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Often, when we talk about screenplays and TV pilots, we talk about craft. Story. Characters. World. Themes. Plot progression. Story turns. All incredibly important when it comes to building a screenwriting career. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, If there is one inarguable truth when it comes… read more →

This week, as I was talking to various writers in various career stages, I got to thinking about some of those things – my mantras, if you will – that I find myself telling writers more often than I would probably like to admit. These mantras are not all my… read more →

Last year, I had the great privilege of moderating a live Q&A with renowned literary manager John Zaozirny. If you don’t know John, or have yet to follow him on Twitter, you definitely should, as he’s been incredibly forthcoming with tons of useful information, and even put out a PDF… read more →

Let’s face it: Most writers out there would love to sell their spec screenplay. Or spec pilot. Or the pitch for the pilot or screenplay they’ve developed, that their representation will be setting pitch meetings for. And I don’t mean selling to any old producer off the street, but rather… read more →

When setting out to sell your TV show, do you need to have a completed TV pilot, a thorough show bible, or both ready to show?

This Week in Coaching is back with stories from the career-coaching front lines As a professional industry observer, the question What’s happening in the industry? is one that I have heard often, from writers breaking in who are seeking to understand the landscape, as well as working writers looking to confirm… read more →

Your screenwriting pedigree is incredibly important for standing out in a crowded space. Fortunately, there is more than one way to build it!

While I do hate being the bearer of bad news, it is important to know which screenwriting developments constitute significant steps forward in the construction of your screenwriting career and which, regretfully, do not.

After years in the military and in finance, screenwriter Chandus Jackson came to Los Angeles in pursuit of a screenwriting career. Taking many turns, and generating endless close calls, Chandus finally landed his first writing assignment in 2020, and got staffed in 2021! Check out my breaking in interview with him to see how he did it.

You hear it said to screenwriters and TV writers all the time: Write what you know. But what does this directive actually mean? I break it down in my latest screenwriting blog post.