The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna

Writing isn't just about craft and science. It's about translating the highs and lows of being a human being into art, and that journey can be a roller coaster, whether you're an emerging writer or a seasoned pro.Speaking of seasoned pros, today, we ask them those tricky questions: what brings you the most joy about writing, what pisses you off about writing, and what scene do you want to be remembered by. The guests, in order of appearance:  John August - Episode 35 Andrew Stanton - Episode 39 Marti Noxon - Episode 40 Sheila Hanahan-Taylor - Episode 43 Javier Grillo-Marxuach - Episode 46 Michael Arndt - Episode 49 Vanessa Taylor - Episode 51 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Not only is Oscar-nominated writer Vanessa Taylor's resume impressive, it's beautifully varied. Vanessa has written on serialized network TV shows, high-concept prestige premium cable dramas (GOT anybody??), a YA novel adaptation, and even a creature feature love story w/ celebrated filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro (yes, we are talking about The Shape of Water.) But Vanessa sees powerful themes that tie her work together like a commitment to propulsive story engines driven by high-agency characters who tell us WHO they are, through their behavior. Vanessa offers us BEAUTIFUL advice in today's episode, and we can't wait for you to hear it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

50 Episodes! How did we get here? Hard work EVERY DAY.Today, we're focusing on the day-to-day, minute-by-minute process of writing. How to we title our documents? How do we comb through our material? How do we edit. All of that gets answered today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Little Miss Sunshine's script, penned by our guest Michael Arndt, won almost every major industry award, and for good reason. Its warmth, humor, and surefooted commitment to its themes makes it one of the finest scripts written this century. And SO many of those themes show up in Act 1. Michael has become a bit "obsessed" with act 1's lately, because it's our chance to maximize the "rooting interest" around our hero so that our audience has no choice but to keep watching. FOR MICHAEL'S (AMAZING) WEBSITE: https://www.pandemoniuminc.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To enter contests, or NOT to enter contests? Do I need to live in LA? What if I'm not your run-of-the mill white dude writer? What if I'm OLDER than my competition? All of these questions are answers, no-holds-barred, in today's episode where we take YOUR questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a GREATEST HITS Episode. We've had such amazing guests, that we wanted to curate some of their best moments. Enjoy!1:20 - John August on Important Rules For Worldbuildling (Ep 35)6:09 - Marti Noxon on Writing Samples That Will Get You Staffed (Ep 40)9:05 - Sheila Hanahan Taylor On Rookie Mistakes (Ep 42/43)17:33 - Kemp Powers on When To “Break The Rules” in Your Writing (Ep 36)20:15 - Andrew Stanton On The Differences Between Storytelling and Writing (Ep 39)25:31 - Ed Solomon On The Essential Value Of Rewriting (Ep 32)31:12 - Mike Jones On Overcoming Stage Fright During Pitches (Ep 25)34:24 - Kemp Powers On Dealing With Bigotry and Racism in Hollywood (Ep 36)41:12 - Bonnie Curtis and Julie Lynn On What Makes Great Writing (Ep 23)Thank you to Jess Fisher for putting this episode together! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Though best known as one of the Emmy Award-winning writer/producers of Lost, Javier Grillo-Marxuach is a prolific writer of television shows, comic books, movies, and the occasional critical essay. He's a master-storyteller, with a deep understanding of character, no matter how "otherworldly" the project. Today we're going to deep dive on longform character development and Javier's philosophies on "operational theme." And of course, we'll be answering your questions!Check Out Javi's Website: http://okbjgm.weebly.com/Follow Him On Social: @OKBJGM Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Find yourself asking the question 'Why bother” when it comes to your writing? Creative people are asking that question now more than ever, but bestselling author and world-renowned creativity expert Jen Louden wants you to go deeper and really ask the question, really think about it. On today's show, she walks us through why it's important for us to bother about what really matters, and how asking that question and approaching our writing with "self-compassionate grit" can help us get back on the page. For Meg And Lorien’s Episode of “Create Out Loud”: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/create-out-loud-with-jennifer-louden/id1559415253 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Even though pop culture often draws artists as free-spirited goofballs that "go-with-the-flow" true artistry lies in the art of self-discipline, self-esteem, and BOUNDARIES. The truth of getting work done means being willing to draw boundaries in your own life, around your work, and around your ART. How will you draw boundaries this week? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This topic comes up ALL the time on our Facebook group, and finally, we have definitive answers, and LOTS of them. How long should my pitch be, what should it look like, what should it actually include. WTF actually is a DECK??? How can avoid nerves for a meeting, what is my responsibility during a general. A-List producer Sheila Hanahan Taylor has EVERYTHING you need to know! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices