David Cornue to Lead Story Development Workshops at SXSW 2027

David Cornue Returns to SXSW 2027

Best-selling author and seasoned writer-producer David Cornue is set to return to the renowned SXSW festival in 2027, where he gained notable attention for the premiere of his pilot presentation, "Unspeakable." Scheduled from March 15 to 21, 2027, Cornue's involvement includes leading two unique workshops aimed at empowering writers in both the Lifestyle and Film & TV tracks.

The first of the two workshops, titled "Stop Writing! Master Story Before You Write a Word," will draw on themes explored in Cornue's recently published book, "Stop Writing!" This work, released by Every Story Press in 2026, emphasizes the importance of story development and effective planning before the act of writing begins. The second session, organized with the help of Milena Govich, co-founder of Every Story, is titled "Story First, Words Last: A Development Workshop for Writers."

Cornue has spent over a decade refining this process, which encourages writers to conceptualize their stories fully before transcribing them into text. Participants will learn to develop their project's world, characters, and storyline outline, all while delaying the actual writing phase. In a method that promotes insight over length, writers are urged to succinctly describe their narratives in just seven sentences rather than sprawling seventy-page drafts.

This innovative methodology stemmed from Cornue's extensive experience in professional development environments. His resume includes creating, writing, and executive producing the acclaimed ABC and 20th Television series "TRIAGE," alongside notable director Jon M. Chu. He has also worked on the ESPN+ series "COACH" with football legend Bill Belichick, and is in the midst of developing a new series with NBC while adapting Stephen King's novel "Insomnia" in collaboration with Rideback.

Not just a writer, Cornue's background in classical music composition has significantly influenced his storytelling approach. He posits that, much like composing a symphony, a well-crafted story requires meticulous outlining and mapping before it can be fully realized: "You don't sit down one day and write a symphony from start to finish. You map it out first. A story is no different. After a decade of coaching professional writers, I see one issue more than any other: writing too soon."

Both of Cornue's workshops promise to blend hands-on activities with essential insights. The Lifestyle workshop will guide participants into their optimal creative mindset, whereas the Film & TV workshop will assist writers in transitioning their concepts from initial ideas to fully fleshed-out narratives.

In addition to his workshops, Cornue's background and expertise span a diverse range of successful projects that speak to his capability as a mentor and coach. He is not only the author of "Stop Writing! Master Story Development Before You Write a Word" but also a co-founder of Every Story, established with Milena Govich in 2024, which provides writers with a powerful suite of story development resources. Every Story Press, the imprint behind Cornue's book, aims to equip aspiring writers with the necessary tools to master story development prior to putting pen to paper.

As SXSW 2027 approaches, both seasoned writers and budding storytellers are eagerly anticipating Cornue's workshops, as they represent a unique opportunity to learn from a master in the field. With his proven methods and insights, attendees can look forward to elevating their storytelling skills to new heights.

For more information, visit stopwriting.com.

About David Cornue and Every Story

David Cornue is a multifaceted writing coach, author, screenwriter, and composer whose diverse portfolio includes titles such as "TRIAGE," "COACH," and the award-nominated "Unspeakable." Every Story, co-founded by Cornue and Milena Govich, provides invaluable resources for writers aiming to enhance their storytelling techniques. Keep an eye on this dynamic duo as they continue to reshape the landscape of story development.