Bob DeRosa
@bobderosa.bsky.social
Writer of movies (CLASSIFIED, KILLERS, THE AIR I BREATHE), TV (WHITE COLLAR), and audio fiction (CATCHERS, VIDEO PALACE).
https://bobderosa.com
https://bobderosawriter.substack.com
https://bobderosa.com
https://bobderosawriter.substack.com
Pinned
Bob DeRosa
@bobderosa.bsky.social
· Nov 11
My screenwriting career by the numbers:
I've written 38 feature scripts
Made money on 10
4 were assignments
2 were optioned but never sold
1 was sold but never made
3 were sold and made
2 out to financiers with attachments
New script out to producers
Currently writing #39
There are no shortcuts!
I've written 38 feature scripts
Made money on 10
4 were assignments
2 were optioned but never sold
1 was sold but never made
3 were sold and made
2 out to financiers with attachments
New script out to producers
Currently writing #39
There are no shortcuts!
When it was apparent that the film & TV business was dying, I decided to balance my work with projects in audio fiction & book publishing and now I'm fully invested in three dying industries instead of one. I'll let you know how that shakes out.
November 13, 2025 at 4:58 PM
When it was apparent that the film & TV business was dying, I decided to balance my work with projects in audio fiction & book publishing and now I'm fully invested in three dying industries instead of one. I'll let you know how that shakes out.
In lieu of the film business falling apart, some people have been saying to write your "fuck it" script. I don't know if that was the inspiration for this one, but it sure looks like 100 percent, pure "fuck it" to me. Which is a good thing.
November 12, 2025 at 6:35 PM
In lieu of the film business falling apart, some people have been saying to write your "fuck it" script. I don't know if that was the inspiration for this one, but it sure looks like 100 percent, pure "fuck it" to me. Which is a good thing.
After years of trying (and mostly failing) to write more short stories, I stumbled on DeadlinesForWriters.com and decided to try their 12 stories in 12 months challenge. And I did it! I'm a sucker for a prompt and a good old-fashioned deadline and this totally worked for me. Give it a try!
November 12, 2025 at 5:20 PM
After years of trying (and mostly failing) to write more short stories, I stumbled on DeadlinesForWriters.com and decided to try their 12 stories in 12 months challenge. And I did it! I'm a sucker for a prompt and a good old-fashioned deadline and this totally worked for me. Give it a try!
Just finished When We Were Real by @darylwriterguy.bsky.social. I loved this so much. It's warm, funny, and emotional. Bursting with amazing sci-fi ideas but always keeps its humanity front and center. It's one of those rare books that I can't wait to read again.
November 7, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Just finished When We Were Real by @darylwriterguy.bsky.social. I loved this so much. It's warm, funny, and emotional. Bursting with amazing sci-fi ideas but always keeps its humanity front and center. It's one of those rare books that I can't wait to read again.
Cool project with big stars just announced that's described as a "dark comic crime thriller" which is 1) one of my favorite genres to write and 2) a genre guaranteed to make my reps say "please don't write that, it never sells." So yeah, this business makes no sense. Ever.
November 6, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Cool project with big stars just announced that's described as a "dark comic crime thriller" which is 1) one of my favorite genres to write and 2) a genre guaranteed to make my reps say "please don't write that, it never sells." So yeah, this business makes no sense. Ever.
I didn't publish a single short story last year. All of a sudden, I've had four acceptances since September. What changed? My strategy. More here: bobderosawriter.substack.com/p/strategy
Strategy
Sometimes writing is about being inspired. Sometimes not.
bobderosawriter.substack.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:23 PM
I didn't publish a single short story last year. All of a sudden, I've had four acceptances since September. What changed? My strategy. More here: bobderosawriter.substack.com/p/strategy
100% this. I've been in a screenwriting group with roughly the same gang for over 15 years. We've seen each other through big wins and huge losses and everything in between. This journey is way too hard to do it alone. Community is everything. #scriptsky
You know what separates writers who break in from equally talented writers who don't? A small circle of peers who gave brutally honest notes, celebrated tiny victories, and kept them going when quitting felt easier. Cultivating those relationships deserves as much focus as writing your next script.
