Category Archives: film

On Writing: A Phone Call Writers Dream of

Posted on March 24, 2013 by chrisryanwrites

You can’t wait for it, will it, pay for it, or do it yourself, but every once in awhile, a blessing comes to writers. Something that re-energizes, that affirms beliefs, keeps the writing going. When it comes, embrace it, live … Continue reading →

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The Rule of 36

Posted on March 22, 2013 by chrisryanwrites

There was a time in my life when my deeply held beliefs and my passions were misread as anger or being “cranky.” That time was yesterday. In my continuing efforts to communicate ever-more clearly with the rest of the world, … Continue reading →

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Author’s Afternoon

Posted on January 13, 2013 by chrisryanwrites

Giving a first-ever public talk on your book is an experience not totally unlike being present at your child’s birth and getting asked to cut the chord. How do you know you won’t hurt the baby? Sure, they tell you … Continue reading →

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Because They Were Kids

Posted on December 17, 2012 by chrisryanwrites

Everything changed on Friday. We didn’t want it to, didn’t plan for it, ask for it, or welcome it. And yes, this wasn’t the first tragic shooting of random Americans. We’ve already seen shootings at a high school, mall, a … Continue reading →

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On Writing: Embracing Your Genre

Posted on October 21, 2012 by chrisryanwrites

A long, long time ago, in a galaxy right across the Hudson River, I took a screenwriting course that offered up sage cliches, formatting rules, and pacing maxims that collective attempted to pass themselves off as innovative screenwriting vision. Despite … Continue reading →

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On Writing: What to Do When You’re Overwhelmed

Posted on October 13, 2012 by chrisryanwrites

Morning comes in the middle of the night way too often for me these days, and I know why. I’m overwhelmed. This morning, my “To Do” list included grading 150 college app essays, 40 reaction papers, 100 timed essays, answer … Continue reading →

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On Writing: Making it through The Monster of Daily Life

Posted on October 1, 2012 by chrisryanwrites

Where have I been? Away from my blog for too long, and I woke up wondering what could have kept me away. Life. By that I mean wife, sons, death of friends, work, grading papers, writing lesson plans, orienting to … Continue reading →

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On Writing: The Less He Writes, The More Elmore Leonard Teaches

Posted on September 16, 2012 by chrisryanwrites

Don’t let the blog headline fool you, Elmore Leonard writes all the time. He just doesn’t write anything “people tend to skip.” The result as been a career of tight, lively, fast-paced novels that have entertained for decades. Elmore Leonard … Continue reading →

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On Writing: A Reality Check From Richard Price

Posted on September 3, 2012 by chrisryanwrites

Richard Price, author of literate bestsellers including Clockers, Freedomland, Samaritan and Lush Life, screenplays including Sea of Love and The Color of Money, and notable work on The Wire and NYC22, is the consummate New York writer. His dialogue crackles … Continue reading →

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On Writing: Learning from The Big Boys – Stan Lee

Posted on August 31, 2012 by chrisryanwrites

I am starting a series of blogs recounting lessons I’ve learned from big time writers. Since the mega-blockbuster film “Marvel’s The Avengers” returns to theaters this weekend to end the summer like we began it, I am going to start … Continue reading →

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