Today we’d like to introduce you to CJ Knapp.

Hi CJ, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, how can you bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I have always loved reading and trying to create my own stories. I remember making up stories for my sister as bedtime stories. Some were based on books I was reading, but she loved them anyway. Even as a child, I knew I wanted to write. I used to take the spelling words in school and try to write sentences that would work together to tell a story.

When I started looking around to see what I wanted to write, I looked at various mediums, such as copywriting, article writing, and even novels. Then, in the early 2000s, I attended the Santa Fe Screenwriting Conference and was hooked. I loved the visual aspect of the medium. Screenwriting is a way to tell the story in a way that the reader can “see” it. In Santa Fe, I was fortunate to meet Willian Kelly, who wrote WITNESS and several other movies. He had his Oscar with him and passed it around. I remember putting my hands on it and wishing it would pay it forward to me someday. I am still working on it.

After the conference, I started writing a screenplay by reading available scripts. There weren’t a lot of classes for screenwriters independent of film school, but I stayed with it. I eventually found a couple of online schools, including ScreenwritingU which has provided wonderful community as well as invaluable information. I have never looked back. As a result, I have been multi-optioned, had some paid writing assignments, done well in contests, and won a Table Read for one of my scripts.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been smooth?
No, it has not been an easy road. I usually tell anyone who will listen that overnight success in this industry is twenty years in the making. Life, in general, can be a challenge and often has slightly derailed me – things like needing a day job to pay bills and to be a caregiver for my family. However,  from every derailment, there is an opportunity to help build my stories for the screen.

Other challenges range from finding, making, and cultivating connections in the industry. Looking for ways to get noticed. Certainly, COVID created a lot of issues for the entertainment industry, but it also created a new niche for writers. It opened the market; like many industries, the entertainment world realizes you don’t have to live in LA to write great movies or TV shows.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As a screenwriter, I specialize in thrillers. I especially like writing action thrillers. Recently I have done some supernatural and psychological thrillers. I have several features that have been optioned, of which I’m working with the producer. He is currently working to raise funds and attach talent. Where I can, I’m available to assist. I’m also working on a couple of other scripts and actively marketing a TV series that has done well in contests.

Before we go, can you share it with us?
As a screenwriter, I am excited about the future of the entertainment industry. The entertainment industry is poised for many changes, from continual demand for streaming content to a more interactive experience. Combining the gaming world with the film medium.