C is for Characters – The Writer’s Alphabet

In the Writer's Alphabet, "C" stands for "Characters." In this subversive bit of writing advice, Graham Edwards presents you with his exclusive set of 15 Character Archetype Cards ... only to tell you exactly why you SHOULDN'T use them!

B is for But – The Writer’s Alphabet

In the Writer's Alphabet, "B" stands for "But." Read this snippet of writing wisdom from Graham Edwards to learn how adding the "but" to your outline will dial up the drama to screaming pitch!

A is for Adverbs – The Writer’s Alphabet

In the Writer's Alphabet, "A" stands for "Adverbs." Read this nugget of writing wisdom from Graham Edwards to learn why adverbs should be avoided at all costs!

Writing “Star Trek” for Cinefex with Scrivener

I write for Cinefex, a bimonthly magazine devoted to motion picture visual effects. In 2016, one of the many films I covered was Star Trek Beyond. Want to know how I tackled it? I’ll tell you. First up, a few facts and figures. My Star Trek Beyond article was 8,300 words long, about average for the … Continue reading Writing “Star Trek” for Cinefex with Scrivener

Storytelling – When Will It Ever End?

Many stories share a common structure derived from just three component parts: Premise Conflict Resolution Or, if you prefer: “Where the hell am I and what the hell’s going on?” “Aw jeez – can you make this any more difficult?” “Wow – who’d have thought we’d end up here?” Think of almost any story, and … Continue reading Storytelling – When Will It Ever End?

What is Story?

"What is story?" That’s one of the prickly questions tackled by screenwriting guru Robert McKee in his book Story: Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting, which does a remarkable job of both dissecting the craft of the storyteller, and inspiring the reader to stop shirking and get to work. At the heart of … Continue reading What is Story?

“Talus and the Frozen King” – First Draft VS Final

At what point does homage become pastiche? That's the question I came up against when I wrote my Neolithic murder mystery Talus and the Frozen King. While the novel is unashamedly inspired by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic stories about Victorian detective Sherlock Holmes, I was determined that my tale of ancient crime and punishment … Continue reading “Talus and the Frozen King” – First Draft VS Final

Writing in Technicolor

I write in Technicolor. Perhaps I should explain. Like most writers of my generation, my writing style and sense of narrative have been greatly influenced by cinema. If you asked me to list the stories that have had the greatest influence on me, I'd be as likely to cite George Lucas's Star Wars as John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath, … Continue reading Writing in Technicolor

Neolithic Names

Character names are a thorny issue for writers of fiction. If a name doesn't remind you of your old Uncle Henry, it probably conjures up an image of a famous actor or politican. Perhaps a notorious serial killer. Give your hero a long name and you'll be sick of writing it out by the time … Continue reading Neolithic Names

The Sensual Typewriter

I remember my first typewriter well. It was a pale grey Remington and it weighed approximately half a ton. While it was theoretically portable, it was impossible to carry the damn thing from one room to the next without risking a double hernia. It was so heavy that I was under strict instructions from my … Continue reading The Sensual Typewriter