Many talented creators believe in a myth: if your work is exceptional enough, it will find its audience, and doors will naturally open. Understanding that this is a myth -- and learning how Hollywood actually works -- is critical if you hope to break in. Let me explain. 🧵⤵️

Older writers: Stop treating your life experience like baggage and start treating it like currency. Those decades of career knowledge, unique perspective, and specialized expertise? They're not competing with 22-year-old film school grads—they're offering something those writers can't possibly have.

"Shows promise" doesn't get you representation in 2026. Managers and showrunners can't take chances on "potential" when they're choosing from hundreds of talented writers. They need to be excited about your work RIGHT NOW. #scriptsky

There are two types of luck in Hollywood: hard work luck and dumb luck 🍀 If you’re interested in personal guidance to help you get staffed or sell your script, I offer one-on-one coaching: www.carolekirschner.com/coaching #ScriptSky #Screenwriting #FilmIndustry #Writers

Creating a TV show requires more decisions than any single person could make. Casting, costumes, editing, music, rewrites, schedules... The showrunners who succeed get strategic about which 10-15% of choices they should spend their time on rather than delegating them. #scriptsky

So excited for the new 2026 class of the WGA Showrunner training program!  This is Yvette Lee Bowser and me. She, Jeff Melvoin and I have been doing this program for 21 years! Can’t wait for classes to start on Saturday.

Programs want writers with unique perspectives, but here's what applicants miss: unique doesn't mean obscure. The best samples draw from your specific life experience while telling stories with universal appeal. Personal and accessible, not personal OR accessible. #scriptsky

Remember this when pitching to execs: Tell, don’t sell! Ready to pitch like a pro? Get The Ultimate Guide to Pitching a TV Show that Sells (for free!): www.carolekirschner.com/pitching-ebook #ScriptSky #WritersNetwork #Filmmaking #Screenwriting #WritingCommunity #WritersLife

Many creative people believe their work should speak for itself. They feel uncomfortable "selling themselves" and hope that great material will naturally open doors. This thinking actively holds back careers. Let me tell you about Isaac. 🧵⤵️

Don't wait until you're sitting in their office to find out what they do. I've watched too many writers torpedo great opportunities by not knowing basic info about the exec or company they're meeting. The meeting starts long before you walk through their door - with research. #scriptsky

Cold emailing 50-70 managers sounds brutal, but here's the math: if your work is truly ready to sell, those reads can convert to meetings. Managers are in business to make money. They'll find room on their roster if they think they can sell what you're writing. #scriptsky

Writers often think celebrating small progress will make them complacent. But it works the opposite way - acknowledging what you've accomplished reminds you that you've already made progress. That's not complacent, that's building confidence for your next project. #scriptsky

Stop comparing your messy first drafts to the best work you've ever done. Of course they fall short—that's literally impossible math. You're not blocked because you can't write. You're blocked because you're afraid of writing badly. Get over it and be brave. #scriptsky

No one else can write a Ryan Thomas Riddle story. Only I can. My voice and signature style came from writing and writing more. And from living life, with all its wonder and heartbreak and failures. Voice is forged, not forced. #ScriptSky

Good thread. I’ll add: on the comedy side, sometimes demonstrating your unique voice is as simple as writing a few killer jokes. Far too many writers pick the low hanging fruit, but anytime I read a script where I know I couldn’t have come up with the joke but wish I had, I walk away impressed.

Great thread, and also a reminder that clever quips and asides are not the "voice" people are talking about. Sometimes I think people think those little flairs as what sets them apart, but that's not entirely true. I can't tell you what your voice is, but you'll know when you find it. #Scriptsky

A writer sends me their sample. The writing is clean, the structure works, the dialogue flows. It's professional. Polished, even.

Stop waiting for the "perfect" writing partners or a formal invitation to join a group. Be brave enough to reach out first. Offer to read someone's work. Share yours. The vulnerability feels risky, but isolation is riskier for your career in the long run. #scriptsky

Most early-career writers think they need to know showrunners to land Writers' Assistant jobs. Actually, you need to know people adjacent to showrunners - other assistants, coordinators, PAs in the system. That network is more accessible than you think. #scriptsky

Here are a few practical reminders to help you get through the last weeks of 2025 with your sanity intact, as well as some tips for starting 2026 in a way that serves you, your creative goals, and doesn’t rely on what the industry’s doing.

Think your cover letter opening needs to highlight your work? Wrong. That prime real estate sentence exists to grab attention, not provide context. Hook first, journey later. Make me want to keep reading before you tell me how you got here. #scriptsky

That voice telling you you're not ready? Everyone successful in this industry has heard it too. The difference isn't talent—it's who keeps showing up anyway. Your persistence isn't stubbornness—it's your superpower. #scriptsky

"High concept" - you hear this term constantly in Hollywood. But what does it actually mean? And why does it matter so much? I just watched a manager struggle to get execs to read a brilliantly written spec because the premise wasn't high concept enough. Let me break this down. 🧵⤵️

The opening moments of every meeting set the tone for everything that follows. When you start with genuine human connection, the business conversation flows more naturally. Remember: the goal is making a friend, not impressing a stranger. #scriptsky

If you’re behind on a deadline, stop hiding. I know it's terrifying, but here's the thing: Being up front inspires more confidence than radio silence. Give them a realistic delivery date based on actual progress, then hit that deadline. #scriptsky

