Summary:

In this conversation, Mary Scheyder interviews Geoffrey D. Calhoun, host of the Successful Screenwriter podcast, about various aspects of screenwriting. They discuss starting out in screenwriting, overrated advice for new writers, writing Geoffrey's book 'The Guide for Every Screenwriter', adapting real-life stories, rituals and routines for writing, writing the movie you want to see, the challenge of writing adaptations, and finding writer's euphoria.

Takeaways

• Focus on mastering the foundations of screenwriting, such as structure, before diving into other aspects like formatting.
• Be cautious of overrated advice, such as 'show don't tell', and focus on understanding the purpose and impact of different writing techniques.
• When writing adaptations, find the defining moment of the real-life story and build the script thematically around it.
• Develop rituals and routines that help you get into the flow state of writing, such as creating a specific writing playlist.
• Embrace the challenge of writing and problem-solving, as limitations and constraints can lead to more creative and satisfying results.

Chapters00:00Introduction and Gratitude
00:49Starting Out in Screenwriting
02:26Overrated Advice for New Writers
04:00Writing 'The Guide for Every Screenwriter'
08:18Adapting Real Life Stories
10:16Rituals and Routines for Writing
14:12Writing the Movie You Want to See
17:58The Challenge of Writing Adaptations
21:16Finding Writer's Euphoria
27:35Closing Remarks