A Writer’s Margins

Here we think out loud about film! I am a screenwriter, and creative director. I write about the craft, the choices and theorize around why some things work. Professionally in production. Perpetually in my feelings about character writing

[awritersmargins]

[HELP] in genuine need of help to get home

I’m 24 years old, and for the past year and a half I’ve been working in the creative industry for campaigns and events abroad. I came here mostly for family reasons and an internship that was promising. The work itself has been substantial, but the payment situation has been a disaster. I’ve been waiting on delayed payment with no clear timeline for when it’s coming through. I keep pushing but I’m running out of time and it’s not a sustainable life to live.

Earlier this year, I used most of my savings to cover a cheaper rent deposit, medical bills for endometriosis pain management, and general living costs. I made these decisions thinking the work payment would come through and cover me. It didn’t. Whatever I do I need help to be back by August. This is really about accessing the social support systems I’m entitled to and getting back to stable ground where I can restart.

The immediate crisis of rent is handled. I managed to scrape that together through help from someone I’d worked with before and selling what I could. But that took everything I had left. I’m still recovering from being sick with a flu, and the stress of the past few months has made it hard to eat enough or sleep properly, which has made my endometriosis symptoms worse than usual. Had to give up my dog I was fostering as well so it’s been harder than I expected it to be. Just the cooking recently has had me crying because Id always give him some of the scraps to snack on. Nervous system is completely shot to say the least

I need $2500 total. This covers the cost of getting back, moving costs, and enough to bridge the gap until I can access support systems once I’m physically there.

Please help share, I’m grateful for anything you’re able to contribute. I’ve dealt with so many predatory requests the past week and no real help at all so please spare me from that at least. I can only take so much. My DMs are open if anyone wants more verification of me and I’m more than willing to jump on a call and explain my situation in more detail.

So far: $450/$2500

[Donations: PayPal, or bank transfer]

[fairycosmos]

the issue with growing up in the 2000s and 2010s was like there was this really big push toward "accepting your weirdness" overall but they meant like idk wearing mismatched socks or something not being tangibly beyond the norm in any way shape or form

[awesomeelitedirector]

There is such a thing as over-editing a script. There are plenty of examples of successful scripts having dozens or even hundreds of rewrites. So no number officially determines when a script is done. In fact, I believe that you're never really truly done with a script unless it's been shot. Even then, a lot of "I should've done this" creeps in. I value criticism since feedback has helped me grow as a writer. But me chasing that rarity of a recommend questioned whether I was truly a good writer or not. I just kept editing and editing because I was told that it wasn't ready. It only got worse when I would get considers because that made me think I was so close to getting a recommend. I did eventually get a recommend. In fact, I have three scripts that have gotten a recommend. But none of those scripts sold. So then I felt cheated that even though I finally received the highest honor a script could get (well, at least at my level), nothing still happened. It was when I started producing and directing films that I realized I was over-relying on feedback. I sent them out for feedback and made the changes necessary, but there was something in me that felt they didn't need another revision. That could be credited with all the feedback that I've gotten in the past, but it was instincts as a writer to understand what was working and what wasn't. Directing also helped, as I got to see if something was good or bad through performances. I still get feedback, but I'm no longer stressing myself out to get a recommend from a coverage service. I've sent scripts that didn't get recommends out in the past, and I've managed to get meetings and more job opportunities. This isn't to knock feedback or coverage services, as they are a valuable step for every screenwriter, but there's no need to obsess and spend thousands of dollars on them. There is a time when a script feels done. A great indication is when you can recognize that your characters are fully developed, your structure is sound, and the story is well-paced and compelling. Granted, you may go back (you most likely will) and edit it a year later, but if a script feels done to you, then it's done. Now, if you're not getting any responses and the ones you are getting are negative, then it needs another revision. That's writing, so there's no shame in having to go back in and rewrite.

[awesomeelitedirector]

Time goes by so fast. It's important to enjoy life, especially when you're writing. There have been times when I was burned out, but I felt that I NEEDED to keep writing or I wasn't a real screenwriter. But that's nonsense. Every writer has their method. The most important thing is that YOU enjoy whatever writing process you've come up with.

[awritersmargins]

[HELP] in genuine need of help to get home

I’m 24 years old, and for the past year and a half I’ve been working in the creative industry for campaigns and events abroad. I came here mostly for family reasons and an internship that was promising. The work itself has been substantial, but the payment situation has been a disaster. I’ve been waiting on delayed payment with no clear timeline for when it’s coming through. I keep pushing but I’m running out of time and it’s not a sustainable life to live.

