Thanks for everything, Dr. Linda Venis!
Today Dr. Linda Venis is officially retiring from her position as Director of the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program, a role she has handled with great vision, passion, and grace for 30 years. I’ve had the great pleasure to know Linda since 2001. That was the year I responded to an ad in the WGA journal ‘Written By’ and found myself in Linda’s Westwood office to explore the possibility of teaching through the Writers’ Program. Prompted by persistent feedback from people with whom I had interfaced at panels, conferences, and other occasional public appearances — Scott, you really should think about teaching, too — I had a wide-ranging conversation with Linda at our first meeting, and we both agreed I should give it a try.
Little did I know that meeting with Linda would change my life.
While continuing to write and work as an executive producer at Trailblazer Studios, I took up teaching through the Writers’ Program as a part-time gig. I taught multiple online classes there from 2002–2010 before I launched Screenwriting Master Class. Through all that time, Linda was a consistent inspiration. Her commitment to writers of all stripes — screenwriters, TV writers, novelists, playwrights, poets, nonfiction — and her support and appreciation for writing instructors was consistent and strong. Indeed one could say that Linda’s efforts at the helm of the program has touched the lives of tens of thousands of writers, many of whom have gone on to achieve success in their respective fields.
On Monday, Linda posted her farewell column at the Writers’ Program website. Here is an excerpt:
My Final Bow
My lifelong love affair with UCLA enters a new phase on June 29, 2016 when I transition from employee to retiree. From the moment I stepped foot onto the campus as an undergraduate, I discovered an Aladdin’s cave of glittering knowledge: pearls (and diamonds and emeralds!) of wisdom that taught me how to think and give expression to what I felt. I had experienced the transformative power of education, and I never looked back.
I was a fulltime lecturer in the UCLA Department of English in 1985 when the position of Head of the Writers’ Program opened up. In my letter of application I wrote, “I am genuinely eager to make the transition from a teacher who administrates to an administrator who also teaches.”
Reflecting on these words thirty years later, it’s clear to me that I knew a few things back then: that I loved teaching, writers, literature, high art and popular culture, and running things.
However, I could not have imagined how these interests and whatever skills I possessed would grow and find expression here. Second only to my family, nothing has given my life more shape and meaning than working at UCLA Extension in the Arts and the Writers’ Program.
Dr. Linda Venis
Congratulations, Linda, for a brilliant career. And speaking personally, my sincerest thanks for the support you have given me over the years as I explored my passion for screenwriting and teaching. I, along with thousands of people who have intersected with you over the years, look forward to seeing what opportunities lay ahead for you.
Any of you who may have taken courses in the Writers’ Program and would like to share your thoughts and best wishes to Linda, please head to comments. I will pass along the link to her.
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