Location, location, location. It’s important in real estate, in a script’s budget and also in sparking creativity for a writer’s mind. But for me, location isn’t the only thing – it’s the combination of location, people, and inspiration that puts words on the page. Location Finding the best location to write is just as important [...]
I’m feeling a need to stick up for the little people today. I always root for the little guy. Hell, I am a little guy. Hence, this is why I love indie filmmakers. We have day jobs, work tirelessly to get our art noticed, and stick our tin cups out to crowdsource via Kickstarter and [...]
Life cannot be fully appreciated in an insular state. Humanity survives by embracing community. So it’s not a mere coincidence that a writer needs to build a writing community not only for their sanity but also to learn and grow in their craft. Many of my readers are aware I have trained in Chung Do [...]
As I sat in my Panera office today writing, a friend popped in asking what I was working on. When I responded that I had another rewrite of Slavery by Another Name (SBAN) to get done, she gasped, “You’re STILL working on that script… hasn’t it been like 100 years since you started?” My response, [...]
As I hunted through my resources this weekend, I came across some screenwriting DVDs I’ve enjoyed and wanted to share with you. 1. The Dialogue DVD Series: This series of DVDs includes interviews of successful screenwriters talking craft, breaking in, and the films they love. I’m a big fan of crawling inside other writers’ heads [...]
I think a lot about my characters. They come with me everywhere I go. Last weekend I sat in on Welcome Day at my daughter’s new college and listened to a professor of psychology talk about fear, comfort and commonality (how fitting is it that my girl is studying psychology?). I was jotting notes… yes, [...]
To celebrate the launch of Jen Grisanti’s new column Story Structure, I’m sharing my top picks for screenwriting structure and writing style products at The Writers Store: 1. The Screenwriter’s Bible by Dave Trottier – Dave’s book was one of my very first screenwriting resources, and is still one I turn to when I have [...]
Congratulations to all of the writers who went to Screenwriters World Conference East last weekend in New York City. It was an honor and a pleasure to meet our community of writers and learn alongside you. Since my return, my inbox has been popping with post-pitchfest questions, starting with the Pitch Slam experience. I wasn’t [...]
I love hunting for treasure. In fact, I grew up with a mom who was a thrift store junkie. Once, she even bought a van full of dungarees for $100. Again, you see why my therapy file is so big… To honor my family tradition of treasure hunting, each week I’ll share with you my [...]
