November is upon us, fellow scribes. So ready those coffee pots. Pull up those ergonomic chairs. It’s time to get writing!
For the past two years, we’ve had hundreds of participants join in, get motivated, get involved, inspire others, and complete projects. We all know life can get in the way, sure. But if we’re being totally honest with ourselves, we also know we often get in our own way. We procrastinate, get frustrated, lose focus, or lose sight of our goals. It’s not so much the writing part that’s difficult, but rather it is difficult to sit down and do the work. So in November we rally together, share a collective mission, and support each other in our individual efforts. Sometimes it takes a village to get those scripts written. And for a third year, we hope to do just that.
The rules of Write Club are simple: Beginning on the first of the month, we’ll use the 30 days of November as a personal deadline for whatever project you are working on—be it a first draft, a rewrite, a pitch, a short, a feature, or a TV pilot. Whatever “it” is for you. There are no parameters other than what you choose to accomplish within the month of November. We’ll support, inspire, and cheer each other on throughout our 30-day endeavors. And. Get. It. Done.
This is not a competition. This is not a win/lose thing. No word count. No page count. No comparing against one another. Nope.
This exercise is about pushing forward. This exercise is about encouraging each other to reach individual goals.
In the weeks ahead, we’ll share our highs and lows in this ongoing Screenwriting Lounge thread, and share our progress in the weekly November Write Club check-in blogs every Wednesday.
Remember participation is key. You must check in and report your progress, and participate by supporting and encouraging others all month long.
After our 30 days, we’ll take our celebratory “victory lap” by listing Write Club participants’ November project loglines. And like previous years, there’ll be a well-earned “gift” at the end, an extended push forward with whatever step may be next for you.
So whaddaya say? You in?
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Beth, Sure I'm in, it's about time I get back to work.
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You and me both, Doug. Much to get done. Lol! ;) Great to have you join in! What are you working on this November?
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Let's see... There's my new TV studio, I'm setting up a screenwriter's lab, I've got a short in production and I'm compiling a crew to establish a Film Festival (designed to offer real BENEFIT TO FILMMAKERS.) During my free time, I'll write a paranormal family drama FL spec script along with a couple shorts that need rewriting and polish. So yeah, much to get done.
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I'm in Beth. In November, I plan to publish the Book of my Comedy Screenplay on Amazon and finalise the research for my Historical Drama Screenplay. All the best.
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Count me in! Just need to choose a project but I will check in tomorrow with what I'm doing! Thanks Beth!
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Hi Wayne, great to have you! Sounds like you have a lot happening in November. ;)
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Looking forward to it, Michael. We're happy to have you! ;)
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Hey Shawn, this ongoing thread goes all month long. The check-in blogs happen on Wednesdays. Just read over the post; all information is there. ;) Sounds like you are finishing up Mad Mountain?
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Ok, that's what's up. Yeah, finally. The backstory is so integral to the movie, there was more problemsolving than expected. Four drafts we got to midpoint, decided it wasn't strong enough, thought up stronger comnponents, and went back to p1.
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Yeah, I've had a couple of projects where I had an epiphany, which was a good thing, and decided to make major changes. Bringing me all the way back to an outline. Anyhoo, sounds like you got it going in the right direction, Shawn. Look forward to hearing more about your progress. Thanks for joining Write Club. ;)
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Hi Beth! I'm in. I got a lot accomplished last year through the Write Club. I'm looking forward to doing the same thing this year. Thanks for having it again! : )
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Linda! You are most welcome. So wonderful to have you participate again! ;) What is the project this year?
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Count me in Beth! Ready to finish my first draft of my very first screenplay!
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Finally November! :) Don't get me wrong, I don't like Novembers, but the writing club makes this month faster. In other words: I'm in again. This time with my first feature in German. The story is somewhere between the Groonies and Stand by Me.
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Hi, Aschwin! Sounds good. Welcome to the Club. Finishing that first screenplay is a great goal and accomplishment. ;)
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Wunderbar, Elisabeth! Great to have you again. ;)
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All right, Dan G! Great to have you! Thanks for joining in. Your last screenplay? Is there ever such a thing? Lol! ;)
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Thanks, Beth. : ) I will be adapting my holiday feature screenplay into a holiday novella in hopes of publishing it by December 1st. And....adapting two of my holiday short stories into two holiday short screenplays.
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So exited to so so many faces from year 1 & 2 of Write Club and of course new faces as well. I want to write my very first short film and hopefully shot it myself b4 Dec 1. So I'm in, my dear BETH! Have not been that active here on the lounges and really miss you all. So let's do this! Oh, my short is about a father who's an alcoholic since his wife and 8 year old daughter died. Don't want to give it all away. See you all back here next Wednesday...or is it this Wednesday????
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I´m in! I want to develop a consept for a drama mini series.
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Welcome, Olaug! Great to have you! Perhaps share a little more about your mini-series... What's the premise?
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Whoo-hoo! Jorge and Aray! Thanks for joining for the third year in a row!!! It just wouldn't be Write Club without you two. And, Jorge, November 1st is tomorrow! So this Wednesday. Lol! ;)
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This year I'll be gathering titles and loglines of November projects from Write Club participants and will be compiling a list—it's your choice to share, of course. ;) So during November, I'll post little reminders throughout the month to send me just your title and logline through private messaging or email. Only send me one, please—your primary project if you perhaps are working on a few things. After our 30 days, we'll post those November project titles and loglines that were completed during November Write Club 2017—a celebratory 'victory lap,' if you will. Plus it'll be great to look over a list and see everyone's projects. So excited! ;))))
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YAY! Thanks so much for doing this, Beth. The timing is perfect: I'm not teaching full time, I have a new dedicated writing space (cabin 3), and the weather here in Mid-northern Ontario is about to turn seriously poopy. I've been putting off EVAN for years now, because it's seriously dark and disturbing. However, I now recognize it's blocking my ability to be free to do other projects. Logline for EVAN: three brothers and a sister gather on the old family farm to witness their abusive father's death. Yeah, like very scary bad abusive. I'm traumatized just thinking about it. This will be the first time I don't just 'go for it'. I've actually mapped the whole thing out via the 'board' ala blake snyder (sorry RB) lol. See photo. There's some serious holes, and I don't feel like I have the main character's 'voice' yet. It's been a full 2 years since I wrote in a dedicated way...My goal is to have it done by the end of November, whether is sucks and is painful or not. Oh, and I'll be using 'writersduet' online for the first time. I always used Moviemagic before. I will definitely need you guys!
PS, isn't Dan G the guy who used to have a squirrel as his profile pic? Yeah right Dan, last script my a**, you'll write till you die. Nice to see some newbies and some oldbies. Cheers!
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I'm in! Will complete the outline for my next screenplay, a black comedy.
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Whoo-hoo, Sarah! So wonderful to have you participate in Write Club again!—your third year, right? Looks like you are organized and ready to hit the ground running. Don't worry we got you. ;)
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Hi David! Welcome! Looking forward to learning more about your black comedy. ;)
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Addition to my above post about sending me titles and loglines through private messaging or email... Also please let me know if your November Write Club project is a feature, a short, a TV pilot, etc. And, my apologies, but I kindly ask that we keep loglines out of the ongoing thread simply because during the month we have so many people participating and commenting that I just cannot allow any one person to "hijack" the thread for specific feedback or critique on any one specific project. We're here to inspire, support, help, and share information, resources, and/or tips. And cheer each other on. At the end of our 30 days, we encourage Write Club participants to visit other participants profile pages, read script pdfs, or swap scripts, offer feedback, etc. Thank you so much!!! :)))
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I am down! I am totally down! Mark me down!
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Hi, I’m in. I’m just finishing a fifth rewrite of my first script (2 since) my new project is a western. Feature entitled “western promises) This is new to me so let me know what to do next for the November group.
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I'm in! Just started a new screenplay....this might be good for me and said screenplay.
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OK. I am in. I need support in: writing treatments for 2 series and having a clear breakdown of all the beats in my thriller screenplay. Now what?
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I´m in again! There´s a feature I recently started on and want to finish so November is the deadline for it :)
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I'm so in! I want to finish the rewrite of my psychological horror feature.
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Chad, great to have you! So what are you working on this November?
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Hi, John. Welcome to Write Club! Perhaps read through my initial post at the top, all information is there. During November 30-Day Write Club we support each other all month long, share our highs and lows in this ongoing thread, and share/report our progress on the check-in blogs on Wednesdays. Participation is key, and how we track everyone. So be active. Let us know how your project is going. Cheer others on. I look forward to hearing more about your Western. ;)
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Hi, Joleene. Wonderful to have you! New screenplay? Fantastic. So... are you working on a first draft or an outline, or both? What genre?
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Sounds like you have a lot of work for the next 30 days, Doug M. During November Write Club we share a personal deadline to get work done, share our progress and support each other along the way. So now what? Well, that's up to you. ;)
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Zlatan!!! Great to have you back again this year! I look forward to hearing more about your new feature. So are you wrapping up a first draft this month? What's the genre?
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Hi, Andrea. Welcome to Write Club. Finishing a rewrite is a great goal for November. Are you already far along in your process? Or are you just starting? ;)
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I am just starting this next version. Today will be day one :) It will be very challenging for me because I am removing an element from the current version and expanding on another. I think it will make the story stronger, though much different. We will see how this goes.
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Hey, great timing! I'm in. Features. Rewriting everything. ;) I should probably get a little more focused... I'll work on that.
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Beth Fox Heisinger Today's the day... Nov 1st, we here in Europe already started :) Stay strong, this thread will be long again and you'll have to read, reply and like tons of comments. Thanks for managing this project.
@all Good luck for all your projects. Be creative, be different and unique, but still you.
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Day one for me. I have the first act of a new screenplay written, but have paused, unsure of how to move into act 2. Today I will punch out 10 pages, and I won't budge until they're done.
Let's knock this out of the park, guys!!
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Hi, Roxanne! Wonderful to have you join again this year! So... How many features we talkin' here? ;)
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Whoo-HOO! Can I get a hearty "YES!" November first! Day one, people. Love the enthusiasm Joleene and Elisabeth—thanks so much for those kind words, Elisabeth. ;) Me, I'm facing an outline today, and it's a tough one. My goal for the day is to at least have it ironed out. Let's do this!
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Sounds good, Andrea. :)
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Ok I'm still trying to find my way around s32, but this thread sounds great. Thanks Beth for organising. Nov plan on editing and polishing my second script, work on outline for my third and dig up a short story I wrote to transform into a sample TV pilot. Just read through everyone's comments, great projects in the works, happy writing everyone!
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Welcome, S.J. ;) Wow, that sounds like a lot for the next 30 days!
Everyone works differently, of course, but for me, even when I have a few things going, I focus on one main project to some conclusion, or to a certain point before moving on, or taking a break from one project and working on another. Otherwise, I've found, what little time management I do have goes right out the window. Lol! One of my personal struggles is time management—I often have to resort to the use of a timer, tactics often used with children. Lol! Plus I work at a snail's pace. So with this November writing exercise, I try to be better disciplined—for lack of a better word. I've found that creating small daily goals for myself helps me not go off track, even when I get hit with life's surprises.
Does anyone else have productive work tips to share? As we start our 30 days. ;)
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Page 6! The Theme is on page 4, which I don't like....maybe I should restate it in a different way on page 5, yeah...I'll do that. PS for all those holes in my 'board', I received the entire dialogue for the Big Resolution last night. It's beautiful and powerful and perfect. I really felt ready to start after that. Yay!
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I was desperately trying to concentrate, but the event, the terror attack on my beloved NYC yesterday was on my mind. I did outlined the first three scenes of my short, but couldn't write any dialog which is my strength. Hope I can get more done today as my anget, pain and frustration with what happened yesterday here, settles down. Good luck fellow writers. Excited to see more familiar faces, hi Joleene Moody!!, and more new ones.
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lol i'm cheating Beth, someone else is editing for me, so u got me on dat count! And much of the rest is already started, but i think ur thread is just bringing it all into clear focus! Sometimes we just need that little push or pointer in the right direction (^^,)
btw u sound very organised. I am very restless in comparison, get bored easily and need to switch around constantly. Glad to get ur disciplined approach involved this month, bring it on!
@Jorge mindless cowardly violence, world needs more love now than ever...
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I’m in. I want to finish the first draft of my feature.
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3rd Year in a Row - IN!
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I'm so sorry, Jorge. What a horrible event. It's been heavily weighing on my mind too. As far as writing, just do whatever you can do, right? Hang in there. ;)
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I'm in! I was just thinking about this this morning.
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Beth, I like the timer idea : )
I usually keep a notebook handy and list what I plan to accomplish the next day. So I see it first thing in the morning and am ready to tackle it. Whether it's a small task or not I like to be able to check something off by the end of the day.
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In like Flynn.
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Oh, I'd say I'm "organized" in theory, S.J. LOL! But I can get thrown off course easily; I have a busy household and life. I'm very accustomed to multitasking and juggling things, I like switching around too, which is great in other areas, but not so great with writing. So I carve out an hour, let's say, and turn everything off, and focus only on that one thing/goal for that hour—I am working on this outline from this time to this time. And that tactic helps. ;)
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Okay, I'll take another try. 6 completed pages, about 15 notes, suggestions..etc. The goal, to complete 36 by the end of the month, if I'm lucky. Good luck to everyone else!
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sweet, lets do it!
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I'm in. Working on multiple projects, setting up a VO studio in my garage, a few other things. But for the purposes of the November challenge, I'll go with "Joa," a screenplay I'm outlining. Let's say that by the end of November I'll be finished with outlining and ready to move ahead with the project.
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I'll bite! :)
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I'm in and need to get back in the mode of daily writing! Editing one script and finishing up another! Time to do it!
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Just began fleshing out a new idea so count me in.
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Did this last year and it was fun so I'm definitely in again. Last year one goal was do a treatment for one of my novels. Started but didn't finish. Put aside to finish Vic Challenger novel #6 (Event) then did an illustrated storybook (Howlers) and some database work to eat. Event and Howlers are done and out. So, now what?
Back to treatment. "Reward" I took from last year was a video about writing a treatment. Watched it once. Will now watch again and do complete treatment this month. Also working on Vic Challenger book 7. Will shoot for first 100 pages done (cheating a bit, finished page 18 yesterday).
Of course, will likely find something else to do, too! Charge for the guns!
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I was just thinking how much I missed the community aspect of NaNoWriMo...I'm in. Gotta do a rewrite of my pilot.
Anyone up to writing meet ups this month for some IRL support and encouragement (and coffee)?
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Hi Beth - I'm in! I have a couple projects I'm working on but what I want to complete in November is the script (and children's book) for my short film, "Finding Home." "Finding Home" will utilize some live action animal footage I shot on a horseback riding safari in Africa and integrate that into a short film. Part of that is the mother character reading a children's book to her son (which I will also write and use still photos from my trip) which will then dissolve into and use some of the live action Africa footage. Once written and actually creating the book prop (so a double writing endeavor.) Then, of course, step two will be filming the short.
Looking forward to this! BTW, do you happen to know my friend Cheryl Cain who also lives on Bainbridge Island and is a TV/Film writer?
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In!
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I'm in writers, and this year will be my first in the club. I am going to finish the first draft of my 1-hour drama/science fiction television pilot/or VOD web series titled Supernal. I'm thrilled to participate with all of you.
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In
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in
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in
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I'm also doing a rewrite of my pilot, Caryn. Are we posting things like loglines here for comment?
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Beth Fox Heisinger - Thanks Beth! Well it´s actually a second draft but I wasn´t too happy about the first draft for a number of reasons so I am not re-writing that first draft but developing the same idea and story in a different way entirely. That´s why I say it´s a new first draft. The genre is action/thriller in the lower budget spectrum.
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So great to have you back , Zlatan! Best of luck with your new first draft, my friend. Can't wait to hear more on the coming weeks.
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Hey Jorge! Thanks man! Likewise! :) We can do it! :)
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Yup, I'm in! I can do this as well as NaNoWriMo! Thanks again and count me in!
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Hello everyone!
I’m in! I’m finishing up the last draft of my supernatural thriller tv pilot. Then I’d like to finish the first draft of my first feature film.
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Awesome Beth! Gosh, I have so many projects - all clamoring for attention - but I shall pick one and focus! Probably a feature script, but maybe a pilot. We'll see... Maybe even a treatment. But something NEW!!!! THANK YOU!
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Nice to meet you all! I'm in! I plan on finishing my outline and complete a first draft of my thriller :)
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I'm in. I have this project that has been kicking around in my computer for too long. Time to get it moving.
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I'm in. Where to begin? It was a dark and stormy night...
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Beth Fox Heisinger i hear ya! I'm a pro-juggler too! It's great exercise (^^,) ...in patience!! If i could share any productivity tip with everyone, it's this: Get up super-early and do a day's work before your normal day even starts. It is hands-down the best time for ABSOLUTE peace and quiet :D
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You are always a beautiful mix of soul and brilliance, Beth! Thank you. I'm so in...
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I'm in. Trying to finish the first draft based on a book. Looking forward to the adventure.
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Debbi Mack yes it sounds like it! I'd love to see what everyone is working on :)
Aray Brown I'm writing a drama pilot. Here's my logline...
