cringey Things to Avoid)
Query Via Email Email is a much abused and misunderstood tool when it comes to querying. Yet sending query emails is your first line of attack and is a great way of getting your writing solicited. Sadly, most query emails however are badly worded, weird and/or generally needy. This makes it very easy for agents, producers and their assistants to delete or send that “no unsolicited material” link back to writers. Supersadface.
Effective Character Development
Effective Character Development Effective characterisation starts with good character development. Some writers insist that characters come to them ‘fully formed’ but I call BS. Good character development is not dictation. We are CREATING characters and honing our craft! There are a few key things to keep in mind when developing your characters: 1) Make them relatable Your audience needs to be able to connect with your characters on some level.
How To Write A Logline: 5 Key Tips To Remember (And 5 To Avoid)
How To Write A Logline ‘How to write a logline’ brings Bangers to this blog every single day. Here’s a round-up of the topic, divided into DOs and DON’Ts. Ready? Let’s go … A logline is a one-sentence summary of your story that outlines the conflict and sets up the stakes. It’s the boiled-down version of your story that you use to sell your script or project to industry pros like agents, producers or investors.
Make Your Characters POP
Make Your Characters POP It’s not hard to understand why writers do so much work on their characters. Target readers and audiences value good characterisation very highly. Not working hard on yours can really cost you in the long run. However, lots of writers over-complicate this process and tie themselves up in knots. This is why I recommend these three very simple but high-yield writing exercises for yours. Ready?
Expert Advice on Storytelling
1 Start with a simple, compelling premise and build from there. Begin plotting your story by finding a concept you think is engaging. It can be big (dinosaurs destroying an island like in Jurassic Park) or small (men having a long talk about justice like in 12 Angry Men).[1] Brainstorm your potential concepts by writing out ideas as they come to you. They can be in long sentences, loose words, or entire paragraphs. Just get them on the page; you’ll build and polish these concepts later.
A Foolproof Guide To Writing A Killer Pitch Deck
What Is A Pitch Deck? If you’ve been asked for a pitch deck and thought ‘WTAF is that??’, you’re not alone. One of the biggest issues with this screenwriting malarkey is the terminology seems to change every five bloody minutes. Put simply, a pitch deck is a short document that helps sell your story ‘off the page’. The idea is an agent, producer or script reader can assess your idea BEFORE they read your script.
How To Help An Author WITHOUT Buying Their Book
In the interests of transparency, I’ve got a book out! It’s my debut novel at the age of 59 – which should give hope to all those ‘Am I too old?’ Bangers – and I’d love you to buy it. No, seriously: there is no substitute for getting readers to actually hand over their hard-earned cash for the thing you’ve slaved over. But that’s also the point. In these increasingly tough times, getting anyone to part with £16.99 for a hardback (other formats are available) is a big ask. I get it.
Are you ALL IN? How To Know You're A Professional Writer At Last
Are You A Professional Writer Yet? One question I get all the time is ‘How do I know if I am a professional writer?’ The writers asking will usually tell me that though they may have had books published or screenplays produced, they just don’t feel ‘there’ yet. Alternatively, writers may tell me they haven’t earned any $$$£££ yet, so ‘can’t’ be professionals yet. So, how DO you know if you’re a professional writer? Well check out these tips … let’s go.
How Story Arc Works For Your Characters (With Examples)
A Great Story Arc Needs Conflict Every great story has a beginning, middle, and end, also known as a story arc. In order to keep your audience engaged, your story should have a clear story arc with a conflict that is resolved by the end. Le duh! But what is a story arc? As you may guess, it’s the narrative structure of a story. How that story arc works will depend on the story being told.
Top 10 'Unlikeable' Female Characters In Movies & TV
All About ‘Unlikeable’ Female Characters ‘Why are so many female characters unlikeable these days?’ That was a thread I had the misfortune to read recently, but it’s not the only one. Commentary on supposedly ‘unlikeable’ female characters never goes away, it seems.
How To Celebrate A Finished Draft The WRITE Way
Congrats, you’ve finished your draft … … Now it’s time to celebrate. I mean it! Life as a writer is hard, rife with rejection and self-doubt, against seemingly impossible odds. You need to make sure you make time to celebrate this major win. Here’s a few things you may want to consider to help you celebrate. Ready? Let’s go … 1) Acknowledge the win Look in the mirror and tell yourself you’re the main wo/man or person.
