Linda Woolverton
Screenwriter, Playwright & Novelist
“I jumped out of my neat, safe little place with no parachute and figured I’d learn how to fly on the way down.”
Videos
By Roadtrip NationLinda Woolverton
Milestones
My road in life took a while to figure out.
I got my undergraduate degree in theater arts from California State University, Long Beach, and followed it with a master’s degree in theater for children from California State University, Fullerton.
After graduating, I formed a children’s theater company, which performed plays in local malls, churches, and schools.
I moved to Los Angeles because I wanted to get into the television industry so that I could reach more children.
I got a job as a secretary at CBS—I was overqualified for the job, but it got my foot in the door of the industry.
Eventually, I realized that I wanted to be on the artistic side of things, so I left my job and wrote a young adult novel.
In order to make a living while working on my writing, I worked as a substitute teacher until I was offered a job to write a Saturday morning cartoon.
After a few years, I decided I wanted to write for Disney, so I personally dropped my novel off at Disney’s offices hoping that someone would read it—two days later, I got a call for an interview.
Since then, I’ve written the screenplays for various feature films, including “Beauty and the Beast,” “Alice in Wonderland,” and “Maleficent.”
Education
High School
Graduate
Theater for Children
California State University, Fullerton
Theater for Children
California State University, Fullerton
Career
Screenwriter, Playwright & Novelist
I write screenplays for animated features, feature films, and Broadway musicals.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Writing
Film
Communicating / Sharing Stories
Day to Day
I'll get hired by a company like Disney to come up with a story and screenplay. That's my task. Then my creative process starts and, for me, that begins with walking. I go on walks and start working on ideas. Then I come home and begin writing. I'll take breaks here and there for meetings and things, but I spend the majority of my days writing until I have a piece to present.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for everyone
Don't worry about what anyone else is doing. Put blinders on yourself and focus on your own path. Just set your own goals and start moving forward.
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Peers:
"You're not ready to be a 'real' writer."
Challenges I Overcame
Family Stress
Interviewed By
CSUF Roadtrip
California State University, Fullerton students and alumni