When the residents of a post-apocalyptic fundamentalist town begin experiencing bad luck, four young women are accused of witchcraft.
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WOW!!! So many of you this year! This is awesome! Okay... Cheryl, Dave F, Alverne, Debbie, Jennifer (yup, this thread and the check-in blogs), Erik, Susanna, Judy, Christian, Leslie, Dalene... All y'all... What projects will you be working on during November Write Club? ;)
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Whoops... Debbie M, I see you are working on a pilot—great!
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I'm in! Finish the outline of my first draft. Go team go!
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Monique, Harold, and Jerry! Wonderful to have you back for another go! And, welcome, Heather Hale! Great to have you join in this year! ;)
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Carlyn, Sarah, Dave R, Calvin, and Shea. Welcome to Write Club! All your projects sound fantastic. Lots of TV pilots this year. Thrillers too. ;)
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About 1/3 through a first draft I promised myself I would have done by Christmas - I need this motivation!!
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I'm so in for this! What a great and inspiring idea. Go writers go!
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I am in! By the end of the month I should have the first draft of my first feature film ready!
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I'm in! I'm editing my work and in the middle of writing a hour long TV show! I'm up to the 8th episode already!
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Do third draft scripts count?
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Yeah Im in!
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I'm in, Beth Fox Heisinger . For the first time:) Finishing a first draft of a feature film. (second one I've ever written.)
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Day 1 report: Writing the last couple scenes of Perish. Making sure I stated my Protags. outward motivation clearly throughout so the resolution has a punch. Its my first attempt at a Thriller so I want to make sure I tied any remaining loose ends before the finally. Update: Just writing this post helped me loosen the knot on my story!
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My full length screenplay is a dark comedy and the tv series is an hour long fantasy for the LGTBQ community!
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I’m in. Working on a comedy and developing the scene list for my script. What a great way to spend the next 30 days. All the best everyone!
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Sweet! I'm in! Already working on screenplay. This will keep my motivation up to finish it with a lot less dilly dallying around!
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I'm in. Writing a YA fantasy-horror novel for nanowrimo and also writing a micro budget horror script.
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Awesome! I’m in. Starting a new screenplay — I’ll definitely have something to say this thanksgiving
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This year, I'm working on the revision of the novelization of my first screenplay. So, I don't think I can participate-Though, I would be more than happy to act as a Cheer Leader/Drill Sargeant to anyone who feels they need that sort of thing.
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We'll be here to cheer you on, Sandy. ;)
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Hey, Uncle Phil! A rewrite is a rewrite, is it not? Welcome to Write Club. ;)
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Desiree and Elaine! Wonderful to see you both! And, Elaine, of course, you may participate! Remember.. whatever "it" is for you. It's up to you to choose what project or goal for 30-Day Write Club. So please, join in! Cheer! Revising a novel is a great goal for November. ;)
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Hi, Beth... I missed you. Hi Aray and all... yes, I'm in but can't start today. Hopefully tomorrow. Just got back from the Austin Film Festival. Partied with RB & Laurie for 4 days... still recovering. I was a Second-Rounder at AFF and invited. Had a blast. Panels and Roundtables were amazing. I think I'll work on my feature MADHOUSE this month. Thank you for doing this again. I'm so brain dead right now I don't even remember what I wrote last year.
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I'm in. It's my first time here and I have an enormous rewrite of my first ever feature film script. This will be draft 2.
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Welcome to Write Club, Leah, Jody, Kathleen, Kellie, Stephanie, Jessica, Kendra, PJ, and Derrick. ;) Leah and Jody, what projects will you be working on this month? ;)
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It's a pleasure to go on this marathon with colleagues. I'll put some scotch in my water bottle
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Michael, on day one you're doing great! Me, I'm already scrambling a bit. LOL! Although I have made some progress with my outline. But there is soooooooo much more to do! If interested... I highly recommend Lucy V. Hay's book, Writing & Selling Thriller Screenplays." Perhaps when you have time, give it a look. ;)
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Thank you Ms. Heisinger! I can't wait!
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The pleasure is ours. Welcome, Sarah T and Virginia. I'm more of a heavy coffee drinker myself... but hey, whatever gets you through—right? ...So Virgina, what project will you be working on during November Write Club?
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Already day 2 here at my place due to the Earth being round and all while spinning at a steady pace in one directon.... obviously :) That just sounded really weird but that´s what happens when one starts off strong this November. Thus far ( 20 pages in) I am really happy how it´s going. Just realized I created some nice characters. Little voice in head says "Don´t mess it up now Z! :) Hope y´all had a great first November day full of writing. Follow me into tomorrow! :) Or today.... Almost yesterday for me... So confused right now...
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I'm in! I'm trying to finish an outline/rough draft of my first screenplay and after hopefully getting some good results from a successful pitch session about my original TV pilot, working on getting that ready for whatever my exec needs.
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Sylvia! Hey sweetie! Missed you too. Great to see you back in the Club. I'm so jealous... I would have loved to have gone to the Austin Film Festival. ;)
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Welcome, Krista! :) Finishing up a rough draft for a feature is a great goal for November. ;)
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Zlatan, I don't know how you work so fast... You always hit the ground running. LOL!
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BTW: this is my first time for Write Club.
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I cook my stories in my head and when I sit down it just flows ´cause I see every frame, hear every line and so on and so forth. Love Beth, it´s all about love :) Hopeless romantic over here. LOL!
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I'm in!
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I am IN!
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Hi all, anyone here genuinely willing to read and critique each other's scripts? Perhaps just start with one, and maybe go from there, or as many as one can handle. Let me know. I hope you're all doing well, and following your daily creative/marketing routines as best you can! Much success!
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I'm so in again this year! I have a series bible to complete and the final ep of a webseries to fiiish. Cannot wait! Loved it last year.
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Beth: Awesome!
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I'm rewriting a pilot for a one-hour crime drama. The tone is similar to "Damages". Here's a rough draft of the logline:
Ella, a 25-year-old researcher, launches an information service and lands her first major client: a wealthy, but shadowy Washington, D.C. contractor. What Ella doesn't know is the cost her decision may have on her life and that of her family and friends.
Suggested changes are welcome. Thanks! :)
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My goal is to finish writing my first feature this month. I have 60 pages written so far. Thanks for this sense of community. I know it'll help me get there.
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I hope that I can get my script in the Library of Congress this weekend online. I'm dying to have my script made into an indie and my show on a paid channel like Showtime (HBO and Netflix are overrated but I like them). Only a dream, sigh.
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Welcome, Kevin and Nada. What projects are you working on during November Write Club? ;)
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Hi, James. Great to have you here! Yes, lots of members read scripts or swap. You may post pdfs on your profile page, or exchange email addresses and/or share through private messaging, etc. We certainly encourage everyone to read each other's work at the end of our 30 days. :)
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Barbara! Wonderful to see you back this year! ;)
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Already doing NaMoWriMo. Everyone realizes that there are 11 months with 30 days in them, right?
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Today started off slow, but it started. I printed my script and read it with my pen in hand. I decided which scenes I wanted to cut or rearrange. I only was able to knock out the first 5 pages of the rewrite, but the night is not over :) Good luck on the rest of everyone's first day!
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"Sense of community"—well said, Chase. Couldn't agree more. Welcome to Write Club. ;)
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Debbi M: Your pilot sounds great. :) But, let's please keep loglines out of the ongoing thread. Again, my apologies, but I ask simply because during the month we have soooooo many people participating and commenting that I just cannot allow any one person to "hijack" the thread for specific feedback or critique on any one specific project. However... please DO SEND those loglines to me either through private messaging or email—I'm compiling a list of November Write Club projects to post after our 30 days. But during the month... we're here to inspire, support, help, and share information, resources, and/or tips. And cheer each other on. At the end of our 30 days, we encourage Write Club participants to visit other participants profile pages, read script pdfs, or swap scripts, offer feedback, etc. Thank you! Now onward! :)))
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I need help with loglines.
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Hey Beth! So happy to be here and be part of this inspiring community. As for me, I am planning to write a screenplay for a short movie. Hopefully will get it done by the end of November! :))
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Oh, I know you can get it done, Nada. We got you! Happy to have you here. ;)
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Kellie, and all, here's a resource that may be helpful to you. Christopher Lockhart's paper on how to construct a logline: http://www.twoadverbs.com/logline.pdf. ;)
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Thank you Beth! You're a lifesaver!
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I am in!
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I'm in. I've got a TV political drama to tweak.
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Always in! A new sci-fi script on a lady who refuses to become a cyborg and live for ever
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Great! I'm going to complete my fantasy fiction script I've been delaying for 2 years.
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Hey Beth! I am in!!! I will be trying my best to finish my first draft of a drama feature. I have been delaying and procrastinating. It's high time I get some work done for good.
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WRITE CLUB sounds great. Beth Fox Heisinger I am turning my stage play into a120-page novella --- so am I disqualified or in? Good luck to all my colleagues!
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Done and done! I am so in! I'm writing an inspirational romantic comedy and developing a pilot.
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I'm in! Will be working on a Romantic comedy/drama across that brings in past lives and unfinished karma.
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Gosh, 160 comments in 2 days. Wonder if we will beat last years thread. Strange is that this is like when I wrote my diploma. Meaning, I first had to repair my MacBook Pro, open it, replace the keyboard etc before it allowed me to think about where to start with my screenplay.
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I'm in - screenplay, Thriller. Spec script I keep putting aside for other projects!
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I'm in again this year, Beth. I will be doing a re-write of an older screenplay. Changing it from a supernatural romance to a thriller, YES it can be done :) I'm also doing NaNoWriMO, writing a 50k+ word novel in 30 days. Good Luck Everyone, excited to see what everyone can accomplish
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I am in! Great to be here again this year. I am writing my first thriller. Hi all, let's write!
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I’m in! Have a drama/thriller rewrite and a documentary I’ve started researching. Thanks for the kick in the butt!
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Okay Beth I am here.
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My screenplay 'AMSTERDAM 74' is my project for the month. When completed it will be my 4th copyrighted screenplay. As you are aware, last year I was able to finish my 3rd copyrighted screenplay- 'FROM THE SEATS'. This will finally complete my trilogy that started with 'HOPE SAVES MANHATTAN'. I am also excited that for this screenplay it will be a DIY production. I have already assembled a great DUTCH cast & crew. I am at 30 pages now. It is scene carded out. I am grateful to all my fellow "Happy Writers" for the love and support I have received over the last 3 years. The only disappointment I have is the one European member of our fellowship who I have tried over and over to collaborate, co-write with, and even co-produce with. This member would have been a major asset for 'AMSTERDAM 74'. Anyway I have to move on. Will keep everyone updated on my progress. And BTW if there are some DUTCH "Happy Writers" reading this please feel free to join my "working network" of NYC/DUTCH creatives. Write On!!!!!
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DAY ONE: I added four lines, then rearranged them, then removed them.
:/
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I'm in, as in previous years. Always find this club inspiring. But can we please remove this Toms Jason Robert post. Inappropriate for this....likely spam
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Yes Beth, i noticed many Toms Jason Robert posts and similar lately, so annoying. Who gives out loans by email anyway?!
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S.J., can't think of anyone other than the Royal Bank of Nigeria. :-)
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Please ignore those spam posts. No need to let that get in our way. Those comments and perpetrators will be suspended. Moving on. :)
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I am going to finish my political thriller feature this month, FIRST 100. I'm teaching at the moment but I have found new motivation to get this completed.
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Hey everyone! I just recieved the email but I'm in! Working on a feature length antebellum coming of age story. This will be a challenge but the kick in the butt is much needed. Thanks Stage 32 for the motivation! Plan on finishing the final draft of the treatment before the end of the night tomorrow.
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Day One: Looked up football scenes in sports movies on international script database and brainstormed next scene. Guess I just have to write it now.
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Hi Beth, Sorry. I had no intention of hijacking the discussion. I'll simply report on my progress. Was wondering how this all worked. Got the picture now. Thanks! :)
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I'd like to join this challenge. Sorry about the late signup, but I live in Houston and things have been a little crazy around here. I will finish a script and work to improve the logline I already have. Beth, thanks for setting up this area of accountability for people like me. :^)
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No worries, Debbi Mack! It's all good! :)))))
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So, my own update. Working right now on my outline for a comedy/action feature. It's my first time using a new way to outline and so far it seems to be working out. Hoping to start the actual script in the next week or so.
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Wow... already 180 comments on day 2. What a team! Beth, is it possible to start a new weekly thread every Monday or not? Overwhelmed. :-)
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Beth, let me add my thanks for logline pdf. At the place to post loglines it asks 'are you a screenwriter'. I'm not. Can I post loglines for novels to maybe get feedback?
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Welcome to Write Club, LindaAnn, Janet, Beverly, Niki, Evelyn, Qazi, Gayle, Renee, Darren, Marci, Michael, Adam, and Bill—you are so welcome Bill! Great to have you all here! ;)) Brian, Izzabella, and Steven, so wonderful to have you back for another year! ;)) And, LindaAnn, whatever project you choose to work on this November is up to you, so, yup, a novel is just fine. ;)
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I'm SOOOOO in! I'm working on a project to get a series of novels into fighting script form. This month I'm working specifically on the first one which I've been doing off & on for a few years. I'm on the second draft and it needs heavy rewriting so this month I am GOING FOR IT!
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Page 13! the 'call to action' was literally a phone call. God, I think this might actually be good. Had to go back and fix some of yesterday's dialogue, it's a better punch now. I'm so scared...this is about to get seriously friggin' dark....
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All right, all right, all right!! WOW, we are off to a great start! We already have about 100 participants this year!
And, sorry, I need to keep it all in one place so that I can track everyone and keep it organized. Remember we also have check-in blogs every Wednesday this month. ;)
If you feel overwhelmed with email notifications then go to the "gear" icon, found in the upper right corner, click "email preferences," and change your settings.
Also, if you would like to post a logline for feedback, then please do so in "Your Stage." But remember to please send me your November project logline through private messaging or email—it's a personal choice to share a logline or not, of course. Send me your project title, logline, genre, and what your project is: a feature, a short, etc. Please send me only one, your primary project if working on many this month. I am compiling a project list to post at the end of our 30 days. It'll be great to see all the projects everyone has been working so hard on this November. ;) Okay... Back to it! Let's keep writing! Onward people!
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Great work, Sarah! And, welcome Dayna. Great to have you! ;) Me, well... I'm already dragging behind. But, I should be able to catch up to my daily goals today—Day Two!
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Great Timing!! I've just started on a new TV sci-fi drama pilot that I can use a kick in the pants every Wednesday to fully develop.
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I don't know which one to work on first: my feature or either the TV pilot or the 8th episode I'm working on.
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I’m down! I have 40 pages left for this action thriller script and I wanted to finish this month. Perfect timing!
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Glad to help cheer you on, W Keith and Gina! Welcome. :)))
And, Kellie, you gotta go with the one that just feels right, the one you think/feel you could make steady progress in 30 days. Or perhaps make a choice depending if you are working towards some outside deadline, like a screenwriting contest or something. It's up to you! :)
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Bill HD Burgess - Congratulations!! on the Houston Astros World Series win last night! You guys deserve it. Sorry L.A.
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Beth where are we sending you our loglines?
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Thank you Beth, then my 8th episode it is since I'm almost done with the first season of this show that I'm writing. <3
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Always concentrating on my Art! Will follow through and submit! Thanks!
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Sounds terrific! I'm in. What's the next step?
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W Keith, and all, again, you may send me your loglines through S32 private messaging or email. Please see my various posts above (in bold type) throughout this thread. ;)
And, welcome Tony and Roberto!!! However, Tony, there's no "submitting," only joining. Lol! Perhaps read over my original post, all information is there. ;) Roberto, for November Write Club, we each choose a project(s) or a goal(s) we hope to complete or reach by the end of the month. And we participate by sharing our progress in this ongoing thread and Wednesday check-in blogs, and by supporting and cheering each other on throughout our 30 days. So... What are you both working on for November? :)
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Sylvia Marie, hi, girl! Congratulations! Making progress, after all that happened in my beloved NYC. Thanks BETH for the kind words. Everyone best of luck.
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U have ur work cut out for u, Beth! Yes had to degear from the email feed, I couldn't keep up with them all :D
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Well all set to tackle my 4th screenplay AMSTERDAM 74'. As with the first 3 copyrighted screenplays I do it in,long hand first an once I am done I transfer it to CELTX which becomes the first draft. Then I do the rewrite from that. I think what excites me the most is that it completes my trilogy. Most of it is true. This when I was living and loving in Holland. I am going to CVS tonight to pick up a ruled loose leaf pad which I will put in my binder which already has the first 30 pages. I do my writing from Midnight to 6AM. I live on the island of Manhattan and that is the only time the taxi horns die down. I should have some pages done by next Wednesday's update. Glad to see some sophomore writers here from last year. And glad that some of my fellow MetroNYC 'Happy Writers' are here. Write On!!! And a big shout out to BETH for all her dedication to helping us all move forward. This is also NYC MARATHON weekend so it will be very noisy and crowded.
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I had to work the day job today that completely drains my soul - but I did read two fantastic quotes - one from Lin-Manuel Miranda and the other by Omar El Akkad (if you haven't read his book American War, I strongly recommend it.) These words were inspiring, and I'm looking forward to what I can create tomorrow.
