Another powerful Coaching sesh 1-30-26

Great group today. I am really feeling the momentum, not only in the number of people showing up, but for the pages getting rewritten and really coming to life.

I want to break down what separates those who are actually doing the work from those still sitting on the sidelines.

What Happened Today

Chris brought a deeply personal scene exploring his character Guy's wound - the absent father driving his need to show up for kids at birthday parties. The scene ran long at 5 pages, but Chris did something crucial: he explored his character's emotional core. We workshopped how to tighten it, add humor to balance the sincerity, and motivate it with a specific inciting incident.

Chad completely transformed his teaser based on last week's notes. What was once cluttered and confusing is now a tight, atmospheric demon-summoning sequence with genuine scares AND dark comedy. The goldfish boiling as the demon dances by? Hell yes, Chad! If they can kill a dog in John Wick, you can boil a goldfish!

It's funny, it's dark and f'd up in the best of ways.

This is what revision looks like when you actually apply feedback.

Jason Smith is actively producing a feature film - casting internationally, storyboarding, dealing with the brutal reality of pre-production while trying to nail his dialogue and character voices.

Notice what these writers have in common:

They brought pages - not ideas, not excuses, actual work
They're iterating based on feedback - Chad's rewrite was night and day
They're exploring character wounds - Chris digging into Guy's abandonment issues
They're committed to their worlds - Like Tolkien building backstory before writing The Hobbit

As I said in the session: Lord of the Rings is unabashedly sincere. It commits completely to what it is. Whether you're writing comedy or fantasy, be as much of that thing as you can be. That's how you distinguish yourself.

The Brutal Truth

Some of you are taking notes. Some of you are "doing homework."

But are you actually writing? Are you bringing pages to get read? Are you applying notes and showing up with rewrites?

David Hinnebusch said it perfectly: "I'm facing the truth of my behavior for the last 30 years." That's what real growth looks like - uncomfortable as hell, but necessary.

That's why I created this place:

Standard members get access to these sessions. You can watch, take notes, lurk in the shadows.

Premium members bring pages, get table reads, receive direct coaching, and actually level up their craft in real-time.

1-on-1 clients get deep-dive sessions where we solve the specific problems holding their scripts back.

The difference isn't talent. It's commitment and accountability.

A Literal Call to Action

If you're serious about your writing, stop being a spectator.

Upgrade to Premium and start bringing pages to our sessions
Book a 1-on-1 if you need intensive focus on your project
But for the love of all that's holy, stop just thinking about writing and actually write

Because here's what I know: The writers who show up, who bring pages, who take notes and apply them - those are the ones who finish scripts. The ones who get better. The ones who eventually break through.

Everyone else is just collecting screenwriting tips while their dreams gather dust.

Which one are you going to be?

If you haven't been to a Newcomer Coaching Session yet, join us:

Zoom Link: Monday at 10 a.m. Pacific Time.

Or going Premier Coaching Tuesday at 10 a.m. Pacific Time.

Come watch how it's done. Or better yet, bring pages and let's get to work like today's crew did!

Dave

59:01

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