Earlier this year, I used most of my savings to cover a cheaper rent deposit, medical bills for endometriosis pain management, and general living costs. I made these decisions thinking the work payment would come through and cover me. It didn’t. Whatever I do I need help to be back by August. This is really about accessing the social support systems I’m entitled to and getting back to stable ground where I can restart.

The immediate crisis of rent is handled. I managed to scrape that together through help from someone I’d worked with before and selling what I could. But that took everything I had left. I’m still recovering from being sick with a flu, and the stress of the past few months has made it hard to eat enough or sleep properly, which has made my endometriosis symptoms worse than usual. Had to give up my dog I was fostering as well so it’s been harder than I expected it to be. Just the cooking recently has had me crying because Id always give him some of the scraps to snack on. Nervous system is completely shot to say the least

I need $2500 total. This covers the cost of getting back, moving costs, and enough to bridge the gap until I can access support systems once I’m physically there.

Please help share, I’m grateful for anything you’re able to contribute. I’ve dealt with so many predatory requests the past week and no real help at all so please spare me from that at least. I can only take so much. My DMs are open if anyone wants more verification of me and I’m more than willing to jump on a call and explain my situation in more detail.

So far: $450/$2500

[Donations: PayPal, or bank transfer]

[awritersmargins]

So far: $1250/$2500

thanks to everyone who have helped on this journey <3 still a way to go but more than I could've thought was possible. any donations help so any kind souls out there who are able to help it would mean the word🥹

[Donations: PayPal, or bank transfer]

[wingkink]

btw it's so fucking stupid you can be anxious physically in your body even after you've decided mentally you don't care. I'm supposed to be in charge here

[allthingswhumpyandangsty]

we went from “just google it” to “just ask chatgpt” too fast.

people in my life, my friends, family, colleagues, they don’t say “google it” anymore. they just say “ask chat”, “just ask chat”, “let me ask chatgpt real quick”. like only a few years ago we were googling shit man

[batmanisagatewaydrug]

sorry to be a broken record every month but christ menstruation is a stupid concept. oooooh excuse me for not getting pregnant, why the fuck is there goo falling out of me about it? grow the fuck up and reabsorb that shit for nutrients.

[awritersmargins]

[HELP] in genuine need of help to get home

I’m 24 years old, and for the past year and a half I’ve been working in the creative industry for campaigns and events abroad. I came here mostly for family reasons and an internship that was promising. The work itself has been substantial, but the payment situation has been a disaster. I’ve been waiting on delayed payment with no clear timeline for when it’s coming through. I keep pushing but I’m running out of time and it’s not a sustainable life to live.

Earlier this year, I used most of my savings to cover a cheaper rent deposit, medical bills for endometriosis pain management, and general living costs. I made these decisions thinking the work payment would come through and cover me. It didn’t. Whatever I do I need help to be back by August. This is really about accessing the social support systems I’m entitled to and getting back to stable ground where I can restart.

The immediate crisis of rent is handled. I managed to scrape that together through help from someone I’d worked with before and selling what I could. But that took everything I had left. I’m still recovering from being sick with a flu, and the stress of the past few months has made it hard to eat enough or sleep properly, which has made my endometriosis symptoms worse than usual. Had to give up my dog I was fostering as well so it’s been harder than I expected it to be. Just the cooking recently has had me crying because Id always give him some of the scraps to snack on. Nervous system is completely shot to say the least

I need $2500 total. This covers the cost of getting back, moving costs, and enough to bridge the gap until I can access support systems once I’m physically there.

Please help share, I’m grateful for anything you’re able to contribute. I’ve dealt with so many predatory requests the past week and no real help at all so please spare me from that at least. I can only take so much. My DMs are open if anyone wants more verification of me and I’m more than willing to jump on a call and explain my situation in more detail.

So far: $450/$2500

[Donations: PayPal, or bank transfer]

[awritersmargins]

So overwhelmingly grateful for the progress so far🥹 Still quite a way left and barely any time… so if there are any kind souls out there left who’d be willing to help a girl out please reach out🫶🏼

[writingdose]

insane to me how, to some people, this is not a common sense

[catchafalling-star]

reblogging twice because omfg

[awritersmargins]

since when was it okay to comment on anyone’s body??