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Count me in, Beth.
I already posted something about my current work but I get lost in the screenwriting space somewhere.
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I'm still looking for the outlining method that works for me. Not too intricate, but something that can keep me moving from scene to scene. What do others do?
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Chase McFadden Just a suggestion: The Screenwriters Bible by David Trottier. Also scene cards sometimes helps me. Write On!
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Jorge J Prieto Looks like you and me are the NYC "Happy Writers " contingent so far. I feel bad too about that incident. But you know what my Brother if we let it get to us they win just remember the other side of FEAR is FAITH. we will make it through. God Bless You. Write On!!
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(Thur) Got my screenplay cued (queued?) up and reviewing to see where I was (last touched it 3 months ago). Next step is to add in scenes I wrote on paper, but never added to MM Screenwriter copy.
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Excited to be a part of this. I'm working with a coach, but I my goal is to have a first draft of the feature version of my short "I'm Not Here" done.
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Hi Aray, Sylvia, Phillip, Jorge, Dan G., Steven and everyone! Best of luck with your writing this month! So many have joined in. Very enthusiastic group! : )
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3:50 AM. MANHATTAN. Just picked up my loose leaf pad at CVS. Will continue 'AMSTERDAM 74' on page 31. Grateful to BETH and all my fellow 'Happy Writers' for the love and support. Still quiet till 6AM. Going for 10 pages. Really helps when you have scene cards. Just had an idea last night about a remake of 'CASABLANCA' with a different future venue. I mean let's face it. It was the greatest film ever made. I think it would be BOX OFFICE GOLD if done right. Anyway. WRITE ON!!!! Oh BTW- Shout out to our European "Happy Writers" who are probably the only ones awake to read this.
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Will like to participate in this. How do one get involved?
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@Ikenna Azuma- Just start writing. That's all you have to do to get involved. Follow the thread discussion and post you updates on the Wednesday blog.
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Patrick- Firstly my prayers are with you and your family on your Mothers loss. PATTON? Very good choice. Interesting premise. Can't wait to see you get that OSCAR for best original screenplay. And don't forget to thank "RB" and stage32 during your acceptance speech.
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Hey! I’m hoping to complete a rewrite of one of my scripts this month. The story is called “On Life and Buttons”, and is about a pre-law student who has everything going right for him and then finds out he has a daughter he never knew about.
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Hey everyone! Day 3 here and I´m on page 33. Coffee time, a shower and back to work! :) How´s everyone doing? So many awesome projects in the works this year it seems! Truly inspiring. Keep going fellow scribes :)
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Patrick, my deepest condolences for the loss of your mother. I lost both my parents (at different times) a few years back, so I understand the impact of that loss. Perhaps with your writing, just do what you can. Set a goal that keeps you moving forward but doesn't put too much strain on you. Perhaps focus on your research or finetuning an outline. Whatever you decide, welcome to Write Club. ;)
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Welcome to Write Club, Matt, Ikenna, and Amanda! We're happy to have you! :) And, Ikenna, please read over my original post, all information is there. Please also look over this thread, I have made various comments with additional direction/information—those posts are in bold type. Next week Wednesday will be our first check-in blog. :)
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And Zlatan is up and running on Day 3!!! Okay, Write Club, another productive day ahead! YES!!! I'm drinking coffee, my second cup, and getting my day going. I really need to make major progress today or my 30 days won't go as planned. This outline I'm working on is a bit tricky, for the first time I may have to break out index cards. Oh boy... okay, I can do this. I can do this. I can do this...
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count me in. how to join?
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DAY TWO: I tightened scenes in a completely different screenplay.
DAY ONE REDUX: I eventually wrote five+ pages (on this Challenge's script) yesterday, though I'm unlikely to keep most of it. It's all exposition -- very on-the-nose, trite -- but that's for rewrites. I don't outline, I free write, so that tells me exactly what needs to be addressed in those places for later drafts.
I am juggling several projects at once, but focused on this one (horror) for Halloween. I hope to get an entire rough for it out of this Challenge.
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You just did, Russel. Lol! Welcome to Write Club. Please read over my original post, all information is there. Also look over this thread... You choose a project(s) you wish to complete this November, write, share your progress, and cheer others on for the next 30 days—well, now 27 days. :)
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Page 17. I sort of want to puke. That was a hard scene.
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Reworked my logline down to one sentence. Feels long, but it's a work-in-progress! :)
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Sarah, there's no puking in Write Club. Maybe a few tears... Banging your head on your desk... Too much coffee... Perhaps some hard beverages... Late nights... Too early mornings... Exhaustion, sure... But no puking. LOL! ;))))) Hang in there! Some scenes are tough, no doubt!! Take a break. Go for a walk. Then move on to what's next. Just keep going! Keep writing! You got this! ;) xoxo
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My coffee tastes funny today... Don´t tell me I finally broke the coffee-maker!!!
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I'm actually thinking of adapting my epic novel, The Queen's Gambit.
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Use of a timer works!—or just blocking/planning out time periods. I'm tellin' ya! Remember those days, way back in elementary school... Those teachers would keep you on task, hour by hour... "Okay, class, now put away your math books and get out your writing assignments..." Lol!
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Made some progress today. It really helps when you have an outline, scene cards, and know how your script ends. So I am up to page 40 now. Still have not got to Amsterdam yet. My characters are still in Nijmegen. Anyway once I get finished, estimate at 90-120. I can put it in CELTX and start the rewrite. I am very grateful to "RB", Amanda, and of course our team leader BETH, Go BETH You're money! Go BETH you're money! WRITE ON!!!!!
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FYI- Anyone curious on my picture, that is me age 2 (circa 1954) at our family show business restaurant Moskowitz & Lupowitz. It was located on Manhattan's Lower East Side at 2nd Avenue & 2nd Street. It was open from 1898-1965. Anyway if anyone wants to know. My (2) Writer/Director heroes ate their all the time. MEL BROOKS & WOODY ALLEN. Anyway I have rambled on long enough.
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I'm in! But does the treatment I wrote today count? I'm applying for the Universal Writers Program. Feeling mixed about whether I'll make the cut, but figured I never will if I don't try and this has actually pushed me already since I've never done an actual treatment before. Good luck everyone!
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Hi Beth, I'm in, I'm starting a rewrite of a screenplay I've been meaning to whip into shape.
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Welcome, Barbara and Paul. Barbara, glad to hear we helped give you a little "push" when needed. ;) And Paul focusing on a rewrite is a great goal for November. ;) Oh, and nice picture, Steven. Very cute!
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Hi, John German. You made it over to the ongoing thread—fantastic! Looks like you are off to a great start with "Mr. Puzzles." :) Please do keep in mind check-in blogs happen on Wednesdays. So it may be better for you to do your weekly updates on Wednesdays. Remember participation is key, here in the ongoing thread, and you must share/report your progress on the blogs as well—that's how we track everyone. ;)
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Day #3, getting a later start. But I am starting :)
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Had a pretty productive day 2! Tripled my page count! On to day 3!
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Aray, you crack me up : )
Hi Andrea. I'm getting a late start as well. Difficult trying to be in the Christmas screenplay frame of mind when my Halloween decorations aren't all put away and it's in the mid 80s here today. Guess I will turn the AC to freezing, make hot cocoa and eat peppermints. Lol
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I have made a start on my script, as it's based on a real event in my family history, the first couple of pages have been pretty easy, but when it comes to delving back to my Great Grandparents lives in 1912, that's when it's going to get really difficult.
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Well, Day 4. Really excited about all of my fellow 'Happy Writers' progress. Just now that one or more of these scripts is OSCAR/EMMY worthy. How do I know this. Because we are part of the greatest writing fellowship since 'The Bard had the gang over for Mutton and Ale to talk shop. My script 'AMSTERDAM 74' is now at 40 pages. Going to spend the day tightening up the scene cards that I am using as my guide a shout out to my fellow 'MetroNYC' Happy Writers to push through our recent tragedy and realize staying positive and hopeful will not only help our writing by be a symbol to the creative spirit in all of us to move forward. To all: WRITE ON!!!!!!
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I can get all the motivation I need by checking all the wonderful comments here and knowing about what my Stage 32 fellow writers are up to.
So, thank u all for helping me push myself to work even harder.
Anyways, Day 4, page 5, finally the protagonist and the antagonist comes face to face.
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I am a couple of days behind. I am so excited about this. As a newbie, I am working on the storyline and figuring out who my characters are. Beth, I will send you the logline and everything else before this weekend is up.
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DAY THREE: I proofed someone else's pilot, and worked on a different screenplay.
I did not do anything on my script. :( In my defense, I was gone all day, then went to bed at 5:00pm. I did some brainstorming, but nothing concrete.
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Day Four and I'm back to my outline to see if my story divergence will work or not. Beth how do I send my loglines to you? Good luck everyone. I love the energy of a new adventure.
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Looking forward to the Wednesday check in.
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page 25. So glad I have the BOARD (ala Blake Snyder) already laid out, or I wouldn't be able to make it through telling this story. So glad I have a dedicated space (cabin 3) that is separate from my house. But the weather is so crappy, it's blowing right into the cabin!
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Day 4, page 45 and moving forward. Slept in today, worked a bit on an adaptation (another script) just to free my mind a bit. Act 2 of a thriller script can be a pain in the butt, I just realized. Need more action, I Think all the way to the bitter end :).
Hey Sarah Gabrielle Baron! Nice going and nice view despite the weather :) Keep grinding!
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Sarah T, through private messaging; please see my previous comments made above in bold type. And send only one logline, please. Thanks! Love all this energy too!!! ;)
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Well, my Day 4 is not going well... It rather blew up in my face. Lol! So I'm regrouping and trying to catch up. :(
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Thought this article might help:
http://ow.ly/FuJ330g8HqA
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Beth, apologies I couldn't remember what you'd said on loglines but have referred back up and will revise my message. Thanks for this! I hope your day is getting better!
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No worries, Sarah T. And thanks, I hope so too. Lol! ;) Oh, and Steven, I checked all those link posts you posted and only the last one worked, so for the sake of simplicity, I deleted the duplicates. Thanks for sharing the link. ;)
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Hello people! Due to a visit from a friend of mine and health issues from my knee injury, I wasn't able to write yesterday and today. Tomorrow I will start episode 8 of my TV show I'm writing for myself. So far three pages written Thursday night.
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Beth, sorry to hear your day wasn't going well. I, too, got sidetracked big time. And am considering shifting my goal to another direction. Will decide tomorrow which path to take. Hope tomorrow goes better for you!
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Beth Fox Heisinger You're welcome Beth. It is all about service. And helping each other. More to come. And I will try to be more careful and get the link right the first time.
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Marathon MANHATTAN. Reminds me of what "RB" always says our writing is a Marathon, not a sprint. In addition to my working on my script this month from time to time will share articles that will help us.
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DAY FOUR: I wrote an entire exchange, even though I'll cut most of it. I then added the gist of another kill scene, determined a major plot point for Act Three, generalized the ending, and added notes for the Setting. I forgot to mention that I found some resource materials for my project when I went shopping, but have yet to read them. Some will argue the point, but research equals working on a script/project as far as I'm concerned. (Again, I have not read them yet, so...)
I then sent Notes on the pilot I read the other day, added a major plot point and exchange to another script, and did minor work on two others.
I have always argued that one page (in my projects, anyway) does NOT equal one minute onscreen, and this is especially true with horror scripts. The kill scenes are usually only a few paragraphs, maybe a page, but should take at least 3-5+ minutes onscreen (building tension, etc., that only takes a line or two to establish on the page, but much longer onscreen). So, for the guy above who noted that Act Two is difficult in horror, take heart! :)
I might actually wind up with fewer than 90 pages... HAHAHAHA! Okay -- fewer than 110, at least.
Thanks, Linda. Much appreciated. Sorry to hear you got sidetracked... Yeah, I may have to make adjustments as well. But the first days are always a little tricky for me, juggling everything, I tend to hit a stride after that. Weekends are tricky to manage as well. Lol! So today, Sunday, DAY FOUR, I'll be working on my outline and will better set myself up for the days ahead. ;)
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Hey Steven, to add to that metaphor... It's more a series of marathons because marathons do have finish lines that you will cross. They do come to an end. You finish one and start another. And another. And another. ;)
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C Harris, it sounds like you are being productive! Good for you! ...Yeah, the whole one-page-equals-one-minute rule of thumb thing... I agree, it truly depends on whose thumb is doing the ruling. LOL! ;)
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ARGH. Fixed my typo above... More coffee, please. LOL! Happy writing today everyone!
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A page that takes longer than a minute to read aloud 'could' suffer from compression. Too much, too tight. In my early years I got beat up for compression.... Today I'm killin' polish pass pages!... Keep up the good writing, S32!
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Thanks for having me! ... Huge congrats, Sylvia! you're kickin' ass. That's what's up!
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I cleaned up a lot of old dialogue in my screenplay. It all works much better now. Now I feel very good about progressing the story. I have numerous older scenes and outlines that I can draw from to finish the final 35 pages. It's been a long time coming, but I will get it done this month.
I also made a connection with a retired film editor here in AZ. We have exchanged some writings and we will meet tomorrow for coffee and conversation. Good month so far!
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I'm editing my feature today before I keep on writing episode 8. I may want to copyright it Monday or Tuesday online before anything.
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Is it sadistic to be glad to see I am not the only person in the world spending a weekend thinking and writing? I can't call it work because it is actually fun. Just re-watched treatment video by Conrad Sun. Will begin that this week. In the meantime, continue novel 7. Love it when things start popping so fast I can't stop - gotta see it on paper. I'm there on Vic #7.
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Here's a power tip from my research. Reading everything 'aloud' is a major component in successful writing. I can tell immediately if a writer didn't read their work aloud. Every sentence should sing, not just dialogue. Description, direction, every component should be smooth to read.
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I'm sure some of these scenes are too compressed, but I'll worry about that later. I'm awful about editing out my own voice in prose, and I really want to get a first draft by December, so I'm just putting fingers to keyboard! A lot of these death scenes are too similar (at least to me), but... I'll worry about all that later. :D
This is not at all comedic (a few lines here and there, of course), but I still have a lot of throwaways that eat-up the page. Few are necessary, but I feel it sounds more Naturalistic, and that's what I'm going for to establish verisimilitude. I want this to come across as realistic as possible since the concept's so over-the-top. May not be necessary, but -- again -- I'll decide on that once I've gotten it all on the page.
Has anyone ever used the built-in reader-people function? I never have; I may try that. I always read my stuff aloud, but it's become exceedingly clear that few people "get" me, so...
I hope they don't read stuff like, "100 00111 11100 00 00 111."
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Ive started late ....but count me in! Aiming to hoover a script down by one third. Make a first draft into a final draft. @Beth LIFE DOES GET IN THE WAY! @Shawn READY TO SING A LOUD LOUD LOUD....
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Didn't write today...sort of needed a break to regroup before delving into act 2...
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I am having some cake at almost 1 a.m , LOL. No sleep tonight as I wanna get a lot done. Taking a breather from my script while reading through my pitches I´ve prepared. Day 5 over here! Let´s go people! Hit those keys with passion and conviction! :) Yeah, I used to work as a soccer coach too. We yell sometimes, LOL.
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C Harris, I've used the voice read along tool on final draft. It's great at catching typos and clunky dialogue. Especially after I've rewritten something so many times that my mind is filling in the missing words.
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I lost Day 3 and 4. Life caught up with me big time!
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Joining the club starting today. Not writing but reading 3 scripts per week
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DAY FIVE: Wrote about 10 pages (likely to cut at least 3-4 of those, which are largely dialogue that goes nowhere), killed-off all my Victims (I think -- may have a straggler or two), started on the Big Backstory, added some character/relationship stuff, detailed that Major Plot Point I came up with the other day, and even threw in some foreshadowing and clues!
The "B-Story" (backstory) is far more central than the hook (it's actually the A-Story, but that's The Beeg M. Knight Shammarammalon Tweest!), so it's going to take a lot more work -- however, I know what I'm going for, so it's just a matter of... you know, working. There is a lot of character dynamics to cover and work out... but most of those cats die, and those scenes are already written (so I can cheat if I run out of time by just moving those scenes closer to their untimely demises).
Thanks, Linda! A lot of my lines depend heavily on delivery and timing and that doesn't always come through on the page apparently, so I'd love to hear someone else read to get a fresh take.
Now I have to pause the writing and read-up on all the research materials I've collected along the way -- and there is a lot! Break a leg, everyone! :)
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Finished laying out the basic plot points this weekend.
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page 32. I hate this story. Hardest scene in 18 more pages. Should be tomorrow or Wednesday. I hope I feel a lightening once it's OUT of me and down on 'paper'.
