Welcome to The Writing Studio
The Writing Studio is one of the most active independent training initiatives in Africa for writers and filmmakers.
Our website offers a valuable resource for those interested in the craft of writing and the art of filmmaking.
About Us / Daniel Dercksen / Success Stories
Courses For Writers / Story Editing & Polishing
Tips For Writers / Film Releases / Newsletter
Art of Screenwriting and Filmmaking
The Write Journey weekend workshop for writers will be on 24 / 25 February in Johannesburg and will take you from inspiration to writing the first pages of your novel, screenplay, or stageplay. Read more
Conflict is the heart and soul of screenwriting. In real life, we try to avoid conflict, but in a fictional reality, the writer feeds off the conflict that fuels the internal and external actions of the characters and creates tension and suspense. Drama is conflict. Read more
The Importance Of Outlining Your Story – Most writers write their stories without spending quality time on their story and scene outlines, thinking that it will only be needed once the draft is done, or when required during the development process, but it is one of the most important and valuable assets in the writing process. Read more
Although AI is now a reality, it started life as speculative fiction a century ago when German writer Thea von Harbou wrote Metropolis for her filmmaking husband Fritz Lang. Read more
If your story has a healthy heart, it will result in happy readers and audiences – If you want to be a writer, there are some basics you must know from the outset before start thinking about writing your masterwork. Read more
The greatest wedding movies aren’t married to a formula—they are committed to emotion, authenticity, and truth. Read more
How To Stop Manipulating Your Characters – Everything will fall into place in your story once you allow the characters to be who they are, and not what you want them to be. Read more
Being An Independent Writer – Independence means freedom, but it also means taking responsibility for everything to do with your work. You become the captain of our ship. You’re not just a writer, but a businessperson. Read more
How to get motivated to write your story – Your head is swimming with ideas. Your imagination is drowning in inspiration. Your story is begging to be written but remains incomplete and severely neglected when real life steps in and deflates your motivated action to write a story you need to share with the world. Read more
The Principles Of Building A Story – Learning how to craft a story that will transport readers, audiences, and viewers on an unforgettable journey is key to becoming a great novelist or screenwriter. Read more
Exposition in writing can make or break a story. Exposition that’s artfully placed throughout the narrative with just the right balance of discovery and suspense can elevate an average novel or screenplay. Using too much exposition at once, or using it clumsily, will slow down the action of your story and make your readers lose interest in the struggles your characters are facing. Read more
To adapt or not to adapt – To adapt means to transpose from one medium to another. It is the ability to make fit or suitable by changing or adjusting. Modifying something to create a change in structure, function, and form produces a better adjustment. Read more
Excavate The Inner Life Of Your Story – You may have a clever plot that is masterfully structured and filled with complex twists and complications, but if there is no connection between the External Activity and the Internal Life of the story, it will be dull, boring and ultimately disappointing. Read more
Bring Your Story To Life With The Right Words. Word choice is an important aspect of writing that should never be overlooked. It can significantly impact the effectiveness and clarity of your writing. Words are like ingredients: even a small change in the recipe can affect the finished dish. Read more
Don’t Get Stuck On The First Chapter. If there’s one major obstacle that prevents writers from completing their story, it’s getting trapped in the first chapter of the novel they’re desperately trying to complete, or the first act of their screenplay. Read more about how to become unstuck
Who Are The People Who Live In Your Story? Great stories are about characters we care about. Characters who embody our emotions and, at some level, even our thoughts? People who are caught up in events, and have to make difficult decisions and choices which affect other people. Continue reading here
Show Don’t Tell. The phrase “show, don’t tell” reminds writers to immerse the reader in the story rather than simply telling readers what’s happening. To show rather than tell is the first rule of writing, and for good reason. Read more
The storyteller is the puppet master of emotions. As a writer, you have the power to make your audience laugh whenever it pleases you, cause grown men to cry shamelessly, keep millions on the edge of reason, prevent couch junkies to switch channels, and grip people with fear. Continue reading here
Find Your Voice As A Writer. If you find it difficult to start writing, not sure what medium to write for, or what to write, this motivational and inspirational and introspective course will empower you with the write skills. Explore your Voice as a Writer now!
The Importance Of Script Readings. If you’ve poured your heart and soul into a script for film, television, or theatre it is important to arrange a read-through before releasing it to the demanding process of getting it filmed or staged. Read more
How To Adapt Your Screenplay Into A Novel. If you have completed a screenplay for film or television, and you cannot get it produced, take ownership of your Intellectual Property and consider adapting your screenplay into a novel, transforming it into something marketable. Read more
As a writer, you write, and when you’ve cultivated a habit of writing, you’re not doing something you have to force yourself to do, but rather something you are passionate about and enjoy. Get into The Write Habit
The writer is not only the puppet master of emotions in storytelling, but also the traffic warden in a story, controlling the line of dramatic action, drawing audiences and readers into a deep involvement, keeping their full attention from opening to ending, and rewarding them with a meaningful and memorable experience. Read more
The ABC of Getting Your Story from Page to Screen: A screenplay is a part of the package, the first element in the movie business. Read more
Daniel Dercksen shares a few thoughts with filmmaker Gavin Hood about screenwriting and filmmaking