Uncover the Hidden Secrets Behind Mark B. Perry’s Writing Mastery – Are You Ready to Write Now?
Ever wonder what it’s like to juggle the wild worlds of Emmy-winning TV writing and the solitary craft of fiction? Mark B. Perry’s journey might just surprise you — blending Hollywood glitz with the quiet grit of noirish historical fiction. Imagine writing stories inspired by old photos in third grade, then decades later, surrounded by vintage VHS tapes and a typewriter that once hunted-and-pecked your earliest ideas. It’s a cocktail of discipline and delightful chaos, artfully balanced by someone who hates rewriting but loves the magic of having written. If you think writing fiction is just putting pen to paper, think again — it’s a dance of deadlines, distraction, and heartfelt obsession. Curious about how a seasoned screenwriter dives deep into the realm of storytelling with such zest and quirky rituals? Dive in with me. LEARN MORE.
Today’s Write Now interview features Mark B. Perry, Emmy, Golden Globe, and GLAAD Award-winning author of And Introducing Dexter Gaines.
Who are you?
Mark B. Perry, writer, Los Angeles.
What do you write?
After many satisfying years writing television, I’m turning to fiction which has been my first love since third grade. I had an amazing teacher who would bring photos into class and inspire us to write stories about them. Sometimes I’m still inspired when I happen upon a compelling image. I’m drawn to historical fiction with a noirish mystery edge.
Writers much choose our words and themes wisely. I would avoid only the most offensive, unless essential to the storytelling.
I jokingly repeat the oft-quoted line “I hate to write, but I love having written” with the addition “and I abhor being rewritten by others.” Truth is, I love screenwriting but I’m in love with writing fiction.
Where do you write?
I work mostly in my home office where I’m surrounded by books and a row of antique VHS cassettes of some of the TV I wrote and produced back in the day. Framed photos of the four people who inspire me the most are on my desk: my husband Mark, my former wife Cayce, my literary idol Truman Capote, and my favorite actor of all time, the “glamorous and unpredictable Miss Tallulah Bankhead” (okay, I’m obsessed). To the right of my computer is the old Royal typewriter I used to hunt-and-peck my stories on when I was a kid. My first spec script that got me an agent was written on a Brother electric before I embraced “word processing” as soon as I could afford one. Today, I write in Word for Mac and Final Draft. I also keep a deck of cards and some Koosh balls nearby for fidgeting with while thinking.
When do you write?
I’m wholly undisciplined as a writer, and kid myself into believing “sometimes not writing is writing.” I’m an overthinker, often my own worst enemy. TV has a built-in mandated discipline and I’d sometimes have no more than two days to write a first draft, so I like working under a deadline. With fiction, I tend…
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