Hi Debbie Croysdale. Great to have you on board! And, well, "life" sure got in my way this past weekend—boy howdy. Lol! Looking forward to the week ahead. ;)
Thanks for sharing such a thoughtful, sincere comment, Elisabeth. Yes, we must forge ahead. ;)
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Sarah B, and all, I don't know if you saw RB's Coffee & Content blog on Sunday; he shared a video of Jorden Peele's keynote discussion at the 2017 Film Independent Forum. In the video, Peele talks about having FUN. Enjoying the work. Because if you hate what you are doing, then that will show, it will come through in the writing, in the work. You gotta connect to it somehow, find that element that you yourself enjoy. Not to throw a wrench in your project, Sarah, but saying you "hate" your story sounds counterintuitive to me, perhaps? Maybe it's just a tough section to push through and you'll be more excited again once it's done. Anyhoo, I like to listen to podcasts or videos while working or when taking a break. Here's a direct link should anyone be interested in watching the discussion: https://www.stage32.com/blog/Coffee-and-Content-Brand-Building-for-Scree.... Enjoy! :)
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Does anyone here on our path to the November 30th deadline find help with these (2) Screenwriting books: The Screenwriters Bible? or Save The Cat? I ask because over the last 3 years of my membership these pop up from time to time. Anyway 'AMSTERDAM 74' has finally gotten STEVE out of Nijmegen and on the train North. Going to tighten up my scene cards more before I add more pages but have 45 pages now and things are on track(sorry about the pun). Anyway very grateful to Beth Fox Heisinger for helping me and the rest of my fellow "HAPPY WRITERS' Really feel with each script I get a little better and closer to finding my VOICE. But let's face it I'm a WOODY ALLEN, MEL BROOKS clone. And it I can channel some of their VOICE, then well let's not kid ourselves I want to sell some tickets here. This is some ride!!! And a shout out to my fellow Metro NYC peeps who are here too!!
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Typo Alert: And if I can channel not it I can channel. Thank God I am doing this DIY. My spelling and grammar would never get past a script reader. But I have to be more careful because I still have to direct the SAG/AFTRA/EQUITY actors that have signed up to get this film made. And besides spelling errors is a red flag to any script reader that you're a NEWBIE. 34,000 plus films are going to be made next year. Can you imagine how many 100's of thousands of scripts try to get into a script readers office? Phew!! Long shot at best. But it still boils down to a great story and I know some of my fellow 'HAPPY WRITERS' are OSCAR worthy. Including this great German screenwriter who adores BILLY WILDER and has one coming.
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Page 90 reached after almost a 24 hour writing session! My Eyes are bloodshot, playing tricks on me and they hurt LOL. I am off to bed. See you tomorrow guys! Stay in it! :)
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I caught on to this kind of late but I'd like to get in if it's alright. My goal would have been the same even if I joined last week. - Finish the third draft outline for a comedy feature I'm working on.
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I edited my feature but didn't work in my episode due to a throbbing knee. I will write tomorrow.
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Sheesh! Day 5! Finally done with the game. On to easier things to write!
Welcome, Dan C and Frankie. :) Sorry to hear about your knee, Kellie B. That's not good!
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Zlatan, you do this every year. AMAZING!!! I hope you do get some rest. ;)
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Well, I am finally feeling like I've got things lined up and planned out. Now I can hunker down. Whew, I have so much to do in the days ahead. Let's keep going! Onward! ;)))
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Aray, yeah, I'm the same. I will ponder and work things out in my head for quite some time before jotting it all down. Lol! ;)
Aray Brown Thank you for the feedback on those books. I have not read them either. Most of my knowledge on screenwriting since I started in August,2014 has come from stage 32. Whether it be a blog, or a member post or a link to an article. But I am sure those are excellent books. The one book that is on my wish list is RB's on crowd sourcing. Since all (3) of my copyrighted scripts I plan to DIY it should be useful. Good luck.
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I love "Save the Cat" and even recommend it to first-time novelists.
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Steven - I teach screenwriting at the British Film Institute, here in the UK and my favourite books are Chris Vogler’s Writers Journey and Screenplay by Syd Field. Everything is a version of everything and mostly based on Aristotle’s Poetics (a good read as well and still valid). Use them as a template though NOT a blueprint- by this I mean write it, then tweak it to fit that 3 Act structure. If you do it the other way around it’s like writing by numbers and you end up with an uninspiring script. I find Save the Cat and Story too prescriptive. Just my tuppence-worth
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Beth Fox Heisinger and Aray Brown - Thanks you guys :) Well, I am a little crazy I guess, LOL. I mean all kidding aside, you know how much I love to do this. And November Write Club gives me that extra boost and it truly is a great way to end a full year of writing, you know? Glad to hear you´re having some traction again Beth! Getting on track is a great feeling. And Aray, I don´t have Mountain Dew over here LOL, my fuel is passion and coffee :) Lots and lots of coffee. And sometimes some nice wine or a drink or two. :)
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Well, crazy or not (LOL!) I find you inspiring, Zlatan! I get that extra boost during November too! :)
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Thanks for the encouragement, Claude. Much appreciated. :) My two cents regarding Save the Cat, it's rather a prescriptive "intro" to screenwriting. The problem is many new writers stop there, and think that's all they need. They don't continue to grow, expand their knowledge, and develop their own voice. Don't get me wrong, the book makes good observations, but it's very limited. Personally, I much prefer The Screenwriter's Bible simply because it's more of a straight-up reference book for how to construct or format something on the page; it describes and gives examples of how to utilize writer tools and their function for your purposes. It shows various options. There's no one way to write a screenplay. I keep my copy near my desk. Lol! Anyway, let's please not debate about Save the Cat in this thread. Let's keep this thread focused on our November efforts. Thanks all! :))
I have "The Screenwriter's Bible" but I also went to Gotham Writers Workshop here in NYC. I'm so ready to register my work.
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Beth- You are a sweetheart. Small things like that mean so much to me. Thank you! And the reason November Write Club is such an awesome experience and growing each year is because of your very dedicated self. I Think I speak for everyone when I say that you are an inspiration to all of us in your own right :) Thanks for holding the reins on this for all of us :)
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Structured into Scene by Scene, now working on sequences within the script - non-linear progression but hard to tell how much work there is still to do!
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Wow, Zlatan! That's awesome! I can't imagine writing for 24 hrs straight. And Aray, already 20 pages in by today. Wow! I'm still so far behind last year's progress. I'm hoping to get a big jump on it tomorrow. Last year I had one goal and stuck with it. This year my focus is lacking. I've gotten a few things accomplished but not as much as I had hoped to. Maybe I will get a bit more done tonight. : )
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I've been off the wagon for a few days too, but I meet with my mentor tomorrow and that will put me back on track. I've actually given myself permission to take a few days off of writing. And I think I'm okay with it.
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I had an epiphany in the shower and realized how I could fix my feature film script. So, that's my new mission for November! Dig my fancy outlining system. :)
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I've got two scripts I'm working on somewhat simultaneously that I want to finish by the end of the year. I've been making myself get up an hour earlier before work every morning so I can work on one or both for a bit. I miss the sleep, but I'm determined to finish before the new year, and during my workweek it's really the only time I have.
Edited to add, as of today, I'm on page 60 of one script and just hit page 17 on the other.
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Page 35. Oh god. Thanks for the advice on keeping it positive, Beth. It's just this story...the content is very dark. However, it is blocking other projects that I desperately WANT to write, so, having to push through and focus with the Nov. Write Club is an excellent goal,,and the community aspect makes me feel less alone with this difficult subject. I love writing. Nothing else makes me feel so much like ME , it's just a dark story (but possibly my best writing yet..Time will tell).
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Day 7, page 27 on my rewrite. Not where I want to be, but making progress. Thanks for the push :)
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DAY SIX: I added two scenes of character work, fleshed-out my Menace, tweaked some dialogue exchanges, and wrote the written pitch (unfortunately, I've no one to pitch it to yet, but it was fun to write). I researched my Bad, as well as architectural styles for setting, and rewatched an old TV show on the history of Horror for some inspiration and direction. We chatted in our little writers' circle last night as well, which energized me.
My little characters are starting to take on lives of their own... I'm almost sad I murderized them already (but glad that I did -- otherwise, I might have become too attached and chickened-out lol). It's fun writing this. I hope everyone else is having a good time... except for Sarah, who I know is not (sorry, Sarah!).
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Hey Linda Hullinger! Yeah, it´s not anything unusual for me. I sure am weird that way. On two different occasions earlier I completed two scripts and both in less than 36 hours of writing. It can be done. I´ve always worked long hours and I guess I got used to it. Also, I learned, I think, to recognize when I am in that infamous "zone" so I push even harder at those rare times. Sure, inspirational levels for those two projects on both occasions were on an all time high. I too have those moments when I struggle a bit. Life does get in the way more often than one would like, right? :) Hey, just find the flow. Don´t beat yourself up about slow progression. It´ll come to you and you´ll surprise yourself when you one day do even more than you planned. Good days like that are just the reward for all the bad ones we all have.
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My partner and I've written several. The hard part is getting them noticed, but there has been interest in a couple.
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Today I worked on the character arc for my protagonist. I liked the story before, but it's getting even better. :) I also, coincidently, read some more of the "Writing Diverse Characters" book I won recently from Lucy V. Hay. (Yay!)
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It's Wednesday here, so this is my weekly check-in. My first goal for November is to have the book of my screenplay available on Amazon. The writing of the book is now complete and edited to my satisfaction. I am still working on the last three illustrations. The Book Cover design slowed me down because I found a glitch in the Microsoft process of converting a word document to pdf. It took me 48 hours to find a work-around but the Cover is now uploaded to the CreateSpace website.
I am reading all of the comments / reports here, as they get posted to my phone. Congratulations, everyone, on your good work. Keep on writing!
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Aw, shucks, Zlatan. So kind of you! And right back at you, and everyone here. You all inspire me so much every day. Thank you all. Very much appreciated. ;)
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Sarah B, I'm so happy to hear that helped some and that you have pushed through some of the tougher scenes and are still going strong. Yeah, those dark or perhaps heavy subject matters are often hard to write, they can drain you emotionally. But forge ahead you must! Keep going! ;)
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Linda, you got this! Please don’t compare yourself to someone else or last year. That’s just a really really good way to feel really really bad. Lol! It’s a new day and a different year. Plus everyone works at their own pace and has different things they deal with in life—job, family responsibilities, etc, etc, etc. Perhaps make an adjustment. Size down. Focus on one project. Perhaps set a reachable point for November that sets you up to finish something by the end of the year. Whatever helps. We'll be here to cheer you on! ;)
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Wayne, and all, our first CHECK-IN BLOG will happen TOMORROW, Nov. 8, Wednesday, PST (Pacific Standard Time). I'm not sure exactly what time it will post, but I will let you all know and will post the blog link here in the ongoing thread. So please post those weekly check-ins on the blog itself tomorrow. :))
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I started to re-edit the rest of my feature today because I'm almost done. And then I have to go over it one more time. LOL
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I mapped out the third act of my project. I had some previously written good scenes that will work well after some tweaking. I can see the finish line, then it's edit, edit, edit.
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so it wasn't that easy. been writing the inciting incident the past couple days. whew that was heavy. After first week, started at 4 pages but now at 26. Making slow and steady progress.
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Thanks Aray, Zlatan, Beth and all of you motivated writers. Your kind words, ideas and motivation inspired me! I shifted my focus to adapting the short screenplay instead of working on the novella and i actually got 10 pages done this afternoon. : )
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Whoo-hoo! That's great, Linda! ;) Slow and steady wins the race, PJ. Lol! Keep going! ;) Almost done, Kellie? The finish line is in sight, Steven? Edits soon? Wow, you two are working fast! ;)))
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There you go, Linda! And you´re so welcome btw :) :) Awesome! So happy for you! Steven and Kellie, nice work you guys!
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Hello, i have a 86 pages romace & Drama story i love it so deep as it my first finished screenplay and the story touches me a lot. I very glad to know that there people passionate in writing so Yes! let's drink coffee as we follow our passion...
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OK, Wednesday lunchtime, here in the UK. Spent the morning on emails chasing leads, so no writing yet! However have Scene by Scene outline and written scenes scattered across the draft. The document is now 40 pages but some of those are just scene breakdowns. I've written the end and about 5-6 scenes leading into it and a begining sequence up to about page 20, so still a way to go. Don't know how many of you work this way, as opposed to linear writing? Be interested to find out :-)
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I do that, Darren Rapier. In fact, I am now running into timeline issues because of that -- though they're easily remedied. I've never outlined, even when writing prose, but I do make notes on events/scenes/etc. that need to happen at certain points, and usually have a basic idea as to the overall story breakdown before I begin in earnest, so it's kind of a hybrid method. Free-writing allows me to brainstorm while being productive, though I cut huge chunks in editing that may have been avoided had I outlined first.
Doing full outlines, character profiles, and the like before I write feels too clinical to me -- it takes the spontaneity and immediacy out of it, and (IMO) makes my product less impactful. I do those things if I get stuck or have to work-out something. I know people who are really good at it and swear by it, but it doesn't work for me.
I mixed-up two of my days yesterday since I (largely) abstained from writing last Friday. Today, I am tweaking a few scenes and moving others around (handling timeline issues, as discussed), and researching. I need a lot of intake, since this is the hard part; all the hardcore horror bits are out of the way (for the most part), so now I have to fill-out the actual story -- build tension, flesh-out the characters and relationships, and all that.
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'AMSTERDAM 74' is at the half way point. Up to page(45). It really helps when you know how your film ends so you can stay on the highway. Also scene cards were a big help this time. I did not have them for my first (3) scripts. But I am grateful to Beth Fox Heisinger for keeping me at (1) script per year. Hoping to make the deadline. Structure. Formatting. Spelling. They all count. And a shout out to all those who were here last year best wishes on their scripts: Aray Brown Zlatan Mustafica C Harris Lynn Jorge J Prieto Debbie Croysdale . ---- "And the OSCAR for best original screenplay goes to:(your name here)". "Wow! You like me. You really, really like me. First, I want to thank the academy. Also, stage 32 and "RB" for creating a community that made it possible for me to learn the craft to get here. And a special shout out to all our 600,000 "Happy Writers" around the world. Write on!! Thank you ! Goodnight!
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First time doing this challenge and I'm not sure what the Wednesday update is, but here's mine: My goal is to finish researching and outlining this feature screenplay this month. I'm a bit behind b/c had a flu-sick child all week and family unexpectedly in town to stay with us before that... It's just life. I kept pushing even though it wasn't much, but now all that's over and I'm forging ahead.
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WEEKLY CHECK-INS HAPPEN ON THE S32 BLOG. :) Our first Wednesday check-in is today. I will post the blog link when it is available. We use these check-in blogs as an additional means to track participation. Participation is key. This ongoing thread goes all month long and is for daily comment and announcements, etc. There will be 4 check-in blogs during the month. They are scheduled for Wednesdays, November 8th, 15th, 23rd, and 29th. ;)
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If you have questions, you can also refer to my original post, or glance through this thread—information and/or announcements are in bold type. :))) Looking forward to today's check-in!
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Well it's been about a week now - I'm finishing painting and hanging lights in the new studio right now, my screenwriter's critique group and my filmmaker's lab is on its way - so I'm staying busy but I have managed to draft my way through Act I. I think I'm at page 30 (but I'm not ready to go back and read that crap yet.)
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My bad. I kept up with the thread early on but ran out of time to read it all this a.m.--I'll watch for the blog link. Thank you.
Will the blog link be in this thread or somewhere else?
It looks like my feature needs another rewrite and trying to work on episode 8.
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Okay, today's FIRST WEDNESDAY CHECK-IN BLOG is up! Please head on over to the blog and share your progress for the week. Let's continue to support, inspire and cheer each other on throughout our 30 days: https://www.stage32.com/blog/3rd-Annual-November-Write-Club-Get-After-It. :)
Beth, just how many areas are we to use for checking in? I provided an update at the site listed above for the 'First Wed Ck-in Blog.'
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Linda, there's this ongoing thread all month long for daily comments and info/announcements, and the weekly check-in blogs on Wednesdays. You must comment/share/support others here, and you must "report/summarize" weekly progress on the check-in blogs. One thread, 4 blogs on Wednesdays. Easy peasy. ;)
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Got it, thanks!
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Muse Storytelling (which I love) is offering a free webinar I'm going to check out. If anyone else is interested, https://www.crowdcast.io/e/finding-and-living-your-purpose. I hope it's ok to post that here. If not, Beth, let me know. I'm sharing it because their story logic made the most sense to me of anything I've ever come across. Good stuff, for free (even better)!
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Does anyone here know if one of us "HAPPY WRITERS" has ever won an OSCAR/EMMY? I realize it is kind of off-topic, however I know other creatives at stage32 have made the OSCAR run. Just curious. Beth Fox Heisinger you would probably know or ask Richard "RB" Botto when he has the time. The Wednesday check-in is a great barometer on our progress.
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Thanks for sharing a link, Roxanne. ;) And, Steven, sorry, I have no idea and no I don't. And sorry, but let's please keep this thread on topic; it's all about our efforts this November. Thanks!
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Beth Fox Heisinger You got it! Just the topic. After all I am only 45 pages in and NOV 30th won't wait for anybody. Back to 'AMSTERDAM 74'. Hello page 46!
Great to see you, Francisco! :)
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Yesterday's first Check-in Blog was fantastic! Much love and thanks to Amanda! And thank you to all who "reported" or summarized their first week. We're going steady and strong—as Steven said, it's a great barometer to gauge our progress. If you didn't get a chance to comment, then head on over to the Stage 32 Blog. ;) Okay, people, forging ahead! We start our second week! Onward, Write Club! We got this! :)))
ok, whats the catch?
