What Sabrina the Teenage Witch Taught Me About Writing With Heart

Lessons from my first TV script, teenage insecurity, and the stories that stick with us.

When I began working on Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, I expected a world of fun spells and teenage drama—and it was.

But what truly surprised me was how much care went into making sure every episode carried emotional weight beneath the comedy.

My first script was titled “Sabrina and the Beast.” In it, Sabrina and Harvey enter a contest to be the cutest teen couple. But when Sabrina becomes obsessed with appearances, a magical mishap turns Harvey into a literal beast.

It was a fun twist on Beauty and the Beast—but the emotional heart of the episode was about something deeper: learning to see people for who they really are.

I remember getting that assignment and immediately tapping into my own memories of being a teenager.

Honestly, I had started in the industry so young, those moments weren’t far behind me—LOL.
I could still remember the things that felt important back then—and the emotions that came with them.

The insecurity.
The awkwardness.
The craving to be liked, accepted, and understood.

Channeling those feelings helped me infuse the script with something more than laughs—it gave it truth. And that’s what made the episode work. That’s what makes any story work.

✨ The magical moments only landed because they were grounded in something real.

That’s a lesson I carry with me to this day:
No matter the genre, your story has to mean something.
It has to connect.

What I Teach Writers Now

When I coach writers—whether they’re working on a pilot, screenplay, or novel—we don’t just talk plot.

We dig deep into:

• What your story is really about

• What your characters believe (and how those beliefs are challenged)

• How to deliver on your audience’s emotional expectations—not just hit beats

In my next post, I’ll share how saying yes to too many feature film opportunities (most of them unpaid) nearly burned me out—and what I learned about setting boundaries, staying clear, and choosing projects that actually resonate.

But for now, I want to leave you with this:

Whether you’re telling your story on the page, in your community, or through how you show up in the world—what’s the emotional heartbeat behind it?

If something in this resonated with you, feel free to comment. I’d love to hear from you.

Warmly,
Danita

P.S. The stories we create—whether in film, life, or activism—shape how we see ourselves and each other. That’s what From Discord to Harmony is really about: helping people find their voice, share their truth, and connect across difference.