Tag Archives: Writing

Soap for My Mom

Posted on January 17, 2023 by heidihornbacher

I’m probably 8 or 9. Traveling with dad on his annual IXRDA conference. I think Hilton Head or maybe Lake of the Ozarks, this one. One morning in our musty room with its quilted polyester bedspreads I free from its … Continue reading →

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Guidelines for a New Year

Posted on January 3, 2022 by heidihornbacher

I’ve spent the last year learning hard lessons and getting my creative house in order. 2021 was a slow and painful but hopeful process of taking steps to honor myself and my work, to exit negative situations, and to learn … Continue reading →

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LUCA and the Missing Stakes

Posted on August 2, 2021 by heidihornbacher

As lovers of all things Italy, we naturally couldn’t wait to see the new Disney Pixar animated feature, Luca, set in a fictionalized version of Cinque Terre’s Riomaggiore on the Ligurian coast. The film is a sort of updated mash-up of The … Continue reading →

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Scene Transitions: A Secret Weapon for Story Momentum

Posted on November 19, 2020 by heidihornbacher

You may already know the fundamental ways of increasing momentum and tension in your script: get into scenes late and get out early; craft scenes around your protagonist’s pursuit of a goal; hold onto your central mystery as long as … Continue reading →

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Consistent Character

Posted on August 31, 2020 by heidihornbacher

One thing I talk about with writers is the importance of doing background development work on your characters. This helps ensure they behave consistently throughout your story, run by the fears, hopes, and dreams that shaped them. As the story … Continue reading →

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Ford v Ferrari and Character Desperation

Posted on August 24, 2020 by heidihornbacher

I have always been a car girl. In my childhood bedroom there was nary a Barbie or baby doll in sight, but I had a killer collection of Hot Wheels. As an adult, I consider the 1965 AC Shelby Cobra … Continue reading →

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Made In Italy – In Search of Stakes

Posted on August 17, 2020 by heidihornbacher

“You haven’t seen Made in Italy?” one of our Orvieto alums gasped. I know. I’m a cliche. I love Italy to the point I married an Italian; I have my citizenship; and we run our annual screenwriting retreats there. I … Continue reading →

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Character Is Plot

Posted on June 24, 2019 by heidihornbacher

I was recently sent a script by a friend. She was being offered the opportunity to direct it, but she knew something wasn’t quite working. I read it and the issue was immediately clear. The story was flat; the dialog … Continue reading →

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Art Sale

Posted on June 24, 2019 by heidihornbacher

When I was 6 or 7, I decided to hold an art sale. I loved coloring. I was good at it. Why not make some money at it? I sat down with crayons and paper and made a whole series … Continue reading →

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Secondary Characters

Posted on April 8, 2019 by heidihornbacher

I’m working on a script right now, and I have been intently focused on nailing the protagonist and antagonist arcs to perfection. They are best friends who end up as enemies when a difficult coming-of-age event sets them on different … Continue reading →

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