Catch? Tony, perhaps read my original post. ;)
i did
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Starting off the day early! Well, early for me :)
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Me too, Andrea. I got a jump on the day and I'm doing much much better. I'm hoping to implement the changes made in my outline to my script—I've had yet another epiphany. So shuffling things around, reworking and redoing upwards of 50 pages. Suddenly, solutions are clear and my goal is in sight!—YES!!! ;)
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Got a bit stuck last night. Last scene I wrote didn't make much sense for the next scene in outline. Moved a scene up and now it makes a lot more sense. Back on track!
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DAY SEVEN or EIGHT: As usual, I've no idea what day it is. I stepped away from actively writing to read through the research materials I've collected and pulled for my project... but I didn't actually "read" anything... so.
WD is facing "latency issues" due to an active, nationwide MISO, so I had to fool with that for a few hours, and worried I would lose any changes. I edited a few things in my script, which... somehow added a couple pages (OF COURSE IT DID!). After all that, I actually did read a handful of items, though not all the way through. I had some IRL stuff that took-up a lot of my day, as well.
OH! I found someone to pitch it to, so I spent a while editing that. That's what I did. :D
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I started earlier today as well. I adapted the last 12 pages of my short story and finished the first short screenplay on my list. Now I will let that one sit a few days and revise it this weekend. In the meantime, I will begin adapting another short story.
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Well said, Aray! ;) Sounds like everyone is doing well starting our second week!
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OMG! Got some late night writing in...and then started researching some stuff for my next few scenes...then I got a idea to change the ending that kinda fits the style I was going for anyway! I really enjoy writing sessions when something unexpectedly cool happens!
Yesterday I couldn't write because I was adjusting to a mobile knee brace and walking around for the first time in months. I will go over my screenplay tonight.
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PJ, yeah, that is exciting and fun when that happens! :) Kellie, just do what you can do. Please don't over stress yourself on our account. Discomfort or physical pain certainly puts a damper on creative energy, no doubt! Plus it's still a bit early, lots of time left this month. Hope you are feeling better soon! ;)
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I’ve been getting some writing done on my pilot. I changed some things around and now I am in Act 3. How’s everyone’s writing going?
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Pushing through the first screenplay of a trilogy. I am on the 37th page, middle of act 2 and going well. Glad to see fellow writers. Keep creating that's the fun!!
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Page 55.--- STEVE got a job with the NBBS in downtown AMSTERDAM. He is living in AMSTELVEEN. I hope to be at 90 pages before GOBBLE GOBBLE GRATITUDE. Then transfer to CELTX. Do the re-write there. And have a week to spare to get my submission to US.gov. for the $35 copyright fee. And then City & Suburban Motion Pictures will have (4) copyrighted screenplays in it's pipeline for option, sale or production. Beth Fox Heisinger Richard "RB" Botto Amanda Toney -- Could not have done it without the dedication and support you guys have made to this community. This is one very grateful member. And to Gary Craig Hi cousin. Door is still open if you want a part. Do it for Grandpa Louie!
FYI- Grandpa Louie is the one sitting to my right in that 1954 picture taken when I was Age 2 at MOSKOWITZ & LUPOWITZ.
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Well today was much slower for me. Nonetheless, I did get a couple of scenes written. Tomorrow I should be able to get an early jump on the day and get more done! ;) And, Steven, I feel the same way; I could not have got as far as I have without the support of the S32 community. :)
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Today I mostly slept :) Taking couple of Days off Before I go back to the completed draft for polishing. In the meanwhile, light work on Another script.
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Steady as she goes!
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Had to suppply teach past couple of days. Needed a break anyway, as Act 2 has to feel different, and I needed some space to mull things over before launching in again. Realize I'll need to start fitting in my mandatory 2 hours per day AROUND other commitments....might not get a dedicated block on some days. Page 38 this morning. Rememberd to DOWNLOAD & save my spec (Writer'sDuet might be falling apart??? what is up there?) Toughest scene comes in 12 more pages..... Seeing lots of you are also having 'slow days'....as creatives we need these, it's part of the process. Remember, your subconsious is always working, and it's the wellspring for your work. Let it have it's quiet time to do its thing.....(but try to stay away from electronic shadow walls)
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Update: Told my director on Wednesday that I'd have my rewrite done in two weeks. I'm ahead of schedule but will any extra time reading through several times and fine tuning.
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Zlatan, I would need to sleep for a week if I wrote a 90-page script in 24 hrs lol
Aray and Beth, I was on the same slow train that you were on yesterday. Couldn't seem to get anywhere. But today I regrouped (once again) and adapted 6 pages of another holiday short story into a screenplay. Five left to go before I put it in the revisions group of holiday short screenplays.
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Yeah, I'd be in a coma after writing that much in 24 hours, Zlatan! Lol! ;) Glad to hear you regrouped today, Linda! Keep going! ;) Unfortunately, my slow train continues... I did get a jump on the day—whew!—but now I'm off dealing with other responsibilities. I should be able to work on it here and there, so hopefully, I'll still hit my goal for today. ;)
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Probably no writing tonight, but am thinking about the order of my scenes. After change of ending, don't want B story to announce itself so prominently, but still want it to flow with story. Decisions, decisions.....
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Linda and Beth, Happy Sunday-Funday! :) Yeah, I must admit, my brain felt like a mixture of mashed potatoes and oatmeal. Getting old over here. But feeling refreshed this Sunday morning and going back to work. Weather outside sucks so I may as well just keep working :) The total page count came to 130 pages which I´m gonna work on now. Probably need to slim it down a bit, right?
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Happy Sunday Funday to you, Zlatan! Well, almost Sunday here. Me, I'm going to get some sleep and then hopefully get some work done in the morning. Hope your day goes well, cutting all those pages. Lol! ;)
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No worries, Dan G! Thanks for hanging with us. Congratulations on the option! :)))
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'AMSTERDAM 74' Page 60 STEVE is working at his job at the NBBS when an old friend from BROOKLYN walks in to buy tickets. It helps that all of this is actually based on my true accounts when I was living in AMSTERDAM in 1974. But what is really helping is the love and support of the Stage32 community. Not only Richard "RB" Botto Amanda Toney & Beth Fox Heisinger but all my fellow "Happy Writers" who encourage & support. Also it helps to have scene cards to work from this time and it is important to me to know how the film ends before it even began. This I attribute to advice from AARON SORKIN and OLIVER STONE. This first pen to paper draft should be done by next week. I am going to keep it between 90-110 pages. Than I will start putting it in my CELTX program. Once that is done I will print out hard copy and do a first re-write marking it up with a red pen. Also making sure spelling, grammar, format, & structure are 100% correct. The last thing any of us "Happy Writers" want is to have this great story sent to an industry reader who won't even get past page 3 if there are errors. Also a special shout out to my fellow Metro NYC "Happy Writers" who are on this thread with me. BTW- did start another script as well called 'LIBERTY ONE' which is a MARS story. I figure what the heck. 'THE MARTIAN' was box office and I love what ELON MUSK SPACEX and NASA are achieving. I figure why not a bold narrative about the first colonial expedition. If I could get BEN AFFLECK, BRUCE WILLIS, BILLY BOB THORTON and some more of that great 'ARMAGEDDON" cast attached it would be help. But first things first let me write it. And again I did the scene cards first and KNOW how it ENDS! Well that's all for now. It is Morning in Manhattan and I have to get to a meeting. Yes, that kind of meeting. 15 years February. To all a great weekend. WRITE ON!!!!!
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I can hardly believe it is Day 12 already. I finished adapting my second holiday short story to a screenplay yesterday and will spend today (if the forces allow lol) revising both of them.
And congratulations on the option, Dan G. That's great!
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Day 12 CHECK - IN! I’m on the second draft of my script. This one is complicated and I’ve been working on it for some time. I’m taking advantage book series that I wrote and writing the script(s). Think very GoT & HP. Lots of characters and a complicated world and multiple storylines make writing this a challenge.
I love what Steve Klovis did with the Harry Potter films and I read his scripts this year and made extensive notes before tackling my own work again. I’m finding in the fantasy world that subtlety is truly an art!
I’m also producing my first unscripted reality show right now so writing is absolutely scheduled and rigid- which is working well for me. “We just get up and go to work!”
I am really excited to see how the story is shaping up, especially since I write these books quite a long time ago. I even took the past year to rewrite and edit the books to accommodate modern day gadgets and they’re going to be re-released soon with new cover art, etc.
What is the best feeling about all of this work is how in love with the story I am after a decade of writing and publishing and editing til my face hurts. That’s amazing to me. I’m so excited to get back into my writing room every night to work on it.
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Wrote eight more scenes in the last three days. Edited further back. Two more sequences and several more scenes and it's done - except for the mandatory gnashing of teeth during editing/proofreading.
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Had a week off after my husband feel 3 meters off a ladder & broke his hip, our one working car exploded, and the property sale we were counting on to replace said car & ease our finances fell through, all within 12 hours. But back in the saddle today, wondering if I can incorporate any of that into my series.
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Decided on November 1 to join this challenge. I took my pilot/TV movie script and moved it into Scrivener to start on a novel format. Just completed outlining the rest of the book. This has been the best motivator -- I figured out my entire plot for a first season, which is the book. Now to complete it. It won't get done in November but I am months and months closer than when I started two weeks ago!
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Steven, I will be traveling to Amsterdam in December to hook up with Domogoy Ralasic, Musician, to record my 2nd Album and ride the rail around Europe and of course, network! Are there Black or Brown Actors in your Project? I have been writing Story's/Scripts since 2011 and have a package not just one single script namely: The Void the Beginning ( SyFy ), The Robert Johnson Story " King of the Blues ", The Buffalo Soldiers Story " Medal of Honor ", " Kidnapped " ( Pilot ) a Detective Story, Treasure of Sierra Madre, " Summer Camp " ( Indie ), The Bohemian's ( Comedy-Sitcom ), " Tres' Jesus " ( Animated Short ), The " Misfits " a Detective Story. All of my work goes to Gregory Crosby, Make-Believe-Entertainment Co-Producer of Hacksaw Ridge with Mel Gibson. Did someone mention receiving an Academy Award?
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Yikes! That is "life" getting in your way, Barbara! I hope your husband is doing okay. As far as writing, just do what you can. Please do not add any unnecessary stress. Hang in there! :)
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On the Promise of the premise! Where I deliver on the promise that I presented! Time to make a movie!
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I didn't get anything done today due to personal health obstacles that I had to hurdle. With success. Will try something tomorrow.
Keep your head up, Kellie! Again, please don't over stress about Write Club. Just do what you can—whatever you feel like doing. Take care of that bum knee. :(
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Great work, Francisco! I'm hoping to get 35 pages down today -- fingers crossed! :) We're almost halfway through November, people! Time to hunker down. ;)
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My mind is exploding with episodic storylines and I'm writing them down as fast as I can. Had a good weekend of visualizing scenes. Started 1st draft - on page 10.
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Well shoot, now that song's in my head, Aray.
The day (writing-wise) started fast as I had inspiration before I even got out of bed. Thanks, God! Jotted those ideas down; then all morning got bogged down with clearing my work-space so I can concentrate. Familiar pattern. :/ Clean desk. :) Time to hit it.
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[on the process of writing] There isn't any secret. You sit down and you start and that's it. ~ Elmore Leonard
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Argh! Power outages and/or intermittent Internet connection... today's weather caused many headaches. I'll try to work while I have power. Hopefully this windstorm will pass. There's always tomorrow!
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Almost half time. Keep pushing, friends!
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Thanks, Aray! Woke up this morning and all power is restored! YES! Fist pump! Looking forward to diving back in and getting to work! ;)
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only wrote one scene last night. :( But did see Lady Bird. What a master class in screenwriting! Highly recommended!
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I can't believe we're almost halfway there! Just a friendly reminder: If you would like to send me your November project logline, please do so through private messaging. Please also tell me what your project is—a feature, a short, a TV pilot, etc—and also tell me the genre. And please send me only ONE. If you are working on multiple things this month, send me your primary project logline or choose your favorite to share. It's your choice to share a logline or not, of course. I'm compiling a list to post at the end of our 30 days, as a celebratory "victory lap" to see what everyone's been working on this month. :) If you need more time to write or polish up a logline, you certainly have time to do so before the end of the month. :) Also, our SECOND CHECK-IN BLOG happens tomorrow, Wednesday, November 15th, PST. And just like last week, I will post the link in this thread when the blog post is up. Remember participation is key. You gotta be active in this thread, you gotta support and inspire others, and "report" by summarizing your week's work on the blog as well. :) All right, writers! Let's write! :))))
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Yes to what Roxanne says above and Nike, too - just do it. Don't overthink. That's why editing was created on day 8. I don't plan anything. I see movies in my mind and write them down. Often not in a progression. Sometimes a scene is so vivid and interesting that even if it doesn't occur for several chapters, I write it. Makes everything more fun and easier because you have where you were and now where you need to go, and for me, the transition from one to the other is one of those no-brainers.
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Jerry Gill I have a similar process to you. And I also use the "blender" method...This involves throwing all my current research into a blender, blending it all up at high speed, then on a slow pulsate mode, then I pour the smoothie all over my page. It has worked well for me so far ;D
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I didn't work on anything today so I walked carefully down my porch steps and down my street with a heavy knee brace. Medical obstacle cleared. Tomorrow I have some writing to do! Whoo hoo!
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'AMSTERDAM 74'---Page 70 STEVE was in LONDON for the weekend and he met MARGARET. Today is the 2nd check-in. Will post later when the link is up. Really want to distribute this in Europe. Will be a much easier market to find film distributors. But, I am getting ahead of myself. Let me finish this first draft. Get it on CELTX for the re-write. Send in the $35 to US.gov for the copyright, and then I can start thinking about distribution.
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Love that Elmore Leonard quote, Roxanne. Thanks for sharing! ;) Sounds good, Francisco! Map out a plan. :) Jerry, yeah... but having somewhat of a plan saves you much time and effort in the long run—at least I have found that to be true, as I'm doing yet another rewrite. LOL! But hey, to each their own. Whatever works best for you! :) A smoothie sounds good too, S.J. Lol! I do a lot of research, and usually, end up not using it all, yet it informs my writing. ;) Happy to hear you're walking and soon back to writing, Kellie. Wonderful! :) Page 70, Steven! Great! Man, I have soooooooooo much work to do!
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WE'RE HALFWAY THERE, WRITE CLUB! Today's SECOND WEDNESDAY WEEKLY CHECK-IN BLOG is up! Whoo-HOO! November 15th!!! Special thanks to Stage 32's Nick for starting us off with his blog post! Just write, that's what we gotta do! Please head on over to the Stage 32 Blog and share your progress for the week. Let's continue to support, inspire and cheer each other on throughout our 30 days: https://www.stage32.com/blog/3rd-Annual-November-Write-Club-The-Key-is-t.... :))))
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Hey Beth and Group!
Screenplays going well! Page 50 as of yesterday but had a crippling feeling I went the wrong way wit the screenplay yesterday and was shut down all day. Got over it though by then end of the day and will be pushing forward today. "Pushing Forward" is the best term for it as well. It is the only way to convince myself the story was worth telling, just keep telling it!
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Great Michael! Be sure to "report," summarize your weekly progress on the check-in blog. It's Wednesday. We gotta check in. I posted the blog link above. ;)
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Okay, people... Friendly reminder... Participation is key—hint, hint. Gotta be accountable. I know, I know... we're all busy, and writing away. But... see you over on Stage 32's Blog—today's Wednesday weekly check-in blog update. Please report/summarize your weekly progress and cheer others on. We're at the midpoint of our 30-day endeavors. It's all downhill from here to the finish. ;)))
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To my fellow scribes: What music do you like to listen to while we are writing our way to our November 30th deadline? It was asked last year. Have not seen it posed yet this year. For me: FRANK SINATRA is always good. But I have to admit when I am writing my 'LIBERTY ONE' Sci-fi script about MARS I put on JOHN WILLIAMS. Love to hear what you like. That's all.
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I listen to goth, 80's new wave and heavy metal, and classic rock to write. Depends on the feature or episode I write.
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Steven, that's a great question often asked in the Screenwriting forum. But let's please keep this ongoing November Write Club thread on our efforts and our 30-day endeavors—my apologies, I gotta keep us on topic. It's a long, long thread, and it will keep getting longer. LOL! :)
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I have a work list in iTunes. Yeah, John Williams is good. Random other music on this list:
The City Surf, Jamin Winans
Gallery Theme, Tim Larkin (from the Uru: Ages Beyond Myst game soundtrack)
Into the Fray, Mark Streitenfeld
Play With Fire, Cobra Verde
The Worst of the Worst, Steven Price (Suicide Squad soundtrack)
With or Without You, U2
Anything that gets my brain in the Zone.
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Great music selections, Lorna and Kellie. But again—sorry, my apologies—gotta keep this thread on topic. ;)
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Beth Fox Heisinger Okay Beth, You're the boss. Won't comment on the comments. WRITE ON!
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Steven Harris A. I love to write by Smooth Gospel Jazz.
