An Idea vs. a Premise by Renée J. Lukas We writers are often immersed in our stories for so long, it’s sometimes hard to sit back and look at the big picture of our story. Sometimes, while writing our treatment, the story still feels like a piece of dough that’s not taking shape. If your [...]
by Renée J. Lukas Screenwriting is the art of telling a story in the most economical way. That’s why it’s so difficult, because many of us writers want to explain the heck out of everything. When you try to master the craft of screenwriting, you have to cut the fat and get to the heart [...]
by Renée Lukas A group of teens getting together to talk about their crushes is typically no big deal. But for one hour every Saturday, it was an act of great courage for a group of teens I once knew. LGBT and questioning teens. Several years ago I’d volunteered to be a facilitator for an [...]
by Renée Lukas With news of an L Word reboot, it might be a good idea to revisit what happened the first time around—and talk frankly about it. Nothing sent my lesbian heart aflutter more than the news that there would be a show devoted completely to lesbians, that I could finally watch a drama [...]
If you’re in middle age, you hope you have a roof over your head and can look in the mirror without saying, “Where in hell has my face gone?” If you can say yes to both of those, you’re already ahead of the game. If, according to Oprah, your life has been whispering to you [...]
by Renée Lukas (In a previous blog I mentioned how hard it can be for writers approaching middle age to steer their career in the right direction. Today’s topic: screenwriting.) As Tom Hanks said in A League of Their Own, “If it was easy everyone would do it.” Some careers feel more like a calling. [...]
by Renée Lukas Me at my first book signing I’ve always defined myself by what I do. I’m a writer. I can’t imagine retiring. In fact, I expect to have a notebook in my hand on my deathbed. Imagine how unsettling it is to realize I’m in middle age and wondering about—and still working toward—the [...]
by Renée J. Lukas I just finished all five seasons of Breaking Bad. As I am with many TV shows and movies, I was late to the party. So yes, I just discovered this Emmy award-winning show long after all the hoopla. But better late than never! If there’s one thing the show Breaking Bad [...]
by Renée J. Lukas “If they hear you, they hunt you.” This summer, a refreshingly smart thriller came into theaters, and it takes you on a fun ride from start to finish. I was kind of disappointed when the lights came up. (WARNING: Spoilers ahead.) ‘A Quiet Place’ is a New Kind of Thriller If [...]
by Renée J. Lukas It’s the bane of every writer’s existence: “Thank you for your submission. Unfortunately, it doesn’t meet our needs at this time.” It’s so vague! You wonder, what exactly didn’t meet their needs? Why don’t they say: “Your main character isn’t likeable,” or “You really use the word ‘really’ too much”? They [...]
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