Blog

Many years ago, in Chicago, an older gentleman came up to me during one of my lecture breaks and asked me, candidly and directly, if his age was going to be a challenge for his screenwriting career. He was eighty four then, just survived a mean battle with cancer, and… read more →

While there is no question that one can break into screenwriting while not living in Los Angeles, it’s also irrefutable that living in Los Angeles does give you an advantage. Case in point: Most writers who break in do so while living in Los Angeles. Which goes to prove one… read more →

When I got into the business of helping writers as a full-time career coach, I told myself that, as much as I loved it and as blown away as I was by the velocity with which my business took off, it’s not going to be amazing and humbling and rewarding… read more →

A few weeks ago, I met with one of my writers for a pre-scheduled meeting. Last I had seen him, he was riding high from a number of successful general meetings, and we had made plans for him to start outlining a new project. To my dismay, in our follow-up… read more →

The question “Do you need more than one screenplay to attract representation?” is one that I’ve heard come up often for many writers I work with. If you have the one great script, isn’t that enough to make things happen for you in the entertainment industry? And if that script… read more →

It’s human nature to look at other people and instantly categorize them. To make assumptions. To set expectations. To – oh no! – judge! I do it myself: Whenever I meet a new writer, my impression of them begins to solidify before they’ve even sat down with me. From their… read more →

Silence can be infuriating. You wrote a great script. You made contact through a previous relationship, pitching opportunity, or other means. You waited for the invite. When it came, you sent your script in. Well crafted. Under 120 pages. Smart. Skilled. Clean. Or else, you developed an outline for somebody… read more →

For any writer trying to come up with an efficient, tested writing process, outlining is key. It simplifies the process, clarifies the roadmap, and allows the writer to get a stronger handle on his craft, figuring out intricate plot points in the outline, rather than in the script itself. But… read more →

In today’s TV writing world, Jen Grisanti needs little introduction. To the few who may not be familiar, she is the writing instructor for NBC’s prestigious Writers on the Verge program. With a career that included years as VP of Current Programming at CBS/Paramount she is a published author and HuffPo blogger,… read more →

Many of the writers I work with – especially ones who had previous success with their work – struggle with the first draft. They know it’s their first draft – the vomit draft – but want it to have the quality, genius and polish of a final draft. You’re heard… read more →