Thanks to all for "reporting," summarizing your progress on our SECOND WEEK Check-in Blog -- special thanks to Nick. ;) We're doing great at the halfway point! Many seem to have turned a corner as we head into the third week. It sure goes fast from here! Lol! ;)
That's great progress, Francisco! Did you post on today's Wednesday Second Weekly Check-in Blog?
And, again, let's please keep the thread on topic, on our 30-day endeavors. Thanks! Much appreciated. ;)
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All right, week three! I'm getting an early start today. The next few days will be telling for me. I have a lot going on outside of writing and S32, so I have to scrutinize my time even more. I gotta hit at least 10 pages a day, roughly. Bring on the coffee!
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This week 3 I will be completing my scene lists for each of my sequences with a goal of having a completed outline, edit for story gaps or slow spots in my plot, then on to layering scenes! Thank you Beth for all the encouragement to stay the course.
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DAY 15: It wouldn't let me post or favorite comments until I cleared my cache and cookies (it still seems kind of funky, so I hope this goes through), but I was working. It's an extremely busy week due to the holiday, but I rewrote my pitch and am rewriting the logline. I worked very little on the screenplay itself because I forgot to design my "Monster Mythology!"
That's central to this kind of film, and I leapt headfirst into writing for the 30-Day Challenge. I assumed it was a certain way for convenience's sake, then came across something in my research which fits perfectly... so now I have to decide which way I'm going. This is one of those things I usually would have done before I started writing.
I don't mind if the draft I have by December is bad, but I worked on the pitch and logline last week, and have to decide on my monster backstory before I can do anything.
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Got a big scene to write today! Always get nerves before writing them. Balancing tone and story progression are going to be key!
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Hey guys! So despite husband falling off 3 meter ladder, both our cars dying, and a property sale I was counting on falling through, all in the space of 12 hours, my series bible is going well. And I've actually managed to outline the first season eps! Lol. I'm probably a third into it, though it's hard to judge as I have never written one before. Anyone know any good sources for how to do a series bible? I've seen a few, but am a complete newbie here with this. Thanks! ❤️
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Wow, Barb! When it rains it pours, eh? Hope you're ok! I would also love to know good sources for examples of existing Bibles and websites etc. Maybe start a new thread for this topic? Beth, are there st32 tutorials you'd recommend?
Me, I stalled after the midpoint...this is the first time I've written hard in 2 years, so maybe I overdid it. Anyway, just took a few days to step back, then did a read-through out loud yesterday. I'm happy with the dialogue, it snaps! I'm concerned now though, I stole scenes from the second half of act 2 to fill in the first half of act 2, and now I'm having to reallly think about what will come next. Ah well, also doing TONS of reading & research toward my next project - the occult world is bloody fascinating. Cheers y'all!
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Everyone seems to be back at it and writing! Barbara, happy to hear that despite everything life has thrown at you, you still are able to get some work done. ;)
Sarah, Barbara, and all, there are S32 webinars on how to write a series bible, etc, just look under "Happy Writers" then scroll down to "Next Level Webinars." Maybe there's one that may fit what you are looking for. And there have been many past threads about bibles and examples, so perhaps do a search by topic in the Lounge. All related threads will be shown. I write mostly features myself, so I really don't know of any outside resources for series bibles. But I do know others have posted some examples... So hopefully, your new post on the subject, Sarah, will yield some great responses and answers from our great community. ;) Hope that helps some.
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I am fine tuning the logline. Plus, I am working on Act 1.
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Got my 10+ pages roughly done today! YES!!! So happy! I'm shuffling things around, rewriting... but there's a helluva lot more to do. Whew! Just keep going... Just keep going... Just keep going. ;)
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I did not write today. Unless you count this. ;)
Real life happening fast.
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I hear ya, Roxanne. Some days are like that. ;)
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This afternoon I wrote 5 pages for episode 8, then another 5 just now. 15 pages today including the 5 I wrote last week. Whoo hoo!
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So great to read everyone's process reports. Congrats fellow writers. I got five more pages of my 20 page short. Finally got my title and logline down, boy was that hard. Loglines are always hard for me, so this is why I normally write them after my first act. My titles usually change with time. They come to me in the middle of the night. Last years Write Club title came to me on act 3. Any similar experiences fellow writers? Lets do this. Now here's a quote that hit me.
"...the thing about great fictional characters from literature, and the reason that they are constantly turned into characters in movies, is that they completely speak to what makes people human." -- Keira Knighley
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I'm done rewriting and doing read throughs with Final Draft speech control voice reader. I'm hoping to finish next week and submit to my director. Third draft's a charm... I think.
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Hey Beth Fox Heisinger , will you also publish the loglines of scripts in other languages than English? I'm asking because I'm writing my first feature in German. So, I could send you the longline in English and in German, but what makes sense?
Then, to the address of 'Happy Writers' (just because this matches my first question): Is the "HappyWritersTeam" also already connected to film markets outside the U.S. or working on this? I just imagined how cool it would be if HappyWriters could offer pitch sessions to producers worldwide which is not the case yet. Maybe I could help and name a couple of interesting production companies and you try to get them into the boat of Stage32?
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Elisabeth, in English for November project loglines, please. ;) And perhaps reach out to Happy Writers with your inquiry/offer: WriterHelp@Stage32.com. Or send a message to RB. ;)
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I plan to start scripting my YA feature film; I'm particularly excited about it. I hope it might be my first produced flick as I don't intend to sell it.
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It's title is Beautiful Ugly. I'm actually thinking of changing its title. Probably... until I commence work on it who knows...?
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Beth, thank you. Will send you the longline in English then and hope that there is any producer with German roots who likes it. :))
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Up early and at it. It's moving along slowly, but it's moving :)
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Beth Fox Heisinger Aray Brown Jorge J Prieto Amanda Toney C Harris Lynn Richard "RB" Botto Tomasz Mieczkowski
S.J. Robinson Zlatan Mustafica Joleene DesRosiers Elisabeth Meier And to all the other "Happy Writers", Stage32 staff, and moderators. Morning from Manhattan. 7:44 AM. Still at page 70. Decided to stop and fine tune all the scene cards. I don't use "Save The Cat" by Blake Snyder, and my own beat will have to go on. But this is working for me. I am grateful for Aaron Sorkin & Oliver Stone for their advice on structure. I am also grateful for my (3) Writer/Director Legends that I aspire to write & direct like: Mr. M.B, Mr. W.A, & Mr. N.S. with a little Mr. B.W. thrown in. Still feel I can get to last page by GOOBLE GOOBLE GRATITUDE. Then will do the re-write in CELTX. Still working on 'LIBERTY ONE' on the side (my MARS story) and 'THE BATHERS'( my GEORGE SEURAT inspired script). Any way if I work hard and make sure I watch my formatting, grammar, and structure hope to have (6) copyrighted scripts to celebrate at our C&SMP holiday party(Date TBA). If you are a "Happy Writer" and Metro NYC S32 member I will get you an invite. Sorry Beth Fox Heisinger went just a tad off topic about our holiday party. I'll watch it. WRITE ON!!!!
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Elisabeth, put a second version in German on your profile page, in "Loglines." It will show on the site through "Browse." ;)
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DAY 16: It's back to not letting me "love" posts, so I hope this goes through...
I worked on my "Monster Mythology" then decided I don't want to put everything in this film -- they only learn what they need to know, not the monster's entire origin story, full capabilities, and all that. I think not telling everything about the monster makes it scarier, but we'll see. I'm going to end the movie with them having learned little to nothing about the creature or its habits.
I made a handful of changes, edited some lines, and added set descriptions. I moved half of a scene earlier in the timeline, giving a secondary character more screen time, so it also better establishes him. I researched my monster and developed it. I caught-up on e-mail, eBay, and so on (I hope).
Like Nick said this week, even if I don't finish an entire draft by December -- which I plan on doing -- I have 50+ pages of a script, along with a solid written pitch and logline. That's great -- especially for an idea I conceived a month ago! I don't work this fast... on anything, so I'm excited.
Thanks, Steven Harris Anzelowitz and everyone else!
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C Harris, just a side note... your issues with the site could be due to a setting or faulty extention with your browser. Perhaps try another. Sometimes on Safari on my iPhone I cannot "like" a post. I close the window, reopen and it's back. If you feel there's something else interfering then send a message to tech, they are there to help: Support@Stage32.com.
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I was up early too, Andrea. Hoping to make great strides today. I'm so happy to hear that many of you are making progress and feeling good about it. Awesome! Love it! Seize the day, people! :)))
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C Harris Lynn - I had a similar problems once. Go to C-Windows-System-Temp and delete everything from Temp folder. Refresh the window and try again.
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Did I miss a day or two? Oh well. Been busy over here! I have revised 27 pages in total. The progression is slowing down a bit which is natural as one goes in deep into the story and fixes the details. Also, I had a meeting today. I actually got an offer to construct a creative writing class and workshop for a non-profit organization here in Sweden. AND I am actually gonna get paid for doing that AND there will also be some other news on my end that I can´t reveal just yet. Everything sort of hit me today! In a good way, though. So I apologize if I missed a day or maybe even two, Everything is a blur. Gonna take a quick nap and rest up a bit and work throughout this weekend. Keep going guys, good things WILL happen if you work at it. You´re all awesome and I freakin´ love ya! :)
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Zlatan, anticipation is a bear BUT you have patience...I ON THE OTHER HAND CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR. :-) I'm now writing everyday banging out 3 to 4 pages a day. Not much but progress.
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Hey Linda! How are you!? Sounds like forward motion to me, you know. Quantity isn´t everything. We´re all different that way (pace-wise) and no way is the right way. I think you seem to be doing great. Not everyone can do what we do, think of it that way. If I can help you in any way, just say the word, I´m always around. :)
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Actually going backwards today. Tightening up/filling out some scenes to really bring story to life!
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Working backward, forward, or writing one sentence, one page at a time... It's ALL progress. ;)
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Thanks Zlatan, I'll keep your offer in mind...an added incentive. So true Beth!
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Editing my feature right now. I might work on TV series later tonight. Knee is good.
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I rearranged the script scenes, not sure I like the second act, and now see that my female lead needs more. Sigh.
This isn't the fun part.
But - I know it leads to it, so I'm pressing on.
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DAY 17: I added character and set descriptions, blocked characters, and developed the two new scenes from existing dialogue that I created yesterday. I wrote three new pages, but I haven't written the scenes out yet - I'll do those today.
I'm still working-out my Monster backstory with some feedback from fellow writers. I'm not sure how much of it I want the audience to know - this is not about the creature's origin story, so most of it is irrelevant to our heroes and the movie. I feel the more you know about something, the less frightening it is.
Finally, I brainstormed questions for a webinar I'm attending. Then came up with notes for an entirely new movie while writing loglines! It's pretty cool, too.
I was away from the house literally every day this week, so I needed to make-up a lot of lost time.
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Finally got some good scenes for 2nd half of 2nd act. So much raw emotion, so much trauma, it's sort of exhausting. Have to work in short bursts, and don't want to start writing it into the script until it's all hashed out on the 'board', but, man, despite it all, yesterday I relived why I love writing. Where do these people and their conversations come from?
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I just solved a critical point in my current project FIRST 100. Sometimes I just have to get away from it, let the mind relax, and solutions present themselves! Final act is coming together nicely.
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Sounds like everyone IS making great strides. That's awesome! I'm tending to take a few baby steps forward then change my plan and turn around and run backward then start over again. Lol. But. I refuse to quit the challenge. Hopefully I will have more accomplished by this evening. Adapting holiday short story number 3 into a screenplay.
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Yup, everyone is making great strides! And, going back and forth, reworking or rethinking through plot or structure, that's just part of the process — sometimes it takes a while to figure out how best to approach a story, how best to construct something on the page. Working it all out is making progress. That's certainly what I've been doing this month. LOL! ;)
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Last night I was able to rework 20 pages! I'm thrilled! I'm hoping to get a little further so I can better juggle the holiday week ahead. ;)
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Back on track. Almost ready to break into 3!
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I'm going to go over my feature tonight before watching Versailles and then work on the tv series. My knee is aching due to raining but I can get through it.
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Every "HAPPY WRITER" on this thread has the OPPORTUNITY to take their stories as far as they want to go. There is GREAT talent here. Many of us have LEARNED here on Stage 32 how to get to where we want to go. Whether you want your screenplay optioned or sold we have PITCH SESSIONS here you can take advantage of for reasonable cost usually $39-$59. And keep in mind there is always DIY. So as we all pound away at our stories keep in mind that we can get our stories made into MOVIES. Remember "TANGERINE" which gained critical acclaim was shot on an IPhone. Beth Fox Heisinger I don't think I am going off topic with this comment. I think all of us should know that we can get OUR scripts to the screen no matter what. We just have to be willing to do the work. And some of us on here have OSCARS or EMMYS in OUR future. You just have to have the FAITH and the PASSION to create a NARRATIVE that ENTERTAINS and INSPIRES. That is what GREAT MOVIES are all about.That is what has kept me going ever since I met "RB" at Quinn's Bar to open the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival. I am optimistic about everything I have written so far and what I am writing during this "NOVEMBER WRITE CLUB". It has been said that you don't find your REAL voice till your 4th or 5th script. Well 'AMSTERDAM 74' is my 4th and I can see my VOICE coming out. So to all I offer one piece of ADVICE. No matter what find time every day to WRITE. Could be an hour could be more but the key is EVERY DAY. And believe me you will get into a discipline of creation. And that's that. A shout out to my fellow NYC peeps who here. WRITE ON!!!!
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Woohoo... just finished two script assignments in English. Now, I - finally - can get back to my own script- in German. Although I partly think I should write it in both languages. Am confused today.
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DAY 18: I wrote two scenes and worked on others, worked more on scene descriptions, rewrote my logline and written pitch, and wrote this for check-in. I need to write about four pages a day to make it to 90, but I don't have an ending yet and I'm already at 60 pages!
In fact, I don't outline, but I prep like anyone else -- character sketches/studies, research notes, whatever I think I'll need -- and jumping right in, with only a few lines for all of these things, was exhilarating! But now I have to stop writing, and do those things first. Some of these characters have big monologues, and I have only a general idea as to what they're going to say, and zero idea as to how they're going to say it. Plus, I've changed so much, and moved so many scenes around, that I don't know where I am now.
I also worked on the verbal pitch, which I give later today. Luckily, the water pressure in my house dropped to a trickle for no determinable reason, and I haven't showered in days! So, this should be interesting.
Then I did computer maintenance, tried to read, and watched movies. I've been trying to clear my queue, but I keep finding more stuff to add...
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Switched gears and am working on edits on an existing script.
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Well, the next few days are going to be crazy busy for me... so switching to my work-whenever-I-can-steal-a-moment mode. You know, write a script 10 minutes here and there—or work late, late at night. Lol! Oh, the holidays! ...Maybe I can hide out from family, that could work! Lol! Anyhoo, I hope to just keep moving forward... one word at a time. ;)
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So I went over my feature last night and fell asleep around midnight. Working overtime on my tv series latest episode before Thursday's dinner.
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Had a slow day today due to headaches and research I had to do regarding another project. But I am happy to say that I have revised half the script. Certain scenes went out the window and others were rewritten. Act 2 can be rough to work on sometimes, especially when Writing a thriller script. I see a lot of you are shifting into higher gears! Awesome! So inspiring!
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DAY 19: I gave the verbal pitch and am waiting for feedback. I worked on that basically all day. But I also wrote another three pages, and outlined what I have.
One thing I've found that helps is not reading e-mail or news first thing in the morning unless I just have to. I start off the day more relaxed and focused. Writing these check-ins everyday has been great, too! I know exactly what I've done and what I need to work on next.
I still don't write anything worth keeping until at least mid-afternoon, though.
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Gonna be hard to write with my bday and thanksgiving coming up. Gonna do a little bit at a time so don't lose momentum!
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I am working on my scenes. My goal is to start writing the script this week.
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I managed to get a little work time in this morning... This week is tough! Happy to hear everyone is managing to stay on task. I hope I can recover from the Thanksgiving madness and make up for lost time. Lol! Oh, and please keep in mind we have our third weekly check-in blog on Wednesday. ;) Hang in there Write Club!
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I thought I'd be done with this rewrite and on to another project by now. Silly me. I made a bigger mess of this than planned. Now my goal is to put it back together - no worse for the wear - by the end of the month, even though the end is rushing at me, along with the Thanksgiving holiday.
I'm committing to an hour of writing each day this week. I'd like to do more, but there are 9 more people and one more dog (that chews) headed our way to stay a few days, and I've got serious prep to do!
Thankfully (?) my hubby plans to cook the turkey in a smoker the kids gave him that he's never tried before. A house full of guests seems like a good time to experiment, no? But I'm not going to overrule his decision because then I'd end up the cook. Do I dislike cooking so much I'd risk my life and that of my loved ones?
Yes. Seems like a fair trade.
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Today is another day of juggling but I should be able to steal 10 minutes here and there... and if I can't quite sit and work I try to work things out in my head, jot down little notes, so when the busy holiday subsides I can go back and hit the ground running. ;) Okay, tomorrow is our THIRD WEDNESDAY WEEKLY CHECK-IN BLOG. I'll post the link when it is made available. So please watch for that. Let's keep going! Keep writing! :)
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DAY 20: Still doing mostly scene description. I didn't describe anything the first time through -- characters, scenes, settings -- nothing.