10 Superb Writing Reminders From Sally Wainwright
About Sally Wainwright So, the long-awaited third series of Happy Valley by Sally Wainwright on BBC1/iPlayer concluded last night. Wow! I thought it would be a great idea to check out what Sally has to say about writing … and I found some GOLD for you Bangers! But first up, all about Sally Wainwright! She is an English television writer, producer, and director from Yorkshire. Starting out first as a playwright, she also worked on the classic serial radio drama The Archers.
Top 10 Common Problems Writers Must Face Today
4) Lack of Direction This issue may happen if you do not know what you want your story to be about or how you want it to end. To avoid it, brainstorm ideas before beginning any type of writing project, and create detailed outlines so you have some sort of plan when working on your story. Ensure you have a planned ending so you know where your story is going. 5) Poor Grammar and Spelling Errors Poor grammar and spelling can derail all of your efforts to create engaging content.
Top 10 Tips From Neil Gaiman On Being A Writer
About Neil Gaiman Neil Gaiman is a British author, screenwriter and producer. A prolific writer, he started his career as a journalist, then writing biographies and comics. His acclaimed and groundbreaking series, The Sandman (1991) was the first ever comic to receive a literary award – 1991 World Fantasy Award for Best Short Story. The series has been adapted for TV and is currently on Netflix. Gaiman’s work crosses genres and reaches audiences of all ages.
Top 10 Tips To Unleash Your Talent as a Writer
Unleash Your Talent If you want to unleash your talent as a writer, you may find it a frustrating process. You are constantly chasing perfection and you always feel that you could have written a sentence better if you only knew how. Even if you are already confident about your writing, you might still be far from achieving your full potential. With this in mind, here are the ten tips to unleash your talent as a writer. Ready?
How to Use Real Life to Inspire Your Fiction
The memoir section in any book shop is made of writers who have done outlandish, shocking or terrible things (or had them done to them). These books are popular because those writers are the exception, rather than the standard. Whilst it’s said real life is ‘stranger than fiction’, the reality is most of us have pretty straightforward lives. Some may even declare their own lives ‘boring’. So how can we use real life to inspire our fiction?
Top 5 Mistakes Writers Make Working With Script Editors
All About Script Editors A colleague of mine told me that their friend thinks all script editors do is fix commas … if only! With this in mind, I thought it would be good to shed some light on this very complicated, frustrating, but also wonderful and rewarding job! Here’s 5 BIG mistakes to avoid when working with script editors … ready? Let’s go! 1) Stay Silent I have seen a lot of writers (especially new ones) in rooms too reluctant to ‘put up their hand’ … and that’s understandable.
Stop Being Your Own Worst Enemy. Here's How
Are you your own worst enemy? If you suspect you might be your own worst enemy as a writer, this one is for you. There’s so much self-sabotaging behaviour out there (especially online, but also IRL – in real life – too). I thought I would pull together some DOs/DONT’s on how to avoid being your own worst enemy. Do you spot any you are doing right now, or perhaps in the past? Let’s go … 1) Set concrete goals … I saw a mug once that read, ‘A goal without a plan is just a wish’. Whilst cheesy, it’s true.
3 Steps To Writing A Complex Structure In Your Story
Are you writing a complex structure? As veteran Bangers know, I’m a huge fan of a complex structure in both novels and screenplays … So when creator of Atomic Blonde Antony Johnston got in contact offering a guest post about writing his own complex structure, I bit his hand off! So if you’re struggling with your own complex structure, check out Antony’s tips and insights. Enjoy and over to you, Antony … Books are like magic tricks Books require sleight of hand, misdirection, and a grand reveal.
How Do I Know When It's Time To Let Go Of A Draft?
If You Love Something, Let It Go When should we let go of a draft? Well, like so many writing-related things, this can be a real ‘piece of string’ question. That said, there are some best practices to consider that will help you know when to let go. Ready? Let’s go … 1) Have THE GUTS To Finish! To often, writers can’t let go of drafts. They will tinker with them endlessly, making submissions alongside these endless edits. This frequently leads to them trying to make multiple resubmissions.
