Don Roff

Award-winning author Don Roff has written nearly 20 books, primarily of a scary nature, for children and adults. His bestselling books include Werewolf Tales, Terrifying Tales, Ghost Hauntings: America’s Most Haunted Places published by Scholastic, as well as Zombies: A Record of the Year of Infection published by Chronicle Books/Simon & Schuster UK, and Snowblind from Brambleberry Books (currently in pre-production for an adapted film). His book, Clare at 16, will be available will be available from Parliament House on March 16, 2021; the adapted film will star Madelaine Petsch (Riverdale) as the eponymous Clare. His book, Usher House Rising, a modern series retelling of Edgar Allan Poe’s short tale, The Fall of the House of Usher, will be available September 21, 2021. He has won several awards for his screenwriting, including the 2006 PNWA Zola Award for Screenwriting. Roff served in the 3rd Ranger Battalion in Fort Benning, Georgia. His darkly humorous and suspenseful radio anthology, Darkside Drive, is available as a podcast on iTunes. Visit him on his website, on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook -- and buy Snowblind on Amazon.

Dennis Weaver in Steven Spielberg's Duel

Genre, Tips and Tactics

Monster in the House vs. Dude with a Problem: The Difference Between Unhinged and Duel

How the film ‘Unhinged’ was influenced by Steven Spielberg’s ‘Duel,’ and how these similar films have different Save the Cat! genres.

Don Roff, January 21, 2021 0 5 min read

Tips and Tactics

Write a Story Backward for Climactic Results

Learn how to write a screenplay or novel by starting with your climax and working backwards.

Don Roff, December 10, 2020 0 4 min read

Charlie Brown, Snoopy and Woodstock in A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

Beat Sheets, Rites of Passage

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Beat Sheet

See the 15 story beats of the classic A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.

Don Roff, November 19, 2020 7 min read

Beat Sheets, Monster In The House

Hocus Pocus Beat Sheet

Though Hocus Pocus wasn’t the smash success that Disney had hoped for when released in theatres on July 16, 1993, it became a cult classic when it was later released on VHS and DVD. It’s now watched regularly every October and is the subject of…

Don Roff, October 29, 2020 12 min read

Beat Sheets, Monster In The House

Nightbreed Beat Sheet

See Blake Snyder’s 15 story beats for Clive Barker’s ‘Nightbreed.’ Understand how the film fits the Save the Cat! Monster in the House genre.

Don Roff, October 22, 2020 15 min read

Beat Sheets, Monster In The House

Train to Busan Beat Sheet

See Blake Snyder’s 15 story beats for the 2016 film ‘Train to Busan.’ Understand how the film fits the Save the Cat! Monster in the House genre.

Don Roff, October 15, 2020 14 min read

Beat Sheets, Monster In The House

Halloween (2018) Beat Sheet

See Blake Snyder’s 15 story beats for the 2018 film ‘Halloween,’ starring Jamie Lee Curtis. Understand how the film fits the Save the Cat! Monster in the House genre.