Category: Resources

40 years worth of TV writing experience and info, yours for the taking.

Mark Evanier’s Xmas Story

We here at TVWriter™ are major fans of Mark Evanier, one of the biggest writing talents in TV, comic books, and blogging. Today seems to us to be a good one to present to you this encore of the most popular posts he has ever written over at his News From ME blog.

For those of you who don’t recognize him – the great Mel Torme!

by Mark Evanier

This is a series of articles I’ve written about writing, specifically about the problems faced by (a) the new writer who isn’t selling enough work yet to make a living or () the older writer who isn’t selling as much as they used to. To read other installments, click here.

I want to tell you a story… read article

What the grammar police don’t get about the word ‘they.’

Once upon a time – oh God, it was the ’60s! – the late but often brilliant comedian Godfrey Cambridge, used the immortal words “They are us!” as a brilliant comic punchline. Now, however, it’s absolutely correct to say, “They are me!” Here’s why:

by Beth Skwarecki

If somebody wants to refer to a person whose gender they do not know, or who doesn’t have a gender, they can use a certain very common English language pronoun. You know which one I mean. I just used it twice. Congratulations to they on being Merriam-Webster’s word of the year. read article

The 8 essential elements of a story

One of TVWriter™’s favorite writers – and writing consultants – is here with a guide to storytelling that every single one of us needs to memorize (or maybe even worship?)

This is Kurt Vonnegut’s classic diagram. We find Nathan Bransford’s take more helpful. For reals.

by Nathan Bransford

Not only do I find editing novels and helping authors achieve their vision incredibly meaningful, it’s such an interesting exercise because it forces you to think very deeply about storytelling.

It’s a wonderful challenge to be forced to articulate what’s working and not working in a story and, most importantly, why it’s not working. read article

Successful Self Promotion for Screenwriters

Another astonishingly helpful article for new screen (and of course TV) writers from the Stage32.com blog. We don’t expect to hear any complaining about how difficult it is to get started in showbiz after you read these open, honest, and knowledgeable words.

by Daniela McVicker

It’s not uncommon to dream about becoming a screenwriter. You see your words and ideas come to life on TV and movie screens worldwide. That’s fascinating. Have fun with it and never let go! However, Hollywood has changed in the past years, so screenwriters have to know how to promote themselves. If you don’t have an agent or a manager to help you out, then it might be difficult to establish yourself as a successful professional. You’ll have to do everything on your own. Likely, the digitalized world has dozens of opportunities for self-promotion. You just need to develop a strategy and that’s what this guide is all about. read article

“We quit our jobs in NYC to bike across the country and relocate to L.A.”

Ready to make the move to L.A. and blast your showbiz career into orbit? It takes courage, dedication, and, most of the time, a helluva lot of $$$. Here’s how one married couple did it on the cheap.

by Mary Kearl

My great American road trip wasn’t by car — it was by bicycle, as in two wheels and all human-powered. Biking made the going much slower (and harder), but the savings and the rewards even greater. read article