I've watched writers tell their "incredible" personal stories in real time during a meeting. Only to contradict themselves later on. So don't lie, it's never worth it. But your authentic story? You'll never forget. #scriptsky

Your manager isn't returning calls? Before you panic or get resentful, try this: Ask them directly, "What would you need from me to get me more meetings?" Nine times out of ten, the answer is the same: a great new sample. Then your job becomes clear. #scriptsky

Networking is about building relationships, not skipping to the favors. Before you ask someone to read your script, make sure you’ve had enough genuine touch points to support that ask. Explore my coaching: www.carolekirschner.com/coaching #ScriptSky #Screenwriting #WritersLife #Networking

That voice telling you to write something "safer" that'll have broader appeal? Ignore it. Your specific, personal, weird perspective is exactly what makes you different from every other writer competing for the same opportunities. Lean into what makes you uniquely and undeniably you. #scriptsky

Talent got you in the room. Your ability to make your bosses' lives easier is what gets you hired and keeps you working. The sooner you understand this distinction, the faster your career will grow. #scriptsky

The execs giving you notes don't expect blind agreement. What they DO expect is professional consideration. 'That's an interesting idea. Let me explore how that might work' builds your reputation as someone who values collaboration—the currency of this business. #scriptsky

Showrunning will consume every available minute if you let it. 14-hour days, weekend calls, midnight crises. But here's what thriving showrunners know: being able to delegate and being intentional about your commitments protects both your relationships and your sanity. #scriptsky

Being critical and harsh with yourself doesn't produce better scripts—it produces fewer scripts. The inner perfectionist who rips apart every sentence isn't protecting your career, it's sabotaging it. Constructive self-criticism moves work forward. Cruelty just stops the writing entirely. #scriptsky

Being a screenwriter takes heart. You’re digging deep, staying vulnerable, and constantly reshaping your work — that’s no small thing. Explore my coaching services: www.carolekirschner.com/coaching #ScriptSky #CreativeProcess #WritingCommunity #WritersLife

Here's what separates working writers from struggling ones: the ability to show (not tell) what makes them unique. Practice your personal stories like you practice your craft. Test them on friends. Watch body language. Are they leaning in or checking their phone? #scriptsky

Some great advice here (as always) from Carole 👇 #scriptsky

The key mindset shift that changes everything: Your first few scripts are tuition, not your golden ticket. They're how you learn the craft. Your tenth script has a much better shot than your first—because by then, you've put in the work to become that writer. #scriptsky

Hollywood truth: Your dignity is worth more than chasing someone who doesn't want to be caught. If they wanted to meet with you, they'd find 45 minutes somewhere in their schedule. If you’re getting blown off over and over, take the initiative to bow out gracefully. #scriptsky

Most writers wait until their script is "ready" to reach out for feedback. By then, you've missed the chance to build relationships through the messy middle drafts. Trading early pages with other writers creates bonds that last beyond any single project. #scriptsky

Writing is a gig economy—even at the highest levels. My advice? Save during the busy times so you can breathe during the lean ones. Interested in chatting one-on-one about your career? Check out my coaching services: www.carolekirschner.com/coaching #ScriptSky #Screenwriting #GigEconomy

The best program essays I've read feel like the opening of a memoir I couldn't put down. Generic statements like "I've always loved television" tell us nothing. What shows shaped you? What moments in your life would make great TV? Be specific, detailed, and unforgettable. #scriptsky

This year’s “Thanksgiving” post isn’t for the grateful writers — it’s for the ones feeling stuck, bitter, and anything *but* thankful. If that’s you, here are a few tips for surviving family dinners, the industry slowdown, and the pressure to fake positivity.

Here's a mistake I see writers make too often: writing a period piece as their first sample. Period pieces are expensive, and unless you're Ryan Murphy or Shonda Rhimes, almost no one is buying them. Write a blazing hot, contemporary, high-concept sample instead. That's what's actually getting made.

Early career writers: target managers, not agents. In today's industry, agents typically only sign writers who are already working or about to make a sale. Managers are the ones who'll take a chance on emerging talent—but only if your work is truly ready. #scriptsky

Most of the time networking does suck, but it gets a whole lot easier when you think of it as simply connecting with people who share your passion. Want to chat one-on-one? Explore my coaching services: www.carolekirschner.com/coaching #scriptsky #filmmaking #screenwriting

Great samples have 3 key elements: - Blazing Hot Work - High Concept Premise - Your Voice, and/or Your Story But, Carole, what do you mean when you say “blazing hot work?” How do I know if my work is “blazing hot?” Great question! 🧵⤵️

The irony of micromanagement: showrunners who try to control everything end up compromising their vision because they're spread too thin. Your creative vision is actually protected when you delegate well and focus your energy where it counts most. #scriptsky

For spec scripts, the sweet spot is often shows in season 2-4. Not so new they might get canceled, not so established that every story's been told. You want readers to know the characters well enough to judge your voice capture, but still have room for fresh stories. #scriptsky

This is a fantastic, inspiring post by Evan Shapiro (@eshap.bsky.social) of Media War & Peace. It's for everyone who's lost a job or is afraid they may. With real-world strategies for next steps. Please read it. You'll feel better if you do.

First impressions happen in about 2 seconds. In-person: stand tall, eye contact, confident handshake. On Zoom: sit up straight, camera on, well-lit, smiling. Confidence without ego. You want to be memorable for the right reasons, not insufferable for the wrong ones. #scriptsky