Mornin' folx. Thought I'd do another mini-thread for emerging screenwriters. Then again, my mini-threads seem to have a way of spinning into maxi-threads. So grab a cuppa and let's go.

Today's topic? WRITERS' GROUPS.

And yes, that apostrophe is in the right place.

1/?

There's so much attention paid to, "How do I get my work in front of reps/execs?!" and so much less paid to getting the actual work ready to do so -- writers' groups are a secret weapon I wish I'd acknowledged sooner and have been key to making my work ready for prime time.

1a/?

When I started myTV writing journey, it was from a distance (Chicago). From the get-go, it was hammered into me that writing a pilot was a solo endeavor that sucked and love the hair/hope you win but if you can't do this hard thing solo, you'll never get to do it in a room.

2/?

I went the solo route for 3 years. It blew Republican dicks (you're welcome for that nightmare visual). I kept taking classes online, mostly for accountability & deadlines (because this bish loves a deadline), but started to realize that some the best ideas...

3/?

Were coming from classmates who'd taken time out of THEIR solo-pilot-writing slogs to read my slog product and send me their crazy ideas (which are always half crazy and half veritable 24K gold).

And writers NEED that giant pile of crazy ideas to make their work better

4/?

The "I'm a grown-ass adult and can write a pilot all by my damn self!" myth really is a myth. If you don't have a writers' group, get thee to finding one or forming one soonest. Here's why --

5/?

Because no matter who you are, TV writing is a collaborative medium. I applaud anyone who has dreams of auteurship but if you're trying to break into this industry, auteurship dreams are gonna do fuckall to break you in/move the needle/insert your own dated metaphor here.

6/?

Your writers' group (or groups, if that's your jam) is a support structure for so many things -- and not just writing. Let's talk about the incomparable glory of writers' groups:

7/?

1) Writers' groups are safe spaces. If your WG isn't safe, drop it like contact with your racist auntie in Missoula and get the fuck out. A WG should be there for you in story, good days and shitty, till death to your idea or finished script and beyond.

8/?

2) Writers' groups are the best place to bring your ideas. There's no faster way to find out if an idea is just an idea or an actual story than to drop it in front of a group of writers you know, who know you, and whose story chops you trust.

9/?

2a) Litmus testing your ideas in a writers' group is the easiest way to not waste time on ideas that will never become TV shows. We all have amazing ideas that our brains convince us belong on TV. Writers' groups will help you latch on to STORIES.

10/?

3) WGs will pitch into YOUR story. We've all gotten well-meaning notes from someone who's like, "I see your heartfelt family drama but it would be really cool if this family lived in a tiny bubble of water and floated around the universe fighting space walruses."

Dafuq?

11/?

3a) Even when your WG pitches wild ideas, they're wild ideas that could have a seed that serves your story. WGs align you w/ writers who respect YOUR stories and push you to make YOUR story, not the one THEY want you to tell, better.

12/?

4) WGs are your "oh shit" button. When you're about to throttle your computer because you're stalled out, an outline/scene/whole damn act isn't working, or you begin to question (again) why the fuck you're trying to write for TV instead of having a nice 401(k) in an 8-5 job

13/?

4a) Like yesterday, I messaged the incomparable @honorathexplora (why have you not staffed her yet?!) & we spent over an HOUR re-breaking my A story. I entered that call heavy w/questions and left light, full of real character-driven story with a kickass emotional arc.

14/?

4b) WGs also align you with an environment like a real writers' room. You might feel like you're Batman on your own, but WGs help you find your Robin. I harbor no preference to any universe of superheroes for my metaphors.

15/?

5) WGs rise together. When one of you gets repped, sets up a pilot, meets a cool exec/producer, staffs, etc. -- the whole group shares in that success. It's a safe space to be happy and feel envious but love and respect flows in great writers' groups.

16/?

6) With an eye on wrapping this up, WGs hold you accountable. This world of screenwriting had deadlines and expectations and a WG is a great place to get used to hitting deadlines and respecting others by doing so.

17/?

6a) If your WG is loosey-goosey, your work ethic is probably going to be loosey-goosey.

Loosey Goosey is not a career strategy.

18/?

7) Finally, let's talk about that apostrophe. It's a writers' group because the work, challenges, successes, and support inside belong to the entire group. It's a super cool feeling to look at a fellow group member's work and think, "My pitch made it in!"

19/?

7a) Great stories happen bc we find safe spaces to share our stories w/safe people until they're ready to share w/the world. WGs are as much about improving your work as they are about improving the work of others. Writers' groups belong to the group. Hence, s' and not 's.

20/?

So, I'll finish this out by saying "get thee to a writers' group" if you haven't yet. Form WGs with writers you know, LIKE, and trust. Don't align with assholes and create unsafe spaces for yourself. This shit we do is hard enough without giving assholes safe harbor.

21/?

And if you don't know where to find a WG, MAKE YOUR OWN and pro tip -- only form WGs with other writers you've read and whose work your respect (or come on high referral from another group member). You should look at the talent in your WG everyday and think...

22/?

GOTDAM I AM A LUCKY MF TO BE IN THE COMPANY OF THESE STORY SAVVY MFERS.

<your use of profanity may vary>

23/24

Shout out to my WG baes @honorathexplora @elenaperez @RachelHroncich @lisaebersole and you should staff them all because they are fucking KILLER in a room.

<fin>