As a child, I’d entertain myself for hours drawing pictures of people and making up stories to go with them. I’ve basically been storyboarding little movies for as long as I can remember. I always loved improv too, and would often act out scenes as I dreamt them up. So visual storytelling and improv have long been favorite pastimes.
Screenwriting is closely related to improv — but with screenwriting, you get to play all the roles. There are always a few characters that take on a life of their own, too, in which case, it’s almost like I’m just along for the ride and they’re entertaining me. When I’m in that zone, time & real life just disappear. It’s such fun and so completely immersive.
They say the best way to learn is to teach and I have definitely found this to be true. I love to demystify the format, structure, and process and help writers find their voice. Any screenplay that gets “set up” becomes the blueprint for something highly collaborative— but writing is usually a solo venture at first and that can be both isolating and intimidating. Learning the craft is essential, but it also really helps to be part of an informed and supportive community. My classes are designed to foster a sense of connection and I always love to see that happen.
Twelve Caesars by Mary Beard.
“The lyf so short, the craft so long to lerne.” Geoffrey Chaucer (Hippocrates actually said it first but I like Chaucer’s spelling better!)
Whether you are looking for a gift for the other writers in your life or thinking of ways to commit to your craft in 2026, we put together a gift guide perfect for the holiday season. BOOKS We asked our instructors and staff to share the book they’re giving friends
BY SUZANNE FARRELL SMITH At my first grad school program, my inaugural class was a writing-heavy course on cultural criticism, co-taught by a famous, cantankerous, prolific author. He told us, in so many words, “Writers must write every day. If you don’t write every day, you are not a writer.”
