How Oscar Nominated Screenwriter Kim Krizan Writes: Part One

The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience

Academy Award nominated screenwriter, actor, and author, Kim Krizan, joined me this week to discuss how she came to work with director Richard Linklater on the critically acclaimed Before Sunrise film series, her lifelong study of femme fatales, and the pioneering work of author Anaïs Nin.

"I write so the endangered thoughts roaming naked and vulnerable through the misty jungles of my mind aren't slain by the guns of practical living." – Kim Krizan

Kim earned her Masters degree in English and Literature and while she was writing her thesis – titled "Anaïs Nin and The Psychology of Creativity" – she auditioned for a film part on a lark.

As a result, she went on to act in some of acclaimed director Richard Linklater's best known films including Slacker, Dazed and Confused, and even played herself in Waking Life.

After taking interest in her Masters thesis, Linklater and Krizan went on to co-write the lauded film Before Sunrise (1995), featuring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy, and they collaborated on the entire award-winning trilogy.

It's no surprise that her in-depth studies of the life of a visionary author also led to her latest book – Spy in the House of Anaïs Nin – "...a penetrating look at Nin’s incredible life and famous diary...Firmly placing Nin in her historical context as a feminist and visionary."

*A note on the audio quality of this episode, Kim did join me via telephone for this interview.*

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This episode of The Writer Files is brought to you by the team at Author Accelerator. Author Accelerator book coaches give writers feedback, accountability, and support while you write, so you can get that your idea out of your head and onto the page.

In Part One of this file Kim Krizan and I discussed:

• The effects her study of the experimental life of a literary pioneer had on her own path to creativity
• How her travels abroad influenced her screenwriting
• Why boredom is so important for writers
• How your observation of stranger's interactions is often interpreted into the language of storytelling
• And how to outsmart your own inner critic

Show Notes:

• Author Accelerator
• How Oscar Nominated Screenwriter Kim Krizan Writes: Part Two
• Spy in the House of Anaïs Nin by Kim Krizan [Amazon]
• Kim Krizan's author page on Amazon
• The Wild, Impassioned World of Anaïs Nin’s Diaries - Kim Krizan for Literary Hub
• Kim Krizan on IMDB.com
• Kim Krizan on Facebook
• Kim Krizan on Instagram
• Kelton Reid on Twitter
• Please click the PayPal Donate button to support The Writer Files with a secure PayPal donation

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