Writer Leslie Dixon has had a hand in quite a few prominent films from Overboard to Look Who’s Talking Now to Freaky Friday. See a trend? The majority of Dixon’s work falls within the comedy genre. So what’s she doing penning a thriller? Limitless is actually the result of a spontaneous trip to the bookstore.

Limitless is based on the book The Dark Fields by Alan Glynn. The film stars Bradley Cooper as Eddie Morra, a down and out writer who happens upon an illegal miracle drug called NZT. He pops one pill and unlocks portions of his brain the average human’s incapable of accessing, giving him the ability to absorb information at an incredible rate and recall memories dating back to being in his mother’s womb. Like most drugs, NZT has its risks; it’s highly addictive and should you stop taking it, you’ll certainly become ill and likely die. Not only must Eddie maintain his NZT supply, but fight off a jealous loan shark, maintain his new high-profile Wall Street image and do whatever it takes to hold onto his girlfriend (Abbie Cornish), too.

Based on her extensive repertoire, it’s quite obvious Dixon is a natural storyteller, but that ability isn’t limited to writing screenplays; Dixon is packed with fun anecdotes about making Limitless. Hear about everything from Dixon’s tactics for acquiring the rights to the book to developing the film’s tensest moments to her plans for the future in the video interview below.