#WGA members: I endorse Myles Warden @reallymighty.bsky.social for Board member! As a new writer, Myles already has done so much for fellow writers -- Strike Captain, Lot Coordinator, multiple committees. We need passionate people to fight for us! Vote MYLES WARDEN! elections.wga.org/2025/myles-w...

#Newbie wrote script, got name actors, a manager &... project languished. Then BOOM! Manager got experienced producer w/ access to financing. Dream coming true & newbie? Imposter syndrome! Very normal feelings. Remember, all these people aren't attracted to a bad script. You're ready!

It's frustrating to write a script about an unusual topic to find another movie coming out, same topic. Just saw, "The Penguin Lessons" and loved it. Also this year: "My Penguin Friend." Also a gem. There were 2 Columbus movies in one year. Sometimes there's room for both! So keep writing yours!

What gives #newbies courage to query reps? For 1 newbie, it's the writers' group I put him in. I knew it'd take him to the next level: "The people I'm with give me incredible advice & help me hone my skills. Hard balancing 2 jobs, but weekly groups holds me to be accountable & improve."

Reading Gen Z (perhaps oversimplifying) doesn't believe in love. Doesn't exist. Prefer "situationships" - non exclusive, focusing on themselves & friendships. Future of Rom Coms? Maybe like love song hitmaker Diane Warren who says she's never been in love. Stories are passion!

#newbies EP/writer of a classic big hit show wrote to me: "You're encouraging writers. Is that a good idea? It’s a tough game." And "I believe in discouraging writers." He also called me foolish bec it's hard now. DON'T listen to bitter people! Veteran writers must pass the touch, not be jealous!

Yesterday I passed along the WGA Foundation library of 45K scripts is open to the public (thanks, Diamond Allen). MORE good news. The Academy of Motion Pictures Library has tons more scripts you can read! Open to the public too! Thanks, JAngelSierra. BOTH need appointments first.

#Newbies Did you know you can make an app't at WGA Library & read scripts? TV & Film! 45K produced scripts. Current & Vintage. Video game scripts. Sit for hours lost in this magical creative world or work on your own future script perhaps 1 day to be enshrined. Online search for scripts too!

#newbies Younger writer wants lunch date w/ me to hear what it was like to work on iconic shows. Yrs ago, I randomly met a guy whose Mom was Lucille Kallen, only woman in that famous 1950's writers' room (Caesar) depicted in films/plays. I regret not asking to meet her! Ask Qs of those who came be4.

Yay Anora! Best pic! $6mil INDIE. Loved it. Filmmaker Sean Baker: See films in THEATERS! 1000 closed during Pandemic. Take kids. Create movie lovers. Make films for BIG screen. It's a communal experience that's disappearing. Oh, & Adrian Brody wins for longest self-indulgence. #Oscars

The salesman found out I wrote for TV & so excited, wrote down my episodes for L &S/MWC for his wife. THEN he talked politics. Nooo! "Tariffs lower interest rates, coal burns clean, no climate change." UH OH. Do I stay quiet & risk the great deal I just made? If you know me, you know what I did.

#newbie had trouble finding a book editor. Found one for $65hr to edit, $95hr for "coaching". No idea how long it will take. Newbie says she worked hard, wants it published, willing to pay. Not even ballpark $! Giving someone carte blanche to your $ makes no sense to me. Beware of open ended deals.

A Doctor's office gave me an appointment in JUNE. "But I need an appt now!" Sec: "You can call and say, "I have an appointment and want to know if there are any cancellations." ME: "Okay. I have an appointment and want to know if there are any cancellations." At least she laughed.

#newbies Always love writers' break in stories. Friend w/ no $, sat in on UCLA writing classes. She told prof she wouldn't hand in scripts, just listen. He read her work anyway. Gave it to prod pal who hired her as a staff writer. Hit show. Nice to find person who champions you!

My friend was 1/2 of a VERY successful team. His partner dumped him for lack of contribution.THEN writer got a big dev deal for major TV co. Again, writers' block! ZERO work. I recc'd a therapist specializing in Writers' issues.Therapy worked! Because he committed to change. Sometimes you need help!

