Sunday, March 29, 2015

2015 Brings New Writing Recognition and New Projects

It is with sadness that I note the date of my last blog post over a year ago. Okay, there's no real sadness to that revelation. But I did note it. A friend of mine recently posted that she was reducing time on Facebook in order to focus more on her life diary via her blog. It made me realize I hadn't updated mine in a while, and that I really should. Here's why:

1. That competition I entered that got me a top 10 finalist ranking.

The competition was the Happy Writers/Stage 32 TV Competition. The script was a spec script for my guilty pleasure show Supernatural, titled I Got You Babe. So there's that. And I don't know. Whenever I do well in a competition, I feel like it's worthy of a look for all the aspiring writers out there. Yes, they chose my script as a finalist, and that warrants any criticism that says I'm biased. But here's the thing about Richard Botto and Stage32.com. It is an active social network designed to help anyone in the entertainment industry (not just writers) connect and bring their projects to realization. Happy Writers also offers reader services and pitching opportunities with executives and producers. There are fees involved, but they're reasonable. And let's face it, executives and producers can be hard to corner if you're not represented by an agent or manager. So if you haven't already, check Stage32.com out. Membership is free.

2. That competition I entered that got me a semifinalist nod.

I can't say enough good things about Denise Gossett and Shriekfest. She is a tireless advocate of horror movies, and I don't know how she manages her own successful acting career alongside the responsibilities to run this annual Los Angeles festival. My short script Roadside Picnic garnered a semifinalist nod in late 2014. If you write horror -or if you're a fan of indie horror- check out Shriekfest.

3. That feature idea I've been sitting on for years just inspired me to write it as a series pilot.

No, I'm not going to share too many details because every writer fears that if they reveal too much too soon, someone will be inspired to write their own version and thus beat them to the finish line. I am truly at that stage. But the pilot episode is done and submitted to a competition or two. Also, I'm in the middle of writing episode two. The ideas are piling up in the back of my brain, and I can't research fast enough because the fictional element of the story is woven into a pretty complex period in history with real historical figures as characters. It's kind of like Shakespeare in Love in that respect, but with multiple episodes that could span the course of world history. I'm excited, I'm frustrated. But most important, I'm writing.

I've added a couple new links of writer friends who are worth a look. Check them out on the sidebar. And of course, keep writing!