Over the course of the summer, I discovered two new shows that I’ve happily added to my list of obsessions. Fringe and Game of Thrones.

XTRA | Screenwriting & The Game of Thrones Theme

Let’s start with Fringe. I honestly can’t believe it took me three seasons before I finally gave the show a shot. It’s not like I avoided it. I simply never had (or took) the opportunity to sit through an episode. The tales alternate dimensions and freaky science evaded me regardless of J.J Abrams’ involvement and the shows mystery driven story arc. Much like Lost, one of my favorite shows of all time, each episode contained an incredible story while continually developing a larger mythology.

XTRA | A Tribute To J.J Abrams

Fringe should have taken a hold of me the second the pilot premiered years ago. Except it didn’t and quite frankly neither did Lost. I didn’t discover Lost until the end of the fourth season! Some might argue that catching up on a television show is a great way to avoid cliffhangers for long periods of time. Especially between seasons. This is true to a certain extent as pushing play on the next episode is better than waiting for an entire week but did I miss out on the “Lost” experience?

The answer is yes and became apparent to me when I arrived at work the day after a mind-blowing episode in season 5. People were talking about it and I knew what they were talking about. I experienced those last two seasons with the rest of the world. While it sucks to have to wait a week for a new episode, the whole point is to experience the anticipation and wonder.

The same can be said about Game of Thrones. I didn’t start watching until the first season was over. I caught up On Demand. If I didn’t listen to the advice of some co-workers, I would have never discovered the show.

Finding television shows that capture your imagination like that can be difficult. You never know which shows will take hold. I know I didn’t think Fringe would.

YOUR SHOWS.  YOUR TEAM

Each day another show takes the field and you hope it delivers. My team lost a couple great players over the last few years. Some shows, like Lost, retired but others got demoted like the increasingly disappointing True Blood.

This Fall, I’m ready to sign some new shows and add them to my team which features heavy hitters like Dexter, Fringe and The Walking Dead. There are a lot of spots open but many will not make the cut.

I’m excited to discover new shows from the beginning this year. My PVR is in for a work out as I add new dramas to my lineup.

With another year of amazing television upon us, here are my top 3 prospects looking to make the big leagues this season:

Terra Nova

Person of Interest

Alcatraz

I’m currently reading the first DEXTER novel by Jeff Lindsay: Darkly Dreaming Dexter

It’s a fantastic book.

I’ve already got the second installment on standby and I can’t wait to read more about one of my favorite characters.

Obviously, I’m also a gigantic fan of the Showtime series based on the beloved serial killer.

For more than 4 years now, I’ve been completely engrossed in the groundbreaking show.  It’s unbelievable how good it is if you have yet to see it.  I know I don’t have to explain how amazing it is to those that have.

It literally gets better and better with each successful season.  I’m still shocked at how season 4 ended.

It was one of the most entertaining hours of television I’ve ever seen!

Now, season 5 has raised the bar even higher while delving deeper into the mind of a fascinating character.

This blog is normally slanted more towards the film industry and the movies that inspire me but there is no shortage of inspiring tales on the tube.  The last 5-7 years have been especially gratifying with shows like Lost, Prison Break, True Blood, Mad Men, The Walking Dead and more  grabbing a stranglehold of my imagination.

Dexter is number 1 on that list.

For me it’s all about the writing. The writing on that show is incredible.  Each new episode is so unique, original and clever.  It’s just damn good writing and I have a high level of respect for that team and what they accomplish each week.

They are constantly challenging  themselves to write Dexter into corners and lead him into inescapable situations.  Just when you think they can’t think of a plausible way to get out of it they hit you over the head with a solution you never even thought of.  That group of writers must love going to work everyday.

I’m thankful Dexter exists.

Last week, I was riding the subway on my way to work reading my Dexter novel.  I had a moment of inspiration just like I would if I were watching the latest jaw dropping episode.

Except this time it wasn’t the ideas and the execution (pun intended) that inspired me.

It was the language, the subtleties and the detail.

The world of Dexter is so well developed that it’s hard not to marvel at the genius of it.

It got me thinking more about word selection and precise and interesting descriptions.  I started thinking about the newest short screenplay I’ve been rewriting the last few weeks.

In that moment, as I sat on that train, my book lowered and I made a decision.

This week, I’ve challenged myself to improve the language of my screenplay.  So I’ve decided to print it out and write from scratch keeping only the absolute best of the previous draft.  The story is out there but now it’s my responsibility to make sure that it’s well told and as entertaining as possible.

I live for moments of inspiration.

Whether it’s a novel, a television series or a film, I’m always on the look out for hidden moments that kick start my need to write.

And I love to write.