Post a Question for Katherine Fugate, "Army Wives," "Valentine's Day"

StoryLink is thrilled to welcome TV and film writer Katherine Fugate as our February Featured Screenwriter. Fugate is creator of the Lifetime drama series Army Wives, and served as Executive Producer on the show for two years. Army Wives is an ensemble series, revolving around a diverse group of women living on an active army base; it was awarded a WIN award and a Gracie Award in its first year.

Fugate is also the writer of several feature films, including Valentine's Day, which will be released on February 12. Additional feature credits: The Senator's Wife, The Prince & Me, Carolina. She is currently adapting What Alice Forgot for New Regency and Fox 2000.

Post a Question for Katherine Fugate in the StoryLink Forum by February 7. If your question is chosen, receive a The Dialogue: Learning from the Masters DVD (Winner's Choice) from The Writers Store.

Post your Question Now by clicking on "Reply"

Message edited by: StoryLink on Jan 18, 2010 11:28 AM

Hi Katherine... Great FAN of your work.

My Question: When writing a series with "ongoing" characters, do you ever get to know the Actors playing those "Characters" that you've created; and IF SO, has that had an influence on developing the "roles" that they play? Thanks!

Message edited by: in2Art-n-Film on Jan 14, 2010 4:53 PM

Katherine, congratulations on your success. I'm looking forward to the release of Valentine's Day. My question: Do you ever consider scripting novels from other writers for film?

Dear Ms. Fugate,

How do you continue to write for multiple characters and provide them different voices and personalities on paper? It's not my forte and none of your characters from "Army Wives" sound alike, male or female and neither does it appear the characters do from "Valentine's Day" based on the previews. Thanks for your time. It's writers like you that writers like us truly appreciate for taking the time to share your craft.

Regards,

Jana

Thank you, Katherine, for your wonderful topics.

I was curious about any experiences you may have with military dependents for ideas evolved from heartfelt moments. It seems to be a generational dilemma. While I served in Danang with the Marine Corps, my mom back home in Las Vegas connected with the Air Force wives, mothers, and grandmothers for support. The experiences from two World Wars and Korea forged a very strong emotional bond among those "left behind." Adding to the mix women who served in these theaters or in factories created an even finer edge to their personas.

My question would be; To what extent have you "tapped" these often articulate and colorful folks through interview, notes, and/or questionaires? Truth has always seemed much "deeper" than fiction.

Cordially,
Philip

Hello, Katherine; I'm looking forward to viewing your upcoming movie. My question revovles around character development in the context of a relatively large multiple-character script. How do you avoid infusing your own personality quirks similarly in individual characters so that each is a distinct entity? Also, do you have any suggestions for developing realistic characters of the opposite sex (for me - female)?
Thanks, Charlie

Dear Katherine,

Since you've created dramas for TV as well as written feature films, what are the main differences in writing approaches, styles and techniques for (1) TV series, (2) Made for TV movie, and (3) feature film?

Many thanks.

Vinod Busjeet

Hi Katherine. Working in different genres, do you have different styles of writing for different genres, and do you approach the writing process in different ways? Thank you.

-Mike

Katherine,

Do you believe there are better opportunities for women screenwriters now that there are more venues for programming in writing? Is the industry seeking out more stories written and produced by women?

Katherine,

I've always heard that if you want to send a message, use Western Union (or now Twitter etc.) Knowing that your writing seems so much a reflection of your philosphy of life, that to write something without a deeper message seems more superficial than you seem to be.

Question: How do you manage to incorporate a message into your stories without it being obvious? Do you start with the idea/message and work from there or do you start with character and plot?

To me the point of any story is a message of how we can better our lives by this example or at least inspiration. I value your opinions....thank you.
M

Message edited by: m on Jan 24, 2010 11:58 AM

Hi, Katherine! Great work. I really like Army Wives and find the diversity of character types to be very realistically and honestly portrayed. My question is more technical in a sense -- at what point in your career as a writer are you given license/freedom to protect the integrity of your work? Is it based on how successful your projects are, how long you've been in the business, luck, a mentor? Thanks for your response, and good luck with your new work!

Message edited by: Irelene on Feb 1, 2010 11:43 AM

Katherine,
When writing for a series, how much of the seasons arch do you look for before you begin writing? Do you follow the arch or change it as you go?
Bob Conder

Katherine,

Regarding Army Wives, did you receive any support from DoDs Motion Picture office? If so, what was the assistance and was it adequate? Did DoD provide you with any guidance regarding military spouses?

Thank you.

Katherine, can you please share your experiences with representation and discuss your views about having an agent... how integral are they to getting you work, what is your own history with representation and what advice can you give unrepped writers about submitting to talent, producers, studios. Thanks.

Hello Katherine! Recently, "war films" and "military stories" like IN THE VALLEY OF ELAH, STOP LOSS, and THE MESSENGER have tanked at the box office. Critics and industry folks claim audiences don't have interest in war-related stories because we deal with the war in everyday news. How do you explain the success of a television series like ARMY WIVES? Thank you.

WE HAVE SENT NUMEROUS QUERY LETTERS FOR THE LAST YEAR AND HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANY ACKNOWLEDGMENT OR REPLY, EXCEPT FROM DISNEY PICTURES, WHICH WE APPRECIATED. WE HAVE READ ALL THE INSTRUCTIONS ABOUT SUCH LETTERS AND HAVE FOLLOWED THEM TO A T. WOULD YOU BE INTERESTED IN READING OUR QUERY LETTER? WE THINK IT'S PRETTY GOOD. WE CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE IS NO RESPONSE. DO YOU?

SINCERELY,

MILLIE MC CALLUM
MCM ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

My queston is: you were with Army Wives for two years. Why did you leave the show?

I have a project concerning returning veterans that has received interest. That's the good news but now they want to change it around so much that I hardly recognize my original concept. I almost feel left out of it. Do I bend to their will or stick with my story?

Hi Katherine,
I am currently writing spec scripts in hopes of getting a job as a writer's assistant. My problem is that I tend to run out of witty dialogue. How do I stop that from happening? I am 34 years old and have a ton of life experience, but I can't seem to tap it well enough.
Thank you, and good luck in your future projects!

Katherine,
I know many writers use a beat sheet, while others use an outline. What method do you use when starting a new project and can you describe your process?
Sandi

Katherine, best of luck with "Valentine's Day." I am taking my teenage daughter and a few friends to see it on opening night. My question to you is, when writing a feature film, what plot and character development steps do you follow before beginning to write the script? Thanks.

Thanks for investing your knowledge and time with us Katherine. 1) When it is necessary for the audience to know something "written" on a social network how do you represent it on the page? And, 2) given the every changing standards in "Hollyweird", is there any movement to paperless script submissions or at least printed on two sided submissions. (not when it reaches the production level). Thanks in advance. Thanks, Stewart.

Hi Ms. Fugate:

I love your stories about women and courage. My question is, as a woman in what is still very much a man's profession, how did you approach the barriers, and then, how did you get over them?

Thank you.

Mary Burkin

Hi Katherine!

Thank you for this opportunity!

Let me state that I am a very visual person and "get" jokes others don't because of what I see in my head. That said, I was wondering, when you are writing and have a clear vision of how things are happening, how do you resist, or politely include (?), some direction that lightly shows the flow and movement of the scene?

Thank you!

~Amy

Dear Katherine,

It has been said, that if one wants to truly write meaningful stories, one has to draw on their own life and own experiences. Is this true for you and what stories have we seen that are based on your life and relationships?

Thank-you,
Donn