Famous Author Mentorships: William Faulkner and Sherwood Anderson

Anderson, an established writer in New Orleans, encouraged Faulkner to focus on novels and write about his native Mississippi region, leading to works like The Sound and the Fury.

 

Faulkner reflects on the most important thing Anderson taught him about being a writer:


"I learned that, to be a writer, one has first got to be what he is, what he was born; that to be an American and a writer, one does not necessarily have to pay lip-service to any conventional American image… You had only to remember what you were."

Decades later, Faulkner would remember Anderson as his sole important mentor in a beautiful 1953 piece originally published in The Atlantic as “Sherwood Anderson: An Appreciation.” 

Produced BY: Mentoring Matters by Kia Kiso

 

Mentoring Matters - Developing A Career: Learning To Identify The Story You Want And Go After It

By Kia Kiso,

I have more than 90 credits as an AC/Loader, Telecine Colorist and VFX Coordinator, but eight years ago I heeded my lifelong calling to produce. Since then I have shepherded award-winning videos, promos for CBS and launched two feature documentaries on Netflix. In 2013 I joined the PGA because I knew of its many benefits, and I wanted to be part of a community of like-minded creatives. Currently I have focused on building my production company to develop fictional content, with an aim at creating compelling and unique stories in order to make the world a better place.  When I applied to the 2016 PGA Mentoring Program, I had just walked away from the option on a book into which I had put a lot of time and resources. I was disappointed and wished I could have saved the project. The experience led me to realize that development was an aspect of producing I was less familiar with. I was looking for expert advice on how to assess opportunities, set up a project for success, handle relationships with authors, lawyers and talent, and run a production company. Thankfully the PGA Mentoring Program paired me with producer Ken Atchity. I was thrilled to be matched with Ken for a lot of reasons, among them his industry experience and teaching background. However I admit, I was especially attracted to his philosophy—“I believe in the power of stories to change the world.” Our first connection was an in-person, 90-minute meeting, in which he gave me feedback on a particular project of mine. Ken had some great advice about pitching—if a project tackles potentially controversial or delicate issues, Ken advised weaving some well-researched statistics or facts into the pitch to send the message that the material wouldn’t suggest a problem for the network and lead to a premature no. He wrapped up the meeting saying I could contact him about the project at any time, even after the mentorship ends. Very generous. Since that first meeting, we’ve had a pivotal phone conversation during which he suggested I was in a great position to go after an option I was very excited about, helping me to design a strategy on how to move forward quickly—starting with enhancing my relationship with the rights owner. He’s been ready to answer any questions by email. Even as recently as this morning, we were in touch to discuss a lunch I was preparing for with a writer who wanted to work with me.   Ken has been wonderful. He celebrates my triumphs and brainstorms solutions to my challenges. I am very grateful for his willingness to participate in the Mentoring Program and to the Producers Guild for providing it

Nancy Nigrosh Inteviewed on Lori Shefa & Garen van de Beek's RM 15 Creative podcast!

Think you know what it takes to become a successful writer in Hollywood?

The Answer may surprise you! 

via RM 15

Nancy Nigrosh spent 23 years as a Hollywood literary agent representing world-class directors, writers, and authors.

Auctioning scripts for seven figures, she secured huge paydays for her studio writers. Nancy sold memoirs by Olivia Newton-John, Deborah Harry, and Holly Robinson-Peete. She brokered film and television rights for books by bestselling author Jodi Picoult, “Legally Blonde” author Amanda Brown, and many more. Nancy’s writers and directors earned nominations and wins at the Academy Awards, Golden Globes, WGA Awards, Emmys, DGA Awards, SAG Awards, BAFTA Awards, The Peabody Award, and Independent Spirit Awards. Her clients’ films enjoyed White House screenings and highest major festival honors, including Cannes’ Palm D’Or, SXSW, Telluride, Berlin, Venice, Toronto, and Sundance.

Nancy’s featured clients include Kathryn Bigelow (Zero Dark Thirty), John Cameron Mitchell (Hedwig and the Angry Inch), Stuart Beattie (Pirates of the Caribbean, Collateral), Leslye Headland (Russian Doll), and Luke Davies (News of the World, Lion).

As a performance coach, Nancy brings the deep expertise of an industry insider to emerging authors and screenwriters. She helps her coaching clients ferret out self-defeating behaviors, maximize their strengths, and develop a greater understanding of how they can best represent themselves in their quest for agency representation.

Nancy’s coaching clients learn about the inside community of artistic and executive gatekeepers and how to become visible to them, becoming educated about the multiple forces that drive the business of entertainment and publishing.

Check out Nancy Nigrosh's Consulting 

Dealing With Your Type C Creative Mind: Maintaining Your Creative Spark

For all storytellers—novelists, screenwriters, journalists, nonfiction writers, and children’s book writers. Sometimes the struggle to publish can drain even the strongest creative dynamo. Here's how to recharge your creativity, to keep your career going...and going...and going... 

Learn more: http://www.thewriterslifeline.com/

Kia Kiso on "I am honored to have been asked to write about my mentorship experience with Kenneth Atchity for the The Producers Guild of America’s publication." ~ Kia Kiso, Zaza Productions