The Finishing Line: How to Celebrate A Completed Book
So, you’ve finished your book. Congratulations! Writers often work alone, with very little validation. We have to struggle uphill, putting up with rejection and radio silence. This is why we absolutely MUST celebrate our completed books. Here’s how … 1) Acknowledge the Win Look in the mirror and tell yourself you’re the main wo/man. Remind yourself LOTS of people want to be writers … but very few of us manage to get words on paper, never mind make it out the other side to publication.
10 Big Mistakes To Avoid When Writing Female Characters
Don’t Underestimate Or Underwrite Fifty per cent of your potential audience is female, so it does NOT pay to underestimate your female characters. Women in audiences everywhere have made it clear in the past decade on social media … Underwrite female characters at your peril! Too often, female characters become stereotypical in unpublished novels and spec screenplays. A stereotype is a simplication. Whilst writers CAN use stereotypes on purpose for effect, too often writers use them by accident.
10 Important DON'Ts You Must Consider When Writing Your Story
Important DON’Ts Storytelling is much harder than it looks, so I have composed a list of DON’Ts to think about when writing your story. If you find this post useful, please pass it on to your writer friends and followers. Ready? Let’s go … 1) DON’T: Start Too Early If you begin too early in your story, you end up with a ‘top-heavy’ draft. This is no good, because modern readers and viewers do NOT want to wait for your story to start. But how do we avoid starting too early?
Top 5 Mistakes Writers Make With Sex Scenes
So, you want to write sex scenes? There’s a surprising dearth of sex scenes in the spec pile … and when they do appear, they are often incorrect, weird or even sexist. Here’s 5 mistakes to avoid if you want to attempt one in your novel or screenplay. Ready? Let’s go … 1) Too Vague/Euphemistic If I have to read one more piece of writing that describes two characters in bed ‘lying back, spent’, I will GO POSTAL! This such a boring description and I see it SO often.
5 Simple Steps To Getting Your Draft Written
Writing The First Draft Feeling stressed because you can’t move forwards towards your draft? You’re not alone. When we first conceive of an idea for a screenplay or novel, we often falter. This is because we are not used to being able to write whatever we want. This means we can get overwhelmed quickly. In addition, if no one is waiting on our draft, it can be hard to focus. This is one of the reasons I pulled together The B2W Screenwriter’s Roadmap (though you can use it to write novels too – I do!).
Is Your Story A Mystery, Horror or Thriller? Here's How To Tell
Mystery, Thriller or Horror? Mystery, Thriller and Horror novels and screenplays do BIG business as they have high ‘adaptability’. Readers and viewers love them … plus there’s a lot of convergence between them. This is because the Mystery, Horror and Thriller genres have lots of elements that cross over. However, lots of writers run into trouble because they’re not really sure what their story *is* at foundation level.
5 Examples of Story Structure You Should Know About
All About Story Structure Whether you’re writing a novel or screenplay, story structure matters. Building a story structure is like crafting a backbone for your narrative. It helps the audience understand the timeline and meaning of each event, keeping them engaged until the very end. All too often writers focus solely on describing their characters rather than the story’s overall architecture.
Is My Story A Mystery, Horror or Thriller?
By Lucy V Hay Lots of writers enjoy mystery, horror and thriller novels … but are not too sure what differentiates them. As a result, when they attempt their own, they might get stuck. As a script editor in the UK who’s worked on predominantly horror and thriller, plus as an author myself who has written mystery, I am in a position to advise! First up, let’s take a look at mystery.
Top 10 Tips For Dealing With Writing Burnout
How To Deal With Writing Burnout It was another tough year, so chances are you may be dealing with writing burnout. I burned out HARD in both 2020 and 2021, perhaps you did too?
Movies Have Always Been 'Woke'. You Just Didn't Notice
Another week, another message So, apparently B2W is too ‘woke’ so somebody’s unfollowing … blahblahblah. Seriously, this ain’t an airport, no need to announce your departure! I do have one query though: WHO THE HELL HAS THIS PERSON BEEN FOLLOWING BEFORE NOW?? This site and its accompanying social media has always placed the ‘woke’ at its heart, FFS. If this was apparently a problem, you gotta wondered why they followed in the first place. But anyway, no skin off B2W’s nose.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Lucy V
Contact Lucy V, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack