Contents

About the Author

Acknowledgments

Foreword

Introduction

1 Prepare the Perfect Pitch

Interview: Shonda Rhimes—Scandal

2 Explore a New Arena

Interview: Steven S. DeKnight^*—Spartacus

3 Service Your Franchise

Interview: Michael Rauch—Royal Pains

4 Deliver the Verdict

Interview: Michelle and Robert King—The Good Wife

5 Make Us Care

Interview: Vince Gilligan—Breaking Bad

6 Value Family Dynamics

Interview: Shonda Rhimes—Scandal

7 Fuel Your Story Engine

Interview: Pam Veasey^*—CSI: New York

8 Identify Characters’ Weaknesses

Interview: David Shore—House, M.D.

9 Determine the POV

Interview: Alex Gansa—Homeland

10 Get to the Heart of Your Story

Interview: Jason Katims—Parenthood

11 Know Who and What They’re Up Against

Interview: Tim Kring—Touch

12 Mine the Mystery

Interview: Damon Lindelof—Lost

13 Blueprint Your Structure

Interview: Glen Mazzara—The Walking Dead

14 Unify Storylines (via Theme)

Interview: Chip Johannessen—Dexter

15 Pique Our Interest with a Potent Teaser

Interview: Dawn Prestwich and Nicole Yorkin^*—The Riches

16 Hit the Sweet Spot

Interview: Hart Hanson—Bones

17 Pay Off the Setups

Interview: Veena Sud—The Killing

18 Establish the Mythology

Interview: Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis—Once Upon a Time

19 Push Them Off a Cliff

Interview: Michael Kelley—Revenge

20 Designate an Expertise

Interview: Janet Tamaro—Rizzoli & Isles

21 Make Us Laugh

Interview: Christopher Lloyd—Modern Family

Interview: Carter Bays and Craig Thomas—How I Met Your Mother

Interview: Don Roos and Dan Bucatinsky^*—Web Therapy

Index

* Interview on companion website: http://www.focalpress.com/cw/landau.