November 5, 2025 at 7:42 PM
100% this. I've been in a screenwriting group with roughly the same gang for over 15 years. We've seen each other through big wins and huge losses and everything in between. This journey is way too hard to do it alone. Community is everything. #scriptsky
Great interview with novelist/screenwriter @ajagabel.bsky.social in Hollywood Reporter today and this quote captures a lot of what's making our writing lives miserable lately: "Every industry is in a place where people are very afraid of not doing the thing that is going to be the most popular."
November 4, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Great interview with novelist/screenwriter @ajagabel.bsky.social in Hollywood Reporter today and this quote captures a lot of what's making our writing lives miserable lately: "Every industry is in a place where people are very afraid of not doing the thing that is going to be the most popular."
People who vote get kisses! DO IT!
November 4, 2025 at 8:19 PM
People who vote get kisses! DO IT!
This is an incredible post. Ally writes about money and financial planning, but this one speaks to whatever type of work you do, including being a freelance creative. "Most of what you try won’t work, but staying in motion creates the conditions for luck to find you."
Most of us get stuck because we’re waiting for something, whether it's the right contact or the right timing. But progress doesn’t come from waiting. It comes from motion.
Stop Waiting for Permission: Career Lessons From My 20s
Building your ideal career takes time, well-written emails, and a lot of luck.
moneychangeseverything.substack.com
November 4, 2025 at 6:33 PM
This is an incredible post. Ally writes about money and financial planning, but this one speaks to whatever type of work you do, including being a freelance creative. "Most of what you try won’t work, but staying in motion creates the conditions for luck to find you."
You get all kinds of notes as a screenwriter. The ones that drive me up the wall are basically, "I like this idea but wish you'd written a different movie." This is a close notes cousin of "Here's the movie I woulda written." You get these from reps, execs, producers. Lots of people who don't write.
November 4, 2025 at 12:18 AM
You get all kinds of notes as a screenwriter. The ones that drive me up the wall are basically, "I like this idea but wish you'd written a different movie." This is a close notes cousin of "Here's the movie I woulda written." You get these from reps, execs, producers. Lots of people who don't write.
I usually write speculative fiction, but sometimes it's fun to write a dark lil crime story. Excited to share that this one is online now at Guilty Crime Mag: www.guiltycrimemag.com/flash/bad-bu...
Bad Business by Bob DeRosa
I knocked on Jessie’s door at exactly two in the morning, ready to propose some bad business. It took him a while to answer. He didn’t ask who it was, just opened the door and asked what was up....
www.guiltycrimemag.com
November 2, 2025 at 4:52 PM
I usually write speculative fiction, but sometimes it's fun to write a dark lil crime story. Excited to share that this one is online now at Guilty Crime Mag: www.guiltycrimemag.com/flash/bad-bu...
This is a message I can get behind.
Create create create. It’s the only way to jam the death signal.
November 1, 2025 at 10:47 PM
This is a message I can get behind.
Our local food bank does wonderful work in case you're looking for someplace to donate a few bucks to help others: nhifp.org
North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry
The North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry is a religiously diverse 501c3 non-profit community that strives to meet the needs of those living with food insecurity.
nhifp.org
November 1, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Our local food bank does wonderful work in case you're looking for someplace to donate a few bucks to help others: nhifp.org
VIDEO PALACE was the first narrative podcast from SHUDDER. I co-wrote this horror/mystery audio show with @benrock.com (who also directed) and it was truly one of the best creative experiences I've ever had in this town. Perfect listening for scary season! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/v...
Video Palace
Drama Podcast · Series · When video collector Mark Cambria watches a mysterious VHS tape, he begins talking in his sleep in a language that doesn't exist. Mark and his girlfriend Tamra set out to inve...
podcasts.apple.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:43 PM
VIDEO PALACE was the first narrative podcast from SHUDDER. I co-wrote this horror/mystery audio show with @benrock.com (who also directed) and it was truly one of the best creative experiences I've ever had in this town. Perfect listening for scary season! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/v...
Really enjoyed this collection of dark tales from @christinogle.bsky.social!
October 30, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Really enjoyed this collection of dark tales from @christinogle.bsky.social!
On a recent @pastduepodcast.com, @mike-eagle.bsky.social was talking about how Hollywood success is like riding a rollercoaster except, "Damn, is there a way I could do this without having it shit in my heart on the way down?" and I'm gonna be thinking about that quote for the rest of my life.
