This document outlines a 12-month timeline for developing mastery in creative writing. The student hopes to learn various writing techniques and formats, including character development, episodic writing, and the business of writing. Strategies include online courses, books, and connecting with other writers. The end goal is to apply the skills in a portfolio through outlines, scripts, and professional networking.

1. Mastery: Personal
Development and Leadership
Mastery Journal Timeline
Andrew Geimer

2. Reflection
The week 3 assignment for this class was the Brainstorming
Worksheet. That project challenged us to think critically about
each of the courses we are scheduled to take, and consider
what we want to gain from each one. Additionally, it forced us to
look beyond graduation to what possibilities could lay ahead.
Researching mentors, internships, industry trends, and available
job opportunities really sets the groundwork for implementing
some short-term and long-term goals for ourselves.
The following timeline will document what I hope to
accomplish in my future courses, and the strategies I will use to
do that.

3. During this class, I learned what it means, and what it takes, to become a Master of
your craft, and a leader in your field. There are no shortcuts to mastery. There may
be many different paths to it, but they all require patience, perseverance, and
passion. Being a Master means maintaining an open mind to receive ideas, and the
ability to clearly and efficiently communicate those ideas to others.
Aside from that, I also wanted to acclimate myself to being a student again, and
start my program with good work habits, brush up on my grammar skills, and start
building an online presence.
MONTH 1
Mastery: Personal Development and Leadership
Strategies and Tactics:
- Tutorial: Up and Running with Tumblr - http://www.lynda.com/training/Up-
and-Running-with-Tumblr/95698-2.html
- Tutorial: Time Management Fundamentals - http://www.lynda.com/
Business-Productivity-tutorials/Time-Management-Fundamentals/
77533-2.html
- Tutorial: Grammar Fundamentals - http://www.lynda.com/Business-Skills-
tutorials/Grammar-Fundamentals/158318-2.html

4. In this class, I hope to learn how old archetypal elements from folklore
are still used in modern storytelling vehicles, and how to apply them in
my own storytelling. I also want to explore the impact of visual
storytelling on newer forms of media, and integrate what I learn into the
classes that I teach.
MONTH 2
The Art of Visual Storytelling
Strategies and Tactics:
- Book: Exploring Visual Storytelling - The Art of Turning Good Ideas
into Compelling Stories - by Brian Arnold & Brendan Eddy
- Tutorial: Storytelling for Designers - http://www.lynda.com/Design-
Design-Skills-tutorials/Storytelling-Designers/165645-2.html?
srchtrk=index:1%0Alinktypeid:2%0Aq:storytelling%0Apage:
1%0As:relevance%0Asa:true%0Aproducttypeid:2
- Tutorial: Storytelling at Work - http://www.lynda.com/Business-Skills-
tutorials/Storytelling-work/126132/161364-4.html

5. In this class, I want to sharpen my analytical skills. I want be
able to provide clear and concise criticism of other works, and
also to be able to turn a more critical eye on my own works.
MONTH 3
Script Analysis and Criticism
Strategies and Tactics:
- Book: Screenplay Story Analysis - by Asher Garfinkel
- Web Resource: International Movie Script Database - www.imsdb.com
- Tutorial: Performing Script and Scene Analysis - http://
www.lynda.com/Video-Video-Editing-tutorials/Performing-script-
scene-analysis/120261/147176-4.html

6. In this class, I hope to learn more about creating believable
characters that audiences can relate to, and believable dialogue
that sounds natural for a wide range of character types. It is
important that each character has his or her own unique voice. I
also want to revise and flesh out characters from projects I’m
currently working on.
MONTH 4
Character Creation and Development
Strategies and Tactics:
- Book: Elements of Fiction Writing: Characters & Viewpoint - by Orson
Scott Card
- Tutorial: Plot and Character Development - http://www.lynda.com/Video-
Filmmaking-tutorials/Plot-character-development/79039/79746-4.html
- Tutorial: How to Craft Sizzling Dialogue - http://
www.writersdigestshop.com/how-to-craft-sizzling-dialogue-digital-
download-u7425

7. In this class, I hope to gain a better understanding of the
differences between episodic and feature screenplay formats. I
also hope to gain more experience in structuring plot and
character arcs over multiple episodes. I want to write a few
spec-scripts for some of my favorite TV shows, as well.
MONTH 5
Episodic and Serial Writing
Strategies and Tactics:
- Book: Writing the TV Drama Series - by Pamela Douglas
- Study the structure and arcs of my favorite TV shows. - www.netflix.com
- Tutorial: Television and Episodic - http://www.lynda.com/Video-Video-
Editing-tutorials/Television-episodic/120261/147201-4.html

8. Most of my writing experience and education has been in
feature and short film screenwriting. I am hoping this class will
be a refresher on the finer points of screenplay formatting. I
would like to improve my drawing skills through storyboarding,
and learn more about pitching script/book ideas.
MONTH 6
Film Screenwriting
Strategies and Tactics:
- Webinar: The Perfect Elevator Pitch - by Kevin Smokler
- Book: Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript - by Chuck Sambuchino
- Tutorial: Screenwriting Fundamentals - http://www.lynda.com/
Screenwriting-tutorials/Screenwriting-Fundamentals/100223-2.html?
autocompleteMovieId=124598

