“For the very nicest thing Hollywood can possibly say to a writer is that he is too good to be only a writer.”
–Raymond Chandler
 
"I always wanted to be a film director, except for a short period when I wanted to drive a locomotive."
-Ingmar Bergman
 
Joseph Dougherty follows up his hit book on writing, A Screenwriter’s Companion, with a look at what happens when the script is done.  A Writer Directs contains Dougherty’s personal thoughts on the craft drawn from a directing career that stretches from thirtysomething to Pretty Little Liars.  A Writer Directs continues the intimate creative conversation Dougherty started in A Screenwriter’s Companion.  Opinionated, entertaining, thought provoking, these are books for serious film students and just plain movie lovers. Dougherty has been a successful playwright and television writer, producer, and director for more than thirty years. He’s written for breakthrough series that have changed the way we look at television drama, from thirtysomething to Pretty Little Liars, winning everything from Emmys to Teen Choice Awards along the way.
 
Directing will make you a better writer. Besides using anecdotes from his professional career, Dougherty uses examples from such films as Narrow Margin, Harry and Tonto, Psycho, Sullivan’s Travels, Columbo, The Verdict, and more.