@carolekirschner
Director, CBS Writers Program & WGA Showrunner Training Program. Entertainment Career Coach, Speaker & Author Once kicked out of girl scouts for telling a dirty joke. https://linktr.ee/carolekirschner
I've watched this play out countless times: Two equally talented writers get the same difficult notes. One argues passionately. The other listens thoughtfully. Guess which one executives are excited to work with again? The LITS list ('Life Is Too Short') is real, folks.
#scriptsky
When you're stuck on a deadline, don't let perfect be the enemy of good. Two hours of butt-in-chair progress beats endless cycles of panic and avoidance. You're training your brain that writing is manageable again, one small win at a time.
#scriptsky
The climb from production assistant to writers' room isn't wasted time. When you're eventually staffed and producing your own episodes - or running your own show - that ground-level understanding of how production actually works becomes your competitive advantage.
#scriptsky
Failing often and failing well is a skill worth developing. Each big swing teaches you something about your voice, your limits, your potential. Writers who succeed aren't the ones who never fail—they're the ones who fail better and learn faster than everyone else.
#scriptsky
Couldn't agree more!
Thinking about a career rather than a sale is tougher and less exciting. But it IS how working writers actually break in. Focus on becoming the writer the industry is searching for, not on searching for the perfect contact who'll discover you.
#scriptsky
That terrible feeling when you walk out of a meeting thinking "I had so much more to offer, but none of it came up"? That's fixable. You need what I call "nuggets" - 60-second stories/personal anecdotes that reveal who you are and what makes you memorable.
#scriptsky
Thank you!
"What if I'm not talented enough?" Wrong question. The right question: "How can I make this person's job easier?" That shift in focus changes everything about how you approach interviews and first jobs.
#scriptsky
In most careers, success builds linearly. Excel in school, land an entry-level position, advance through hard work. Hollywood doesn't work that way. Emerging writers' work often falls short at first, and they feel stuck. The secret is to keep grinding, and take your work to an even higher level.
Struggling to explain your creative vision in meetings? I've helped hundreds of writers craft their perfect 60-second story—the one that makes executives lean forward and say "tell me more." Grab my free ebook "Telling Your Story in 60 Seconds" (link in bio).
#scriptsky
This is really inspiring. Thanks for sharing, William!
Local writing classes—especially at community colleges—are fantastic for meeting fellow writers. Many take the same class multiple semesters specifically to build relationships and get consistent feedback. It's about the community, not just the curriculum.
#scriptsky
Your personal essay for TV programs isn't filler—it's your third writing sample. Decision-makers (myself included) weigh essays heavily. A compelling, engaging story can be the difference between an interview and a pass. Give it real creative effort.
#scriptsky
100% agree! So glad you found it helpful.
Thank you, Janet! Always appreciated.
#scriptsky
Carole always has great advice. And this is no different, fantastic advice for tv writers.
Working writers can start building showrunner skills now. In every room, practice recognizing which battles are worth fighting and which decisions you can trust to others. The writers who understand this distinction early set themselves up for leadership success later.
#scriptsky
Rushing into representation before your work is truly ready can actually set your career back. You might get a few meetings with executives, but if your scripts aren't ready, those meetings won't lead anywhere. Worse, you've now burned those relationships before you had a real shot.
#scriptsky
Building a network doesn't mean schmoozing executives at industry events or sending awkward follow-up emails to people who barely remember you. It means developing authentic relationships with other creators at your level - people who share your creative dreams. Peers who will grow alongside you.
The secret to standing out in Hollywood emails isn't fancy formatting or industry jargon. It's this simple formula:
Hook (what makes you unique),
Intent (what you're looking for),
Logline (summary of your best sample).
Lead with your strengths and keep things brief!
#scriptsky
Your peers will tell you your script is "really good" because they're being supportive. Ask them this instead: "Would this sample make a manager EXCITED to sign me?" Different question. Different answer.
#scriptsky
Your spec episode should reveal something new about the main characters we already love. Guest characters can be catalysts, but keep the focus on the leads. Programs want to see you understand who these people are at their core, not just plot around them.
#scriptsky
🚪One door closes and another one opens…
I coach writers who are ready to reach the next step in their career — are you one of them? Check out my services: www.carolekirschner.com/coaching
#scriptsky #screenwriting #filmindustry
The samples that get rejected immediately? Ones with typos and formatting errors. It's shocking how many writers submit to competitive programs without proofreading. Perfect formatting isn't optional—it's the baseline that gets you actually read.
#scriptsky
Thank you!
Self-marketing isn't about being fake or salesy. It's storytelling. The same craft you use to develop characters, to create emotional resonance, to make audiences care - you can apply that to your own narrative. It's about being strategic in how you present your authentic self.
#scriptsky
So, is writing for verticals a smart move in lean times? Or just another way to do more for less?
Read more here: www.carolekirschner.com/blog/vertica...
Verticals. You’ve probably seen them: short, soapy, vertical-format “mini dramas”. They’re cheap to produce, quick to consume, and are offering some writers a much needed paycheck.
But let’s be honest, they’re far from the perfect gig.
Your preparation doesn't stop at research—it shows up in how you handle small details. If an assistant offers water, say yes. Accepting what's offered (without extra demands) is professional, not presumptuous. These tiny moments signal whether you'll be easy to work with.
#scriptsky