9. In this class, I am hoping to learn more about how to apply a
narrative structure to the interactive medium of video games. I
also want to learn more about how writing fits into the
videogame production process, as well as explore the most
popular types of stories in video games.
MONTH 7
Writing for Games
Strategies and Tactics:
- Web Source: Writing for the Game industry - http://www.writing-
world.com/freelance/games.shtml
- Book: Wriitng for Video Games - by Steve Ince
- Online Course: UDEMY - Writing for the Videogame Industry - https://
www.udemy.com/writing-for-the-videogame-industry/

10. MONTH 8
Storytelling and Storyboarding for Animation
In this class, I hope to learn more about the visualization
process behind writing for animation.
Strategies and Tactics:
- Safari Book: Writing for Animation, Comics, and Games - by Christy
Marx
- Safari Book: Professional Storyboarding - by Anson Jew
- Tutorial: Storyboarding a narrative script using placeholders - http://
www.lynda.com/Final-Cut-Pro-tutorials/Storyboarding-narrative-script-
using-placeholders/191332/360562-4.html

11. MONTH 9
Editing for Film, Game, and Animation Scripts
In this class, I want to improve on my troubleshooting skills. I
want to be able to edit and rewrite for various formats.
Strategies and Tactics:
- Web Article: Being an Animation Screenwriter - by Pinaki Ghosh - http://
thescreenplaywriters.com/screenwriting-tips/how-to-write-an-animation-
movie-screenplay
- Safari Book: Writing for Animation, Comics, and Games - by Christy Marx
- Tutorial: Foundations of Video: the Art of Editing - http://www.lynda.com/
Video-Video-Editing-tutorials/Foundations-Video-Art-Editing/120261-2.html

12. MONTH 10
Creative Writing Portfolio I
In this class, I want to apply what I’ve learned to my own
project. I want to create a script outline and development plan.
Strategies and Tactics:
- Web Article: What is a creative writing portfolio and why would I need
one? - by Brandi Reissenweber - http://www.writingclasses.com/
WritersResources/AskTheWriterDetail.php?ID=192
- Safari Book: The Short Screenplay: Your Short Film from Concept to
Production - by Dan Gurskis
- Tutorial: Video Script Writing - http://www.lynda.com/Video-
Screenwriting-tutorials/Video-Script-Writing/144854-2.html

13. MONTH 11
Creative Writing Portfolio II
In this class, I want to implement my development plan and
complete my script.
Strategies and Tactics:
- Web Article: 6 Tips for Writing a (Money Making) Script from a Billion
Dollar Screenwriting Duo - by Joe Berkowitz - http://
www.fastcocreate.com/1681393/6-tips-for-writing-a-money-making-
script-from-a-billion-dollar-screenwriting-duo
- Safari Book: Screenwriting Tips, You Hack - by Xander Bennett

14. MONTH 12
The Business of Creative Writing
In this class, I want to learn more about the role of literary
agents and writer’s unions.
Strategies and Tactics:
- Podcast: On the Page: Breaking into the Business with Corey Mandell -
by Pilar Alessandra
- Tutorial: Digital Publishing Fundamentals - http://www.lynda.com/Digital-
Publishing-tutorials/Digital-Publishing-Fundamentals/100904-2.html
- Book: 2015 Writer’s Market - by Robert Lee Brewer - http://
www.writersdigestshop.com/2015-writers-market-deluxe-edition?
source=igodigital

15. 6 Masters
Ken Miyamoto - Screenwriter - kmiyamoto76@yahoo.com
Steven Shea - Screenwriter/Filmmaker - steven@abyssmal.com
Malen Dominguez - MFA Film Program Director - mdominguez@fullsail.com
Nolan Cornell - CWMFA Progam Director - ncornell@fullsail.com
Rebecca Weiss - Screenwriter - rebecca_weiss@neimanmarcusstores.com
Jennie Jarvis - Screenwriter/Author - jjarvis@fullsail.com

16. Getting Involved
- Writer’s Guild of America
- “Affiliated Authors” group via LinkedIn
- “Authors and Writers” group via LinkedIn
- “Screenwriter’s Network Worldwide” group via LinkedIn
- 2015 Hall of Fame events at Full Sail University

17. Expanding PLN
Organizations/People to Follow:
- On The Page Podcast with Pilar Alessandra - via iTunes
- Penguin Press via Twitter
- Author Rick Riordan via Twitter
- Author Alliance via Twitter

18. Connecting with Full Sail
CLUBS:
- Full Sail Creative Writing Club
- ENS: Entertainment Networking Society
- Comic Book Club

19. Characteristics of a Mentor
1. Has been published or has sold a screenplay.
2. Is humble, but honest about their experience.
3. Has written in the same genres I am interested in writing.
4. Is generous with their time.
5. Is honest and professional in their feedback.
6. Is open-minded and willing to listen.