Writing is so often a solitary endeavor. But it doesn’t have to be!
I started my screenwriting journey with improv, so writing by myself for the last 5 or 6 years has always been slow going. Lots of letting things sit so I could get some perspective. Lots of staring at one scene for days trying to crack it.
But since I joined a writers’ group (formed with two other incredible women that I connected with in the Stage 32 Writers’ Room) their weekly feedback has helped take my scripts to levels in weeks what would have taken me months or even years on my own.
So find your people! If this year has taught us anything, it’s that we need each other to survive and create.
Has anyone else noticed a seismic shift in their writing after joining a group?
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Jenny--Great to hear that! What you say is so true. And I experienced the same thing. For me, the weekly Writers Cafes on Zoom that are hosted by members of the Writers' Room have become my screenwriting groups. These sessions make me put my butt in the writing seat during those hours and then beyond. Since joining these in late January, I've shaken off my procrastination and written the first act for two features and then outlined a TV series and wrote the pilot. Just as important is the conversations we have about during writing breaks about writing issues, pitching, taking feedback etc. Priceless!
P.S. If anyone reading this isn't a member of the Writers' Room but wants to try it out for free for a month. email Jason Mirch, Director of Script Services at J.Mirch@Stage32.com. There are so many benefits to being a part of that group!
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Hey Jenny! It's so true. It helps so much to surround yourself with people with similar goals, we can all support each other, and grow together. And as Martha said, the writer rooms is amazing! :)
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Hello! Seconding the "writer's group/find your people" 100%! Being more involved with Stage32 and some specific hashtags on Twitter has really helped (along with making some 'pacts' with friends involving rewards) my discipline in getting my butt in a chair and writing every day. I've noticed that with a shift to day jobs and being less available here has incurred a dip in productivity for me, but I'm hoping to amp back up again!
(I also second Martha's comment about the Writers' Room, it's awesome and full of fabulous people!)
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Martha Caprarotta yes! Motivation to actually sit and get pages done has been clutch. With two little kids, my writing time was always the first thing to get put on the back burner. Now I’m much better about prioritizing it (and me).
Mariannjely Marval agreed, the writers’ room is great!
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Dawn Prato I’ve recently gone down that screenwriter Twitter rabbit hole too lol! Like the rest of Twitter, it’s both motivational and disturbing
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What exactly are the Writers' Cafes? Are they time set aside for writing or a discussion of scripts or both?
Judith Grace Bassat They are the former, but during the break between the two hours or after, we check in and see how everyone's doing, if they need help with something, etc. You can find the Zoom links in the Writers' Room Private Lounge. There's one today (Friday), staring in 10 minutes. I'll DM you the link!
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Back when I was in film school, each weekend we would host 2-3 hour table reads in a keynote lab. Everyone would sign up to have their script read and reviewed by a dozen or so of us peers. Sometimes it was entertaining, sometimes it was cringe-worthy, but every time was helpful.
If it weren't for the pandemic, I'd go back to hosting them now.
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I'm lacking this at the moment, but it was finding a writers workshop at Johns Hopkins (led by a film/writing teacher) that really jumpstarted my writing again and provided incredible inspiration/motivation. The workshop isn't happening anymore and I miss it.
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I've been involved in writing workshops for most of my life -- both poetry and screenwriting. It is wonderful to dedicate each workshop to someone's script, offering useful comments and feedback. There have to be some ground rules so that the energy flows and one person doesn't take up too much space... Usually the author is asked not to comment until the end so he or she can take in the feedback without becoming immediately defensive. I'd be interested in being part of a serious screenwriters' group with thoughtful people whose aim is to help each other be better.
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Find your people! That's what it's all about. :)
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Hi Jenny,
As a concept, it's great, and if that's something that works for you and your group, fantastic! In terms of execution, the only watch out with writers groups, in general, is that you need at least one person who's at a working professional level, to provide guidance and troubleshoot writing problems with craft know-how.
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I just started collaborating with a gentleman in England on a project. Bouncing ideas off one another then working on them is exhilarating! I love it!
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Filmmaking is all about alignment. A lot of life is. If you're authentic and see the authenticity in others, you'll start to make powerful connections.
One of my most wonderful moments in screenwriting was going down to London and attending the Stage 32 meetup at Raindance. I got to meet RB and Amanda and be around other filmmakers for the first time. It was an incredibly warm feeling of being around people of the same kin.
I can tell you, once this starts happening with directors, producers, and other industry members on the same wavelength, it's like your life just starts to fall into place. Community is everything.
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Great post. It's great to have awesome people to be with you
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I’m inspired by everyone’s experiences with collaboration and the writer’s groups through Stage 32. I’m mortified at networking but it’s time to change. You’ve described a new world outside of myself and my lone dedication. Thank you for the inspiration and thank you for pulling back the curtains. I’ll scroll up and checkout your specific recommendations.