John and Craig welcome back Aline Brosh McKenna to tackle the issue of idea management. What do you do with all those half-formed ideas and how do you decide which ones to pursue? They share best practices and their approach to middle-of-the-night inspiration.

We also discuss how screenwriters’ quotes are determined and answer some listener questions on alternatives to D&D, crediting improv and rain in the second act.

In our bonus segment for premium members, DVDs hang in the balance as John and Drew sit down back in 2025 to ask, should Drew get rid of his physical media?

Links:

• Dungeon World
• Kids on Bikes
• Crazy, Rich Asians Pay Disparity
• Searching for Bobby Fischer
• After Dark My Sweet
• God (1998 short film)
• Reg Ex Crossword Puzzle
• Soothe Massage App
• Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey
• Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!
• Check out the Inneresting Newsletter
• Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription or treat yourself to a premium subscription!
• Craig Mazin on Instagram
• John August on Bluesky, Threads, and Instagram
• Outro by Victor Krause (send us yours!)
• This episode was originally produced by Megana Rao. Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt and edited by Matthew Chilelli.

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You can download the episode here.