I’ve finally optioned a feature script. It’s taken six years to get to this point and it’s been tough, really tough. How does it feel? It feels amazing. It’s a whole new level of validation. It feels like the start of something rather than living in purgatory. But I don’t want to make this about […]
Continue readingThe Perks Of Being An Artist
Something strange happened to me this year. My screenwriting life took a shift in a new direction. A producer reached out to me about optioning one of my features and is now working hard to secure the financing needed to green-light the project. This is a strange new world to me and, being the the […]
Continue readingMy Name’s CJ Walley, and I’m a Writerholic
Before we get into this, I want you to sit down and be prepared for a bittersweet ending. You see, this isn’t one of those blog posts where I encourage every writer to keep fighting, this is a heartfelt and open case for why I may have to quit. As some of you may already […]
Continue readingPermission vs Validation
Which script should you write next? Would people want to read it? Is the idea bad? Do you have the skills needed? Are you really just wasting your time… and life? Look, I don’t know a single aspiring screenwriter who doesn’t have those questions running through their mind all the time. Creative pursuits are, by […]
Continue readingHollywood or Bust – Why we need to stop California Dreamin’
We’ve all heard it, within every screenwriting community: You have to grow a thick skin to survive this industry! This industry is desperate for high quality scripts! It takes years to break into this industry? This industry. What does your screenwriting dream look like? Is it red carpets and strobing flash bulbs outside the Dolby Theatre? […]
Continue readingMy Turn & Burn Story Structure Has Made The Story Structure Countdown
In my first couple of years writing, when reflecting on my first few scripts, one of by biggest weaknesses I identified was my understanding story structure. I just couldn’t get my head around it. It was like trying to learn a new language, with a new alphabet… and with a few more phonetics thrown in […]
Continue readingSo I’ve Created A Free Script Hosting Website; Script Revolution
While going into year five of writing this year, it really began to hit me just how tough the filmmaking world is for 99.9% of people. More and more walls seem to be being built around breaking in by people who then stand by the gate expecting payment from others to get through. That’s not […]
Continue readingTen Ways for Me the Best Things in Screenwriting Came for Free
It’s that time of year where our friends wonder where us aspiring screenwriting friends have disappeared to, why we tense up at the thought of going to the movie theatre, and why we escape out the bathroom window when it’s our turn to buy a round.
Continue readingA Plan vs. an Attitude: How Dr. Webber Changed My Approach to My Career
I remember when I had my epiphany. I was sat slumped on my sofa watching Grey’s Anatomy. It was an episode where Dr. Hunt and the recently demoted Dr. Webber were putting together competing proposals to perform a difficult tumor surgery.
Continue readingWriting Women As A Man
I love writing female characters. I’m compelled to, my imagination conjures up women when I dream up scenes, I care more when my protagonists are female, and I feel more emotionally connected when writing about women.
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