On Writing : What are you working on now? by Kat Spencer

Hi, Kat Spencer. I'm rewriting two feature scripts and writing a short script. Nothing's holding me back right now. What are you working on?

I'm writing a screenplay. A sci-fi/comedy about an Impending alien invasion. I'm looking for a writing partner. I don’t really enjoy writing scripts at all.

I'm working on a feature film in the action/thriller genre with a $1.5M budget. I'm directing and wrote the screenplay, which is brilliant if I do say so myself. The only thing holding me back are producers that don't recognize my genius and investors who don't seem to know how to recognize variables that make for a successful film. I may write a book about my experiences once I have completed my happy ending to my story.

Finishing up my last novel (working title "Phantom Crisis") before starting work on my final screenplay for a short film without dialogue entitled "31" (those who attend the Writers' Room, which I left about 5 months ago due to personal issues, may remember me talking about this).

Working on a brand new creature feature called Frankenstein´s Echo.

Chiseling a female-driven, coming of age drama set in the bowels of the music industry screenplay into shape. Though, I probably should be trying to chiseling myself into shape instead ;)

Philip David Lee Wow! That is pretty amazing, you should definitely pat yourself on the back for that. What is one thing that could flip the switch on these producers and investors? (Little tip: If you want to hear them say something to you or change their tune, close your eyes and imagine them saying it to you, and go about your day as if they did. I can't tell you how many times this has worked for me. Direct conversations can often be less productive than having one in your head with them because people dig their heels in and don't listen. I know it sounds weird. But it works.) If you ever need help with the book writing part, let me know

Ooooo Stefano Pavone I like the title! Let me know when it's done :)

Mike Childress hahahaha! I hear that. What are you streaming at the moment? I just finished binging Will Trent (I'm a sucker for the dog), and Reacher. What's your process for converting a script to a novella? And another sci-fi pilot? how many have you done?

Mark Deuce Interesting title? I like it. How far into are you?

Douglas Esper hahaha. It is possible to do both! How much chiseling is left of the screenplay?)

I'm working on some features, a horror, a horror -comedy, a heist movie, a rom com, and a one hour tv cozy mystery series. Nothing is holding me back from writing a bit each day, but finances, or lack there of, is kinda holding me back from doing the legwork to pitch and pursue my completed scripts.

That's awesome Maurice Vaughan, especially that "nothing is holding you back" :D. What are the feature scripts and short scripts for? I'm working on my YouTube channel, and websites, always writing, and currently book coaching another author.

Nick Eff (Mandlamadi) What part of the process do you enjoy?

Zee Risek I hear that about finances! That's a lot of projects! Which one is your favorite? And if you had no restrictions on finances what would you do?

Kat Spencer

Kat Spencer, That's a great question. I don't know how much more chiseling I need since it is my first screenplay :) I imagine sooner rather than later it's time to either sit it down for a bit to gain perspective or start sending it out for feedback.

I’m slowly writing my fourth feature script, Finding Elpis 3: The Elysian Rhapsodies. My biggest obstacle so far is my life being healthier than ever before which means I don’t have as much time as I’d like xD

A freind suggested I go outside my comfort zone and write a straight drama. It was the hardest thing I've ever done and I ended up doing more rewrites, 11, on it than all the other scripts I've ever done together. I finished it, I'm very proud of it, so I'm doing another one taking a few steps further outside my comfort zone.

I'm writing the feature scripts and short script to pitch them, Kat Spencer. That's great. I'm looking forward to seeing the videos you post on your YouTube channel!

Drongo, ha, that's good advice. thanks!

Drongo. Most of the stuff I've written is really big stuff. Action adventure, sci-fi, fantasy, etc. My friend reminded me of an interview Matt Damon had done where he said one of things he felt got Good Will Hunting made was that it wasn't a very big script. It was really "just people talking" but it caught the drama and that made it big. So now there's no space stations, no vampire packs, no nuclear terrorists. Just every day people going through their own dramas.

Kat Spencer Thanks for the kind words, Kat even though my initial response to you made me sound like a pompous ass. That's my sense of humor. In all reality, I think I created a work that will entertain a large audience and will be a film that people will revisit throughout their lives. That should be the goal of every screenwriter who is just starting out or trying to gain a foothold in this industry. One can do all of their preachy save the world type stories when then have built up some cred.

Drongo Bum That is very true about writing in general. We will always find something to tweak. At some point, you have to just walk away and call it done.

