Terri Viani

Great writing day today!! I am out here creating my own IP. 🥳👌🏼🥲 #scriptsky

The secret to standing out in Hollywood emails isn't fancy formatting or industry jargon. It's this simple formula:

Hook (what makes you unique),
Intent (what you're looking for),
Logline (summary of your best sample).

Lead with your strengths and keep things brief!
#scriptsky

I’m so looking forward to seeing this!

Once upon a time I would make (slightly off-kilter) typewriter cookies and mail them to my writer friends because writer friends are the best friends. Got to start doing that again. #scriptsky

#scriptsky
Writing at the cafe this morning.
Me: *typing away*
Lady 3 Tables Over: "All you need is chlorine & drywall."
Me: *writer antenna UP*
Me: *chlorine & drywall?
Me: *What's that about?*
Me: *Maybe she's plotting a murder.*
Me:

a woman wearing sunglasses and a pink fur coat . ALT: a woman wearing sunglasses and a pink fur coat .

I have to spend time today working on a synopsis. What’s next, writing gods? Composing an articulate yet engaging email that gets right to the point and doesn’t involve an excess of exclamation points? #scriptsky

Me: "I'll just make this one simple change in the script really quick, it won't impact anything else in the story."
Writing Gods: *cackle*
#scriptsky

#scriptsky, if anyone’s interested, HBO Max has a terrific 2025 documentary about Paddy Chayefsky, Collector of Words. It’s not a typical bio and focuses on his writing not his personal life.

a man in a blue bodysuit is dancing on a dance floor . ALT: a man in a blue bodysuit is dancing on a dance floor .

I had a fully caffeinated coffee today for the first time in ages so if anybody needs their house painted or their roof shingled, I’m your huckleberry.

If you’re stressed, make a two-column list: what's working in your script vs what needs work. I guarantee the "working" column is longer than you think. Writers fixate on problems and forget their scripts have strengths worth building from. Start there.
#scriptsky

I realized today one thing I really miss about traveling back and forth to New York City on a routine basis is the writing time. I love trains, and I love writing on trains. There was just something about the rhythm of the tracks that opened my creative brain. I miss it! #scriptsky

Bellying up to the old laptop for a day of writing. #scriptsky

Squeezing in some writing time with my romcom before the dreads both existential and real set in. #scriptsky 😳😬🙃

Sunday writing with coffee and cats while the snow falls outside is the best kind of writing. ♥️ #scriptsky

Well, yes, I did get myself some new vinyl at the thrift store today. 🥳

Sell my horror comedy and my romcom. Finish another romcom and record my podcast.

Me: I wish I knew more artsy, creative people around here.
Also me: *inserts earbuds, covers head in bubble wrap, slides into hermetically sealed tube so no one will talk to me while I'm writing at the cafe full of artsy, creative people who live around here.
What could be the problem? 😂 #scriptsky

This is one of my favorite writing quotes. #scriptsky

Friends, if you're on Facebook, I would love and appreciate it if you'd like the Dirty Water Dogs movie page! Thank you, #scriptsky!
www.facebook.com/profile.php?...

a brown and white dog is looking out of a doorway with a broom in front of it ALT: a brown and white dog is looking out of a doorway with a broom in front of it

Finally made it to the midpoint in my romcom, so there's that. #scriptsky

Writers, so many of us are having trouble putting words on the page right now. Did you create anything other than pages this weekend? I made a fantastic cornbread and tried my hand at Jamaican beef patties. Their shape is a little awkward, but they were delicious! Fantastic dough! #scriptsky

“What? It’s over already?! This is some bullshit.”
My husband, every time an episode of The Pitt ends.

Uncle Baby Billy, Patron Saint of Pitching Screenwriters Everywhere. #Scriptsky

Proof of first Highlander script. Please note the year 🧐 and my rookie mistake of letting everyone know it was registered with the WGA, just in case some scurvy dog wanted to pinch my idea. 🤣 I was an absolute nut for this show. Went to the cons and everything. Good times! 🗡️ #scriptsky

My answer to this - a HIGHLANDER tv show spec - reminded me that my first scripts were sci-fi,(Highlander and Voyager specs & 2 originals. Somewhere along the line I jumped to Indie dramas & romcoms. Even my romcoms tend to be a bit gritty though, maybe that’s the leftover sci-fi in me. 🤣 #scriptsky

My first proper script was a spec for the HIGHLANDER TV show. 🤣

*thinks about converting bathroom to Criterion closet*

Thank you!!

Thank you!! ❤️

For me, it helps to remember that our work actually brings people moments of joy and respite. It’s worthy work plus I’d rather spend time with my characters than most of humanity lol.