THE WRITING HAS MOVED. THE THINKING HASN’T.
I’ve consolidated all of my essays, provocations, practical tools and occasional acts of storytelling heresy into one place: Substack.
It’s now where I explore Storycraft, Pagecraft, narrative design, the creative process, and the strange, difficult, exhilarating work of turning an idea into a story somebody actually wants to experience.
If you’re curious about how stories work — and how yours might work better — come join me there.
Write Like a Filmmaker: The Five Passes That Make Your Scenes Land
You don’t need a camera to make cinema. You need pages that force the exact film you are manifesting to play in the reader’s mind—so precisely that their body responds.
The Neuroscience of Story: Why Writing for the Body Beats the Mind
New research proves what storytellers have always known: the stories that change us don’t begin in the mind. They begin in the body.
Trailer Breakdown: Every Little Thing
Every Little Thing is a documentary that premiered last year, and while it’s not a scripted story, its trailer struck me as one of the clearest examples of how a well-crafted preview can move us.
Trailer Breakdown: Caught Stealing
Today I’m looking at Caught Stealing, a high-stakes crime thriller adapted from Charlie Huston’s novel, and unpacking not just what it shows us, but what it makes us feel.
Applying “Bokeh” to Screenwriting
If we treat “bokeh,” a term used in the world of photography, as a metaphor for narrative, it becomes about focus and depth of field in storytelling.
Build Doors, Not Houses
A door is what gets you noticed, what connects you to opportunities, and what invites collaborators, mentors, and audiences to engage with your talent.
Embracing The Mess
The myth of the perfect first draft is one of the most damaging lies in all of professional storytelling.
Write It, Or Don’t. But, Stop Talking About Your “Killer” Idea
If you hate the writing process, then please move on because you will never succeed with just an “idea”.
How To Create A Great Short Film
Once upon a time, a short film was just a stepping stone to something “bigger.” Today? It’s a weapon.
"Good" and "Bad" are Worthless Concepts
All that matters is being effective. That in mind, the natural question is… How does one become an effective ccreenwriter?
Your Screenwriting Portfolio: Follow This Plan If You Want To Succeed.
In the screenwriting industry, talent is a benefit, skill is a necessity, but both are far from sufficient. What truly separates the writers who break through from those who fade away is their ability to build, maintain, and leverage a professional portfolio—and here’s how…
Film Screen Credits: Understanding The Basics
Credit allocation in film is a complex and often contentious issue, with disputes over who deserves what credit and in what order. Credits not only acknowledge the contributions of key players but also have significant implications for professional reputation, influence, and financial compensation...