Final Draft Resources

Okay.

This is my last post for the day. Then its back to work on my clients' material.

The following is a newsletter from FINAL DRAFT. I think you may be interest in reading it. You may also be interested in subscribing to it.

Click here to view online

Company Newsletter

Big Break Regular Deadline – June 16 Get your scripts ready! The Big Break regular deadline is fast approaching. Big Break winners share in over $80,000 worth of prizes, including a place in the prestigious NYFA Screenwriting Fellowship.

Enter Now

Final Draft 9.0.7 update now available  To download the latest version, simply visit your Help menu in Final Draft 9 and select “Check for Updates”. The program will prompt you to update if you are running an older version. Update Now Final Draft Writer for iPhone & iPad out now  Creativity is now truly portable. With the Writer App for iPhone & iPad, you can make edits on the move, email scripts to your colleagues, or even start a screenplay from scratch – right from your iPhone and iPad. Currently the app is on sale for $14.99 for a limited time. Get inspired today. Buy Now Final Draft at ATX  Final Draft was proud to sponsor the Pitching Competition at this year’s ATX Festival in Austin. Phil Galasso, our Director of Studio Relations, was on hand to hear some amazing pitches, as well as demo the new Writer App for iPhone & iPad.  Learn More Final Draft salutes Robert Towne at Nantucket Film Festival  We are proud to support the 2015 Screenwriters Tribute at the Nantucket Film Festival on June 27, where legendary screenwriter and Final Draft Hall of Famer Robert Towne (Chinatown, The Last Detail) will be celebrated for his extraordinary contribution to screenwriting.  Learn More How I Broke In: An interview with Brian Duffield  We speak to Brian Duffield, writer of the mega–hit sequel Insurgent, about his early scripts, landing on the Black List, and how success meant finally being able to afford valet parking.  Read Here

Copyright © 2015 Final Draft, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Final Draft, Inc., 26707 W. Agoura Rd., Suite 205, Calabasas, CA 91302

Elevate Your Antagonist with Tips in Our FREE Download

Dear Readers,

Here is another post for you. It concerns the "antagonist". Click below to get a free download on step to creating an antagonist. Mind you this download is from SCRIPT Magazine.

Elevate Your Antagonist with Tips in Our FREE Download
Get your FREE download of 6 Tips for a Stand-Out Antagonist to learn how to create an compelling nemesis for your protagonist! 
Click to Continue

Brainstorming Ideas For Writing Script and Novels

The hard part of writing is writers block. We all get it. following are some articles from SCRIPT Magazine that tell of how to over come writer's block and start brainstorming ideas. Click on the to get the details.

• More articles by Steve Kaire
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• Jeanne’s Tuesday Screenwriting Tip: 7 Brainstorming Techniques
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• 12 Brainstorming Techniques
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• Balls of Steel: Brainstorming Partner – The Perfect Storm
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Enter 2015 Writing Competition Win $5,000 and a Literary Agent!

Hello, Readers!

Here is a contest that you may be interested in entering.

Your work could be seen by editors and agents—and you could pocket big money! Be among the very best. For more than 80 years, Writer's Digest has been showcasing the year's most deserving work in its Annual Writing Competition and this could be your year to join this elite club. Don't second-guess yourself. In order to be recognized, your work has to be seen. Enter by June 19 and you could win: $5,000 in prize money An announcement of your win on the cover of Writer's Digest A 30-minute Platform Strategy Consultation with Chuck Sambuchino National exposure for your work One-on-one attention with four editors or agents A paid trip to the ever-popular Writer's Digest Annual Conference in New York City! What we're looking for: Your finest work! Submit what really showcases your unique talents. Entries representing a wide variety of genres are encouraged! See the full list of categories here. Don't let this opportunity pass you by!

Writing Dialogue for Emotional Impact

Dear Readers,

Happy June. Summer is here now.

It has been a while since I made an entry. I've been busy with my own writing and with clients. One client I have got an agent for his script. So we've been working hard on that project, doing rewrites. Please note that even after getting an agent you will have to do rewrites. As I have told writers many times, the first and second drafts are never perfect for scripts and novels.

Today I have an post concerning DIALOG. So check it out.

