As entertaining as it is enlightening, Created by presents a stellar cast of 21 show creators who candidly talk about writing and selling hit television series: J.J. Abrams (Alias, Lost); Alan Ball (Six Feet Under); Yvette Lee Bowser (Living Single, Half & Half); Mark Brazill (That '70s Show); Ilene Chaiken (The L Word); Larry David (Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm); Tom Fontana (Oz); Tracy Gamble (8 Simple Rules); Dave Hackel (Becker); Barbara Hall (Joan of Arcadia); Brenda Hampton (7th Heaven, Fat Actress); Bill Lawrence (Scrubs); Dennis Leoni (Resurrection Blvd.); Max Mutchnick and David Kohan (Will & Grace); Tracy Newman and Jonathan Stark (According to Jim); Josh Schwartz (The O.C.); Shawn Ryan (The Shield); Amy Sherman-Palladino (Gilmore Girls); Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel). They discuss influences: writing spec scripts; first jobs in TV; getting an agent; mentors; being staffed as a writer; the pitch; writing a pilot; putting yourself in the characters you create; rewriting; producing a pilot; marketing; hiring a writing staff; making a show last; TV writing vs. film writing; drama vs. sitcom; cable vs. network TV; what show creators look for in a writer; writers block; luck and much more. This is a lively, well-written must-have book for all screenwriters and television writers -- wannabes, novices, and professionals -- as well as all avid TV fans.
