By Myia Hamed
UNIVERSITY CITY, SHARJAH — The Department of English and the Department of Media Communication at the American University of Sharjah hosted an author talk featuring TV writer and novelist Matt Witten, who shared firsthand insights into the realities of writing for television.
The event, held in partnership with the Sharjah International Book Fair, took place Nov. 10 in HSB 1018 and featured the talk “The Life of a TV Writer: Stories from Pitch to Page to Screen,” which explored Witten’s career writing for major network shows including “Supernatural,” “Pretty Little Liars,” “House” and “Law & Order.”
Witten explained that his break into the industry came through theater. “A head writer saw one of my stage plays and hired me for a freelance episode,” he said. He added that the same play later led to work on “Law & Order,” where he eventually joined the writing staff.
He emphasized that aspiring writers today need persistence and continuous output. “Write a spec pilot, then another one and then another one until you write something good enough to share,” Witten said. He noted that reputable writing competitions, networking and production roles can also help writers begin establishing themselves.
Witten also reflected on early pitching challenges, describing his first experience as a lesson in industry expectations. “I stopped after two minutes and waited for questions,” he said. “I didn’t realize you were supposed to pitch for fifteen to twenty.”
He said collaboration is central to television writing, where aligning with a showrunner’s creative direction is essential. “Your job is to find where your instincts meet theirs,” Witten said.
He added that rejection is an inevitable part of the process. “I get depressed, decide I’m the worst writer who ever lived and then the next day start writing again,” he said.
Witten’s talk drew students, aspiring writers and storytelling enthusiasts, offering a practical look at the discipline, adaptability and teamwork that shape a writing career in Hollywood.
