THE SCRIBBLERS TOOLBOX
“A collection of tips, tools, observations, and ephemera for like-minded scribblers. Peruse, share, or disregard at your leisure.”
Jesse Alexander
Difficult Conversations
Drama and conflict are the bread and butter of our trade, but today, on the toolbox, we’re looking at ways to limit both.
The Art of Grokking
To grok is to understand something so profoundly that it becomes a part of you. It's not just about grasping facts or details; it's about experiencing the subject matter on a visceral level.
Showrunner 101
Running a TV series doesn’t come naturally to most introverted scribblers. An excellent resource for me has been the work of Ryan Holiday. In his explorations of leadership, Ryan lays down principles applicable to the world of TV as much as any other field.
Media Training for Scribblers?
Since the days of Orson Welles promoting “Citizen Kane,” media training has been essential for anyone who finds themselves in the spotlight.
Scribblers Anonymous
The principles of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) are designed to help people manage addiction, but its core tenets can be adapted to address other life-destroying challenges like — WRITERS BLOCK.
Panel, Proscenium, and Projector
Writing across different mediums like movie screenplays, theatrical plays, and graphic novels requires understanding the unique characteristics and constraints of each form.
Research is your Scribbler’s Compass
Crafting engaging characters for existing IPs and weaving stories for them is a delicate art that requires more than instinct and creativity; it requires research.
More Action Tropes!
More Action Movie tropes!
Ludo-Narrative Synergy
While they might seem worlds apart, TV shows and Video Games share a surprising number of similarities in how they're crafted, developed, and consumed.
Dive Deep
The process of immersion is the key to staying engaged and focused while crafting authentic work that resonates.
Scribbling isn’t enough.
Scribblers seeking career longevity should consider expanding their skill sets to become "hyphenates." By taking on multiple roles, such as writer-director, writer-producer, or writer-director-producer, you will gain and maintain power in the creative process while tapping additional streams of revenue.
Tropes of Carnage!
Crafting an action movie that captivates audiences involves harnessing the power of dynamic tropes.
The “Antifragile” mindset.
The hero’s journey to scribbling success is fraught with rejection, criticism, and unpredictability. When you venture into the writing wasteland, it’s critical to tap that uniquely human trait: antifragility.
You’re not alone!
A tribe of fellow scribblers provides support, inspiration, and a sense of shared commitment.
Learn the format to break the format.
You may have written the best script in Hollywood history, but without proper pro formatting, chances are it’s gonna buy you a one-way ticket on TL;DR airlines!
Sentences of Successful Scribblers
Successful scribblers have unique styles that may not strictly adhere to traditional rules and guidelines. However, some commonalities can be observed.
Sentence Structure
Regarding the structure of sentences, the various types, and how they can be used effectively.
Nobody talks like that!
Let's sharpen our scribbling skills and explore the four aspects that separate awesome dialogue from the not-so-awesome.
Can AI facilitate “Deep Work”?
AI can be an incredibly powerful tool, but it's still a tool. The real power lies in the human capacity for deep work, creative thinking, and strategic decision-making, all complemented by AI.
Scribblers & “Deep Work”
In his book “Deep Work,” author Cal Newport proposes theories and strategies critical for being productive scribblers.