Debra Scott will talk about how, as a writing coach, she helps writers with their novels, screenplays, memoirs and nonfiction. She will focus on elements of both fiction, where the key is for writers to tap into their feelings in order to connect emotionally with the reader/viewer, and nonfiction where writers need to both inform and entertain. She will present an overview of techniques that will help writers present their ideas in a gripping and coherent manner and discuss topics including premise, hook and theme.
PRODUCER: Debra Scott
Debra Scott is a bestselling author, screenwriter, journalist and writing coach who has worked with countless writers – both novices and veteran writers – with issues from deep structure to getting unstuck. As a journalist, Scott’s work has appeared internationally in magazines and newspapers including British Vogue, Elle Decor and The New York Times. Her editorial staff positions have ranged from The Times of London to Boston magazine where she was food and style editor. Her diverse writings, from humorous personal essays to investigative reporting, have ranged in subject from film, fashion, travel, business, interior decorating, beauty, health, and food to social trends, relationships, celebrity profiles, and crime coverage. As a copywriter, she contributed to prestigious publications including the J. Peterman catalog. She was editor-in-chief of several magazines including HAMPTONS and Trump Style. She currently freelances for many magazines and is the Managing Editor of View, the magazine for the Mandarin Oriental NY. She is co-author of the book, THE NOUVEAUX PAUVRES: A Guide to Downward Nobility and spent several years in Hollywood where she wrote and developed screenplays for studios.
As a writing coach she helps writers working on novels, screenplays, memoirs and nonfiction. She believes that writing is a right brain/left brain activity using both creativity and logic. For fiction the key is for writers to tap into their feelings in order to connect emotionally with the reader/viewer. Nonfiction writers need to both inform and entertain. Both need to be aware of devices that will enable them to communicate effectively. It’s about grasping techniques that will help them present their ideas in a gripping and coherent manner. She will discuss topics including premise, hook and theme.