Premier Screenwriting Program for Kids and Teens 

Helping Young Writers Transform Emotions into Powerful Stories  

Building Confidence, Connection, and Communication Through Screenwriting!

Passionate writers (ages 11 to 17) to transform their ideas into screenplays with The S.C.R.I.P.T. Process—a structured, engaging curriculum designed for schools, after-school programs, and enrichment organizations. 

The S.C.R.I.P.T Process

Our writing and mentorship program empowers young writers to navigate life’s challenges and process their emotions through the transformative power of storytelling. Guided by our S.C.R.I.P.T. framework—Storytelling, Creativity, Reflection, Insight, Processing, and Transformation—young writers develop self-awareness and learn to create impactful, meaningful narratives.

STORYTELLING

Creating stories that reflect personal growth, build empathy, and connect with others through meaningful experiences. 


CREATIVITY

Imaginative storytelling that reflects personal experiences and unique perspectives.

 

REFLECTION

Gaining self-awareness and social awareness by analyzing characters' motivations, exploring diverse perspectives, and identifying personal connections within the story.


INSIGHT

Fostering responsible decision-making by analyzing the consequences of characters' choices and the impact of their actions on themselves and others.

PROCESSING

The program provides safe spaces and strategies for students to process difficult emotions that emerge during storytelling and reflection.

TRANSFORMATION

By expressing and processing emotions through storytelling, young writers achieve greater emotional intelligence, resilience, and a sense of empowerment.

What I do

Hello! I'm Debbie a dedicated screenwriting coach for kids/teens who loves helping young aspiring screenwriters discover how to look within themselves to create stories that inspire, encourage, and leave a lasting impact--setting them on the path of screenwriting success.

Create Awesome Screenplays Writing Program integrates the core competencies of English Language Arts (ELA)—reading, writing, speaking, listening, and critical thinking—into the art of screenwriting, equipping young writers with tools for personal growth and professional success.

I help young writers to tap into their emotions, amplify their voice, and make a difference with their stories--setting them apart as writers who understand how to connect with themselves and their audiences in an emotionally impactful way.

Upon Completing This Journey, Young Writers Will >>> 

Build Writing Confidence

Young writers develop their innate storytelling abilities which spills over into their personal and intellectual development.

Develop Their Writing Voice

Your child will embark on a journey of self-discovery, expression, and creativity as they cultivate their unique voice as a writer.

Acquire Real-World Skills 

Our mentorship is a professional development program that will put your child light years ahead in the highly competitive field of screenwriting.

The Most Common Obstacles Young Writers Face

STRUCTURE

Many young writers struggle with organizing their ideas into a cohesive narrative.

DEPTH

Young writers often struggle with creating emotional or thematic depth in their stories, focusing too much on plot mechanics and missing the chance to develop meaningful stories that truly resonate.

CLARITY

Young writers often struggle to express their ideas clearly. They may have a vision in their head but find it difficult to translate it on the page.

Meet Debbie.

Writing a screenplay is challenging—crafting a meaningful one is even harder. It requires skills beyond basic structure, tapping into emotions and life experiences that don't always come naturally to young writers. It's a common struggle, but there's a proven path forward.

Working with an experienced mentor bridges the gap.

Debbie is a talented writing coach who holds an MFA in Creative Writing and a recipient of the prestigious Disney Fellowship where she wrote for Disney/ABC Family.


Debbie was a Staff Writer for the ABC Family Drama Lincoln Heights and a script reader for the Disney Fellowship Program. Debbie is currently a volunteer writing mentor with the amazing non-profit organization WriteGirl and is in the process of producing a Young Adult fiction novel.

Since 2008, Debbie has taught young writers the power of creating great stories that deliver an emotionally impactful message through fully realized characters and compelling plots. Her students have won screenwriting competitions, produced their screenplays into short films, and most importantly, they have gained the writing confidence to use their voices to get their important stories out into the world.

Unexpected Bonus: A Mom's Discovery

rasha a.

My sons have learned so much from you beyond the screenplay and both of their Literacy teachers at school sent me feedback on their impressive abilities in character analysis and analysis of scenarios and I have no doubt in my mind that this is directly linked to the work and experience you've given them.
Amities

DEBBIE HAS BEEN FEATURED IN



Is Our Program The Right Fit?

screenwriting

This program IS for ... 

  • Kids/teens super passionate about screenwriting.
  • Kids/teens who love an intellectual challenge.
  • Kids/teens who can commit to 1 -2 hours per week on their writing
screenwriting

This program IS NOT for...

  • Kids/teens with zero interest in writing.
  • Kids/teens too busy to devote time to their writing.
  • Kids/teens who would rather watch a movie than write one.

How To Offer Our Program Through Your Organization 

Partner with Us to Prepare and Inspire the Next Generation of Storytellers!

Create Awesome Screenplays offers a dynamic screenwriting program that seamlessly integrates with ELA curriculum standards while helping young writers, ages 11 to 17, discover their creative potential. Our program strengthens core ELA competencies including character development, plot structure, dialogue writing, and narrative techniques. Students master the essential elements of storytelling while meeting key learning objectives in reading comprehension, writing mechanics, and literary analysis.

Through crafting compelling screenplays, students develop crucial academic and life skills including:

  • Advanced writing techniques and sophisticated vocabulary usage
  • Critical analysis of narrative structure and literary devices
  • Research and organizational strategies for world-building
  • Revision and editing skills through peer review workshops
  • Public speaking confidence through script readings
  • Collaborative abilities through group writing projects

We partner with businesses, libraries, schools, enrichment programs, and community organizations to bring this curriculum-aligned program to young people everywhere. By licensing our standards-based curriculum, you'll provide participants with a creative framework that enhances their academic writing skills while fostering emotional intelligence, analytical thinking, and creative expression.

