Well, perhaps in all honesty, I should entitle this post: Why this writer loves Downton Abbey.

Still, I see it’s become something of a trend recently. The Writer this month features the British period miniseries Downton Abbey on its cover, entitled “True to the Period” and the excellent Nathan Bransford blog had a recent post What writers can learn from Downton Abbey.

Is it true? Can I justify my frightening obsession with British, multi-part period dramas not as a mere time-waster, but as avaluable learning experience? No way am I letting this opportunity pass me by. Me? Lazy in front of the TV? Heavens no! It’s research.

The Writer interviews the show’s creator and sole writer, Julian Fellowes, who talks about his writing process for the screenplays and the multiple revisions each script undergoes after producers, executives, actors, etc. etc. all weigh in. Fellowes has also written…