Philip David Lee Hahaha, I guess I have that sense of humor then because I thought your initial response was awesome. Confident. Nothing wrong with confidence ;)

Maurice Vaughan Thank you! Feel free to check it out anytime, I've been on YouTube forever and have 277 videos. I'm working on creating YouTube shorts currently with new content and refurbishing older content. Mostly focused on SEO and metadata now, optimizing what I've already created. I also stream Live once a week to keep my songs in my head and fingers. It's amazing how quickly I can forget things. :D

Banafsheh Esmailzadeh You can always create time! That is awesome you have that goal and best of luck with your fourth feature script!!

That's awesome Bill Albert !

You're welcome, Kat Spencer. I just subscribed to your YouTube channel. Looking forward to watching your videos and the shorts you're working on!

Hey Kat, my favorite idea is whichever one I am currently working on. Cheers.

Maurice Vaughan Awesome, thank you!!

You're welcome, Kat Spencer.

I wrote a coming of age, based on true events story in 1975. We were told no one would pay to watch women play sports. But when a young woman makes the college volleyball team she’s determined to make sure women’s varsity sports succeeds. But, I can’t decide on title. Maybe, “We Didn’t Quit,” or “Didn’t Stop Believing,” or “Jockettes,” or “Six Packs and Facials.” Need some serious feedback?

I'm working on some story bibles for my TV shows but it's hard just watching the state of the industry. I hope they get to see the light of day when the time is right. What are you working on?

Hi Nancy Wilkinson! That's awesome. I'm not a sports girl unless it's the Olympics. But I DID play volleyball in school, the only sport I liked to play aside from running. I'd be happy to give you some feedback, feel free to message me. For the title, I'm gravitating towards We Didn't Quit (but it might need more. I would be able to give better feedback after having eyes on it.)

Hey Nancy, Six Packs and Facials and Jockettes definitely catch my attention. The other two titles are kind of forgettable. Too bad the song, Don't Stop Believing by Journey came out 6 years after your story takes place, otherwise it would have been cool to use the song in a movie called Didn't Stop Believing. Sounds like a really good story. I love stories that take place in the 70's, and I love sports movies.

Hi Pamela De Nicolo! Nice to see you as always :) That's wonderful, keep going, they will! This too shall pass and when the time is right, your stuff will land where it's supposed to. But it can't do that if you haven't written it, so focus on what you can control and try to turn your head away from the things you can't. I'm currently helping an author with their book that is about changing our healthcare system one physician at a time, and helping another client de-stress and handle the creation of her webinar and course to treat all kinds of pain. Creatively for myself, I'm perfecting some cover songs by my favorite band, Kaleo. :D

Hi Zee! Yep, Journey’s song came out later, but my movie ends at Volleyball Day in Nebraska when we packed the football stadium with 92,003 fans. I was thinking of using this song at the end with my video of the tunnel walk and finish with either Coach Pettit or Coach Cook doing the voice over as they show the video of the game on the field.

Hi Kat Spencer! I’m all for brainstorming some ideas for the title with you. In the 70’s we were called Jockettes and a lot of other things, but in today’s world I’ve gotten Hollywood feedback that say Jockettes probably can’t be used now. And nobody knows what facials are in volleyball, unless you’re a fan of the game.

The script is written and re-written and tweaked and edited. Lew Hunter helped me write the first draft. It’s registered with the WGA, but I’m always ready to make it even better. Just need to make a final decision on the title.

Trying to write a video game script. A great and detailed one seems like 10 movies...

Kat Spencer, I love this question! My personal project right now is the fantasy book I’m writing. It’s a story that means a lot to me, and I’m really passionate about bringing it to life. The biggest thing that holds me back is definitely my own perfectionism. I get caught up in making sure every detail is just right, which can slow me down. But I’m working on pushing through and just getting the story down on the page.

I'm working on my two screenplays right now. A project I've been working on since late 2022.

One is a pilot script for my own TV series. The other is a romantic/erotic/historical drama feature. What's holding me back though is myself, and my lack of motivation, even inspiration.

It seems that no matter what I do, I can't seem to get the hang of it and I think - and those are just negative thoughts - that all my efforts are worthless and that I can't seem to find the inspiration for it.

Nancy Wilkinson Titles are kind of my thing, sometimes a title just comes to me, and a song and book are born just from that. so I'm happy to assist!

Jon Shallit Interesting! I know nothing about that except my son is getting into that and watching his process is fascinating.

Ashley Renee Smith That's awesome, Ashley, thank you for sharing! I wrote a fantasy adventure book called The Black Ruby. It took me exactly one year, I wrote a chapter every Saturday night for two hours. It was so much fun. Let me know if you ever need any help, motivation, or feedback.

HI Marcel Nault Jr., thank you for sharing that! Motivation is my middle name and helping people overcome imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and writer's block is what I do. Feel free to message me if you need any help with that.

it is still in it´s infancy Kat Spencer and ready to go deeper. Cheers!

