Month: October 2017

“Your Idea Will Never Be Ready”

A short lesson in productivity and the attitude you need to, you know, be productive. This TVWriter™ minion got a lot out of this…and the great image that accompanies it:

Image by David Mulder Found on LifeHacker

by Patrick Allan

A large source of my creative procrastination comes from this notion that my idea “just isn’t ready yet,” like it’s fruit ripening on a tree. But you know what? That’s bullshit.

I do creative writing in my free time—short stories, screenplays, TV pilots, poems, songs—but honestly, most of that writing is actually just me jotting down ideas of things I want to write in the future, “when I have time.” I tell myself that those ideas still need to get “fleshed out,” that they’re “percolating,” but really I’m hoping that I’ll have some sort of epiphany that will make the hard work easier. read article

Diana Black on Targeting Your Spec TV Script

Enjoy this cool visual metaphor found on the interwebs

 by Diana Black

Is there such a thing as, ‘The’ definitive television series? Perhaps once, in relation to narrative form and length of ‘season’. But gone are the days when series television originated solely from broadcast networks. Now thanks to Cable subscription and the Internet, not only has the viewing platform changed, but also the nature of what constitutes a ‘series’.

In other words, episodic storytelling has evolved. Does it matter? Well it kind of does – to us, as writers of content. You need to know from the outset, what ‘form’ of series you’re writing – Limited, Mini, or Regular series – because that will have a bearing on the narrative arc and on the number of episodes you envisage in your outline. If the objective is to sell it – duh, you need to determine who you’re going to pitch this ‘calling card’ to.

In relation to the narrative arc, think about what you’re trying to say, the intended media platform, and who’s likely to comprise the audience. Hazy generality won’t work here – specific tailoring is ‘mission critical’ if you expect a warm reception… unless you’re into just throwing it against the wall to see what sticks…for shame. read article

Writing when everything is in upheaval

Words this TVWriter™ minion stumbled upon and discovered she really needed to read in these very trying times:

by Wendy E.N. Thomas

I’m a happy sort of writer. I write about parenting, puppies, chickens, family and the life lessons I learn.  For the most part I’m an optimist, I have always believed in the goodness of the world.

But these days it’s difficult to write happy when I’m so angry and discouraged. read article

Reality Show Writing: Troy DeVolld has a “Pro Tip” on Notes (Yikes)

Above: Troy’s great new show. Perfect for Halloween!

What’s Your Take?
by Troy DeVolld

If you’ve been following me for any length of time, you know that the notes process is generally one of my least favorite things about working in television. read article

How to Get Accepted at an Artist Residency

Some visitors to TVWriter™ may be surprised to hear that many artists in all disciplines don’t make a whole lotta money. Which means they – okay, let’s be honest – we sometimes – oops – often need help finding creative space or just plain making ends meet. Here are some tips getting yourself a very special kind of help:

by Alanna Schubach

Last August, I made a brief visit to paradise. I woke up early and took a quick walk down a flower-lined path and over a river to breakfast. Once caffeinated, I headed to my studio, a cozy room with a bookshelf, desk, and armchair for reading, with a window overlooking that river, whose burbling underscored several hours of writing. I went to lunch at 12, then spent some time lounging in an Adirondack chair in the sun, reading. After that, maybe I went for a hike, or to a yoga class, or back to my studio. Then dinner, followed by more writing, then a reading or artist lecture, then out for some drinks in town. read article