What’s Happening Summer 2019
My one day Pitching Class is coming up Saturday July 27 at my house.
9:00 to 3:00 in north Wilsonville, Oregon. Let me know if you want one of the last remaining spots. You will have a chance to workshop your pitch with me. Fee $50.
email me at cynwhitcomb@gmail.com if you want to be in this one.
Fall Screenwriting Class begins Sept. 21 through October, six Saturdays 9 to 3 pm.
Class fee $495 includes a read of your screenplay by me. (This class fee has been the same for 25 years, and will be going up in 2020, so for a bargain, jump in this fall.) This is the class I taught at UCLA Film School for years. Everything you need to know from choosing an idea to breaking in.
For those of you who have already taken this course, a Master Class is forming for 10 Monday nights from 7 to 10 pm, beginning on Sept. 16. Class fee $495. We will read and workshop a screenplay from one student each week. Let me know soon if you want to be in this one. Limited to 10. Also chez moi.
And of course the 2020 Writing the Waves Trans-Atlantic cruise is now forming. See the side bar for more info.
I will be teaching a class on Breaking In at the Willamette Writers Conference on Sat Aug. 3 . I look forward to seeing some of you there.
Keep writing and keep in touch.
2019 We’re Off and Writing!
Exciting things are happening.
New screenwriting class is forming in Feb on Saturdays. I love teaching this one (and have loved it since I used to teach it at UCLA Film School.) Beginning Feb. 23 and running 6 Saturdays from 9 am to 3 pm at my home in north Wilsonville. (See Classes tab or sidebar.)
Next the Writing the Waves cruise is shaping up to be amazing. The cruise line added Liverpool, so of course we’re doing the Beatles tour. And after Dublin, Molly and I are doing a week of theatre in London including Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and hopefully Hamilton. (They should go on sale momentarily)
And before these even happen, my new play (written on Writing the Waves cruise 18 months ago) will have its first staged reading on Monday night, Jan. 28 at 7:30 pm at Artists Rep in Portland. Open seating, suggested donation $10. Here’s the pitch:
The Kings of the Carnegie Deli by C.S. Whitcomb is a new comedy based on the real-life friendship between Bob Fosse, Paddy Chayefsky and Herb Gardner. It takes place in the mid-1970s in New York City where they had offices in the same building, worked and grappled with doubt, depression, drugs, alcohol, women, success, heart attacks, creativity, failure and fame. Between them they created Marty, A Thousand Clowns, Cabaret, Hospital, Chicago, Network, Lenny, All That Jazz and many others.
Tobias Andersen is directing. Todd Van Voris will play Paddy, Gary Norman will be Herb Gardner and David Berkson, Fosse. I hope to see some of you there. It is dear to my heart.
Don’t forget to make your 2019 writing goals, and make them grand and inspiring.
Remember our motto (borrowed from the film Julia)
“Work hard! Take chances! Be very, very bold!”
Fall 2018 Screenwriting Class
My new screenwriting class is starting up on Sept. 22, 2018
I cover everything from how to choose an idea to how to break in.
Six Saturdays from 9 am to 3 pm at my home in North Wilsonville, OR.
Class fee of $495 includes my reading your screenplay with detailed notes.
Class includes Three Act Structure, coordinating Right Brain/Left Brain in the writing process,
research, format, dialogue, subplots, setups and payoffs, character evolution, Act Two Blues,
everything you need. Also useful for Novelists and Memoirists.
This is the course I taught at UCLA Film School for years.
To register email me at cynwhitcomb@gmail.com.
It’s going to be a great group this fall.
NOW ACCEPTING RESERVATIONS FOR
WRITING THE WAVES 2019
Hosted by Playwright/Screenwriter Cynthia Whitcomb
APRIL 22, 2019 ON THE Celebrity Reflection,
14 NIGHTS TRANSATLANTIC LEARNING/ADVENTURE CRUISE
Day 1 Fort Lauderdale, Florida (Mon 4/22)
Day 2 Writing at Sea (Tue 4/23)
Day 3 Writing at Sea (Wed 4/24)
Day 4 Writing at Sea (Thur 4/25)
Day 5 Writing at Sea (Fri 4/26)
Day 6 Writing at Sea (Sat 4/27)
Day 7 Writing at Sea (Sun 4/28)
Day 8 Writing at Sea (Mon 4/29)
Day 9 Azores, Portugal (Tue 4/30)
Day 10 Azores, Portugal (Wed. 5/1)
Day 11 Writing at Sea (Thur 5/2)
Day 12 Writing at Sea (Fri 5/3)
Day 13 Cobh/Cork, Ireland (Sat 5/4)
Day 14 Dunmore/Waterford, Ireland (Sun 5/5)
Day 15 Dublin, Ireland (Mon. 5/6)
All “At Sea” days will feature writing workshops from 9:00 a.m. to Noon. Writing on your own in the afternoons. Dinner together at 6 pm, then evening writing salons 8 – 10 pm where we read aloud, critique our work and solve writing problems. With nine At Sea days, it’s possible to write more than 50 pages on this voyage.
