Finally !  We’re Back Live!

Cynthia Whitcomb’s Screenwriting Class 

Fall 2023

Six Saturdays  9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Sept.  23, 30, Oct. 14, 21, 28, Nov. 4 

Cost $595

Location:  Cynthia’s Home in North Wilsonville, Oregon

To enroll email Cynthia at cynwhitcomb@gmail.com

Or PayPal cwhitcomb1@aol.com

Class limited to first 23 to register

From Idea to Completed Script 

Includes structure, scene cards, storyboards, set ups, payoffs, subplots, character development, 

research, format, dialogue, hiding exposition, buttoning scenes, 

how to write great openings, great endings, big moments.  How to make ‘em laugh and cry.  

Selling, Marketing.  Agents, producers, deals, WGA, breaking in.  Everything you need. 

Writers welcome at every level of experience from novice to pro.

This is the same class Cynthia taught at UCLA Film School for 7 years

Cynthia Whitcomb’s
“Writing the Waves”
Trans-Atlantic Writing Retreat Cruise
Spring 2024

I’m so happy to announce that my annual writing retreat is back on the books!

We have had so many amazing projects produced on this excursion, from books, to screenplays, to plays. If you’re ready to bring one of your writing projects to life, or take some dedicated time to enhance an old project, this is a beautiful way to do it.

Writing the Waves 2024
Trans-Atlantic: Fort Lauderdale to England
Departs May 4, 2024

15 Nights on the Caribbean Princess

Ports of Call:
Ponta Delgado, Azores, Portugal
Cork, Ireland
Cornwall, England
Portsmouth, England
Le Havre, France
Southampton, England for London (disembarkation) Arriving May 19

Interior Rooms: $2,283. ($1,783 non-writing roommate or alums with 3 classes or more under their belt)
Balcony Rooms: $2,983. ($2,483 non-writing roommate or 3 classes or more alums)
Prices above include taxes and fees. Prices are per person, double occupancy.

$100 on board credit for balcony rooms. $50 on board credit for Interior rooms.
The cruise fee above also includes Cynthia’s Writing Class every At Sea Day.

Daily Schedule (At Sea):
Class from 9 to noon.
Lunch.
Writing afternoon
Dinner together at 6 pm
Reading aloud “Writer’s Salon” from 8 – 10 pm
Writing Classes include all types of writing. Fiction, Non-Fiction, Screen, Stage, Memoir etc.
We cover everything from how to choose an idea to format, structure, character, plot,
emotional arcs, through to editing, breaking in, marketing and career. Cynthia has experience
writing all of the above.

Price scheduling: $100 deposit per person.
Balance due Jan. 26, 2024

TO REGISTER CALL CRECENCIO MARTINEZ at Vacations to Go
1(713)974-2121, ext. 7985
Group name “Writing the Waves”
Group # TN1

This is one of my favorite ways to work and to travel.
I hope you can join us,

Cynthia Whitcomb

CynthiaWhitcomb.com

An update for you on this cold afternoon. 

Classes

Having grown weary (as we all have) of Zoom, I won’t be teaching my screenwriting classes this winter.  I am hopeful that by next fall (Sept. 2023) things will be even more improved on the pandemic front and I will be able to have classes here in the house again.  I will keep you posted about that.

Writing the Waves Cruise

I’m waiting to get an intuitive hit that it’s safe to go back on the water, but I haven’t had it yet.  Last month a news story of 800 people with covid on one ship makes me realize we have to wait.  Especially now that cruise lines are not even requiring that people be vaccinated.  So again, hoping for spring 2023.

All the rest of my news is happier.

Independent Studies

If you need someone to teach you one-on-one the craft of screenwriting or playwriting, I am available again this new year for Independent Studies.  For $1,000 you have access to me, my brain, my experience and my support for 100 days.  I did half a dozen of these one-on-ones in the last year and they went well.  So I’m here if  you need this kind of attention and teaching/coaching.  I also am happy to read and do notes on scripts for $500.  I have a two week turnaround on this.

