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Query letters have long been a path for new, relatively un-industry-connected writers to approach literary managers in the hopes that the rep on the receiving end will request their screenplay or pilot from the logline presented in said query letter (which today is really an email), respond to the writing,… read more →

Over the many years I’ve been coaching and the many blogposts I’ve written, no one has ever accused me of sugarcoating anything. In fact, my loyalty to portraying things as I perceive them to be in this industry has drawn the ire of many a writer over the years. So… read more →

There are so many conversations that go into a decade of career coaching. So many writers I’ve sat down with. So many sessions. In the decade I’ve been coaching emerging and professional screenwriters, I’ve met with close to 2,000 individual writers. Coached upwards of 150 hours per month. Read more… read more →

There’s lots out there about what it takes to break into screenwriting. But what are the things you need to be good at for a successful screenwriting career?

If you’re looking for screenwriting-focused advice,  be it for your craft or your career, there is no shortage of content out there: Books. Videos. Conferences. Events. And blogposts, just like this one. Plenty to sift through and consider as you determine your next screenwriting steps, as you zero in on… read more →

There’s no shortage of questions to ask and things to learn when a writer decides to take a head-first dive into screenwriting. Not everyone is going to jump right into the deep end; some will test the water, take a step back before deciding to go further, or just walk… read more →

A few weeks ago, I found myself talking to a talented writer I’ve worked with for some time, who appeared unusually on edge. Always lovely, humble and forthcoming, the writer soon acknowledged his added layer of screenwriting stress and explained it this way:  “I just celebrated my birthday. On top… read more →

As a career coach, the single question that I am asked most often by both new and somewhat seasoned writers is: How many screenplays or pilots should I be writing in a year? In other words: How quickly should I be generating new content? For most writers, both new and… read more →

There’s no two ways about it: No one likes rejection. Rejection is tough. Painful. Disappointing. And, in the world of screenwriting, can also feel incredibly, irritatingly personal. All too often, writers pour their hearts and souls onto the page, crafting intricate stories about characters they see themselves in, experiencing life… read more →

At the start of every year, I get one question more than any other: When is a good time to start reaching out to representation? By reaching out, we’re talking queries, cold outreach, etc. And by a “good time” we’re not talking generally about the writer’s career (as in, after she… read more →