6 Questions with Akela Cooper

Join the Q&A with the M3gan writer this Saturday!

Lookit this lil creep!

For years, doing the Writers Panel podcast, other guests would ask if I’d had Akela Cooper on yet. “Do you know Akela?” “Akela would be great on this.” They were right.

It’s surprising that it took Akela and me so long to meet, as her nerd-cred is unimpeachable, we run in the same circles, and, most of all, on Twitter (when she was on Twitter) and in real life, Akela is a stalwart supporter of writers.

Here is the first time Akela did the podcast, back in 2018, when she was still mostly working in television, having done great work on such shows as The 100, The Flash, Luke Cage, American Horror Story, and more. Most recently, Akela worked on Star Trek: Brave New Worlds.

A few years ago, though, Akela got heavy into the horror feature world, and I invited her to come back after watching Malignant, which she wrote and James Wan directed. It’s a completely bonkers, fun monster movie.

And of course, Akela is being rightfully feted for both the commercial and critical success of M3gan, which is out now and absolutely killing it.

You don’t want to miss this opportunity to chat with Akela this Saturday, Jan 14, at 11:30am PT. The link for the Q&A is below for you paid subscribers. Everyone else…

1. What you working on right now?

My own personal stuff, as well as other features I've sold but can't talk about yet.

2. What challenges are you facing specific to your current writing project?

Bottlenecking. No matter how you try to space things out, inevitably the notes all come back at the same damn time.

3. What advice about the business of TV/film writing can you give to someone starting out now?

Pace yourself and be patient. The business is a lot harder now than when I started, and it was hard to break in then. And don't compare your progress to others; this is a marathon and everyone's going at their own pace and dealing with their own shit no one else knows about. Be kind to yourself and know you'll get where you want to be eventually.

4. What advice about the craft of writing can you give to someone starting out?

Finishing the draft is the first hurdle you have and you can't sell something that isn't finished. Find a method that works for you and get it done.

5. What do you respond to most in a piece of writing?

Originality is key, in the concept (or take on IP) and the voice. I love reading specific voices, writing that I'd never in a million years be able to create. It's so much fun finding writing that inspires your own.

6. What are you watching/reading/listening to lately that’s getting you excited or inspired

I watch a lot of horror (obviously) and I've been enjoying the documentaries on Shudder like 101 Scariest Movie Moments and Queer for Fear. I also love Abbott Elementary on ABC, Ghosts on CBS, The Boys on Amazon, Mythic Quest on Apple, Big Mouth and Stranger Things on Netflix. I'm all over the place with my TV viewing habits.

The Q&A is at 11:30am PT/2pm ET on Saturday 1/14.