Over at Mania Magazine (http://www.mania.com/mania/), they have a feature called "Shop Talk" which gives pointers about characterization, plotting, making a pitch to a publisher, etc. Their focus is on writing comic books, but the same principles apply whether writing a novel, screen play, or comic book. For instance, this week's column (http://www.mania.com/columns/shoptalk/shoptalk112798.html) is entitled "STORY STRUCTURE, PART ONE: MOVIES"

-- Patrick Riley