Our program demonstrates measurable improvements in students' writing proficiency, reading comprehension, and creative confidence—all while meeting established ELA benchmarks.

Join us in helping young writers build their creative confidence through an engaging, education-forward approach that makes a lasting impact!


Premier Coaching Programs

CREATE AWESOME SCREENPLAYS Self-Paced Course

Every great film starts with a powerful story, and your child has a story worth telling. In this self-paced course, young writers will go from having a simple idea to crafting an emotionally compelling screenplay for a short film—using our S.C.R.I.P.T. framework.

Through engaging lessons, fun exercises, and real-world storytelling techniques, students will learn how to:
✅ Develop unforgettable characters that feel real and relatable
✅ Write authentic dialogue that makes emotions come alive on screen
✅ Structure a short film script that keeps audiences engaged from start to finish
✅ Turn personal experiences into powerful stories that connect with viewers
✅ Create a screenplay ready for competitions or production

This course is designed to build confidence in young storytellers by helping them explore emotions, sharpen their creative voice, and bring their ideas to life on the page. Whether they dream of making movies or simply love to write, this program will give them the tools to tell meaningful, impactful stories through film.

It’s time to turn their ideas into a screenplay that moves an audience. Let’s get writing!


INNER CIRCLE MEMBERSHIP

Students will gain exclusive access to our self-paced course platform, where they’ll complete engaging video lessons, structured coursework, and insightful film critiques.

Personalized Written Feedback

  • Detailed feedback on all coursework and assignments, ensuring students refine their storytelling skills.

  • Comprehensive critique on the first draft of their short film screenplay, guiding them toward a polished, screenplay for a short film.

Independent Learning with Expert Support
This program is designed for self-driven students who thrive on written feedback. While there are no one-on-one Zoom sessions, every student receives thoughtful, in-depth written guidance to help them develop their voice and storytelling technique.


PRIVATE GROUPS

For those seeking a collaborative experience, there is the option to create a private group.  This is a customizable option that is available for either live Zoom coaching sessions or receiving feedback solely via written correspondence. 


We also offer family plans for siblings who want to learn together how to make their screenwriting dreams a reality!


Contact Debbie at debbiemarie@screenwritingkids.com for more details. 


why i do it

I remember my passion to write at a young age

Since 2008, I have been blessed with the opportunity to share my love of writing with budding screenwriters. I'm not here just to teach the mechanics of writing—but to unlock the true power of their stories. And I don't want kids/teens to think they are limited by their age when it comes to sharing their important stories. 


When I launched my mentorship program in 2022 and my very first student, Thomas (age 11), won Best Screenplay and Best Screenwriter at the Christian Film Festival for his first screenplay, it solidified my mission to help young writers become a part of the screenwriting community.

The Create Awesome Screenplays Advantage

Personalized feedback accelerates growth.

Industry insights prepare teens for real-world challenges.

Emotional storytelling skills transfer to all areas of life.

Screenwriting Kids is an accredited program recognized by several California Charter Schools.


Student WINS

Since the rollout of our mentorship program, our students have gone on to do great things. They continue to place and win screenwriting competitions, produce their screenplays into short films, and create full-length feature screenplays.


Brianna was my first student to produce her screenplay into a short film. She came to me wanting to create a short film for her Film School applications and working with Brianna on her screenplay for this short film launched the Create Awesome Screenplays Mentorship program.

What industry folks say

Image of Frank Gonzalez and his testimonial quote for Debbie Writing Founder of Screenwriting Kids.

Frank Bennett Gonzalez

Former Director-Talent Development Disney ABC Television Group and current DGA Executive in Charge of Diversity Programs and Committees

Debbie is an exceptional person and an outstanding screenwriter. Her passion for children and skill with story and characters make her an INCREDIBLE teacher for the next generation of creative writers.

Mina Lefevre

Former VP Programming and Development ABC Family and current Head of Development and Programming Facebook Watch

Debbie is a talented and gifted writer who has a lot to offer young people seeking television and screenwriting careers. She is a wonderful storyteller with the unique ability to capture her audience with interesting and strong character-driven driven scripts.

FAQ

When can I enroll my child?

Create Awesome Screenplays and our Inner Circle program is open enrollment. There is an application process for the Create Awesome Screenplays Mentorship program. This is not the case for the Inner Circle Program.

My child is enrolled in a participating Charter School and wants to enroll in the mentorship program, do I need to pay the application fee?

Excellent question. The application fee and process is waived for all Charter School students. Please email debmarie@screenwritingkids.com for more details.

Do you offer in-person coaching?

No not at this time. The mentorship program includes 12 Zoom sessions where your child will receive added guidance on their coursework and screenplay.

My child is under the age of 11, can they still enroll?

Kids under age 11 can enroll in the Inner Circle Members if you believe they are self-motivated and will commit to the work, I would recommend kids to be at least 9 years old. But kids must be at least 11 years old to enroll in the mentorship program.

Do you offer group training?

Yes! There are customizable options for private groups. We also offer a family plan for siblings who want to learn together. Contact debmarie@screenwritingkids.com or call 310-295-1214 for more details.

Are your programs available outside of the USA?

Absolutely! Our screenwriting courses are available for English-speaking students outside of the USA. We're thrilled to extend our offerings globally, welcoming aspiring screenwriters from around the world to join our community. Contact Debbie at debmarie@screenwritingkids.com for more details.

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Contact Information

Address: 1968 S. Coast Hwy #2659
Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Email:  debmarie@screenwritingkids.com

Phone: 213-812-1272

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