Marti King Young Spins Storytelling Gold at TSA's "Summer School" Seminar!

On a Sunday afternoon in West Nashville, the NECAT Network studios were buzzing with creative energy as thirty screenwriters from Tennessee, Georgia, and Texas gathered for “Screenwriting Alchemy: Forging Ideas Into Gold,” a seminar led by writer-producer Marti King Young (Will Trent, The Conjuring 3, Sweet Magnolias).

Marti took participants deep into the mechanics—and magic—of screenwriting, covering everything from character arcs and story structure to the practical realities of writing with production in mind. She emphasized the importance of visual storytelling, strong thematic focus, and how to pitch and sell a feature or TV script in today’s ever-evolving market.

One standout moment: a detailed behind-the-scenes look at how a network television series is made, with ABC’s Will Trent serving as the real-world case study. Attendees got a rare, insider’s view of how writers’ rooms operate, how storylines evolve, and how a script makes the leap from page to screen.

The extended Q&A session that followed was equally rich, diving into everything from loglines and outlining strategies to practical industry advice—no gatekeeping here, just real talk from someone who’s walked the walk.

Huge thanks to our amazing member volunteers—Margaret, Ramona, Daniel, Mark, Shannon, and Carrington—who made the event run like clockwork. We’re also grateful to our generous co-sponsors at NECAT and the Nashville Public Library.

And of course, a big round of applause to Marti for bringing her passion, experience, and no-nonsense guidance to Nashville. It was a day of inspiration, practical tools, and a reminder that with the right craft and community, screenwriting gold is within reach.