Meet Brian Fitzpatrick | Screenwriter & Novelist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brian Fitzpatrick and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brian, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Nurturing, fostering, and striving for a writing career for the past dozen or so years, I’ve managed to penetrate the worlds of novel writing, screenwriting, public speaking, and soon game design.

Through it all, the most important factor to my success is not skill, talent, or luck. Grit and Perseverance are the factors that have made all the difference. I’ve always maintained a mindset of never giving up. I’ve erased that concept from my mind.

If you want to succeed in any difficult endeavor, you must adopt the belief that there is no stopping; no giving up. Ever.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My writer origin story begins way back at 7 years old. I accidentally watched the horror classic, Night of the Living Dead, alone… in the dark. I was terrified but riveted. I couldn’t look away. Needless to say, this gave me a week of nightmare-fueled sleep. Out of desperation, my mother suggested I write a scary story of my own- perhaps believing that would help me conquer the sleepless nights. I took her advice and put pen to paper- and fell in love with storytelling. I’ve been telling tales of wonder of terror ever since.

I was fortunate to grow up on Spielberg, Lucas, Cronenberg, Carpenter, King, Rice, and Barker. Science fiction and horror permeate my DNA.

Fast forward to today. I’ve strategically split my writing career into 3 parts: screenwriting, novel writing, and public speaking. And I often can make the paths crossover and contribute to each other. I’ve managed to obtain fairly regular screenwriting work assignments. My publishers continue to ask for more novels. And a few times a year I deliver a masterclass on author branding, marketing, and networking. All this came from countless hours writing and honing my craft, getting involved in the community, and taking strategic risks.

I’m most proud of my bestselling science fiction novel series, MECHCRAFT. I’ve built a robust IP with this entity: 3 novels, a screenplay, a short story, a band wrote and released a song about the story, and soon a publisher will be releasing a Mechcraft tabletop role-playing game. I’m thrilled where this franchise is going. The ultimate goal is a film trilogy.

The challenges have been numerous and sometimes overwhelming, but in the end, my philosophy of never giving up has always gotten me through the difficult times.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that no one succeeds at this in a vacuum. It takes help. It requires a team of trusted colleagues and friends to propel you forward.

I want the world to know that I am here to tell entertaining stories with the hope of keeping conversation going long after the movie or book is done.

My brand is dark science fiction that delves into the flaws of man, the moral and ethical toils of technology, and heroes who bleed and obsess over coffee.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If I’m taking you around the city for the day, buckle up!
We’re going to Book Soup, the indie bookstore in West Hollywood that draws in an eclectic crowd as well as celebrities.
Then we’re hitting up Crafted in San Pedro, a collective of artists and crafters right near the ocean.
Then heading to Redondo Beach pier for some fresh steamed crab legs.
We’d also visit St. Rocke in Hermosa Beach for dinner and a great concert.
Might even hit up the Hollywood Bowl for a stunning show at a classic venue.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The entertainment industry, like most creative careers, depends on 3 things: hard work, luck, and the actions of others. I’ve done, and continue to do, the hard work. I’ve had my fair share of luck in this pursuit.

And without the actions of others, I would be nowhere in this business. I am eternally grateful to the following people: Luke R and Jonathan S for their friendship and mentoring; my publisher, Black Rose Writing, for taking a chance on an unknown writer; my other publisher, Storytellers Forge, for their invitation into their DnD world; and my illustrious editor, Sheila Shedd, for always helping my words to soar without diminishing my voice.

Website: https://www.brianfitzpatrickwriter.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorbrianfitzpatrick/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfitzauthor/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorBrianFitzpatrick

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@brianfitzpatrickwriter

Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brianfitzpatrickwrites