Last week, I got a Project Management program free when I bought something else. It's basically a customized desktop dedicated to each project, with shortcuts to anything I add (programs, files, links), notes, a To-Do list, images, et. al.
It sounds like avoiding writing, but organization is a big part of the job. When I open the program, I can see everything related to my script, including what I need to do next. I can find anything I need immediately, and I'm not distracted. Pretty great, actually, and it only took a couple hours to plug everything in and get going.
I already have 60 pages, and I still have a lot of story to tell, so I had to throw on the brakes -- before I wind-up with a 200-page script! I was also away from the house every day last week, and we had our Thanksgiving yesterday, so it's been hectic.
I'm surprised to have gotten this far, but there's still a little more than a week left, and I'll have an empty house some time this week (allegedly). So, after a few days set aside for excessive drinking, I'll have a day or two left to get some things done. :)
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Page 58. Oh boy. This trying to squeeze writing times around work and family and life really didn't work well last week. Had to write new scenes by hand at night in the wee hours. Need a good long date with 'the board' out in cabin 3...but man it started snowing last week. Want to really have a clear plan of scene progression for the whole second half before setting it in stone. Got a good hour in this morning. God, I really need to start making MONEY at this so I don't have to supply teach! OH! You guys will love this: last night I spent two hours working with my daughter on her first year Uni. assignment, a pilot adaptation of a sci-fi novel and bible pitch....family always comes first, eh? Collaborating via writersduet was very cool. I am proud to say, she's really good! Her dialogue snapped!
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I am diligently working on the scenes for the first act. I am hoping to begin working on the script soon.
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Beth Fox Heisinger Been sidetracked by that "Casting Couch " thread. I have to focus now on getting 'Amsterdam 74' finished. Have to stay on this thread till November 30th to get the script into re-write, than CELTX than US.gov $35 copyright. My lesson: Never try to do two thread topics at once. So let's keep on topic. I salute the following "Happy Writers" on this years journey : Aray Brown C Harris Lynn Jorge J Prieto Sarah Gabrielle Baron Zlatan Mustafica Roxanne Paukner Elisabeth Meier Joleene DesRosiers Linda Bradshaw-Rogers All of us help each other. That is why we are "Happy Writers" So back to 'AMSTERDAM 74' and find out what STEVE is up to. Will start on page 76 tonight. Thanks everyone for your support. "AND THE OSCAR FOR BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY GOES TO": (YOUR NAME HERE). WRITE ON!!!!!!
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Looking forward to the check in. As I slowly navigate through the 3rd act, everything is coming into perspective.
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Time flies! Sat down to do some light work on another script, got totally consumed by it and as I looked at my watch... DARN! I´ve been sidetracked for like little over six hours. Okay, back on track now revising further pages of my thriller.
Thanks, Mr. Anzelowitz! I would like to thank all fellow November Club Writers, Happy Writers, all writers really. I would like to thank Beth and Stage 32 leadership... The Academy... LOL!!! Yeah, I am kiddin´ guys. I wouldn´t even dare to dream THAT much haha! But thanks, Mr. Anzelowitz, it is my very first Award :)
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Two acts down, one to go. BAM! On page 64. I meet with my superhero writing coach tomorrow, which will certainly kick me into high gear. I gotta say it....it ain't too bad of a script I'm writing.
Steven Harris Anzelowitz awesome job! WOO-HOO!
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As many of us celebrate Thanksgiving, I want to thank all of you, and this community, its creator Richard "RB" Botto , the entire Team and especially those of you I've come to know more closely by allowing me to read your screenplays and be a part of your journey.
My progress report on my short tomorrow. Right on schedule is all I will say today. Keep writing Happy Writers.
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C Harris Lynn, the project mgmt program sounds like something I should use! So much time spent finding stuff. What's the product?
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We're heading into the final stretch! Our THIRD WEEK WEDNESDAY CHECK-IN BLOG IS UP: https://www.stage32.com/blog/3rd-Annual-November-Write-Club-You-Know-The.... Special thanks to Stage 32's Allen for leading the charge with his blog post—this Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for Write Club too! :) Please head on over to today's check-in and "report," share your progress for the week. Let’s continue to support, inspire and cheer each other on! The end is near, people! We're almost there! :)))
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Hey all. haven't been online much but have been working away. Decided to take some time and gather a little write club inspiration! Hope you're all channeling it into some great work. :)
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Back at you, Steven Harris A., you're tremendous!
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Okay, if you haven't had a chance, do try to head on over to the Stage 32 Blog for our THIRD WEEKLY CHECK-IN BLOG—the link is posted above. I know we're even busier these days, but remember... participation is key. Let's keep the momentum going, Write Club! The last of our 30 days are ahead! :)
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page 67. Hey, guess I'll go over to the weekly checkin blog
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DAY 21: I added and rewrote dialogue, expanded some scenes, and hastily drafted the ending (at least the end shot). I exceeded three pages, and I haven't "decompressed" all the scary scenes yet. I'm around pg. 65.
I don't outline, but I write basic, structure/plot "beats" -- this happens, then that happens, so and so explains the situation to someone, etc. -- and I have several of those that need to be written-out.
I'm nervous because I'm already past 60 pages, and I'm not sure how necessary some of these pages are. I'm thinking of rushing through just to meet the deadline, but I hate to force it -- you can tell when something's forced, or when the writer's heart isn't in it.
Most of what's left is tying everything together, writing-out the scenes I summarized and putting them in the right order, then doing a full rewrite. I'm going to have a complete script by December 1, but it won't be very good.
For any horror writers, how much screen time do you assume for your kill scenes? I can write-out pacing, build tension, and so on in the script, but isn't that done by the director and in editing? Should I assume two minutes for each of these pages? Should I even write these out, or just provide the barebones action?
Roxanne Paukner It's called "Freeter." It's basic (in a good way) - I learned to use it in a couple of hours, though I'm sure I've only scratched the surface.
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Gobble Gobble to my Fellow "Happy Writers". Great day at the 79th street workshop. We feed over 600 people. Heading home to work on 'AMSTERDAM 74'. STEVE is inviting some backpackers to the dorms at the Vrije Universitat in AMSTELVEEN. Looks like The will hit the final page sometime this weekend. Than on to the re-write in CELTX. I should make the November 30th deadline with a day to spare. Hoping to send in for the $35 US copyright by then. Then I can spend December on 'THE BATHERS' with God's help I will finish 2017 with (5) copyrighted scripts. None of this would be possible without love and support I have gotten these last 3 years from Stage 33. That is what I am MOST thankful for this Thanksgiving. WRITE ON!!!!!
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So after hours of cooking, eating, and in pain, I decided to look at the first episode of my TV project and I said to myself WTH did I write? No problem but still working on episode 8.
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Oh lord Kellie, yeah. Hope you got some downtime at some point. Keep it up!
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DAY 22: Had the house to myself, so I slept all day.
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Hey Joleene M.! Haven't heard from you in awhile; good to see you out here. Keep banging those scripts out.
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Good for you, C Harris! Me, my house is still full of visiting family members. Lol! ;)
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Huge thanks to all that checked in on our Third Weekly Check-in Blog!—WOW, whatta turnout! Again, much thanks to Allen for his blog post. ;) Friendly reminder... if you would like to send me a November project logline please do so through private messaging—I'm compiling a list to post at the end of our 30 days. Please send me only one logline and include the genre and form—is it a feature, TV pilot, short, etc. :) Okay, Write Club... Can you believe it?! We are in our FINAL week of November! Yikes! We gotta hunker down and make a final push forward in these last days. Let's keep writing! Onward!!! :)))
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Struggling the past few days to fine tune but still hoping to finish the rewrite by mid-week.
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I did not write today. My company survived, so we are still entertaining. :) I might try to squeeze in an hour later, but not sure the outcome will be worth it.
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I didn't write today because I was resting from yesterday. Tomorrow is another day. I'm not pressuring myself to write the 8th episode but taking my time to at least write something.
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Watched Rudy to prepare for the final football game i'm writing. Was able to write a little bit after. I am still doing the pregame festivities and can feel already that it's gonna be a doozy.
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I have a goal of finishing the first draft of a feature this month. Today I finished page 60, so the end is in sight. November is a great month so far!
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PJ- 'Rudy' great choice. Inspirational!!
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Wow! Yesterday was one of those good/bad days. I was at work on Vic Challenger book 7. I glance out the window and got distracted by geckos scampering up a tree trunk. My mind wandered (I have never been able to pinpoint exactly what triggers these excursions). Suddenly, ( :)) 45 minutes later I had viewed a complete movie for another Vic novel. That's how they all show up. There are now three in the waiting room, The bad part is they all keep pushing me to hurry and give them their turn at the keyboard. I'm working on it!
Now I'm getting ready to take Vic into a night saunter through the villains well-guarded estate. Those guards will likely pull their weapons and go check it out when they should go the other way. I can hear George Thorogood as Vic moves through the shadows like a ferocious feline stalking her pitiable prey - Bad to the Bone! Feels like a good day coming on. Hope all of you are also having good days.
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DAY 24: I'm done.
It isn't 90 pages, but I cut so many corners that there's no way to finish without doing the legwork I usually do before I start writing. I know next to nothing about the characters (some don't even have names); I never attended an Ivy League school; my monster, and its mythology, is only half-done; etc.
The only major point lacking is the ending, which can go down a few different ways. One of the leads may die, but it depends on how she reacts -- which is totally dependent on her character... of which I know nothing. "SOMEONE" at "SCIENCE LAB" might call the cops -- I just don't know yet, because SOMEONE doesn't even have a name!
I skipped these things so I could just write -- get it on the page! -- and I did that. So, despite not having 90 pages, I have more than enough material to reach 90 pages once I get into rewrites -- and that's what I was going for.
This is the point where my insecurity always strikes, and I start second-guessing everything, so I'm done. I'm not adding 20+ pages to an otherwise decent rough just to say I have 90 pages; until I know more, this could be 75-minutes long or 100+.
The basic story, cast, and structure is on the page, and that was my goal. I'm still noodling on it (of course), but it goes in the drawer on the 30th -- no matter what. :)
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Lorna, I saw what I wrote and I said this looked awkward. I really have to make note on each episode to make sense and hopefully less repetitious with the dialogue of all my characters. I'm okay health-wise and my knee is fine. Will work on episode 8 tonight and when I reach episode 10, I'm editing and rewriting everything!
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Uh oh, sounds like some of us are in a post-holiday slump, maybe? Myself included. Sorry to hear you are sick, Francisco. Me, I'm exhausted. I honestly wasn't expecting that. So I'm allowing myself to take a breather today, then hitting it hard in the next few days. I can't believe we're in the final stretch! :)
Now, if I can just get a little further before the 30th... I'll be thrilled! ;) Happy to hear some of you are done or near finished—that's inspiring! Hang in there, Write Club! We got this!
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Hey! For some reason I didn't catch this post until the Thanksgiving holiday! Because guess what??? Besides the daily grind of life I'VE BEEN WRITING!!! And I have good one too lol. So good I showed it to some of my colleagues and they said 'TAKE IT OFF THAT SITE NOW' and "MAKE SURE IT'S COPYRIGHTED NOW!!' Okay okay - So what you'll find is my logline and Synopsis of my new opus 'SPORK FALLS' an episodic television mystery in the vein of Twilight Zone/Black Mirror/Twin Peaks - I did leave the first 9 pages up to get a taste. If you're really interested I will share privately with you. I have sent off for my copyright and WGA. So check out Spork Falls I think it's got some legs! Good luck to all of you! I need a winner lol.
Well in my defense Beth I did hit you up on the old thread before Nov 1 lol. I started writing and apparently missed all these check in's so I'm behind on that. Actually read all 3 weeks of everyone's progress and it's amazing work! Glad everyone is pumped and motivated! So i'm here to help read or cheer on anyone to the finals lol. I'm about to start on episode #2. :)
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My pace has slowed down as I am totally detail-oriented at this point as I am fixing the script. It´s slow work now but I am happy with the results. Almost done with few days left. I Believe I will actually make it and come December I will have yet another script that I feel comfortable presenting. Happy, happy, happy :)
BTW someone mentioned submitting to the Universal Writers Program which was over November 6th!! Sorry!
Only got a couple pages in today. Hope to hit it hard tomorrow! I can count the number of scenes left on one hand!
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That's great, Zlatan! I'm so happy for you!
PJ, sounds like you're doing great too! Congrats!
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Christopher, this ongoing thread has been visible and trending for 4 weeks now, plus 4 blog posts this month alone. I also posted in an old thread to be on the lookout for a new thread for November 2017. So... gotta check the site, etc. Lol! Anyway, sorry you missed out. Thanks for joining and cheering us all on. Much appreciated. Happy to hear you've been writing. ;)
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Oops! I missed an update (I wrote these as I went):
DAY 23: Wrote one of the antagonist's Big Speeches, wrote-out some scenes I'd only summarized, did some minor editing, and "decompressed" the kill scenes.
The most important scenes are there (save one or two), and the story's told, so now it's character work, editing, pacing, and so forth. There is still a lot of work to do. There's no way I could write an entire, 90-page screenplay in 30 days without any prep, but I have a decent rough draft (it's a mess, but it's on the page!).
I chose this project for the Challenge because it's a basic genre flick, so I was hoping that would make it easier (and it probably did). I'm bringing my own originality to it of course, but the formula for these kind of films is set in stone because it works. But, as someone else (I think it was PJ) noted, the story became more complex than I'd expected. Still, I could not be more pleased with my progress -- I even have a written and verbal pitch!
Next year, I'm going to "cheat" and do my prep work before the Challenge. I know that's not exactly in keeping with the spirit, but the holiday really set me back, so I feel like that evens things out.
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Wow! PJ and C Harris, and Zlatan, you guys are really getting so much accomplished! That's awesome!
I'm still going at a snail's pace. Little revising here and a little writing there. I can hardly believe it is the 26th already. Like you, Beth I am exhausted. The seasonal chaos has me drained. But. I will finish the third holiday short screenplay. My new goal is to get all three of them in top shape and ready to post on Script Revolution by the 1st. : )
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Wrote 12 pages and edited 30 yesterday. The ending sequence flowed so well I swear sparks came off the keyboard. Nothing like a whirlwind final sequence to get the juices flowing. The draft will be done in Nov., with up to two weeks in Dec. to edit and polish.
It's my first attempt at a script. And I believe it uses a complex subject in a difficult genre. A great challenge that I relish.
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Beth, maybe a 'Year-End' Write In would be even a greater push (encouragement). Just saying...!
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Had a very productive sunday! I cheated and jumped ahead and wrote my finale. I couldn't help it. While it's not quite where I want it to be yet, the structure of the scenes is there. At least there is a bit of time to perfect it before December!
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Hah! Too funny, PJ. My plan is to do the same: cheat and write the ending. I'm on page 68, totally have blanks on my planning board, nothing is 'coming' and just want to feel like I've finished as much as I can by the end of November. I know I've got pages 85-110 ready to roll. So, screw it, I'm just writing it. After a two year haitus, this November Write Club has helped me: I've done well to up my sitting time, but I'm going to have to make Tuesday and Wednesday 4 - 6 hour commitments if I"m going to get this done. Wish me luck!
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THE END has arrived. 'AMSTERDAM 74' first draft pen & paper is done. Finished at 98 pages. SPOILER ALERT: Yes, STEVE & ANTOINETTE live happily ever after. As He was head to get on a train at Amsterdam Centraal station to Schipol Airport to be without MARGARET back in New York, ANTOINETTE gets off the train from Nijmegen and says doesn't care about her Father's objections. Embrace. Hug. Kiss. FADE OUT. CLOSING CREDITS. So I have till November 30th to get the re-write on to CELTX, then online to US.gov for the $35 US copyright. Then PHEW!!!! (4) copyrighted screenplays in 4 years!!!! Would not have been possible with the love & support of the following: Richard "RB" Botto Beth Fox Heisinger Amanda Toney Tomasz Mieczkowski & all the "Happy Writers": Linda Bradshaw-Rogers C Harris Lynn Aray Brown Zlatan Mustafica Jorge J Prieto Phillip E. Hardy, "The Real Deal" Roxanne Paukner Sarah Gabrielle Baron Joleene DesRosiers Shawn Speake Elisabeth Meier S.J. Robinson LindaAnn Loschiavo A very Happy Holidays to all. And a joyous New Year!!!
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Congratulations, Steven Harris Anzelowitz. Great result!
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Steven Harris Anzelowitz - Congratulations! Very well done!!!
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Hey PJ and Sarah, sometimes you've GOT to write it while it's in your head! I'm no expert at this, but I've never written anything in order from start to finish. I have thought up some good scenes and dialogue, then lost the spark of it by waiting too long to write it though. So I say write that finale if it's in you! That's not cheating, it's writing. :)
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DAYS 25 and 26: Wrote-out the lead-up to one possible ending, then sketched the ending for a different script I started over the summer. Had to update my computer, which took about 10 hours thanks to my shit Internet, so I got no writing done. I cleared some films and TV shows from my queues, though... then added five or six more. :(
I started with four or five links (research), and wound-up with three pages of articles and links -- including an entire book! I'm likely to skim most -- especially the eggheaded, scientific stuff I won't understand anyway -- but there's still a lot of reading ahead.
