Lucy V Hay is a working scriptwriter and tutor as well as a novelist. She’s our tutor, with only two places left, for our March workshop. Here is why magic happens when the two disciplines collide…
“Novelists sometimes get twitchy about scriptwriting techniques because they think structure will kill their creativity. It won’t.
It actually does the opposite!!
Screenwriters outline because they know story doesn’t magically organise itself. If you understand what happens, when, and why, you stop wandering around your own plot hoping it will behave. Suddenly the middle works. The ending lands. And you’re not staring at your manuscript wondering where it all went wrong.
That’s not being rigid.
That’s being in control.
Scriptwriting also teaches you to think in scenes that earn their place. No waffle. No filler. No “this chapter just vibes”. Every scene is doing something: revealing character, creating conflict, pushing the story forward.
When novelists adopt this mindset, their books instantly feel more alive. Dialogue sharpens. Tension improves. Characters start showing us who they are instead of explaining it. Readers don’t analyse why it works – they just keep turning pages.
And here’s the real win… When you write like this, your novel is automatically easier to adapt for TV or film. You’re not starting from chaos. You’ve already built clean story arcs, strong visual moments and clear emotional beats. That means your book isn’t just a novel anymore – it’s adaptable IP.
So no, using scriptwriting tricks doesn’t make you less of a novelist. It just means you’re playing the long game. And honestly? That’s exactly what smart writers do.”
For more information like this and to follow Lucy, go here
We have two spaces left on her writing retreat featuring intensive workshops, the most intensive we do, from the 17th of March. Four nights in your own cozy room with like-minded company discovering the tricks of the trade, including ones that may help you with your novel.
Go here for more info and book soon! Just press reply if you’d like to talk about it and put your phone number and I’ll WhatsApp or ring you.
‘The course has gone over and above my expectations. It has been a real shot in the arm for my creativity.’
Dan Cassell, Screenwriter ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Recommended for the networking as well as the in-depth knowledge.’
Ruth Trippitt, Script Researcher ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Lucy is an exceptional presenter, and has shared her passion with clarity and fizz!.’
Paul Draper ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