A New Play

My farce The Ghost of David Belasco is in rehearsal now and will be produced at the Lakewood Theatre in Lake Oswego, Oregon from January 6 though February 12.  Come if you can.  You can find out more info or buy tickets at lakewood-center.org.  Definitely say hello if you come.  I’m there at most performances.  I have short gray hair now, but otherwise recognizable. 

Published Plays

I have started publishing my plays and the first three volumes (of probably four) are available on Amazon.com.  C.S. Whitcomb:  Plays One etc.  I think they will also come up if you type in Cynthia Whitcomb.  Each volume has four full-length plays in it.

A Film

I have a feature film shooting now, a documentary called Moms Rising directed by Scott Cervine.  It won’t be out for awhile, but I wanted you to know I still have a career in film if screenwriting is what you’re looking for.

Keep warm and keep in touch.
Here if you need me.

On April 25, I was given the Stewart Holbrook Award by Literary Arts at the Oregon Book Awards for Literary Legacy. It was for contributing to writers. I gave a three-minute speech that night. Since then several have asked about it, so I am printing it here in case you missed it and in case it might be helpful to you. Write on!

If I read this speech, it will take three minutes and two seconds.  If I wing it, it’ll take twenty-three minutes. 

One of the purposes of my life is to help writers write more while suffering less. 

Over the years I’ve worked with thousands of writers and I have found the definitive answer to the question “what is a writer?”  Some of you think, as I used to, that a writer is one who writes.  No.  A writer is anyone who feels bad about not writing.  True.  Non writers? Feeling bad about not writing never crosses their minds.

I have three minutes, so I’m going to tell you three things that might help.

First, there are two words that writers beat themselves up with.  Discipline and procrastination.  You have probably been told that you have to have discipline and write every day and that’s not true.  We should let that go.  Discipline.  It even sounds like punishment.  So give it up.  The other word we just need to rewrite.  I suggest we replace the word Procrastination with Gestation.    When you have an idea growing inside you, nourish it, do research, make notes, play music, and be patient.  Don’t try to drag it out of you by sheer force of will before it’s ready.  When you wake up one morning and sentences are forming, write them down.  It’s ready to be born.  Don’t think.  Just write it down.  Write it down.

My favorite poet William Stafford said, “All an idea has to do to be worthy of my attention is occur to me.”  Someone asked, “And when you can’t write?”   He said, “I lower my standards.”

Number two:  You actually have a second you living inside you.  A childlike, brilliant, magical, creative self.  And it’s your job to protect her.  Defend her against mean bullies in your head.  One of my students named Don Payne, wrote the Thor movies and The Simpsons other things and died young.  When he knew he was going to do that, he called the people who had made a difference in his life to thank them.  I was one of them.  What he thanked me for was teaching him that the critical voice in his head was not real.  And he didn’t have to listen to it.  And to be sure to always tell my students this.  So I’m telling you.  The voice that tears you down and trips you up is not real.  Tell it to shut up and get on with your work.

And thirdly,  James Goldman wrote in The Lion in Winter, as Henry II to his young mistress, pulling loose one lock of her hair, “Let’s have one strand askew.  Nothing in life has any business being perfect.”  Most writers are perfectionists. This is like chasing a dark shadow.  It is not real.  There is no such thing as perfection.  You need to stop pursuing it so hard that it makes you dissatisfied with your own creations.  The truth is your best is good enough.  Take this personally. I’m talking to you, the person sitting in your chair right now.  Your best is good enough.

So:

You’re not procrastinating, you’re pregnant.

Don’t think.  Write it down.

Your best is good enough.

Hi friends, My new play is now on youtube.  You can find it by typing in White Rabbit Lakewood Theatre on YouTube. And you’ll see a picture of me and a film projector.  It’s around 80 minutes.  Just a reading but in a theatre, not zoomed and with wonderful actors.  It’s a comedy and a love story set at UCLA Film School in 1971.  And the music is good.  Obviously. I hope you like it.

Second good thing, one of my Portland screenwriting students sold the script he wrote in class and it’s been made into a feature film. Matt Tolbert is the writer and the movie is “The Starter Marriage.” A romantic comedy. This is encouraging to all of us. Keep me posted on your successes. Bragging on you guys is my favorite thing.

