Write! is a breakthrough book from a successful professional author, for an audience of writers of all levels seeking a guide to the craft. DiPego’s unique personal approach takes readers on a private tour of his well-lighted rooms and dark corners, revealing his way of pulling feeling, experience and invention from within and weaving them into a story. The result of this exciting method is the creation of rich, believable characters and an atmosphere of Emotional Realism.

Write! shows that the inspiration for a new work is not reducible to rules, the mechanics of plotting, or finding a “hook,” but largely rests in the emotional journey of the characters, so readers are personally engaged and live the journey as they read. DiPego’s method is delivered on the page in a personal, conversational style, laced with examples from his published and produced work as well as relevant anecdotes from the life of a working writer. DiPego offers useful prompts and exercises to help writers integrate his method into their own work.

DiPego is a veteran writer who has taught creative writing and screenwriting, spending four years on the faculty of the Santa Fe Screenwriter’s Conference. Write! distills wisdom from 45 years in his successful career as a writer of fiction in all forms, including novels (Cheevey, With a Vengeance, Keeper of the City and others) films (Sharky’s Machine, Phenomenon, Message in a Bottle, The Forgotten, Words & Pictures, and many more), short stories and stage plays.

He is twice nominated for the WGA screenwriting award, and his film for television, A Family Upside Down, won a Golden Globe award as best picture. His recent play, 154 and Paradise, was produced last year at Santa Barbara's Center Stage to sold-out audiences. His screenplays have attracted top talent such as Paul Newman, John Travolta, Anthony Hopkins, Juliette Binoche, Clive Owen, Kevin Costner, Jennifer Lopez, Robin Wright and others.

Gerald DiPego