Authoring & Playwriting

I don't think I have, Kat Spencer.

I never tire of my stories.

I once got a commission to turn a ten-minute short film into a full movie script. I was quite reluctant, but they asked me to do it, so I had a go as a favor because we had other projects. By the time it was sixty minutes long I hated the darn thing. It was a disgusting story and could only get more so to reach the end. I stopped and handed it back, with notes for the third act. They were pleased and grateful. I was just glad to get rid of it and took my name off it.

@James Have you a log line? Clarifying protagonist, conflict & stakes would gain the attention of would be collaborators/producers for adaption into a screenplay. Right now I can’t read whole story due to travel so perused first paragraphs and guess the above opposed to knowing. Seems instantly, that it is a hybrid genre Horror/Sci Fi but I may be wrong, about world it’s set in & who real antagonists are. I’ll read as a whole later then catch up. The reason I answer now and not later, is for the reason producer’s/ script readers need to know what the story is about, before they even pick it up.

Hi, James LO. I’m a Stage 32 Lounge Moderator. I wanted to let you know I moved your post from the Screenwriting Lounge to the Authoring & Playwriting Lounge since you’re asking for feedback on a short story. Let me know if you have any questions.

I really like Foreign Body! Catchy title. I can see the short story being a feature film or TV series.

I suggest describing the location at the start of the story. It’ll help the reader picture the scene and know where the story is taking place. And you can use the location to tell the reader thinks about the characters and story.

I also suggest describing the characters when they’re introduced, but I’m not sure if that’s something writers do in short stories.

appreciate the feedback received so far

Maurice Vaughan i think I’ll update and tidy the screenplay then post it here—that will have the usual slug lines showing location and time, and also brief descriptions of each character when they appear

Debbie Croysdale it’s a short one so i hope you’ll have time to come back to read it. i feel the only way to have a logline or synopsis would be a producer-facing version which contains spoilers. although very short, the tale twists a couple of times—as i hope you’ll agree after you’ve had a chance to read it

Thanks, Matthew. Those quotes are from other authors' words to me. According to the SCOTUS, March 4, 2019, litigation cannot commence unless there is a registered copyright in existence. The particular case involved a registered copyright that was pending, and litigation was premature. Thanks again for weighing in. https://www.klgates.com/US-Supreme-Court-Decides-Two-Copyright-Cases-and... refers.

Jeff E. Gregory They say it is copyrighted once you put pen to paper. But having a paper trail to prove it's yours (electronic documentation is best) helps even more. To really have legal on your side, registering with the U.S. Copyright Office is a good plan.

Kat Spencer, yes, that is true, but it is the level of proof tht courts required that the work or rights belong to the content creator.

I did both the WGA and copyright on my scripts. The copyright lets you copyright up to 10 unproduced screenplays with one submission ($85) and they require that each script is uploaded. I don't believe I would ever have to use it but then again I said that about my flood insurance and I was wrong about that.

I've been really close to selling a couple of my screenplays. One of the questions asked was, did I have a copyright. This experience made me more confident about it.

I copyright every screenplay as soon as I finish it. Because if someone steals it, I have a paper trail to assist should there be legal issues. Besides, it tells you on the Writer's Guild website that registering a screenplay with them is not a copyright. Inferring, in my opinion, that a copyright with the Library of Congress is legally more substantial.

I've spoken to a couple of writers too afraid to show people their work because they were really, really scared that someone is going to steal their ideas. I suggested that they copyright their screenplays. It helped give them peace of mind.

Maurice Vaughan and @Banafsheh - I think all things are possible for you both in 2026. You are both so driven and keep at it. Something will come of it all I'm sure!

Thank you, Lauren Hackney, that means a lot. I got huge plans for this year if the writing gods will it hehe~

I have a novel manuscript which I'm submitting to literary agents... next week! Not my first rodeo but I'm quietly hopeful about this one (period gothic).

Thanks, Lauren Hackney. You're so driven too. I'm rooting for you to reach your goals this year!

Spreading the word about registering a copyright with copyright.gov before saying a word to anyone.

Thanks for sharing the articles, Cynna Ael. I'm looking forward to seeing some of these movies and shows, especially The Odyssey, Masters of the Universe, His & Hers, and Scarpetta!

I think a live-action Wayside School is Falling Down would make a great movie or TV series!

I'm not going to lie- I think this is the biggest step forward I've ever done. I submitted to a couple OWAs in 2025. It means going into 2026, I'll be stepping up that action plan- to really see what I'm writing versus what is wanted. I'm definitely going to focus more on the sweet spot market of films, plus, a couple of "close to my heart" ideas I honestly need to get out of my head. But some of these OWAs are amazing to just read over and I hope people really take the opportunity to submit if they're ready!

Hey, Kat Spencer. I've avoided writing scenes. Not those kinds of scenes though. I went back to the scenes later.

Any scene where there is no dialogue. I find that the hardest scenes to write are scenes where characters grow and are vulnerable. In order for those scenes to work, you have to be vulnerable.

Fight scenes. <Insert fight scene here. Please make sure to have this combo X-X-A-Y at the end to allow the hero to lose yet not lose too much face.>

Thanks for sharing the video, Ashley Renee Smith. It'll come in handy if I write a book.

Thank you Ashley Renee Smith! I'm teaching a class at the Roanoke Regional Writers Conference in January about self-publishing - this will be a great cross-reference!

As someone who publishes in KDP, it’s a great way to get out your IP. I use the Kindle Create to make things look more professional and to make sure comics, novels, etc- are readable in every type of device they offer.

Thanks for this! It’s a great reminder how to take control of our narratives and stories.

I’m in shock! This is the first time in about 10 years that I saw the word “playwriting” on your site. The Black List has expanded to stage plays about a year ago. When did you let playwriting out of the closet, and when if ever will you be offering support and opportunities for playwrights the way the Black List does?

Hi Bob Canning I have a publishing background so I'm sorry I can't provide much more with playwriting opportunities. If you email the Support Team support@stage32.com they can assist you further with information. Thanks Bob - I'm sorry I can't help you further.

Maybe this is the wrong answer to the question, but I firmly believe physical media should keep being a thing. I understand that space is a growing concern, not to mention technology constantly evolving, but I like my things to be mine rather than borrowed and easily revoked by the entity they actually belong to. The fact that so many things are subscription-based or digital only means there’s gonna be a high likelihood, if not prevalence, of censorship and that should worry everyone who cares about quality.

Banafsheh Esmailzadeh fantastic response and I do agree - especially when quality is compromised.

Your unique voice helps— but creating content that is less known or perhaps an old concept brought back 15-25 years later can have new life when viewed through today’s lens. What also works is when you subvert the normal intent of your story to showcase a different viewpoint than we normally see.

Hi, Marilyn Norma Monroe. Here's a list of film/theatre journalists: www.stage32.com/people?name=&location=&roles=Film%2FTheatre+Journalist