Prices (per person, double occup. Air not included)
Interior $1,769. ($1,269 non-writing roommate)
Balcony $2,429. ($1,929. NWR)
$50 Deposit at time of registering.
$400 due Nov. 2018.
Final payment, Jan. 2019.
(Includes port taxes and fees)
The workshops will cover everything you need to know to successfully create, complete and market your projects. Subjects include:
How to choose an idea. Research.
Story structure. Character Development.
Scene cards and Storyboards. Love Stories. Genres. Film, Theatre and Book Formats.
Style. Voice. Scene and Summary.
Revising and Polishing. Using Right Brain/Left Brain. Laura Whitcomb’s Novel Shortcuts
How to Write a Non-Fiction Book Proposal
Agents, Editors, Producers & Managers.
Pitching. Editing. Breaking in.
Cynthia Whitcomb has sold over 70 screenplays, 30 of which have been produced on national television. She’s been nominated for the Emmy, WGA, and Edgar Allan Poe Awards. She has written 3 screenwriting books and taught writing at the UCLA Film School. She has written roles for such stars as Jason Robards, Ellen Burstyn, Martin Sheen, Liev Schreiber, Gena Rowlands and Anjelica Huston. Since 2007 she has been an active playwright in Oregon.
Writers who have already taken 3 cruises with Cynthia will not be charged for the class.
(They will pay the non-writing roommate rate.)
To register email Walt Schaffrick at
(800)210-9444 option #2
Parnassus on Wheels
My new play Parnassus on Wheels, adapted from Christopher Morley’s 1917 novel is playing at Lakewood Theatre in Lake Oswego through Sun. Feb 11. Come if you can.
It is getting standing ovations and great reviews. Wonderful cast headlined by Amanda Soden and Orion Bradshaw. Directed by Stephanie Mulligan. Box office (503)635-3901.
It’s the story of a middle-aged farm woman who gets fed up with her dull life and buys a gypsy caravan rolling book shop from a wiry little Irishman and takes off across rural New England selling books to farm and city folks. Adventure, comedy and love ensue.
Summer 2017
Happy summer writers!
A lot is happening. First of all upcoming events:
Pitching Class Sat. July 29, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
All genres of writing. Fee: $50. Register at willamettewriters.com.
My play “Santos” will have a reading at Artists Repertory Theatre during the Proscenium Live festival sponsored by Portland Shakespeare Project. It will be Sat. Aug. 5, 7:30 pm. All seats free and open seating. Alder Stage. Come if you possibly can!
I will be teaching two classes at the W.W. conference, first weekend in August at Portland Airport Sheraton Hotel.
My new book is out now. The Heart of the Film: How to Write Love Stories in Screenplays. Available from Barnes and Noble and Amazon.com. If you like it please give it a few good words or stars online. This always helps.
My fall screenwriting class will begin on Sept. 23 to Oct. 28 and run for 6 Saturdays at my home in north Wilsonville, 9 am to 3 pm.
Class fee $495, includes a reading of your screenplay with detailed notes from me. To register, go to PayPal, account
cwhitcomb1@aol.com or willamettewriters.com. Or you can send me a check. email me at cynwhitcomb@gmail.com for more info.
NEXT SPRING’S CRUISE:
NOW ACCEPTING RESERVATIONS FOR
WRITING THE WAVES 2018
Hosted by Playwright/Screenwriter Cynthia Whitcomb
APRIL 13, 2018 on the Celebrity Reflection, Group #8728286
14 NIGHTS TRANSATLANTIC WRITING/ADVENTURE CRUISE
Day 1 Fort Lauderdale, Florida (Fri 4/13)
Day 2 Writing at Sea (Sat 4/14)
Day 3 Writing at Sea (Sun 4/15)
Day 4 Writing at Sea (Mon 4/16)
Day 5 Writing at Sea (Tue 4/17)
Day 6 Writing at Sea (Wed 4/18)
Day 7 Writing at Sea (Thur 4/19)
Day 8 Writing at Sea (Fri 4/20)
Day 9 Tenerife, Canary Isl (Sat 4/21)
Day 10 Writing at Sea (Sun 4/22)
Day 11 Malaga, Spain (Mon 4/23)
Day 12 Cartagena, Spain (Tue 4/24)
Day 13 Barcelona, Spain (Wed 4/25)
Day 14 Ajaccio, Corsica (Thur 4/26)
Day 15 Rome, Italy (Fri 4/27)
All “At Sea” days will feature writing workshops from 9:00 a.m. to Noon. Writing on your own in the afternoons. Dinner together at 6 pm, then evening writing salons 8 – 10 pm where we read aloud, critique our work and solve writing problems. With nine At Sea days, it’s possible to write more than 50 pages on this voyage.
