From Stand By Me to The Matrix: How Your Favorite Films Reveal Your Unique Storytelling Superpower

Send us Fan MailEvery writer, whether penning a memoir or crafting a screenplay, seeks that elusive “voice”—the authentic expression of who they are and the stories only they can tell. On this episode of Authors Who Lead, screenwriter and coach Brooks Elms shared an illuminating process for tapping into this unique creative DNA by simply starting with a list of your favorite films. What unfolded in our conversation was more than a coaching exercise; it was an exploration of how those stories we love most hold a mirror to our deepest values, anxieties, and dreams. If you’re looking for a practical yet profound way to connect with your storytelling core, these lessons are for you.Timestamp:00:00 Journey from teaching to writing 04:27 Discussing Our Favorite Films 07:16 Feeling invisible growing up 11:51 Discussing the impact of The Matrix 15:23 Discussing the Lord of the Rings adaptation 16:42 Starting out in Hollywood 21:52 Writing from personal experience 23:32 Discussing creative decision-making 28:30 Evaluating screenplay effectiveness 31:56 The power of subtle storytelling 33:43 Tips for aspiring screenwriters 36:21 Writing a story in one sentenceFull show notes COMMUNITY PROGRAMS 📚 Write and Publish your book 🤫 Secret Podcast: Born to Write, Scared to Start ⭐ You're Allowed to Write This Book CONNECT 📷 Instagram 🎬 TikTok 👫🏻 Facebook 💼 LinkedIn 🐦‍⬛ Twitter 🤝🏻 Apply to be a Guest LEAVE A REVIEW ✍🏻 Review on Apple Podcasts ✍️ Review on Spotify🖱️ Episode Webpage