Bob DeRosa

Books and the people who read them make the world a better place.

"screenwriting threads" is emerging as a nice little community.

Aww yeah!

Do they have a new home yet? Cuz I have a Little Free Library and I'm always looking for good stuff.

My screenwriting career by the numbers:
I've written 39 feature scripts
Made money on 10
4 were assignments
2 were optioned but never sold
1 was sold but never made
3 were sold and made
2 out to financiers with attachments
New one out to producers
Currently working on #40
There are no shortcuts!

Such a great story! With a perfect title. (shrugs). Excited to see it all come together!

I start with the logline. Every time. It's not easy or fun. But when you get a good one, one that makes me people lean in and say, ooo tell me more - there's no feeling like it. And the confidence that comes with knowing my core idea is rock solid makes all the tough days that follow bearable.

There must be a lot of good stuff in there.

Dreaming of Sundance (and other things) When I first moved to LA, nearly 25 years ago, I had the same dreams that many new screenwriters have.

I've had dreams come true. And plenty of dreams that crashed and burned. And then there's a specific one about the Eccles Theater in Sundance, which now will never come true as this is the last year in Park City. More here: bobderosawriter.substack.com/p/dreaming-o...

Our one-eyed siamese asleep while resting his chin on my wrist.

I was invited to partake in a zoom writing session this morning, so I hung out on the couch and polished a new short story while this little guy fell asleep on my wrist. Not a bad start to the day.

Barry Jenkins asking Guillermo del Toro a question in front of a beautiful projected image from his movie Frankenstein.

A costume worn by Jacob Elodi as Frankenstein's creature.

Incredible event last night at the Frankenstein exhibit with @realgdt.bsky.social doing a Q&A moderated by Barry Jenkins. The design work on display was stunning & hearing Guillermo speak of his creative process was exhilarating. I understand now how he inspires hundreds of artists to do their best.

That's why every movie that gets made is a miracle.

And yes, that scene is unforgettable.

Many years ago, my old filmmaking partner and I were watching HEAT and half-way through he whispered, "This is like SHORT CUTS with guns." My eyes lit up. It inspired me to write SHOOTING BLANKS, a multi-thread crime drama which had Michael Rappaport & Jennifer Tilly attached and almost got made.

THE ULTIMATE BREAKUP - Short Film Horror/Zombie/Drama Short Film

My often-partner in crime @benrock.com is directng a new horror short with a fantastic team, co-starring the legendary @yurilowenthal.bsky.social! Check it out and toss 'em a couple bucks if you're able. It's gonna be a bloody good ride! www.kickstarter.com/projects/the...

I would love to see the (terrible) unfinished novel(s) written by the person who wrote that list.

I remember when Black Mirror was considered science fiction...

Did we learn nothing from Black Mirror?

Our one-eyed siamese Hopper hugging our three-legged black cat Chidi. It's really cute.

I'm walking into 2026 like this. Not sure if I'm gonna be the one-eyed little cat giving hugs or the three-legged big cat taking em. Either way, let's go.

This is a good reminder to keep writing, keep making stuff, keep working with people I love and respect. Keep planting seeds cuz when it feels like there's no way through this, those seeds are soaking up water and sunlight and waiting. And maybe (hopefully) they will grow into something awesome. 4/4

Some writers will look at that list and say meh, that's my January. But this was a good year for me, balancing my work across three mediums (film, audio, fiction). All while the world felt like a big bummer. The entertainment biz is a mess. I lost some dear family members. 2025 was just...a lot. 3/4

I finished a new script. Sold an audio show. Finished a novel & started querying agents. Finished a novella. Wrote 12 stories in 12 months, and got four published in a four-month span. I posted some newsletters. Launched my website. Started a fiction-writing group. Read over 40 books. 2/4

Every year I do a writing year-end where I list everything I've written/accomplished and wow, for a year that felt like hot garbage, with very little professional news to speak of, I'm surprised how much I got done in 2025. 1/4

Love this quote from the wonderful Courtney Maum, which totally captures the me I try to present in my newsletter and social media: "I write to you as someone who has had big wins and some dreams realized, but who has had her heart crushed along the way."

After multiple stops and endless traffic all over the valley, I can confidently say that everyone in Los Angeles has either had it up to here or is deeply sad. I think I'm going to redo my weekend to do list. Now my main goal is to let a little dog or cat fall asleep on me. And that's enough.

The Path In trading emails with a writer friend recently, I did the normal writer catch-up thing which was to give a quick summary of what I’ve been working on.

Tough times in the entertainment business lately. Despite all that, someone suggested I was thriving. The reality? I'm doing what just about everyone is doing...hanging on by my fingernails. More here: bobderosawriter.substack.com/p/the-path

I seem to remember an eye-popping that had me shouting at the screen. I miss stuff that makes me shout at the screen.

Lovely story!

My feature treatments usually top out at 20 pages. 25 feels long, unless it's got James Cameron-style dense description.

Thanks for checking it out, Donovan!

Cross-Platform Compliments are always appreciated! And the name of my emo math-rock band.