The "Waiting Game" of Development The writers who survive longest aren’t the fastest; they’re the most adaptable.

"Development is never a straight line. In reality, it’s a long, winding, often circular, sometimes maddening process that can span months into years, making delays feel personal and frustrating."

Read now on #PipelineArtists:

pipelineartists.com/the-waiting-game-of-development

I Played FFX with My Mom ... This is What I Learned But on this night … something sparked in her. She was intrigued by the premise, the emotion, and how passionately I spoke about the story. She asked if she could experience it, too. She wanted to…

"I have played this game eight times in my life. And eight times, I have cried my eyes out. That’s how deeply the characters and narrative resonate with me."

Read now on #PipelineArtists:

pipelineartists.com/i-played-ffx-with-my-mom-this-is-what-i-learned

Do It Anyway ... you need to do it because otherwise there will be an ache within you that will never find peace.

"Meritocracy does not exist.

Don’t get me wrong. It’s a very nice concept that each person can be evaluated on their talent and nothing else, but there is no actual infrastructure to do this realistically in our modern society."

NEW on #PipelineArtists:

pipelineartists.com/do-it-anyway-filmmaking

Q&A: Should I Adapt My Own Book Into a Screenplay Established IP is always the perfect place for film and TV producers to find gems that need to be adapted for the screen.

"Invincible suddenly becomes immortal."

Read now on #PipelineArtists:

pipelineartists.com/q-a-should-i-adapt-my-own-book-into-a-screenplay

Untouched Currents Survival is tough in this town. Like following a hundred pieces of string that just fall to dust in your hands.

"Some say it has been like a war."

From the #PipelineArtists archives...

pipelineartists.com/untouched-currents

I Came. I Saw ... I Stuck Around. If I flew, I’d know this path was meant for me. If I fell, I’d finally be able to put an end to all of the story ideas that went off like sparklers in my brain keeping me up at night.

"When I set my eyes on that summit, I was very aware of the mountain that stood ahead of me."

From the #PipelineArtists archives...

pipelineartists.com/moving-to-la-i-came-i-saw-i-stuck-around

Your Table is Ready I braced myself for not much more than a gossip fest, where the only thing the piece offered was a former restaurant worker “dishing the dirt” on the celebrities and bigwigs he brushed shoulders with.

"...it was much more akin to an espresso (my preferred morning drink)—buzzy, flavorful, and heartily quaffable."

From the #PipelineArtists vault:

pipelineartists.com/your-table-is-ready

Saying No to Get the Elusive Yes Maybe it’s not the Yes-givers in charge we’re seeking to impress anymore, but each other.

"Some of us are willing to sacrifice our wellbeing for that. But should we? How do you carve out the calm moments to be able to give the creative mind space and time and freedom to do its thing?"

NEW on #PipelineArtists:

pipelineartists.com/saying-no-to-get-a-yes

Popcorn Summer One of our dreams had to die for the other's to survive.

"I didn’t need a trip to find myself like my sister. I just needed to see this man love popcorn. At that moment, I knew that I was still leaving when I got back. Even if it took three jobs and selling my soul."

Read the essay by Kay Tuxford on #PipelineArtists:

pipelineartists.com/popcorn-summer

I Finally Watched "Stranger Things" and I’m Obsessed Looking at my own kiddo across the couch, that’s where my deepest fear came to light.

"We really do do anything for our children, don’t we?"

Read now on #PipelineArtists:

pipelineartists.com/i-finally-watched-stranger-things-and-im-obsessed

#StrangerThings

The Grand Performance "But, alas, what's the point of saying what we already know? This is your grievance, so what, dear sir, is your solution?" Call them out …

"They must, lest their existence whither away like dandelion spores, announce daily why they are enlightened. Dance on the thinnest of tightropes, lest they be conceived as immoral manifestations of pure evil."

Read now on #PipelineArtists:

pipelineartists.com/the-grand-performance

Righteous Violence It's often hard to know who the "good guy" and the "bad guy" is, especially when both sides of a conflict are truly convinced of their own righteousness.

"The question is, why are we, as a society, so quick to glorify—nay, deify—violence in fiction, yet vilify or erase that same violence in reality? Even when the situations and contexts are the same?"

Read now on #PipelineArtists:

pipelineartists.com/the-art-of-righteous-violence

My new article for Pipeline Artists magazine online highlights my picks for the five best screenplays of movies released in 2025. Five illustrations accompany the article too! Check it out at pipelineartists.com. And tell me your pick for the best screenplay from a movie last year. #pipelineartists

Birth/Rebirth: A Profile of Writer-Director Mx. Laura Moss Consistently writing and producing your own work is the only thing you can control.

"This is a very nerdy answer, but I am part of a four-person accountability group, and it has changed my practice as a filmmaker."

Read the interview on #PipelineArtists:

pipelineartists.com/birth-rebirth-a-profile-with-writer-director-mx-laura-moss

How I Prepared to Write My First Novel The tough part when starting out is figuring out what kind of preparation will turn into luck when the right opportunity comes along.

"There are no magic beans for novel writing."

