Landon J. Morrell

My journey into the arts and entertainment world started a couple of decades ago. I decided that I wanted to be an actor. How hard could that be? I took a few acting classes; some for film and TV, some for stage. Countless auditions later the only role I landed was in the stage production of Moliere’s “The Miser” at a local community college. I realized that I could not find parts for a person of my size, I’m 6’4”. One of my acting teachers said I reminded him of Clint Walker. All of you under thirty go search google.
I decided that I needed to write my own parts. I would write screenplays. How hard could that be? I’m sensing a pattern. I bought a few books, took a few classes, went to a few seminars. I was on my way. I wrote three screenplays and a TV script based on a sitcom that was airing at the time. Did I take it seriously? Without rewriting a thing I entered a few contests. Nothing.
About two years ago, and very tired of my day job, I decided it was time to get serious. With my new attitude I re-read the books I had sitting on my shelf, purchased and read some new ones, and started over. Screenwriting is not easy. It is a very tough business. I purchased highlighters, post-it notes, pencils, index cards and went to work. I still do the boring day job for now, but writing is my life.
Having lived in Wyoming and Utah I now live just outside of Phoenix, Arizona. The wild west as I know it.
Skype is a wonderful tool but if I need a face to face meeting in Los Angeles I am only six hours away by car and an hour by air.

I recommend the following:

“Screenplay” and “Screenplay Workbook” by Syd Field
“Story” by Robert McKee
“Save the Cat” by Blake Snyder
“Adventures in the Screen Trade” by William Goldman
“Tough Love Screenwriting” by John Jarrell
“Screenwriter’s Survival Guide” by Max Adams
“On Writing” by Stephen King
“The Successful Novelist” by David Morrell
"Telling Lies For Fun & Profit" by Lawrence Block