Yep. Eight years after entering the big three competitions and getting no further than the quarterfinals/2nd round, one has reached out to invite me to be on their reading team.
It feels like only last year that I felt utterly lost and talentless. To go from fearing the reader to potentially becoming the reader seems absurd.
I guess the lesson here is to never feel there's a pair of shoes you cannot eventually step into. After failing to make a dent in the competition scene, I focused on my craft like crazy, reading as many books as I could, and then practiced honing what I'd learned writing and giving away short scripts. Through that, I discovered my artistic voice and doubled down on it unapologetically. Since then, I've made three feature films, launched my own discovery platform, and had a book published on the art of screenwriting.
Don't give up on yourselves. Think about how you can turn the tables in the next decade.
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Congrats, CJ Walley! "After failing to make a dent in the competition scene, I focused on..." Not failure, redirection.
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And thanks for the encouragement.
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Congratulations
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You have such determination. I’m glad that you kept going despite what you could see at that time. It’s a really lesson. Thanks for sharing.
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I meant to say great lesson.
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Congratulations. Your diligence and patience have paid off.
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Well said! It's a marathon. Keep going!
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This is a great post, CJ Walley! Congratulations on the offer. And congratulations on all your other success. Folks, this is a great lesson - there is no one path, and every path has twists and turns. Keep at it!
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Thank you so much for sharing this. Congratulations.
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Nice!
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That's exciting CJ Wally! Can't wait to hear more about your experience.
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That is great news!!!!
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Congratulations CJ - you've been discovered. Hopefully you'll find it a blessing and not a curse - all the best.
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Well done CJ. I’ll put the word Cabage at the bottom of the first page (WINK), our secret code.
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Well done CJ. That is so inspiring! Thanks for sharing. What is the name of your book? I might check it out.
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Thanks all. I've no interest in being a reader but it felt vindicating to be invited.
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My book is Turn & Burn: The Scriptwriter's Guide to Writing Better Screenplays Faster which you can buy pretty much anywhere but you can also get some of the core content for free in the education section of Script Revolution.
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CJ Walley thanks for sharing! I'll give it a read :)
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CJ good for you. I am not saying you are above being a reader for a comp. But I think you are above being a reader for a comp. If they offer you a judges role in one of the final rounds that would be a different matter. But a nameless reader is a waste of your talent and reputation.
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CJ Walley This is proof that getting it done, despite rejections, makes all the difference. Thanks for inspiring writers to keep moving up the mountain. "NO," means next opportunity. Onward and upward.
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You are such a passionate advocate for writers CJ, love your motivation on not giving up.