I have 1 completed YA fiction, 1 spiritual fiction, and 1 horror. I’m in the querying stage which is an excesses of rejection though the small bright spark of hope stays ready to blossom into a. Inferno!

I'm working on an international tv series pilot (dramedy) tacking place between LA and south of France

Hi!

I'm working on a new feature about Voodoo in New Orleans. I expected to research and find out that it's bullshit, but there's this woman named Marie Leveaux (spell check), and I guess she was really working magic on people lol People still go to her grave today hoping to be healed! My movie won't be about her, but obviously her influence has got to be in it in some way! I thought that was so cool, spooky...but mostly cool.

What's holding me back? This industry...and myself.

It moves in slow motion. I try every day to get over that and I can't. Also, there's no real place where a hopeful can go and know, for a fact, that they're getting a legitimate chance to make a legitimate film with a real production company. I've had "Yes!" answers and they turn out to be nothing. I've been strung along for months of review after a big request and some guy seemed so excited about it, and then they say no at the end. It's tough out here!

As for me, I need to stop telling myself this is so hard, so impossible. Breaking into to film happens all the time. It can happen for me, you, someone reading, or somebody who hasn't even tried it yet. That's reality breaking through my pessimism. This industry exists because of big dreamers that nobody believed in, and we all need to remember that.

...

But for the love of God, somebody please point me to a real opportunity to pitch to a guy/gal/whoever that can make this and make it right! Damn lol Not feedback...give me somebody who is ready to roll!

I'm itching to prove myself, as I hope you are, too!

"Warren's Finest," Danny Range

Hi Kat!

Men seem to respond to the title, “Facials and Sixpacks,” for my 1975 volleyball story.

And since I’m letting it simmer now that it’s done, I’m working on a sci fi story called,”Operation Sea Devils,” with a log-line of, “ There are millions of creatures in the Gulf and some of them used to be human. “

Just doing some editing now. If you like mermaids, you’re going to love this merman story.

Thanks Kat Spencer! I finally hit 60 pages (had to cut and rewrite a few scenes, let's be honest, it's gonna happen again lol), ultimately aiming for something like 110 total, really excited to get it table read~

Have you submitted your script to the Open Writing Assignments in the Writers' Room, Danny Range?

Congratulations on hitting 60 pages, Banafsheh Esmailzadeh!

Maurice Vaughan All of them. I am never chosen lol

That's great, Danny Range. That you submitted to all of them, not that you're never chosen. Haha Keep an eye out for more OWAs, and Stage 32 just posted some new ones yesterday.

Maurice Vaughan I have a feeling I know why, but it's not polite to assume, and even dumber to say in a public forum lol But whoever is getting those opportunities, I genuinely hope it works out for all involved. There's room for all of us. Mine will work when it's meant to...but it will work, 100%. Remember I said it.

I'll remember, Danny Range. Hope your scripts get selected for the OWAs! In the meantime, I suggest keep networking on Stage 32. That's how I've had success on here (script requests, script jobs, sold four short scripts to a producer, etc.).

Thank you Maurice Vaughan~ I'm having a lot of fun with this one, in a lot of ways it's turning into a partly silent film/opera.

I've also submitted to a few OWAs, have yet to be chosen lol guess I'll have to keep trying~

You're welcome, Banafsheh Esmailzadeh. A partly silent film/opera sounds interesting. Having fun makes writing easier. I hope your scripts get chosen for the OWAs if/when you submit again!

I'm putting some finishing touches on a short story I've been working on for a couple years now, on and off. I feel like I finally cracked it and hoping to submit to various places.

Drongo Bum Nice burner account! They have those on here?!

And when you apply to Harvard, there's clear requirements. GPA, letter of rec, etc. Film has no recommendations that matter, so yes, two completely different things. From my experience, having been accepting to multiple colleges, it was much easier than film.

You could also have a great film and not be selected based on meeting the wrong people or what you look like, blatantly, which isn't allowed at Harvard. You can't apply most places like you can apply directly to Harvard, you can barely apply anywhere besides contests, and people are selecting based on who they know just as much as they're selecting based on project and how good it is.

Two very different things as one is clear cut and one is not, but I hear you.

By the way, no I haven't made it yet, but I'm speaking from experience, for free, to help people like me who needed it so they can avoid all the lost money and time I've lost. And I'm allowed to speak on my own experience, even if people don't like it. I'm allowed to do it confidently, too, just like you are.

Wells Said Danny Range

Drongo Bum oh I hear you man and I agree! No, many have broken in and many will continue to. And I can totally see how I came across like that. I’m human. I get emotional because I’ve put every penny into this and I want to see it work. It doesn’t mean I expect something of the world lol I’m raised by a single mom in Youngstown, Ohio where poverty lives…the only thing I inherited was a mental illness. So, no, not a nepo baby either but that is real.

