If Your Action Lines Don’t Move the Reader — They’re Just Taking Up Space.

Most writers treat action lines like filler.
But the best ones? They trigger a nervous system response.

In this free PDF, The Feel Don’t Tell Worksheet, I’ll show you how to turn lifeless action lines into emotional, immersive moments that land in the body — not just the mind.

You’ll learn how to:

✅ Replace flat emotional labels with visceral behavior
✅ Use subtle physical cues to cue tension and vulnerability
✅ Add sound that makes the page feel louder
✅ Rewrite your scene so it feels like film

If you’ve ever wondered why some scripts just read better… this is probably why.

I’m James Hurst, a professional screenwriter with over 25 years of experience writing TV pilots and episodes for networks and streamers across North America.

I’ve written for over 50 produced shows, including Wynonna Earp, Hardy Boys, Being Erica, Flashpoint, and The Listener. I’ve been lucky enough to earn a Peabody Award and two Canadian Screenwriting Awards — but I’ve also spent a lot of late nights rewriting action lines that just weren’t landing.

Because here’s the thing: action lines aren’t just there to describe what’s happening. They’re your secret weapon. They can cue tension, reveal character, and make a scene feel like it’s already on screen.

I created the Feel Don’t Tell worksheet to help screenwriters like you stop writing stage directions — and start writing pages that breathe.

If you want your script to grab the reader and pull them into the moment — this free worksheet will show you how.