Prices: (per person, double occup. Air not included)
Interior $2,199.81 ($1,699.81 non-writing roommate)
Balcony $2,439.81. ($1,939.81 NWR)
$50 Deposit by as soon as possible
$400 due Nov. 3, 2017.
Final payment, 1/3/18.
(Includes port taxes and fees)
The workshops will cover everything you need to know to successfully create, complete and market your projects. Subjects include:
How to choose an idea. Research.
Story structure. Character Development.
Scene cards and Storyboards. Love Stories. Genres. Film, Theatre and Book Formats.
Style. Voice. Scene and Summary.
Revising and Polishing. Using Right Brain/Left Brain. Laura Whitcomb’s Novel Shortcuts
How to Write a Non-Fiction Book Proposal
Agents, Editors, Producers & Managers.
Pitching. Editing. Breaking in.
Cynthia Whitcomb has sold over 70 screenplays, 30 of which have been produced on prime time national television. She’s been nominated for the Emmy, WGA, Humanitas and Edgar Allan Poe Awards. Her books and classes on screenwriting are widely popular. She has written roles for such stars as Jason Robards, Ellen Burstyn, Kevin Spacey, Martin Sheen, Gabriel Byrne, Gena Rowlands and Anjelica Huston.
Writers who have taken 3 cruises with Cynthia
previously, will not be charged for the class.
(They will pay the non-writing roommate rate.)
To register email Walt Schaffrick at
(800)210-9444 option #2
This Winter
Hello friends and writers,
If it seems a bit chilly where you are, moving into the darkest month, curl up with a good book. Or treat yourself to an afternoon of cozy writing with a cupa. If you feel the need to get away from the U.S.A. for a brief respite, click on the cruise tab and come away with us to Bermuda and France and Ireland and England next spring, writing all the way.
If you’re in the Portland, Oregon area, join my winter writing class. (Click on classes) I promise you will be re-inspired about your work. And if you’ve taken my class before, you are eligible to take my Master Class. Ten Monday nights beginning Jan. 30. You can sign up by emailing me at cynwhitcomb@gmail.com.
Best books I’ve read this year:
The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach
Fosse by Sam Wasson
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
Happy holidays!
News for 2016 and 2017
Hello Writers!
The Writing the Waves cruise was fantastic this year with 22 of us writing our fingers off and seeing a lot of Spain and Italy and a lovely slice of France for good measure.
Here is what’s coming up from me this summer and fall:
My all day pitching class in Portland, Sat. Aug. 6, 9:30 to 3:30 pm. $50. Tabor Space, Muir Room. Email me if you’re interested.
My fall basic screenwriting class will be at my home in North Wilsonville, 6 Saturdays, 9 am to 3 pm. $495 includes a read and notes on your screenplay. Sept. 17 – Oct 22.
Master Class, ten Monday nights, 7 to 10 pm. We read an entire script by one student each night. $495. Class limited to 10. Must have taken my basic class to be eligible for this one. It begins Sept. 12 and skips Halloween.
email me if you are interested in any of these. cynwhitcomb@gmail.com
Love you all, and hope to see some of you.
Cynthia
Here is the flyer for next year’s cruise. Prices are good if you register before June 29. After that it may be a bit more. Includes port fees and taxes. Not airfare.
NOW ACCEPTING RESERVATIONS FOR
WRITING THE WAVES 2017
Hosted by Playwright/Screenwriter Cynthia Whitcomb
APRIL 6, 2017 ON THE Caribbean Princess, Group #7698843
14 NIGHTS TRANSATLANTIC LEARNING/ADVENTURE CRUISE
Day 1 Fort Lauderdale, Florida (Thur 4/6)
Day 2 Writing at Sea (Fri 4/7)
Day 3 Writing at Sea (Sat 4/8)
Day 4 Bermuda (Sun 4/9)
Day 5 Writing at Sea (Mon 4/10)
Day 6 Writing at Sea (Tue 4/11)
Day 7 Writing at Sea (Wed 4/12)
Day 8 Writing at Sea (Thur 4/13)
Day 9 Writing at Sea (Fri 4/14)
Day 10 Writing at Sea (Sat 4/15)
Day 11 Writing at Sea (Sun 4/16)
Day 12 Cobh (Cork), Ireland (Mon 4/17)
Day 13 Falmouth, England (Tue 4/18)
Day 14 Le Havre/Paris (Wed 4/19)
Day 15 Southampton, England (Thur 4/20)
All “At Sea” days will feature writing workshops from 9:00 a.m. to Noon. Writing on your own in the afternoons. Dinner together at 6 pm, then evening writing salons 8 – 10 pm where we read aloud, critique our work and solve writing problems. With nine At Sea days, it’s possible to write more than 50 pages written on this voyage.
