3 TV Writing Tips from Ozark Writer Paul Kolsby

Paul Kolsby’s love of writing started when he wrote a play in college…and they made the play.

The power words have to inspire imaginations drew Paul to playwriting. The need to pay his bills drew him to screenwriting. After starting out as an associate producer on a documentary, having a moment of clarity while being paid to write a pilot, and producing a reality show called Renovate My Family, Paul landed a job writing for the popular Netflix show Ozark.

Not bad for a playwright who was “never going to do screenwriting.”

Paul stopped by Writers Blok to share what he’s learned about writing over his career: that a little humility goes a long way, that writing is much harder when done alone, and that you make the most of your time when you make your time valuable.

1. Humility is the greatest tool for a writer

Writing is rewriting. And because rewriting means acknowledging that something you wrote needs to be corrected, it’s a lot easier to do if you can swallow your pride. Be willing to write and rewrite (and rewrite) until you find your voice. The day when executives (or agents or editors) look at the first draft of your work and say “it’s perfect!” will never come.

Paul found that accepting this truth has continually served his career, whether getting him jobs, making him contacts, or keeping him employed.

2. Doing things alone is way harder

The collaboration required in a writers’ room has taught Paul how important it is to have a writing network. That collaboration has also made him more open to soliciting advice, and thus to rewriting. Even if it’s as simple as talking about the craft with another writer, the writer’s life doesn’t have to be lonely.

3. When your time is valuable, you get more done

Paul’s pursuit of playwriting took him to London, where he put all of his time and effort into that passion. It was only when he returned to the United States (and had to get a day job) that he really began writing.

“I could write more in an hour in the morning before work and an hour after work than I could all day as a writer,” he said.

His time was suddenly scarce, and therefore valuable, forcing him to make the most of it.

It was a lesson that rang true at Writers Blok, where every session is built around a structured framework to help writers maximize their writing time.

Learn more from upcoming Writers Blok speakers: Adele Lim (screenwriter, Crazy Rich Asians) on Monday, October 22. Randall Winston (executive producer, Grace & Frankie) on Thursday, November 1. Annie Jacobsen (writer, Jack Ryan) on Thursday, November 8.