As fellowship deadlines come, people have asked about the HBO fellowship and the application process. Every1 has their own methodology/swag 2 essay questions. I’m going to give you mine, just as an example for what worked for me. 1/ #TVWriters #FellowshipSeason #WGAStaffingBoost

One of the essay questions was: “Who is your favorite literary character and why?” Walter “Heisenberg” White. Easy. I remember my friend/colleague said, “Everyone’s going to put that. Write something else.” But…I didn’t wanna. LOL! So I sat for awhile... 2/

This next bit is important: I was just ending a relationship at the time & everything in our LA apartment was boxed up. She was grabbing the last of her stuff and I was sitting in a pretty much empty apartment. This was the first place we lived when we came out to LA... 3/

It held a lot of significance. I was also on the precipice of a big life change. I came out here to become a writer and to build a life with this person. Well, part of that plan was literally walking out the door. I my hometown of Chester, Pa but…I wasn’t going back home. 4/

My back was legit against the wall, because they just carried the couch out to the truck. What was I going to do? I wrote about Walter White being my favorite literary character because…he represents transformation. And then, in the actual essay... 5/

I talked about writing it from my empty apartment as she carried the last of her boxes out 2 her car. My life was transforming before my eyes. Was I gonna stand out in the wilderness in my Tighty Whities like Walt? Or go out like a G, guns blazing like Heisenberg’s ass? 6/

When I tell you I had nothing to lose…I had nothing. Sure, my friend told me not to put Walt. But I didn’t care. That was my answer but…he was also right. I didn’t just say Walt, I gave HBO an idea of the type of writer they were going to get if they let me in. 7/

Not just in my writing sample, (That jawn has to be top flight as well) but in my essay. 8/

Put the most unfiltered, unadulterated, vulnerable, batshit crazy, 100 percent concentrated version of YOU in every answer. Find a way to communicate who you are all over that thing! Your introverted swag should be dripping off of every answer. 9/ #IntrovertedSwag

They should not only have a really good idea of who you are after reading your sample and your essay, they should be dying to meet you!

Good luck my quarantined friends! You. Got. This! 10/ #CoronaLockdown #TVWriters #FellowshipSeason