Prices: (per person, double occup. Air not included)
Interior $1,894 ($1,394 non-writing roommate)
Ocean View: $2,234. (NWR $1,734)
Balcony $2,454. ($1,954 NWR)
Registering after June 29, prices may vary slightly. $400 Deposit by 6/29/16. Final payment, 1/15/17. (Includes port taxes and fees)
The workshops will cover everything you need to know to successfully create, complete and market your projects. Subjects include:
How to choose an idea. Research.
Story structure. Character Development.
Scene cards and Storyboards. Love Stories. Genres. Film, Theatre and Book Formats.
Style. Voice. Scene and Summary.
Revising and Polishing. Using Right Brain/Left Brain. Laura Whitcomb’s Novel Shortcuts
How to Write a Non-Fiction Book Proposal
Agents, Editors, Producers & Managers.
Pitching. Editing. Breaking in.
Cynthia Whitcomb has sold over 70 screenplays, 29 of which have been produced on prime time national television. She’s been nominated for the Emmy, Cable Ace, WGA, Humanitas and Edgar Allan Poe Awards. Her books and classes on screenwriting are widely popular. She has written roles for such stars as Jason Robards, Ellen Burstyn, Kevin Spacey, Martin Sheen, Gabriel Byrne and Anjelica Huston.
Writers who have taken 3 cruises with Cynthia
previously, will not be charged for the class.
(They will pay the non-writing roommate rate.)
To register email Walt Schaffrick at
(800)210-9444 option #2
New Years News
My new play “The Dark Rider” will have a reading at Artists Repertory Theatre during the Fertile Ground Festival. Tuesday night Jan. 26 at 7:30 pm. Admission is free. It is directed by Tobias Anderson and stars Dave Bodin and Todd Van Voris. Come if you can. I am also directing a reading of a new play by Ron Lee called “Under the Yew Tree” which will be at Lakewood Theatre in Lake Oswego on Sunday Jan. 24 at 2 pm. Admission for that one is $10. I hope to see you at one or both.
I wanted to make sure everyone knows that my next writing class is coming up in February. If you’re interested or know someone who might be, here’s the info:
Cynthia Whitcomb’s Screenwriting Class
Spring 2016
Six Saturdays 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Feb. 20, 27, Mar. 12, 19, 26, & April 2
Cost $495
Location: Cynthia’s Home in North Wilsonville
To enroll call Willamette Writers
(503) 305-6729
Or online at willamettewriters.com
From Idea to Completed Script
Includes structure, scene cards, storyboards, set ups, payoffs, subplots, character development, research, format, dialogue, hiding exposition, buttoning scenes, how to write great openings, great endings, big moments. How to make ‘em laugh and cry. Selling, Marketing. Agents, producers, deals, WGA, breaking in. Everything you need.
Writers welcome at every level of experience from novice to pro.
Come prepared to work hard and break through!
Make it happen!
Upcoming Writing Classes
Hello Writers, I just got back from our annual “Writing the Waves” cruise which was fabulous this year. It’s time to start thinking about what’s next. Here are my upcoming writing workshops and classes. Please join me for some of them, or pass the word to anyone who might be interested.
One Day Pitching Class
Sat. Aug. 1, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Everything you need to know to polish your pitch before the Willamette Writers Conference the following weekend.
Also the same content is useful for query letters. Class is for all genres, books and screenplays.
Cost of class: $50. To sign up go to willamettewriters.com or call Bill at the WW office (503)305-6729
Fall Screenwriting Class
Six Saturdays, 9 am to 3 pm at my home in north Wilsonville near I-5 and the 205.
Cost $495. To register contact Bill Johnson at Willamette Writers (above)
Includes everything you need to know to write and sell screenplays successfully.
Students from this class have gone on to sell scripts and have success in films and TV.
Most of the class material is applicable to plays, stories, novels and memoirs as well.
Dates: Sept. 19, Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, and Nov. 7.
The Master Class
Open to those who have previously taken Sat classes or Writing Cruise.
This class is limited to 10 students, and each Monday evening we meet from 7 to 10 pm and read an entire screenplay by one of them. Cost is $495. To register for this class email me directly at cynwhitcomb@gmail.com. (It is not through Willamette Writers.) It also meets at my home.
Next year’s cruise itinerary is set. Contact me for a flyer.
We’ll be going to Spain, France and Italy.
Cynthia Whitcomb 