SCREENWRITERS UNIVERSITY

Screenwriters University  :  The Writers Store  :  Screenwriting Software  :  Screenwriting Webinars Are your characters saying exactly what they mean? Are their exchanges simply there to move the plot along? It's time to rethink your approach! Award-winning instructor, Karl Iglesias, will show you how to give your dialogue the makeover it needs. Learn how to write emotional and subtle dialogue that will leave your reader wanting more in this four-week online class. Join today! In Writing Dialogue for Emotional Impact you will learn: More than 45 effective dialogue techniques that will help you turn your story's dialogue from boring to exciting The nine requirements of great dialogue The most common dialogue problems found in amateur scripts and how to avoid them 15 advanced, effective techniques to create emotionally-impactful dialogue 10 techniques for dialogue that individualizes your characters How to present information through dialogue in a way that engages the reader Nine effective ways to create subtle exposition in your script How to avoid "on-the-nose" dialogue and 12 techniques to turn "on-the-nose" dialogue into subtext -- Happy Writing! Kristin KRISTIN HALL Instructional Designer Screenwriters University Have a Question? Contact Us Featured Workshop Start Date: 6/11  Instructor: Karl Iglesias Length: 4 Weeks About the Instructor Writing Dialogue For Emotional Impact with Karl Iglesias Karl Iglesias teaches at the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program, where he’s been awarded Outstanding Instructor for 2010. He is the best-selling author of THE 101 HABITS OF HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL SCREENWRITERS, and WRITING FOR EMOTIONAL IMPACT. He also contributed chapters to NOW WRITE SCREENWRITING and UCLA's CUT TO THE CHASE. A graduate of Cornell University, he has worked as a script analyst and development executive for various production companies. As a script consultant passionate about great storytelling, he specializes in reader emotional response. He can be reached through his website at www.karliglesias.com.

Writer's Digest Annual Conference July 31- Aug 2 2015

View this email with images »

GOT A QUESTION FOR A LITERARY AGENT?ASK FOUR OF THEM AT THE WRITER'S DIGEST ANNUAL CONFERENCE!     My name is Chuck Sambuchino, and I edit the Guide to Literary Agents for WD.  I also get the honor of moderating the popular "Ask the Agents" Friday panel at the Writer's Digest Annual Conference in New York City this July 31–August 2. The panel is one of our most popular sessions because it gives attendees an opportunity  to ask four different literary agents questions about how to get published. You can ask any question that's specific to your own journey. Maybe you want to  hear some advice on how to resubmit your work to an agency. Maybe you want to  learn more about query letter no-nos. Or maybe you just want general advice on  what makes agents (and editors) stop reading after the first few pages. It doesn't  matter—all craft and business-related writing topics are up for discussion! Before the panel, I will be teaching "Pitch Perfect," a session on how to pitch  your work to an agent. It's a simple starting point for people who don't know  how to approach an agent. If you want in on this session, be sure to register  for the Pitch Slam/Basic Conference option. Then, in the panel that follows,  we can delve more into subjects such as how to classify your work, how to  make your story stand out, and how to give your submission the best chance  possible. The panel is an excellent opportunity to get tough questions answered as you continue along your writing journey—so join me this summer at the event! I hope to see you there. When you register by July 30, you'll lock in your best possible price!     Chuck Sambuchino Editor Guide to Literary Agents Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market www.guidetoliteraryagents.com/blog @chucksambuchino Author, How to Survive a Garden Gnome Attack (2010) Film rights optioned by Sony & Robert Zemeckis Author, Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript, 3rd Ed. (2009) Author, Create Your Writer Platform (2012) Author, Get an Agent (Dec. 2014)

Literary Agents & Writing Advice

Dear Readers,

Below is an email I found in my inbox when I was cleaning it out today. You might find it interesting.

Editor's Letter Chuck Sambuchino Editor, GLA and CWIM http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents Happy summer, all! I hope you're doing the best thing to do during any hot days, which is, naturally, hitting the community pool. My toddler daughter is a water slide junkie, and demands constant fun while at the pool. She can be demanding that way... The first pressing thing to share with you is that I have a book giveaway contest going on in conjunction with my most recent TWL guest column called "The One Big Reason Some Blogs Succeed, While Others Crash and Burn." The column takes a direct look at why a few blogs break out, and most do not. After you've read the post, comment on it for a chance to win a copy of my writing book, CREATE YOUR WRITER PLATFORM. And seeing as how some amazing summer writing events are coming up fast, I want to repeat a few conference/workshop items I mentioned last newsletter in case you missed them. These should especially be of interest for writers based in/around Minnesota, Indiana, New York, Cincinnati and Los Angeles: In NYC, from Aug. 1-3, WD hosts its huge (huge!) annual writing conference , which features more than 50 literary agents meeting writers at its Pitch Slam. The event is big for a reason -- check it out! In Minnesota, the Minnesota Writing Workshop (Sept. 6) is quickly approaching, and features the awesome agents from Red Sofa Literary taking pitches as well as plenty of workshops. I will be there teaching, as well. Somewhere else I'll be teaching is Indianapolis (Nov. 1) -- talking all about book publishing options, submissions, marketing, agents, and much more. All Indiana event details here. In Los Angeles, WD is putting on a conference of our own from Aug. 15-17. It will have sessions, instructions, and several agents in attendance meeting with writers. In Cincinnati, I will personally be teaching 3 different (free!) Tuesday evening classes at the downtown library on July 15, July 22, and July 29. All details can be found here. Until next time, good luck writing, agent hunting, and building your writer platform! Chuck Sambuchino Editor, 2014 Guide to Literary Agents   Editor, 2014 Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market  Author, How to Survive a Garden Gnome Attack Author, Create Your Writer Platform  literaryagent@fwmedia.com www.guidetoliteraryagents.com/blog Twitter: @chucksambuchino Chuck on Facebook