October 30, 2025 at 12:03 AM
On a recent @pastduepodcast.com, @mike-eagle.bsky.social was talking about how Hollywood success is like riding a rollercoaster except, "Damn, is there a way I could do this without having it shit in my heart on the way down?" and I'm gonna be thinking about that quote for the rest of my life.
So very excited to share a new short story of mine published in a spooky edition of The Genre Society! What if your answers to a Resort Satisfaction Questionnaire indicated some sort of terrifying outbreak was happening during your stay? Check it out on page 28!
pub.marq.com/9099fd67-731...
pub.marq.com/9099fd67-731...
The Genre Society: Issue 6
pub.marq.com
October 25, 2025 at 9:06 PM
So very excited to share a new short story of mine published in a spooky edition of The Genre Society! What if your answers to a Resort Satisfaction Questionnaire indicated some sort of terrifying outbreak was happening during your stay? Check it out on page 28!
pub.marq.com/9099fd67-731...
pub.marq.com/9099fd67-731...
I love Vulture's daily Cinematrix game and it's especially fun when I get to use a movie I've written. First time for CLASSIFIED! Bonus points for sharing a lane with @johnrogers.bsky.social!
October 23, 2025 at 11:23 PM
I love Vulture's daily Cinematrix game and it's especially fun when I get to use a movie I've written. First time for CLASSIFIED! Bonus points for sharing a lane with @johnrogers.bsky.social!
Sometimes getting notes on a script is like someone asking you to kick your baby repeatedly until it looks like a different baby. Not nicer, not cuter, just...different.
October 17, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Sometimes getting notes on a script is like someone asking you to kick your baby repeatedly until it looks like a different baby. Not nicer, not cuter, just...different.
I started thinking about a new script idea in 2022. Last year I wrote 40 pages, sent em to a friend to make sure I had something worth pursuing. Then I wrote a full draft, got some more feedback, & sent a revised draft to my manager today. It takes as long as it takes.
October 13, 2025 at 11:23 PM
I started thinking about a new script idea in 2022. Last year I wrote 40 pages, sent em to a friend to make sure I had something worth pursuing. Then I wrote a full draft, got some more feedback, & sent a revised draft to my manager today. It takes as long as it takes.
Great line from @sethgodin.bsky.social's daily blog, one that speaks to screenwriting and the long, hard work of making anything really: "It’s hard work to stick around long enough to get lucky."
October 11, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Great line from @sethgodin.bsky.social's daily blog, one that speaks to screenwriting and the long, hard work of making anything really: "It’s hard work to stick around long enough to get lucky."
Today is Release Day for @lovedaniellefilm.bsky.social! I had so many friends work on this (and my wife did costumes). It's a lovely film that can truly save lives. More info here: www.freestyledigitalmedia.tv/film/love-da...
Love, Danielle | Freestyle Digital Media
Danielle tests positive for a BRCA1 gene mutation, a marker for developing breast and ovarian cancer. As her sister Amy undergoes chemotherapy for a breast cancer diagnosis, Danielle considers prevent...
www.freestyledigitalmedia.tv
October 3, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Today is Release Day for @lovedaniellefilm.bsky.social! I had so many friends work on this (and my wife did costumes). It's a lovely film that can truly save lives. More info here: www.freestyledigitalmedia.tv/film/love-da...
The exec we're working with encouraged us to try and "one up" each other in thinking up scary ideas. Here's @benrock.com bringing his A-game.
October 2, 2025 at 5:15 PM
The exec we're working with encouraged us to try and "one up" each other in thinking up scary ideas. Here's @benrock.com bringing his A-game.
I hit a dry spell last year in getting short stories published so I redoubled my efforts this year, tackling a 12 stories in 12 months challenge, researching new markets, and whoa, I got two acceptances in the last two weeks. Feels good to be getting some new stuff out there!
September 26, 2025 at 10:00 PM
I hit a dry spell last year in getting short stories published so I redoubled my efforts this year, tackling a 12 stories in 12 months challenge, researching new markets, and whoa, I got two acceptances in the last two weeks. Feels good to be getting some new stuff out there!