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Diana Dru Botsford

…Transcending media one story at a time.

The Power of Perfect Timing: Why Great Scenes Start Late and End Early

December 23, 2024December 24, 2024 dianawriting

Let’s talk about dramatic entrances and swift exits – and no, I don’t mean your last awkward dinner party. In storytelling, timing isn’t just about what happens; it’s about knowing when to throw your readers[…]

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5 Essential Elements of a Compelling TV Pilot (and How to Master Them)

June 19, 2024 dianawriting

We’ll be diving into more detail when the course begins July 9th (still a few seats available to sign up), but I thought this might be a good launchpad for those of you in the[…]

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Writing Dialogue: Rules of the Road

October 1, 2023October 1, 2023 dianawriting

Alright, I wouldn’t really call them rules, but maybe think of them as signposts or goals or just things to consider. I’d also argue that these signposts work almost as equally for both screenplays (TV,[…]

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Painting with Words: Techniques for Creating Vivid Action Description in Screenwriting

August 27, 2023August 27, 2023 dianawriting

Mastering the art of dynamic action description is a crucial step towards creating a screenplay that captivates readers and draws them into your world. In this article, we’ll delve into the essential techniques to craft[…]

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No Conflict, No Story

March 15, 2023 dianaworkshops

Beginning April 4th, I’ll be leading a 4-week online workshop for the Pennwriter’s Association where we’ll explore developing your screenplay. Over at the wonderful Script Slug Script Depository, I’ve cobbled together some thoughts on how[…]

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Thoughts for Finishing Your First Draft

January 29, 2023February 3, 2023 dianaeducation

It’s not hard to lose sight of the bigger picture when writing your first draft. Sure, your outline or beat sheet might have every little nuance figured out ahead of time, but even the most[…]

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Coming soon: The HERitage Anthology
Double Trouble: Find out out Gulliver, Sacajawea, and Shackleton Meet in the Hall of Everything
For Stargate SG-1 fans, find out more about Botsford's short story, "Perceptions," the 2015 Scribes Nominee.
SG-1's The Drift - The sequel to "Four Dragons" with the team striving to overcome out of control Ancient technology while dealing with Lord Yu, his Dragon Guard, and China's politics
Stargate SG-1 uncover the truth behind Lord Yu's rise to power from ancient China to the System Lords
How Epilogue the Web Series came to be
Star Trek Next Generation, "Rascals" - What happened between our original draft and the production?
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