Read now on #PipelineArtists:

pipelineartists.com/how-i-prepared-to-write-my-first-novel

Artist Marina Billinghurst on Authoring Her First Book ... you never know who’s going to be inspired by the art that you create. The art you create, creates art.

"Being around Marina is a little like being around the sun: blinding in all the best ways, as it warms you from the inside out in an energizing way."

Read now on #PipelineArtists:

pipelineartists.com/artist-marina-billinghurst-on-authoring-her-first-book

Interview: Joanne Sarazen—From Playwright to Screenwriter ... the thing about screenwriting that's interesting is that everybody wants to talk about what you're doing, like, four years after you did it.

"I had to learn really quickly. But that being said, you always wind up working with the people who appreciate what you bring to the table."

Read now on #PipelineArtists:

pipelineartists.com/interview-joanne-sarazen-from-playwright-to-screenwriter

Access ... I was watching the beginning of an addiction seeping through her blood, spreading further and further with each thump of her heart.

"So I knew when the product hit the market, Mum would be one of the first in line. In the beginning, it was rumoured that even celebrities were doing it. Can you imagine, she said, living like one of them? Even for a moment?"

Read on #PipelineArtists:

pipelineartists.com/access-short-story

New Year's Resolutions for Writers ... forget those typical resolutions like reading more classic literature or losing weight this year. You’re a screenwriter. Your job is Sitting, Typing, and Looking at the Screen.

"...a resolution is no good unless you’re willing to try."

Read now on #PipelineArtists:

pipelineartists.com/new-years-resolutions-for-writers

Is It Producible? When producers read your script, it’s not just the “is it good” question. We’re asking ourselves, “Can we realistically shoot this in 20 or so days without needing NASA-level funding?”

"Write boldly. Collaborate generously. Think practically. Build smartly."

Read "Is Your Screenplay Producible" on #PipelineArtists:

pipelineartists.com/is-your-screenplay-producible

Height I’m from a place where tree roots are shallow ...

"I’m from a place where tree roots are shallow..."

Read the poem by Michelle Lerner on #PipelineArtists:

pipelineartists.com/height

Imaginary Business Lady The Business Lady pressed her on what her favorite shows and toys were and proceeded to tell her the prospects of the corporations behind them.

"The Business Lady pressed her on what her favorite shows and toys were and proceeded to tell her the prospects of the corporations behind them."

Read the short story by Mike O'Connell on #PipelineArtists:

pipelineartists.com/imaginary-business-lady

Writing Season: Use the End of the Year to Hit the Finish Line Oh no. We have to write during the holidays, don’t we? Cue the angry stares and pitchforks from the murderous writing mob.

"Oh no. We have to write during the holidays, don’t we?

Cue the angry stares and pitchforks from the murderous writing mob."

Read on #PipelineArtists:

pipelineartists.com/writing-season-how-to-use-the-end-of-the-year-to-finish-your-project

Indie Produced - One Writer's Journey ... a collective goal of putting your work out into the world becomes a purpose you all share, in some ways, similar to birthing a baby. Except twenty people made the baby.

"Have you ever heard the phrase “If you want something done right, you’ll have to do it yourself”?"

From writer Kim Hornsby. Read now on #PipelineArtists:

pipelineartists.com/getting-indie-produced-one-writers-journey

John Pollono and the Small Engine That Could "... the country right now is so fucking political and divided that the only safety you have is if you feel that the art is regurgitating your own opinions and political beliefs back at you. I find…

"The odyssey of Small Engine Repair is a 10-year journey. Both Pollono and Bernthal originated their film characters in the original Los Angeles stage production a decade before."

Read on #PipelineArtists:

pipelineartists.com/john-pollono-and-the-small-engine-that-could

Lost Socks and Other Lost Things Despite his best efforts not to reveal a sliver of vulnerability. There was a flash of love in his dark, almond eyes. And I saw it.

"He was a fascinating enigma to me, full of unpredictable contradictions."

Read the short story by @ericarhodes on #PipelineArtists:

pipelineartists.com/lost-socks-and-other-lost-things

When the Power Goes Out Writing is not a choice, but a lifestyle and you get out of it what you put into it.

"Writing is not a choice, but a lifestyle and you get out of it what you put into it."

Read now on #PipelineArtists:

Interview: Brandon Violette On Building a Successful Children’s TV Writing Career I didn't come back to just settle. I came back to tell people what I wanted to do and to really push myself.

NEW on #PipelineArtists:

Best Practices for Writing "Conferencing" There are a lot of reasons, of course, but let’s just boil this down to the punchline—you have to meet people to sell your work.

"Joining a community that is oriented around your writing interests is crucial to forging a path for your content, perfecting your craft, and meeting the types of people that can elevate your work...."

Read on #PipelineArtists:

pipelineartists.com/best-practices-for-writing-conferencing

Below the Line: On-Set Photographer Alison Cohen Rosa "I would pinch myself sometimes on set, going, 'I'm so fucking lucky to be in this room.' Like, I get goosebumps. I am so lucky."

"I just thought I wanted to be a photographer, and I really didn't even know what that meant. I just knew I liked taking pictures."

Read the interview with Alison Cohen Rosa now on #PipelineArtists:

pipelineartists.com/below-the-line-on-set-photographer-alison-cohen-rosa