Television Writing: 5 Tips for Success in a Writers’ Room

A writers’ room is a workspace where TV writers brainstorm each element of a TV series including episode breakdowns, the series arc, the season arc, character development, and various substories within each episode or each season. A writers’ room is where the direction of the season is determined and refined, and where all the creative minds—the showrunner, producers, and writers—brainstorm the ways in which they can help create an excellent show. A writers' room is a highly collaborative work environment, and if you become part of a writing team, it’s important to be creative, supportive, and work well with your team.

A writers’ room is a collaborative workspace filled with different-level writers who are all brainstorming and pitching ideas for how a TV season should play out. The showrunners, producers, and writers work together to create the story for a television series. The writing staff breaks down an entire season episode-by-episode, ensuring that the overall narrative is entertaining, serves the show’s message, and makes sense. Sometimes, the staff is guided by the creator’s series bible, which outlines an entire show.

Once all of the information for an episode is laid out, that episode is assigned to a writer who completes a draft of the script. Once the draft is complete, the writers’ rooms will typically review the script and offer notes. A writer may return to rewrite an episode multiple times before it’s ready to be sent out for approval by the network and studio.

Each writers’ room has a set hierarchy of various positions, all laddering up to the showrunner—who is often the series creator. Here are some of the people you find in a writers’ room:

• Showrunner: The showrunner, who is often (but not always) the creator of the show, is at the top of the writers’ room hierarchy. They exert executive control over the show’s narrative direction and determine which ideas are the most viable. Showrunners often have executive producer titles.
• Executive producer: Executive producers (who aren’t the showrunner) serve as the second-in-command to the showrunner.
• Producers: Below the showrunner and executive producer are a number of producers—like co-executive producers, supervising producers, producers, and co-producers—who fulfill leadership roles in the writers’ room. These various kinds of producers are still writers who have moved up the writers’ room hierarchy. They are often seasoned writers who may participate in other responsibilities like script approvals, casting, production, and creative direction.
• Story editor: Story editors are the show’s more seasoned writers who have been with a show for some time. They take on leadership roles in the writers’ room when no producers are present. Story editors are usually the ones tasked with writing a draft of the episode.
• Staff writer: Staff writers are developing writers tasked with breaking and developing the story of an episode. Staff writer is an entry-level position in which you can learn to hone your storytelling skills.
• Writers’ assistant: Many writers’ rooms will have a writer’s assistant on hand, who is responsible for taking notes and keeping the writers on track.

There is no set trajectory for getting hired into a writers’ room. However, if you’re lucky enough to find yourself there, you’ll want to set yourself up to get hired for future seasons. Here are a few tips for succeeding in a writers’ room.

1. 1. Be useful. Writers’ rooms can have anywhere from two to 10 (or even more) writers, which means that it might be difficult to get a word in. Make yourself an asset while brainstorming, even when you’re not the one talking. One of the ways that you can do this is by listening carefully or taking your own detailed notes.
2. 2. Be respectful. Avoid criticizing other writers or interrupting them while they pitch. Always support your fellow writers by letting them finish their thoughts. Writers’ rooms are safe spaces where ideas should be freely and willingly shared. Create a positive space that embraces the culture of the room, and allows others to feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas.
3. 3. Be brave. Coming up with strong ideas often means shuffling through some not-so-strong ones at first. Speak up and share your thoughts when you’re compelled to do so. Being too quiet means that you might be overlooked, so try not to allow intimidation to silence you. Everyone is there for the same reason—to contribute to the show.
4. 4. Be collaborative. Every idea pitched in the writers’ room is in service to the show. If another writer comes up with an idea you don’t like, try to find ways to improve or build upon that person’s idea or help make it work for the story. If you don’t have anything useful to add, then keep your opinions about it to yourself.
5. 5. Be flexible. The biggest markets in screenwriting are located in New York City and Los Angeles. It’s more likely you’ll be able to get your foot in the door when you’re in the right place. Living in areas where there is more of a market for screenwriters means you’ll have access to networking events, or find local opportunities to take advantage of.

Become a better writer with the MasterClass Annual Membership. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Salman Rushdie, Neil Gaiman, Walter Mosley, Margaret Atwood, Joyce Carol Oates, Dan Brown, and more.