Troy James - ScreenWriter | Storyteller | Author

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Master of the plot twist is best suited when describing Troy’s work. Troy's plots usually center around untapped scenarios or a new invention but goal #1 is to be unpredictable. So much for the “save the cat” formula.

"I never want someone to figure out the ending just 10 minutes into the movie," he says. "I want to challenge the audience and earn their $10 ticket."

Growing up in small town Texas, Troy’s father used to point out the intricacies of telling the story. The story was key. Did a particular scene stand out? Who was the best actor, (not necessarily the star of the film?) 

As a 14-year old boy in Davis, Oklahoma, Troy’s father learned movie details from repeated showings. Troy showed a gift of telling interesting stories and his Dad encouraged him to write them down.

Instead when his own sports career did not materialize, Troy spent two decades as a world traveler as a sports agent for some of the top Olympic athletes in sport. Years of foreign cultures, languages and situations have made their way into his work. He claims it was those long flights and boredom that attributed to his lifelong dream of writing. As a gifted songwriter, he shrugs that he has always been telling stories in four-minute songs, now he does so in 90+ pages.

A few years ago on a film set, Troy was a guest of a crew member and joked with his friend about the film being yet, another remake. Were all Hollywood films to be remakes, reboots, or lame sequels? An upset producer’s assistant heard the banter and asked if Troy had a better idea for a film. Troy shrugged and gave an elevator pitch. The assistant begrudgingly admitted it was a pretty clever plot. Troy went home and wrote his first novel. "The Money Island" was a definite hit with readers. The surprise ending had already built an audience demanding a sequel.

With his progress on the rise, the top agencies began calling in early-2020 despite Troy only having 2-3 scripts to his credit. Then, COVID hit and halted his momentum. Refusing to be idle, Troy barricaded himself in his office and cranked out 13 more scripts. Industry talk resulted in Troy getting "script doctoring" work for other writers and directors. Troy admitted it was great pay and experience but added, "I want to see my own films on the screen."

Months later, The Money Island was under consideration by an Oscar-winning actor. It would be his long-awaited directorial debut but Troy lost out when that A-list actor decided to move on a personal project. Two close misses but it’s just a matter of time before Troy becomes the "it" boy screenplays for major projects.

Perhaps it is in his blood. Troy and writer John Grisham share distant great grandparents. In addition to songwriting, Troy is a history buff and amateur genealogist who lives in Texas.