Next time, tell him his shit sucks lol people need to hear that. They really do.

Mine doesn’t suck but I know what you mean and no hard feelings.

Drongo Bum wasn’t me I’m no snitch I just said I’m from Youngstown lmao come back with your real name then because you’re knowledgeable and people like me need your opinion!

Hi, I’m working on an Italian-style comedy and a story loosely inspired by a true event that took place in Italy, as well as two short films (3 minutes each). When I get stuck and can’t develop certain parts of the story, I’ve learned how to handle that moment. I’ve realized that it’s not an obstacle but—I'm not sure how to put it—I can feel that my brain is working in the background. I start to get distracted, do other things, and this actually helps ‘its work.’ In fact, almost always, the idea that gives the story an extra push—sometimes even a definitive one—eventually comes to me. And it usually happens while I’m driving, in the morning or evening in that half-asleep state, or while I’m working. It’s incredible, but that’s how it is. Sometimes it takes a few days, sometimes weeks. We do creative work, not bureaucratic tasks, and we have to accept our own ‘inner timing’ for processing the story

Mike Beavers That was very well said!

Floran Royer That sounds fun! What stage are you at?

Danny Range The last half of your post was headed in a better direction. Mindset is everything. What stage is your new feature at? You can't control what the industry is doing, but you can control your mindset and actions. A door will open when you are at that point. What can you do to keep your project moving right now?

Nancy Wilkinson Nice! I do like mermaids :)

Banafsheh Esmailzadeh Awesome! Let me know when you hit that milestone and we'll celebrate :)

Zackary Goncz Congratulations!! Let us know when you've finished. I'd love to read it :)

Emanuele Vergari That was so well said! I'm happy you discovered this little trick to stay out of "stuck" zone. Let us know when you have something we can read or watch.

Thanks Kat Spencer! I’m now at 83 pages =D hoping to finish it at 110 or so (previous ones got pretty hefty due to lore and world-building), with any luck that’ll happen very soon :D

Hi kat Spencer Thank you for your attention. I have published a script for an action genre short film here. https://www.stage32.com/loglines/63189

Banafsheh Esmailzadeh Woooohooooooo!!!! Almost there!

Thanks Kat Spencer yes! Hit 86 pages today~ the end is in sight~

Video game script. Never did one. It's so much harder than a regular screenplay. It's like 10 movies. I'm in the dark on this. Anyone want to help???

I have 200 pages wih various options-no end in sight. Anyone here ever written and sold one????

Jon Shallit I've never done a video game script, so not much help for you there. But I am an editor and I help writers all of the time get past blocks and polish their work. What exactly is holding you up? Is it already written and you're looking for the next step of selling, or something else?

I am in the editing process of a suspense novel based on actual events in my life when I had a stalker.

oooo Stacy Leicht that sounds like an interesting read. I had a stalker once or twice. It's not much fun.

Wow, you had a stalker more than once? That's horrible! Once was enough for me!

Trying to get my short film produced so I can send it to producers/executives

Just starting to work with the cover artist for my upcoming YA series set in World War II. Also working on another YA paranormal series, a historical fiction novel and a fantasy novel. In addition, I've been working on screenplays, along with a detailed outline and the first episode for the Shadowzone series, which you can learn more about at https://www.simon-rose.com. I recently enjoyed a show on Netflix and considered approaching the production company, if only to say how much I enjoyed the series, even though I know I'm very unlikely to get a response. Although there were adult characters, the main ones were in their mid or late teens and the show could be watched and enjoyed by adults. The characters were the same age as those in my Shadowzone books and in the Flashback series.

My next Montana Sky book.

I spend too much time looking at your photograph.

You clearly didn’t see my age on my profile, lol

I'm working on a new horror novel/novella called Safe Place.

I'm currently working on a sci-f script titled Apex Protocol

Logline:

Framed for murder and sentenced to Luna Max, a brutal lunar prison run by a sadistic warden, a disavowed spy must survive relentless battles, forge unlikely alliances, and execute a daring escape to uncover the truth and take revenge.

Waiting to put out my first novel for 2025.

Stacy Leicht Yes, I don't recommend it, as you already know. Ironically, the worst ones were from working at the hospital here, the others at least were fans elsewhere in the world. Did you find writing your story helpful or haunting?

Kat- it was both helpful and haunting. Although I took the true events and did factionalize them to add intrigue.

I'm writing a script political Mafi story. It have Love, family back grounds, business and fitting. This story is truth story.

I look forward to reading it Stacy Leicht!

Nice Malinka Chandrasekara How far along are you in the process?