bio (organism)

I am one of those people who read before preschool, won spelling bees (district champion! d-i-s-t-r…), preferred books to dolls, and veered toward writing early on. First grade was the first time I realized I could be a writer–for a living. I’d won the “Author of the Month” award, which was very prestigious, I can assure you. One of the prizes was to meet actual, living-and-breathing writers. Not only did they write, but they wrote for kids like me. I thought I could do that too and went about writing my first set of original fairytales.

I continued my writing focus in high school and won a couple of fiction awards. Then I went and got one of those painfully useful Creative Writing degrees. Labors of love are really all that interest me. For only with labor can you find what you truly love, and only with love can you do great work.

Continuing down the writing-habit hole, I am a graduate of UCLA’s Professional Program in Screenwriting. My screenplay, The Suicide Notes, was one of the winners of their annual competition. Words can’t express how grateful I am for those whom I have learned from there, but don’t you love it when people say “words can’t express” and then go ahead and attempt it? I am a bionic writer now because of UCLA. They have rebuilt me, and I am stronger, faster, readier and writier.

Previously, my greatest misfortune had been a ferocious lack of specialization: I’ve dabbled and enjoyed it all. I can write a catchy slogan, a tear-inducing personal essay, a sci-fi novella, a sweet story, or a gritty screenplay, among other shiny genres. Although I don’t plan to ignore the voice of any character who calls to me, regardless of genre, screenwriting has dazzled me with its structured creativity, and I am pursuing that with feverish focus. With the help of my superhero agent, I am currently attempting the incredibly risky but rewarding foot-in-door maneuver.

Personality-wise, I am a self-described recovering tomboy (minus the recovering part) and—when not holed up in cafes writing—can be found…. Who’m I kiddin’? I consider writing in cafes to be pretty much a full-time, full-contact sport. But I do ride motorcycles (when I have one) and snowboard (when there’s snow) and participate in the treacherous sport of wearing high heels (when I’m sitting).

On a personal “note,” samples of some of my music projects over the years can be found on the “creative” page for your auditory pleasure and lyrical perusal. Although I do miss the sheer joy of singing, I am now totally focused on my screenwriting career.

Like me, this site is a work in progress. Thanks for your patience as I continue to upload content and add links.

Resumé, references, samples, and screenplays served up with garnish by request.

Word(s).

~ Charlotte Brewster