Careers can get jump-started in odd ways. #Newbie felt stuck. Decided to produce a short with a well-known character actor he knew. Next, cold-called a great agent to ask about another actor. He took the call. He & agent CLICKED. Agent signed HIM! In tough market. Rewarded for trying something new.

Married With Children hired a lot of women writers. You don't have to BE Al Bundy to write an Al Bundy. In "St. Valentine's Day Massacre", I had to write Al a love poem to Peggy in H.S. It'd NEVER fly today! Al: "I love your hooters, I love your ass, what say we meet after class?"

When the gynecologist walked into my room, he greeted me w/, "Hello, my friend!" He KEPT calling me his "friend" the entire time. Never heard any other friend say, "Slide down to the edge!" Then realized he doesn't know my name because he doesn't pay any attention to anyone's face.

Getting passport renewed at USPS tomorrow. My appt is with Monique. YELP: "Every experience w/ Monique is unpleasant, painful, like doing hard time in Rikers. She's slow, lazy, unprofessional, has NO WORK ETHIC, & she'd never make it in private sector job for even an hr." It's not going to end well.

I found a rolled-up wad of $130 in my purse. I didn't put it there. I asked the usual suspects & no one knows what I'm talking about. THEN I found a tiny packet of Jolly Rancher gummies. A magic purse! Unless I'm an amnesiac kleptomaniac. It was just a matter of time before I lived in a sitcom.

Some #newbies say only friends/relatives are hired on staff. Too many good shows w/ great writing to be true. All these cousins would have to be talented. The "connected" people w/o talent don't last. True, the contacts you nurture get you in. Then YOU'RE a friend who gets hired.

Can't understand this industry shift. Newbie (nice!) worked WA major animation co, dev intern at prestig studio, Shonda intern, another hot franchise, contest winner so can write, MFA (top school). Yrs later: Still looking for W.A. job. Entry level often no longer launch pad! Seeing this too much..

Att: Women Over 40! Backed by Writers Lab (Streep/Kidman) Katja Meier had a hot script for lead (age 59). Studios told her to make her lead 20 yrs younger! Women make up 23% of TV creators (falling). Female film leads 10 yr low. So Meier shot her own pilot for indie platform Olyn. STILL gotta fight!

Talking to a bank officer asking me the usual. She found out I wrote TV & wow. She was 40, from China & loved Mork & Mindy especially. Born AFTER it was on air. In moments, we were like old friends. Those beloved shows cut across culture, age, everything. As a writer, it's very fulfilling.

My TV writer friend who lost her home & everything she owns will get $90K for 1 yr from ins for rent/living. BUT: not enough money to rebuild. That $90K has to last yrs before rebuild. Has to pay to clear ground ($$). Where to go? Pals may move away. She has ZERO possessions now.

A friend who lost her home was a TV writer who sold a film for $1 mil +. Bought Palisades house, ocean view. Great career followed. Then it slowed. Bec that's how careers go. So not every writer in Pali is rich. She struggled to keep her home, a mark of achievement. Now gone. Not a single possession

Shocked at how many people I know who lost their homes! All the places I love so. My friends who wrote our favorite TV shows lost EVERYTHING they have just when life should be good. One friend just grabbed clothes. Thru tears she said: "It's just stuff." Bec HOW to come to grips w/it? Heartbroken.

Nikki Glaser, a stellar GG host paid less than a prev male 1st time host. I once wrote a feature for a major studio. They were going to pay the male star 3 Xs the female star. When I balked, Prod said, "Those girls are a dime a dozen." She even had MORE lines. STILL catching up!

Older writers! Take note: #GoldenGlobes: Demi Moore wins 1st award at 62. Adrien Brody stepped away & back w/win. Wicked co-written by 70 yr old Winnie Holzman. Winner Jodie Foster says she doesn't care what anyone thinks. Foreign pic win writr/pr/dr Jacque Audiard is 72. And GO!

#Newbie who got an entry level job was distraught at no 2nd job anywhere. Wanted to give up. Crossroad! Go back home to family? THEN: Pals helped him w/ plan to stay in L.A. Newbie found cheaper rent, sticking w/ awful day job, applying for PA, querying managers. Taking his shot! #screenwriter