I've been asked a lot recently about how to get a job as a writer in video games—and specifically, how to get one here at @SonySantaMonica. I figured the pinging reached enough critical mass that I'd respond to the #WritingCommunity via the magic of Twitter. 'Cause why not? 1/17

The first question is much harder to answer, because there *is* no one way to get a writing job in video games. There are many roads in, but the road is bulldozed right after one person successfully drives on it. So what works for one guy or gal may not work for you. 2/17

For instance... my way in began with a writing background in sports journalism (radio and newspaper), LOADS of luck, plenty of #perseverance, a huge break from a friend, and more than half my career as an artist and level designer. But writing is where I wanted to be... 3/17

So I can't really tell you your path in—you'll have to figure that one out yourself. Game companies have different requirements and look for different things. Sorry!

What I *can* speak to is the second question: What do *I* look for when hiring writers @SonySantaMonica? 4/17

PART ONE: THE RESUME
I have an order I go through when evaluating writers. First, I evaluate candidates who've worked in games. There are intricacies game devs understand that you can't get anywhere else. If you come pre-packaged with that glossary, you jump the line. 5/17

Second, I consider writers with professional experience in television, monthly comics, and journalism. Those fields all involve a ton of creative writing and automatically show me you can work (and hopefully thrive) on tight deadlines. 6/17

Third, I look at film writers, playwrights, and novelists. Bottom line is, I have no idea how long it took you to write your script/book. You may have spent 10 years following your passion. If you did, bless you—it's probably amazing. It's just far afield from game dev work. 7/17

PART TWO: THE COVER LETTER
For the love of all things holy, write a cover letter people. Don't just upload your resume and call it a day—*especially* if you don't have game development experience on it. You'd be surprised how many applicants don't send in a cover letter. 8/17

When they do, you can tell cover letters that are boilerplate with only the company names/job title changed to protect the innocent. I mean, I love generic terms as much as the next guy, but check the company name you're applying to. I love @Naughty_Dog too, but we're SMS. 9/17

Most importantly for non-devs, tell my *why* you want to work in video games. If you're a TV writer that submits without a cover letter, it looks like you're trying to fill hiatus months. When you work on a game here at SMS, I need to know you're in it for the long haul. 10/17

As a bonus, tell me why, specifically, you want to work at @SonySantaMonica. What is it about our studio that makes you want to join our merry band of heroes? What is it about the games we've created that speaks to you? This isn't mandatory, but it *is* attention-getting. 11/17

PART THREE: THE WRITING SAMPLE
One or two good scenes. That's it. Just give me a scene or two in screenplay-style that you're proud of. Show me how you handle characters and emotion. Any characters. Any genre. Just show me you understand how to construct a scene. 12/17

I stressed the "one or two scenes" because it's incredible the amount of full film/TV spec scripts I get. Yes, I know it'll better show how you track arcs and give breadth and variety to your submission. I also know I simply won't have time to read it. 13/17

We get hundreds of applicants for writing positions. I really do wish I could read every single last sample that crosses my desktop, but I just don't have the bandwidth to get through your 54-page Mad Men spec script—or worse yet, your 133-page epic film script. 14/17

Believe me, I *really* want to read every page of every submission I receive, but 12-15 pages max is all I really have time for. So just send your best scene or two, 'kay? 15/17

I think that about wraps it up. Now... if you want to pursue a job writing in games, go out there and make it happen. I can't wait to see what you create. I am constantly astounded by the passion of people that want to be a part of the industry I love. I believe in you! 16/17

Oh, one more thing. If you *do* want to specifically work on my writing team and make it through the application/interview/hiring process—you better get comfortable with the #OxfordComma & #DoubleSpacingAfterPeriods. It may be a modern industry, but I'm old like that. 17/17