2 Agents Seeking Your Query NOW Click on any name below to see the full mini-profile on the GLA Blog (with submission instructions). Good luck querying! 1. Whitley Abell of Inklings Literary She is seeking: Whitley is primarily interested in Young Adult, Middle Grade, and select Upmarket Women's fiction. She likes characters who are relatable yet flawed, hooks that offer new points of view and exciting adventures, vibrant settings that become active characters in their own right, and a story that sticks with the reader long after turning the last page, be it contemporary or historical, realistic or supernatural, tragic or quirky. She loves mythology and literary re-imaginings, heartbreaking contemporary novels, historical suspense, and craving cute romantic comedies for YA through adult (ex: Sophie Kinsella, Lauren Morrill, Stephanie Perkins). She is not interested in vampires, werewolves, angels, zombies, dystopian societies, steampunk, or epic fantasy. Please no paranormal / fantasy for adults. 2. Alexander Slater of Trident Media Group He is seeking: Alexander is interested in children's, middle grade, and young adult fiction and nonfiction, from new and established authors.  As he says, "I'm looking for projects that will rise above the rest...characters you'll remember well past childhood...books that translate well to film because within them contain incredible stories, not because they're the latest trend."  He particularly loves authors like Frank Portman, Jim Shepard, Jenny Han, and Rainbow Rowell.

Crazy Market Book Sale: Find GLA, CWIM and Others at 75% Off in Our Shop! I have no idea how long this sale lasts, but as I write this newsletter, it's live -- so I suggest checking it out NOW. WD is listing all of the 2014 market books at 75% off. That means for a mere $7.99 a piece, you can get the 2014 Writer's Market, the 2014 Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market, or the 2014 Guide to Literary Agents -- or all of them, if you want. If you were thinking about ordering a 2014 market book but hadn't pulled the trigger yet, now is the time. To purchase the books, click here to be take to the Writer's Digest Shop, and scroll down until you find the 2014 product you're searching for.

Win Free Books: Giveaways Happening Now on the Blog Like winning free novels? Several guest columns on the GLA Blog are currently running giveaway contests. All you have to do is comment on any or all of the posts for a chance to win a book. Here are the current contests: 1. (ends today, July 2) Natalia Sylvester , author of the literary fiction debut CHASING THE SUN, explains the story of how she came to find & sign with her agent, Brandi Bowles of Foundry Literary + Media. She also gives away a free book. 2. (ends tomorrow, July 3) Sally Koslow, author of the novel THE WIDOW WALTZ, shares her 7 best pieces of writing advice. My favorite tip: "Use exercise to jumpstart your creativity." She also gives away a free book. 3. Kristi Belcamino , author of the mystery BLESSED ARE THE DEAD, explains the story of how she came to find & sign with her agent, Stacey Glick of Dystel & Goderich. She also gives away a free book. Simply click through to the guest columns, and after enjoying them, comment on one or all of the columns for your chance to win.

Evergreen Guest Content: 20 Helpful Columns for Writers Between all the columns and guest columns and interviews and such I post each year, a lot can fall through the cracks. That said, let me point you to some helpful evergreen guest posts on the craft and business of writing that I've penned over the past year. These posts will teach you how to write a query, how to write a synopsis, how to start your novel strong, which writers' conferences to attend, and much more. Check them out: 1. Should you sign with a new literary agent? 2. Do you need multiple agents if you write in multiple genres? 3. How to start your novel. 4. Why writers must make themselves easy to contact. 5. How to write a novel synopsis. 6. Query letter questions answered. 7. 11 frequently asked questions about book royalties and money. 8. Learn why "Keep moving forward" may be the best advice of all for writers. 9. Want to adapt your novel into a screenplay? Start here. 10. How NOT to start your story. Read advice from agents. 11. What are the BEST writers conferences to attend? 12. How do you make money writing articles for magazines? 13. 11 ways to support an author's new book release. 14. What to write in the BIO section of your query letter. 15. What does a literary agent want to see when they Google you? 16. Headed to a conference? Learn how to pitch an agent. 17. What does it mean when an agent says "This isn't right for me"? 18. Agents share their query letter pet peeves. 19. How do you use social media to sell more books? 20. When can you call yourself a writer?