- Brock Swinson's Prolific Newsletter
- Posts
- Why Your Spec Script Isn't Working
Why Your Spec Script Isn't Working
Success stems from continuous creation, not calculated moves.

The Daily Writer - from Brock Swinson
Good morning,
Let's explore how Dean Devlin and Jonathan Glassner approach breaking into today's television industry... And their unconventional wisdom about spec scripts.
Here's their refreshing perspective on succeeding as a modern screenwriter:
"I think it's more important to pitch the why of the show instead of the show. If you're a writer that they want to work with, then I think it's more of convincing them that your project is worthy of being made."
Let's break down their essential insights:
1. The Passion Principle
Write what genuinely excites you
Ignore market calculations
Let authentic enthusiasm drive your work
2. Pilot Strategy
Establish premise in act one
Show a typical episode
Give executives clear series vision
3. Writers' Room Success
Master writing in others' voices
Maintain your unique perspective
Balance adaptation with originality
The game-changing insight: Success isn't about perfecting a single script or predicting market trends. It's about consistent creation and finding direct paths to your audience.
Their tactical advice:
Write every day without overthinking
Complete projects quickly and move forward
Utilize modern platforms to showcase work
Quick mindset shift: Stop waiting for industry permission. Instead, focus on creating consistently and building your audience through available platforms.
Keep writing,
- Brock Swinson
TOGETHER WITH 1440 Media
Looking for unbiased, fact-based news? Join 1440 today.
Upgrade your news intake with 1440! Dive into a daily newsletter trusted by millions for its comprehensive, 5-minute snapshot of the world's happenings. We navigate through over 100 sources to bring you fact-based news on politics, business, and culture—minus the bias and absolutely free.