Into the Fire

My interview with script/screenwriter Corey Miller revealed a sensitive, kind professional, willing to engage a nobody - albeit a fellow writer of a different genre – and extend himself to those who love to hear about the reasons, motivations, scenarios, and events which pointed him to his career choices. 

I realized in the process of this conversation those of us who write novels can easily relate to some of the seemingly universal truths of creating fiction. Whether it be in the medium of television or the novel, we recognize a common ground on certain levels. We love to tell stories, get reactions, share our emotions, and hope to elicit some favorable intensity from our viewers and/or readers.

"What I loved most about writing when I started is the same thing I love today: creating something that can be watched by millions of people all around the world.  I so enjoy entertaining people and letting them escape from their own stresses even for that small bit of time." Corey Miller 

In Part One of the interview Corey spoke of making his own contacts and breaking into the industry. Fiction authors know they must attend writers conferences and make those contacts any way they can without plaguing the agents looking for that one special writer to add to their stable. Agents usually are the only way to get to a publisher, but agents prefer writers who have already established a platform before they take you on as a client. It can be one of those clichéd catch-22 situations.

"When I first started trying to be a screenwriter, no one would read my script unless I had an agent, yet I couldn’t get an agent without already getting some traction.  So you definitely have to do a lot of pavement pounding on your own, because there is so much competition out there, and agents are busy enough handling the clients they already have.  So, usually, you end up getting your first job or two on your own." Corey Miller 

Authors who enter the publishing world are subjected to some of the same criteria of "criticism", or shall we say "critique", as Corey described here:

"Television scripts have the fingerprints of many people all over them.  From the moment a script leaves the printer, it is basically offered up for criticism.  First you get internal notes. Then you get notes from the studio.  Then the network.  Then all of the department heads who have something to say about their part.  Then you find out from the Line Producer that things need to be shifted or trimmed or altered to get the episode in on budget.  Then the director has thoughts, and so do the actors." Corey Miller

In the publishing realm some writers experience instant success, but that situation is a rarity. Breaking into it is difficult and requires enormous perseverance. However, authors now have the privilege of being their own "gatekeepers". With the indie, self, or custom publishing phenomenon taking the publishing world by storm, authors now have a fighting chance to get their work into a digital or print format without having to experience years of rejection because their pieces "aren't a fit for us", etc.

"It is very difficult to encourage people to do what I do, because even though it can be extremely fulfilling and lucrative, it is a business filled with rejection and heartache no matter how far you work your way up the ladder, and there is no road map showing anyone how to succeed.  There are a million different paths, a million different stories." Corey Miller

Corey Miller provided insights into the medium of writing for television. Entertaining, thought provoking, and informative, it was fascinating to see the similarities and differences in the screenwriting and novelist fields. Good drama has always inspired me, and Corey Miller writes and produces some great episodes. He's a gifted individual and this interview proved to be a personal blessing in my life. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed my time with Corey.  

Father, I pray you would continue to provide meaningful opportunities for Corey to use the talents you've given him. I ask you to lead him to the places you have just for him and please bless his work. Let him know you love him and deeply care about his writing. Watch over him and his family. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.