I got through some of those, and got to chapter three of the book (which is 250 pages long, by the way!). This led to even more links and articles, of course, but it's a start. Because researching after writing is kind of bass-ackward, I may have to organize my reading/note-taking so I don't get lost, but that won't take too long. Hell, I don't even know what DAY this is since I posted one out of order! (So I posted two at once.)
I usually write my opening sequence and ending first on every project, unless I don't have an ending in mind -- but I generally have an ending in mind before I start writing. :)
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Black Friday my computer crashed. Suspicious timing. I like to think I'm not a total tech-tard, but I'm not interested in the inner workings of this machine, so I'm especially thankful to my wonderful husband who spent most of Saturday getting it back for me, along with my work. YAY! He saved me major headaches and $. Whew! Add that to my gratitude list!
Reloading Final Draft and back to fixing my Act 2. :) Going.
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Okay, last days ahead, people! Let's keep going! :) Congratulations, Steven, on finishing! :) And I agree, Roxanne, if a scene is sharp in your mind then write it down—at least before you forget! Lol! It's perfectly fine to jump around. Sometimes doing so opens up fresh ideas or possibilities for other scenes that may have you stuck. ;)
LAST CALL for NOVEMBER PROJECT LOGLINES. I am compiling a list to post. If you would like to share a logline—it's your choice to do so—please send me only one logline through private messaging. Please include title, genre, and form: is it a feature, TV pilot, short, etc. I'm cutting off by midnight, PST, today, Monday, Nov 27. Thank you so much! :)
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Steven Harris Anzelowitz, I wish you all the best and keep me abreast of the final outcome. Once this month is over, it's my sincere prayer we all continue in the same vein in which we started/ended. It has been an uphill struggle for me and constructive nonetheless. Thanks everybody for your encouragement.
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So a friend of mine owed me some money the other day and guess what? I had my feature and TV pilot submitted for copyright earlier today! So happy!
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It's game time! Feeling under the weather but still powered through and finished the first half. Will work on 2nd half tonight and tomorrow and then I'll be done!
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Page 72ish of my action script and page 35 of horror script. My goal is to finish both by the end of the year tho, not end of Nov. So far so good. Horror script is flowing amazingly well, considering I've never written horror and I'm giving myself nightmares, lol. Action script a little bogged down but I'm pushing through that act 2 slump.
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That's great, Dan! Me, I managed to get a few pages in yesterday. Hoping to do much better today. As Aray said, any progress is progress! :)
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Okay, Write Club! Final days! We're not done yet! Last big push forward. Let's continue to carry one another to complete our goals. Let's take it to the finish line, people! ;)
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DAY 27: Did I mention that I concurrently wrote 40 pages of an entirely different script this month? That's a grand, combined total of 100 pages -- and, again -- two, different scripts! So that's cool. All this while going through PT twice a week, plus doctors' visits, plus Thanksgiving!
I got a lot more done than I realized; I was so focused on the horror script that I forgot all about this other one. So, I spent the day feeling accomplished.
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I tried my best to finish the 8th episode but my heart wasn't in it. I had an annoying day today and it kind of ruined my inspiration to write the rest of them even if I only have 15 pages. Yesterday and today I was having a rough time writing and I couldn't get into it.
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You can do it, Aray!
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Wow, C Harris you have really been tackling this challenge!
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Uh oh, hang in there, Kellie. Some days are like that. ;)
Keep going, Aray! Slow and steady wins the race! LOL!
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Thank you Beth. I just had one of those days. Someone from here is helping me with my pilot format and very happy to learn from his suggestions on feature.
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Sure thing, Kellie. I'm happy to hear someone is helping you with your pilot. That's awesome! :)
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Now if I can move my butt to continue to write episode 8, I'll be okay. Maybe I can try now since I'm on the pc. LOL
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Okay, Write Club! Tomorrow, our last, wrap-up check-in blog will post. Those who shared November project loglines will also be included. I'll post the link within this thread when made available. :) Wow, I can't believe we're almost there. Where did the time go?! Lol! The finish line is in sight! Let's carry through to the end, people. Keep going, writers! :)
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With a little more than 48 hours to go to the deadline it is time for my personal reflections on this years edition of the 3rd annual "NOVEMBER WRITE CLUB" hosted by our talented and dedicated fearless leader Beth Fox Heisinger . My script 'AMSTERDAM 74 is finished. As I said in above threads the pen & paper first draft came in at 98 pages. With 48 hours to go I am loading it into Celtx now. I am very grateful that there is now a month during each calendar year that whatever script I'm working on whether the Genre be Comedy, Animation, Sci-Fi Action/Adventure, TV sit-com or TV Drama. I know once November rolls around whichever script is closest to completion or most marketable or some money guy down on Wall Street has liked the logline and is interested in throwing some money to making it. That is the script I will earmark to finish in November. One other note. After reading the latest Stage32 Blog on "Making your career Pick ScI-Fi". I am putting 'THE BATHERS' on hold, and moving 'LIBERTY ONE' up in the rotation. What struck me most about this blog as it relates to writers is that the sci-fi fans and audience are incredibly loyal. Some would call fanatical (I mean what regular movie goer goes to conventions) And also this guy who wrote the Blog has MAJOR Credits he has written for STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION, STAR TREK :DEEP SPACE NINE plus many others spanning a career that has lasted more than a decade. So that is why I am going to move towards the sci-f i genre for now. I would be remiss if I did not give a grateful shout out to the following Stage32 staff and "HAPPY WRITERS" community for the love and support you have given me this last month: Richard "RB" Botto Amanda Toney Tomasz Mieczkowski Beth Fox Heisinger Linda Hullinger Aray Brown C Harris Lynn Joleene DesRosiers Zlatan Mustafica Linda Bradshaw-Rogers Elisabeth Meier Roxanne Paukner Phillip E. Hardy, "The Real Deal" Sarah Gabrielle Baron Debbi Mack Jorge J Prieto S.J. Robinson And to any of my (55)member 'WORKING NETWORK' of Stage 32 METRO NYC/DUTCH who happen to read this as well. And yes we are having a Holiday party CASSANDRA!!! and yes there will be pizza CASSANDRA!!! "PEACE BE THE JOURNEY". MERRY CHRISTMAS. JOYOUS KWANSZA. AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL on the GOOD EARTH. NEXT YEAR MARS. WRITE ON!!!!!!!!!
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I got a lot done in the little time I spent on writing today. Feels good.
Also watched "Memento" tonight. Wow, that was something!
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Two more days to finish up my Scene list for my Comedy. It has been a great month of creating content and reading what everyone else has been working on. Thank you Beth for hosting and cheering everyone on. It’s nice to have a month dedicated to focus, fun, and creativity for screenwriters! Cheers!
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Okay, it's 4:00 A.M. on the East Coast. I have been finishing my short and did do a bit of cutting/editing so before I pass out which is soon, I wanted to tell you I'm basically done with my very first short. Beth Fox Heisinger already has my logline and synopsis. Sorry BETH I don't think you requested our synopsis, but it's fine with me if you want to put up on the celebration wall?? I think that's what you called it?
It's late well...early for some of you. As I said I made cuts, because as a short film it was a bit long, however, I do plan on writing a feature based on this short. But not before I film this, nothing professional, but more like an experiment. Hey, we all have camera phones, editing apps for phones and if you can act a bit, why not. What is the worst that can happen? Be bold. Be fearless!! Be YOU! Let your VOICE shine, your instincts guide you. Just DO IT!! Sorry Nike (did I get that right?) Anyway, lol, you all get it. I hope... No shame here. No more, not after my "OUTspoken" blog.
So, I will share the short film with you all wonderful people and no problem if you tear it apart. As far as the script. It's as real and human as the people I talk to at A.A. This is for them and everyone who has an addiction problem. Present company excluded. No shame in their disease either. The statistics on opioid abuse overdoses and drug-related deaths in U.S. are staggering. Too many, too young. Very sad.
I will check later on with you ALL. Keep writing, keep creating #Fearlesswriters. #writersworld
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Thanks Steven Harris Anzelowitz for your shout out. I must confess that November has taken me on a whirlwind 180 degree detour... and I have just gone with it rather than force what I was not ready to do. I have something exciting up my sleeve and will be revealing it in my next newsletter! Sorry I have not be available to cheer you all on, but I hope you will forgive me. I am one of those head in the sand writers who emerges only when the work is done. It sounds like you did fantastic, and WELL DONE all!!!!
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Almost there, almost done, almost.... buuuuut still a little way to go :) Keep going everyone! We can do this!
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And scene. Fade out. The end! I'M FINISHED!!!!!!
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Whoo-hoo! Way to go, PJ! And Zlatan, I have no doubt! Keep going... final stretch! I hope to get pages done today too! ;)
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Will not finish page 100 of book 7 by report today, but will be very close, plus completed other good things (related) that I'll put in update.
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DAY WHATEVER: De nada.
Thanks Steven Harris Anzelowitz and Linda Hullinger! The other script started from this one. I had some way cool stuff that was going to take far too long to explain and was cool enough to stand on its own, so I pulled it, put it in another file, then just kept going!
I remembered writing it, I just kind of glossed-over the fact (in my mind) that I had done it this month because I was so determined to get this one done for the challenge.
I also meant to tell Beth Fox Heisinger that I changed my logline (shortened it, basically). I'll post the new one on the update.
I had a great time. It was nice chatting with everyone, and I hope to do it again next year! Congrats to all! :)
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This has been an awesome ride and I appreciate 'your' enthusiasm and encouragement. Until next year, keep writing!!
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Two scenes left... Here we go!
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Took a few days off after Thanksgiving. Got back to scene blocking for act 1. Decided to outline the 'tentpole' scenes for a clearer path, and trying to maintain a delicate balance between political intrigue and 'fast-moving' action scenes. Major Characters are developing their own personalities, minor characters are being born. I estimate a completed 1st draft in approx 60 days for "THE GRID". I worked on improving the logline and synopsis yesterday, missed the deadline though, but not ready too released just yet anyhow... Good luck with your writing Everyone!
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You can do it, Aray!
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THE FINAL CHECK-IN BLOG is up! NOVEMBER PROJECT LOGLINES shared by many of you are posted as well! So head on over to the Stage 32 Blog and check out various projects being written during our 30 days by our fellow Write Club participants! Let's continue to support, inspire and cheer each other on! https://www.stage32.com/blog/3rd-Annual-November-Write-Club-We-Made-It. :)
Okay, 30 or 28 days are up. 20 pages done + a few more scenes = 20-24 pages which is not bad at all. I see others were shortly derailed during Thanksgiving but still managed to do a great job. So, if this is our final check-in, good luck and don't stop now.
Okay, Write Club, be sure to head on over to the Blog post—it's the last one! Friendly reminder, participation is key. Great loglines too! Special thanks to all who shared theirs with us. It's really fun to read over what some of you are working on! ;)
Beth Fox Heisinger Too late to post my logline?
Steven, yes, as far as the list on my blog post. But perhaps post it on the final blog as part of a comment. ;)
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Beth Fox Heisinger Thanks for getting back to me. I'll just post it on my regular LOGLINE page along with the copyrighted script after I do just a little tweaking. Very grateful to have had this resource to finish my 4th copyrighted script in 4 years. Now comes the hard part: MAKING THE MOVIE!!!!
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Just moved from Florida to California within the last couple of weeks, but I made decent progress on my feature screenplay rewrite! I am within the last 25 pages or so and am happy with the new pages. I will not stop! I am pushing forward to get this done. Wishing everyone the best! Thanks, Beth for helping us light the fire under ourselves! Best of luck to everyone!
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That clunky first draft is done. It clocks in at 82 pages. I think I'll do the re-write after Christmas and add a scene or two to get the length right.
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Congratulations, everyone, on your progress this month. Keep up the great work! I finally achieved my main goal of publishing the Book of my Spec Comedy Script on Amazon (both ebook and paperback). It took me much longer to achieve than I thought it would so I didn't even get to my second goal of moving forward on my research for my Historical Drama. I will carry on into December, of course.
I enjoyed following the reports of your writing achievements and challenges. All part of being a writer. I look forward to hearing great things and I'll see you here next November.
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DAY 30!!! We made it! Congratulations everyone on making great progress this month! Again, much thanks to you all as well. And... Hey, there's still time, so keep writing. ;)
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Finished!
Whoo-HOO, Steven! :)
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At the end of our 30-day endeavors, I encourage everyone to share work on their profile pages, whatever you are comfortable sharing, and ask Write Club participants to please take the time to look at each other's work, offer feedback, give encouragement, or give a rating on a logline, etc. Let's continue to support each other as November comes to a close and we all move on to whatever may be next for us. Onward and upward! Huge thanks to you all! :)))
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Congratulations everyone!
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Congrats, everyone.
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My screenplay is on my profile if you are interested in checking it out!
I wrote another 5 pages but having another crappy day that made me not in the mood for writing. My knee is fine but personal life is getting in the way.
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November is over. I did not get as much finished as I'd hoped (rewriting, for crying out loud, I expected to be done mid-month), BUT I got further than if I hadn't had all of you in this Write Club with me. So thanks a bunch! I will continue to move forward with it, as I encourage everyone else to do, and we'll be here at Stage 32 for mutual support no matter the month.
Merry Christmas!
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@Roxanne Paukner- Don't beat yourself up. You got a lot done. It is always in the re-write
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I managed to get 30k words done but had to give up because I hurt my left hand so it was agonising to type! I like this incomplete story, will continue to work on it. I started it as a script for television, which is almost done, and will now work on turning it into a novel.
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Hey PJ, I couldn't find your screenplay, but I watched a couple of your videos. Love the phones flirting on the bed! Kx
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Here we are December 9th. It is amazing that we are still commenting on our progress as "Happy Writers". No matter what the month this is what we do. This is who we are. As long as we have a passion. As long as we have the desire. We will continue to write stories. Whether for a screenplay. A teleplay. Or a Broadway play. I feel honored to have been a member of this creative community for 3 years and counting. And again no matter what it says on the calendar we will do what we do best. Write! Write! Write! To all my fellow "Happy Writers" around the world a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year! And here's a shout out to some who have inspired me on this journey both this month and all year long: Richard "RB" Botto Beth Fox Heisinger Amanda Toney Tomasz Mieczkowski Jorge J Prieto Kaye Bewley Roxanne Paukner Joleene DesRosiers Aray Brown Linda Bradshaw-Rogers Zlatan Mustafica C Harris Lynn Phillip E. Hardy, "The Real Deal" Shawn Speake Sarah Gabrielle Baron Fiona Faith Ross and to every "Happy Writer" around the globe just two words: WRITE ON!!!!
Cool, Aray! Congratulations and best of luck for the contest!
@Aray Brown Congrats!! With our craft it is not WHEN you finish it's THAT you finish. Have you ever considered DIY? I mean contests are great. And selling or optioning it to a producer us great. Even getting signed by a manger or agent is great. But there is nothing like waking up one morning and going to a movie set that on your own film that you wrote, direct and produce for yourself. And this book can help if you want to. It's called 'BANKROLL'- How to finance your independent film by Tom Malloy. He is NOT done film guru he is like our Richard "RB" Bottom he was an out of work actor that wanted to do it himself. To date he has raised millions of $$ to make his own films that he stars in. (5) so far. Just a suggestion Aray just want to see a fellow "Happy Writer" do well.
Aray One more thing it is early and there are a lot of typos in the above post because I am working off my cell phone at Starbucks at 6:20 AM. But I hope you got the gist of the message.
Aray Brown 'BANKROLL' is set up for a screenplay or a teleplay. It would work for a pilot on a TV series also. But please forgive me. I was a salesman for 30 years before I started writing screenplays (3) years ago. So I hear myself trying to SELL you. And that is not my INTENTION. I just want to HELP. There is an old saying: "Everybody likes to BUY, But nobody likes to be SOLD". Glad you are open to DIY on your short. Again 'BANKROLL' can help. Last mention and then I will put my foot back in my mouth. $24.95 at the NYU film school book store. $22.95 on Amazon. Good luck. Good bless. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and your Family!!!
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I am in the same boat writing my first draft. Keep pushing!!!
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@Aray Brown- You are most welcome. There is an Oscar in all our futures. But that is not why we write. We do it because we have a passion for storytelling. It is who we are. It is what we do. Having the faith from a power greater than ourselves helps. My best to you this holiday season Array. You are a "HAPPY WRITER" that I have a great deal of respect for. I finished my script 'AMSTERDAM 74' by the November 30th deadline and had it copyrighted with US. gov for the $35. But since it is a DIY as are all my scripts I am doing some tweeking before I post it on my LOGLINE page. My DUTCH cast &crew are standing by and we look like we will have an April/May shoot schedule. Anyway I have rambled on long enough. Really cold and snowy on MANHATTAN island this morning. Anyway all the best.
So, my 30 day project was interrupted when I got interest on a Log Line I wrote. Well that was 'Container' and now it's done so back to my 30 Day challenge Feature 'Perish', almost done!
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Congratulations, Fracisco. Have a brilliant 2018 !
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We on again November 2018??? :)
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Great things are in the works! Appreciate the enthusiasm, Christopher and everyone! But let’s please let last year’s thread rest. New announcements are coming soon. ;)
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It's October.