What happens when a Hollywood screenwriter and director steps out of the writer's room to write her very first fiction novel? Today, I am sitting down with screenwriter, director, and author Laura Chinn to talk about her debut novel, Counting the Days. We get into what it's really like transitioning from TV sitcom writer's rooms to solo novel writing, pre-midlife anxiety surrounding fertility and reproductive timelines, healing inner child trauma, and why she deliberately writes female friendships centered on genuine sisterhood rather than pettiness. Plus, Laura breaks down her screenwriting perspective on what actually makes a book adapt well to the screen!
Laura Chinn wrote and directed the Searchlight feature film Suncoast, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and won a jury prize. She created and starred in the half-hour comedy series Florida Girls and wrote the memoir Acne (Hachette) and the novel Counting the Days (Penguin Random House). Her other television writing and producing credits include High Potential, The Mick, and Childrens Hospital.
In this episode, we're discussing:
The realities of Hollywood writer's rooms versus the mental health perks of solo novel writing.
Navigating 30s reproductive timelines, fertility panic, and the complex choices around motherhood.
Writing an emotionally evolved male lead who works through his own childhood baggage.
Why we need more stories featuring supportive adult sisterhood and women who actively champion each other.
What a screenwriter looks for when evaluating whether a book can successfully translate to film or TV.
CONNECT WITH LAURA CHINN:
Counting the Days by Laura Chinn (Amazon | Bookshop)
Suncoast (Film directed by Laura Chinn)
BOOKS/AUTHORS MENTIONED:
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver (Amazon | Bookshop)
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett (Amazon | Bookshop)
Running list of books mentioned (Doc)
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Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links in these show notes are affiliate links. If you make a purchase or borrow a book through these links, I may earn a small commission at zero extra cost to you.
Connect with Alesia:
Storygraph
Running list of books mentioned (Doc)
This podcast was produced by Galati Media.
Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective.
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