How did you become a writer?

I think I’ve always been a writer. Started with fiction, dabbled in one-act plays, then went all-out on screenwriting. I get a real kick out of telling stories, and especially love to spin a ripping yarn. There’s nothing like taking your reader/audience on a rollercoaster ride they can’t wait to get on again.

Name your writing influences (writers, books, teachers, etc.).

Writers: John Steinbeck, Ernest Lehman, Billy Wilder, Preston Sturges, Lord & Miller, the writers for The Jack Benny Show and Rocky & Bullwinkle. Teachers: Mr. Truitt (film) and Mr. Fisher (fiction) from high school. I also really enjoy old pulp fiction stories like The Shadow and Doc Savage

When and where do you write? 

Because my day job ends at noon, I’ll usually set aside some time in the afternoon to write, and into the evening if possible. Also depends on what else I’ve got going on. Even if I can only crank out one page for that day, that's still one page more than I had when the day started. Most of the time I’ll work in my home office, but if I’m going somewhere that might involve waiting (doctor’s office, meeting somebody for coffee and they’re running late, etc.), I’ll bring a pen and notebook to work on whatever project I’m working on at the time.

What are you working on now? 

Splitting time between a new draft of an animated fantasy-comedy spec and working with a producer on the story for their microbudget feature project. 

I’m also working on publishing a collection of the Q&As I’ve done over the years. Looking at sometime later this year.

Have you ever suffered from writer’s block?

Lots of times. It’s frustrating, but I’ve found the best way to overcome it is to either work on something else, or step away and do something entirely unrelated to writing. You never know when inspiration will hit; more often than not it’s when you’re not actively writing. What’s also been a huge help has been to take the dog for a walk. I can’t explain why, but simply taking the dog out for a leisurely stroll through the neighborhood has yielded some great results.

What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever received?

Don’t be boring. Write something you would want to see. Write as if ink costs $1,000 an ounce.

What’s your advice to new writers?

IT’S A MARATHON, NOT A SPRINT. Things will take much, much longer than you think (or want) to happen. Be patient. Keep trying to get better. Read scripts! Get to know other writers. Don’t hesitate to share your good news and congratulate others on theirs, and offer sympathy and understanding for when things don’t work out. This is an extremely tough business to break into - disappointment, heartbreak and frustration are everyday occurrences. It’s not enough to be thick-skinned; you need to be bulletproof. 

Paul Zeidman is an award-winning screenwriter based in San Francisco who loves to create a ripping yarn that grabs the viewer and takes them on a rollercoaster ride of thrills and excitement that they can’t wait to experience again. He’s also a notoriously meticulous script editor and proofreader, with the ability to spot a rogue comma or misspelled word at a hundred paces (give or take 99 paces). When not writing, rewriting, or reading scripts, he enjoys watching movies, reading books in multiple genres, running somewhat long distances, and trying new recipes in the kitchen, along with making what could possibly be the best pecan pie west of the Mississippi. Check out his screenwriting blog Maximum Z at http://maximumz.blog or follow him on Twitter, @maximum_z.