Writing with Sincerity: Oscar-Nominated Screenwriter Jeff Arch Inspires ALV Writers

“Raise your hand if you’ve ever felt embarrassed? Humiliated? Disappointed? Heartbroken? Misunderstood? Rejected?” Jeff Arch asked at one point during his virtual talk with writers from Wheeler’s Aerie Literary Voices (ALV). The screenwriter and author behind the iconic romantic comedy “Sleepless in Seattle” recently joined students for an engaging conversation about storytelling, screenwriting, and his first novel, “Attachments.”

Mr. Arch, who was nominated for an Oscar and Writers Guild and BAFTA Awards for his “Sleepless in Seattle” screenplay, also wrote Disney’s “Iron Will,” New Line’s “Sealed With a Kiss,” and “Dave Barry’s Complete Guide to Guys.” In addition, his script based on Mort Kondracke’s memoir, “Saving Milly: Love, Politics, and Parkinson’s Disease,” earned a 2005 Humanitas nomination.

“Jeff Arch, a master storyteller, described the essentials of stories well told: compelling plots, memorable characters, interesting settings, and resonant points of view,” said Aerie Literary Voices Writer-in-Residence Bob Koppel. “He provided examples from his films, plays, and novel to illustrate building empathy, tapping one’s experience, and connecting with an audience. Jeff’s thoughtful presentation and generous responses to students’ questions made for an unforgettable learning experience.”

After Mr. Koppel’s reflection, Mr. Arch shared his own appreciation for the ALV community. “You rarely get a chance to tell a group of high school kids the things you wish someone had told you back then. The combination of a school like Wheeler, a program like ALV and the students who find Bob, that’s a rare and treasured mix. If these are the voices of their generation, then the future is in good hands.”

Students echoed that sentiment as they shared what the experience meant to them. “Jeff Arch’s talk was one of my favorites in the ALV Authors series so far,” said Daisy Z. ’26. “I really appreciated hearing about his journey, from moving out to California, through a phase of trial and error trying to get his screenplays picked up, to finally selling the script for ‘Sleepless in Seattle.’ It was inspiring to hear where he’s at in his career now. As writers, I think everyone connected with his story deeply. Like all the talks in the ALV Authors series, it opened our eyes to new and unique experiences in a field where career and life pathways can be so varied.”

“It’s rare to receive such meaningful, personalized advice,” noted Bridget F. ’26. “Mr. Arch’s wisdom spoke not just to writing in general, but to what writing and screenwriting can mean for someone at my age and stage of life. One of my favorite moments from the talk was when he spoke about writing for emotion rather than ‘relatability.’ He asked us to raise our hands if we’d ever felt joy, grief, embarrassment, or excitement, and of course, every hand in the room stayed up. He explained that writers shouldn’t try to make their stories relatable but should aim for sincerity, because emotion itself is universal. That idea has stayed with me since.”