HeyJaredTelling and Selling Your Story
My Substack is designed to demystify the writing process for TV, feature, & novel writers. I offer insights into my 30 years in the entertainment industry from the perspective of a studio executive and network writing instructor.
- Indexed issues, last 90 days
- 5
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- Sep 15, 2026
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- Jul 14, 2026
Latest issues
All is Lost (opens the original)
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I am a story consultant for writers. One of the biggest story notes I give is to understand the significance of the “all is lost” moment. We need to shift how we see it. It is more of a propulsion than a demise. Your “all is lost” moment is an essential step in writing a compelling story. In stories and in life, when we hit our “all is lost” moment, we are as far from achieving the goal as possible. We hit rock bottom. Our world caves in. In fiction, after hitting rock bottom, a light goes on fo
STORY (opens the original)
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As a career, I have analyzed stories since 1992 as a studio executive, network writing instructor, and story consultant, and I felt inspired to write this post about the tenuous relationship between truth and fiction. There is often a lot of controversy over the liberties taken with the truth in some stories. The question of whether there is fiction in all truth reflects the idea that everyone has their own worldviews. These worldviews influence how a story is experienced in the moment and how i
Momentum in Story (opens the original)
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One of the most important ingredients of a successful story is momentum. When you combine momentum with an understanding of the character's shifting mindset, you root for them to achieve their goal. Many TV shows and films lack momentum in plot and character development. Understanding how to use these two elements will help you elevate your story, both in life and on the page.<img alt="" class="sizing-normal" height="283.04597701149424" src=
In Between (opens the original)
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Our turning points in life allow us to redirect. The obstacle so many of us face is learning to redefine our path. I recall a major turning point in my life when my career as a studio executive ended after fifteen years with two sister companies. There was a heated conversation. I made a choice. I knew it could have consequences. I will never forget the words from my boss at the time: “Your contract comes up in December. We are not going to renew it.” I was overseeing five series. The shows I co
How Split Desire Adds Conflict (opens the original)
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Understanding split desire is a storytelling tool I use in my work as a story consultant with writers. A split desire stems from a complication. After the series setup and the series trigger that pushes the central character into a compelling dilemma, the pilot trigger introduces a complication that creates a split desire. The complication isn’t the pilot pursuit; it’s an added element of conflict that creates a split. This split creates the internal story that brings the audience back week afte
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