[zylahbee]

sexism in medicine kills people. racism in medicine kills people. fatphobia in medicine kills people. queerphobia in medicine kills people. classism in medicine kills people. ableism in medicine kills people.

do not downplay people’s fears about being mistreated because they are a part of a marginalised group. it is a matter of life and death and you should be angry about it.

[awritersmargins]

[HELP] in genuine need of help to get home

I’m 24 years old, and for the past year and a half I’ve been working in the creative industry for campaigns and events abroad. I came here mostly for family reasons and an internship that was promising. The work itself has been substantial, but the payment situation has been a disaster. I’ve been waiting on delayed payment with no clear timeline for when it’s coming through. I keep pushing but I’m running out of time and it’s not a sustainable life to live.

Earlier this year, I used most of my savings to cover a cheaper rent deposit, medical bills for endometriosis pain management, and general living costs. I made these decisions thinking the work payment would come through and cover me. It didn’t. Whatever I do I need help to be back by August. This is really about accessing the social support systems I’m entitled to and getting back to stable ground where I can restart.

The immediate crisis of rent is handled. I managed to scrape that together through help from someone I’d worked with before and selling what I could. But that took everything I had left. I’m still recovering from being sick with a flu, and the stress of the past few months has made it hard to eat enough or sleep properly, which has made my endometriosis symptoms worse than usual. Had to give up my dog I was fostering as well so it’s been harder than I expected it to be. Just the cooking recently has had me crying because Id always give him some of the scraps to snack on. Nervous system is completely shot to say the least

I need $2500 total. This covers the cost of getting back, moving costs, and enough to bridge the gap until I can access support systems once I’m physically there.

Please help share, I’m grateful for anything you’re able to contribute. I’ve dealt with so many predatory requests the past week and no real help at all so please spare me from that at least. I can only take so much. My DMs are open if anyone wants more verification of me and I’m more than willing to jump on a call and explain my situation in more detail.

So far: $120/$2500

[Donations: PayPal, or bank transfer]

[unheardoracle]

The worst part about being a writer is that you cannot lie to yourself for very long.

[an0neemouse]

If the writing advice is something along the lines of 'don't do x' the advice is probably garbage. Good advice, ACTIONABLE advice doesn't live in the extremes of always and never. Good advice tells you how and when. Learn the rules, break the rules, but learn the best ways to do it. Good advice should give you the tools to create something beautiful, not stop you from creating at all.

[awesomeelitedirector]

I think that plenty of non-writers don't understand that writing is more than just putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboards):

It's brainstorming.

Researching.

Interviewing.

Being a journalist, so you understand the depth of the subject you're talking about.

Editing (and it's not as fun to read your screenplay over and over again just for grammar and spelling).

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying writing is extremely hard. But given how cheap some writers are often charged because someone thinks it takes 20 minutes to complete everything, it's not as easy as many make it out to be.

Are you looking for a screenwriter? I’m a 10-year veteran who can help write you the best script possible. Check out my gig here.

[awesomeelitedirector]

What I learned as a screenwriter:

I was inspired to write an action film after watching The Raid. Love that film. Surprisingly, writing action was easier than I anticipated. It helps that I read a couple of scripts first before diving into writing the action feature. I remember something Shonda Rhimes said that was simply perfect: You want to paint a picture, but not too specific a picture.

For example, Jack's sword and Kevin's blade clash back and forth effortlessly. Jack kicks him in the left knee and headbutts him HARD.

I don't go into detail about how many times their swords clash, and the sentence is smooth and as clear as possible. You can definitely add style to the description: Maybe your character's knees crack in a certain way, or the way Kevin headbutts him is something out of the ordinary.

Keep it simple. Don't overwrite the action because it will slow down the reading experience, which will kill the pacing of your script. Focus on adding style in the following draft.

Though the sentence above is perfectly fine as long as the action is clear. No camera directions, and you don't have to worry about movement too much.

If you're still confused, then I simply recommend you read these five scripts I read before writing:

1) The Raid 2) Kill Bill 3) Dredd (The Karl Urban remake) 4) Die Hard 5) The Matrix

Realistically speaking, any good action script will do, but I specifically chose these five because the action isn't the same in each film. It's important to get a taste of different styles to understand how action is truly written.

Need more information about how to properly flesh out your characters? Check out my E-book, The F**k It, Not So Perfect, Amateur’s Guide To Writing Flawed And F’d Up Characters