The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience

How Award-Winning TV Writer & Novelist Georgia Jeffries Writes

Jan 10, 2025

Georgia Jeffries, an Emmy-nominated TV writer and producer known for her work on 'Cagney & Lacey,' shares her fascinating journey from screenwriting to novel writing. She reflects on her early journalism days and how her debut novel, 'The Younger Girl,' draws from a notorious true crime case. The conversation highlights the delicate balance between confidence and humility in writing, the importance of writing communities, and the unique creative freedom she discovered in transitioning from television to literature.

49:48

Episode guests

Georgia Jeffries

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Quick takeaways

Georgia Jeffries highlights the creative freedom in novel writing, allowing deeper personal exploration compared to the structured demands of television screenwriting.

Her debut novel, rooted in true crime, intricately weaves family history and tragedy, showcasing the complexities of human relationships and emotional legacy.

Deep dives

Embracing Individuality in Dating

The importance of embracing one's true self in the dating scene, particularly on platforms like Bumble, is emphasized. Listeners are encouraged to be unabashed about their interests, such as sharing unique music playlists, which can foster deeper connections. The notion of dating with intention is highlighted, as individuals become more aware of their preferences and desires, leading to more meaningful relationships. This shift from a 'new year, new you' mentality to a focus on authenticity is presented as a positive change that can attract the right partners.

Intro

5min

From Screenwriting to Novel Writing

28min

Inspiration from a Notorious Murder Case

3min

Exploring the Shadows of Hollywood Dreams and Tragedy

4min

The Balance of Hubris and Humility in Writing

4min

Exploring the Value of Writing Communities and Education

3min

Award-winning TV writer/producer turned novelist Georgia Jeffries spoke with me about why Cagney and Lacey was her film school, teaching screenwriting at USC, and the ghosts, grief, and grievance in her debut novel THE YOUNGER GIRL.

Georgia Jeffries is the Emmy-nominated TV writer/producer who became the first individual female screenwriter to earn a Writers Guild Award for Episodic Drama for her work on the ground-breaking series Cagney & Lacey.

Her debut is The Younger Girl: A Dark Labyrinth of Family Betrayal, based on a true crime. It was described by bestselling author Rachel Howzell Hall as “...historical fiction at its best. … [and] an eye-opening, immersive story about a family, then and now, nearly stripped bare from greed and the steadfast refusal to acknowledge a painful past.”

Jeffries has written docudramas and series pilots for CBS, ABC, NBC, HBO, and Showtime and is a professor at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts where she created the first undergraduate screenwriting thesis program at an American university.

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In this file Georgia Jeffries and I discussed:

Her early years as a journalist

How she received rave rejections on her first attempt at a novel

Why she based her debut on true events from her family’s past

The throughline of her quest for justice and love of noir fiction

Writing genre-bending historical suspense

And a lot more!

Show Notes:

georgiajeffries.com

The Younger Girl: A Dark Labyrinth of Family Betrayal by Georgia Jeffries (Amazon)

Georgia Jeffries on IMDb

Georgia Jeffries on Instagram

Kelton Reid on Twitter

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