About Barbara

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Book Editing / Coaching & Script Consulting

I've been a writer, author, book coach, editor, journalist, story analyst and Hollywood script consultant for over 4 decades.

I learned about screenwriting by typing scripts (on a typewriter!) for Hollywood writers in the 1970s. In 1979, I launched Hollywood’s first computerized script typing service Ace Computer Script. This ground breaking venture was inspired by my first writer-director boss Mike Gray after he wrote the Oscar nominated script  “The China Syndrome” on a Wang word processor like one he saw at his attorney's office.

In the 1980s, I began helping screenwriters and producers choose and buy their own personal computers and word processing software so they could make their own script changes (“most of screenwriting is rewriting…”). 

In the mid-80s, I began working in script development at Disney Studios as Creative Assistant to writer-producer Dan Petrie Jr. (“Beverly Hills Cop.” “Turner and Hooch”).  Laid-off during the 1988 Writers Guild strike, I read scripts and wrote script coverage for indie producers.  

Over the next 30+ years, I read thousands of scripts, short stories, memoirs and film-adaptable novels for top Hollywood producers, networks, studios and literary agencies.  I also served as a development/ creative executive for Warren Beatty, working with him on “Love Affair,” “Dick Tracy,” “Bulworth,” "Rules Don't Apply" and other projects.

I've read scripts for Hollywood writing contests and fellowships, including Universal-NBC’s Emerging Writers Fellowships (2013 + 2014).

I also served as a long distance teaching assistant for Will Akers’ Screenwriting 101 classes at Vanderbilt University, Nashville Film Institute and Belmont University (2010-2014). Akers wrote one of my favorite books on screenwriting:  “Your Screenplay Sucks” – available at Amazon.

As a freelance script consultant, I have advised indie producers, directors and writers about their scripts-in-progress or in production.  My long list of Hollywood script consulting and story analysis clients includes Starz Network, Mandalay Films, HBO, Miramax, Dreamworks, UTA, CAA and Harpo Productions (Oprah Winfrey’s company) in addition to hundreds of freelance writers, independent producers, directors and agents.

I was also a full-time union Story Analyst for Miramar Films (owned at the time by Walt Disney Productions) in the mid-2000s.

In 2005, I co-founded the first Toastmasters chapter for Writers, Toastmasters4Writers.  I recommend Toastmasters for all writers (and others) seeking to improve their speaking and pitching skills.

As a script consultant:  I now provide “first look” feedback and pitch coaching to screenwriters, directors and producers.  Call me for info: 818-415-3479

As a screenwriting & creativity teacher/coach:  My chapter “Key Things to Know About Your Script Before You Write“ was published in Tarcher/Penguin’s book “NOW WRITE! SCREENWRITING:  Exercises from Today’s Top Screenwriters and Teachers” (available on Amazon).  

This chapter was inspired by my workshops at the Scriptwriting Expo (LA) and other writers conferences.  At  the 2016 Authors of the Flathead Writers Conference (Kalispell, MT), I also taught a workshop on “The Art and Challenges of Adapting Books & True Stories to Film or TV.”  I've also been a panelist at other writing expos and a guest speaker at AFI Screenwriting workshops.

I've written and taught about Creativity from the inside out in “The Akashic Muse: Collaborating With Your Soul & the Akashic Records for Writing & Other Creative Endeavors” (available at Amazon). Check out my Amazon Author’s Page.

As an author:  I specialize in personal and spiritual development books and articles.  My work with screenplays and character development greatly helped me understand the inner workings of “true-stories-in-progress,” which I believes we all are as human beings.

I have also contributed  chapters to personal or spiritual development anthologies, including “Spirit is Talking to Me,” “101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life (Vol. I), “Inspiration to Realization (Vol. 1),” “2012: Creating Your Own Shift,” “Happiness is Waiting for You,” “Your Soaring Phoenix”and "365 Ways to Connect With Your Soul."  (These anthologies are available on Amazon).

My co-authored book-in-progress “THE EXHILARATION EFFECT: Building the Courage to Take Your Leap of Faith” ranked among the Top 25 Semi-Finalists in the Next Top Spiritual Author 2010 publishing competition.

In addition, I created the ecourse Energize Your Life with the 4 Elements  for DailyOM.com based on my Life Energy Tune-Up coaching programs.

As a book coach and freelance editor:  I edit novels and non-fiction books for other writers, including Linda Collucci Madalone’s wonderful novels “The 440 Train” and  “Tesrod Farmhouse” (available at Amazon) .  I also edited my husband Glenn Schiffman’s Amazon #1 Bestselliing and Eric Hofffer 2014 Award Finalist novel “The Way I Was Taught.”

I'm available for private book coaching (by phone or webcam) as well as book editing and publication services (ebooks and print editions)

As a journalist:  I've written dozens of articles about creativity, book publishing and screenwriting for publications and websites including Emmy Magazine, Publisher’s Weekly, Writer’s Digest, Hollywood Scriptwriter and other writer oriented publications. I also contribute articles to personal development blogs including YourTango.com.

As a hypnotherapist and life/career coach:  I help writers reduce “high anxiety” over public speaking and pitching their work (and themselves).  This helps them gain confidence in presenting their work so it can get read, sold and promoted. 

I've been a Breakthrough Coach for creatives and people in life &/or career transitions.  In the 1990s, I also the co-founded  Toastmasters 4Writers, the first Toastmasters Int’l chapter designed to help creative writers get comfortable speaking about themselves and pitching their work.