Spring Classes Canceled Independent Study Opportunity OPEN! 10 Spots Available

If you are a writer and you’d love to get 1-1 support with your screenwriting project, I am here for you. You would have me as your mentor  for 100 days (via email and scheduled phone calls) to read drafts, revisions, and brainstorm your ideas for $1000. If you’d like to chat and see if it’s a good fit, email cynwhitcomb@gmail.com

The heat has broken. Rain is on the way and the maples are turning red. The last opportunity to take my screenwriting class this year is coming right up. Class begins this Saturday September 18. It will be eight Saturday mornings from 9 am to noon PST by zoom. Let me know if you’d like to join. I’ll be covering everything from how to choose an idea to how to break into the business. Class fee is $595 and includes my reading your screenplay with detailed notes. Keep writing, people. Here if you need me. Cynthia

Hello Writers,

I’m sending you this announcement because either you have taken a writing or pitching class with me or you’ve at some point expressed interest in screenwriting. (or in my Writing the Waves Cruise.)

This September I am offering my Screenwriting Class that I have taught for many years, seven of them in the Masters Program of the UCLA Film School. The class covers everything from idea to finished script and beyond. We do scene cards, story boards, three act structure, format, character development, dialogue, exposition, relationships, and I even share my best insights for breaking into the business.

Many of my former students have gone on to sell screenplays. (The Mask, Thor, Face/Off, Child’s Play and many others.)

Click HERE to learn more and register for the Screenwriting Class>>>

The class will be held by Zoom on eight Saturdays from 9am to Noon Pacific time, beginning September 18th (skipping Oct. 23) through November 13th. The Class fee is $595 and includes a reading of your script by me with detailed notes. Class is limited to 23 writers, so if you are interested, click here to register!

For those of you who have already taken my Saturday class, you are eligible for my Master Class in which we read one script out loud each week written by one of you and acted by the class. Then I do notes and we workshop it in real time. This class is limited to 10 participants. It also costs $595 and will meet every Monday night from 7-10pm Pacific time on Zoom. Sept. 13th – Nov. 22, skipping Oct. 25.
Reply to this email to snag a spot in the Master Class!

Due to Covid, I won’t be doing the Writing the Waves Cruise in 2022, but plan to do one in 2023 if the world cooperates. 

I hope you all are writing your hearts out in this time of isolated life. 
Keep your spirits up. 

Love, Cynthia

P.S. If you run out of entertainment, I have a play reading on YouTube. Acting Counsel by C.S. Whitcomb. Zoomed starring Tobias Andersen and Tom Walton. Also a film on Disney+, Mark Twain and Me starring Jason Robards. It won the Emmy for best Children’s Program of its year. Enjoy.

Thank God spring is finally here. Our house (everyone over 11) is fully vaccinated. No more ice storms, blackouts and many months before the next fire season.

A happy bit of news. One of my favorite projects has never been released on dvd. And we no longer have a VCR hooked up. So this film had essentially died for me. This was sad because Mark Twain and Me starring the late, great Jason Robards is a wonderful thing. It won the Emmy for best children’s program. And it is now streaming on Disney +

This makes me happy. And it means my kids and grandkids can finally see it, or see it again. Nick and Molly were around 3 and 6 when it first came out.

If you subscribe to Disney+ I hope you’ll watch it. You never know when these things might disappear again.

If any of you want to use this time (say April 20 to May 10) as a writing intensive, I will play the “if we were on the Writing the Waves cruise, what would we be writing?” game with you. I did this last year and got a new play drafted that may still be streamable on youtube. Acting Counsel by CS Whitcomb. Just a zoom reading but with wonderful actors.

So my intention is to write a new draft of a new play this spring.

I am already looking at a wonderful cruise itinerary for 2022. It includes Nova Scotia, three Irish ports, Liverpool and the north of France. When I get rates etc locked in (and they are so good) I will post them here.

Hang in, people. The light is returning and the warmth and the bad year is fading into the shadows of the past.

Soon I will be able to literally hug you guys. In the meantime virtual hugs to all.

Cynthia