Introduce Yourself : Beginning the ascent by Sharon Samson

@Sharon this world of ours is a constant struggle, but somehow... I'd like to call it "sweet struggle" because we're all doing it with passion and there's nothing that can stop us.

Congrats Shaz on getting this far! And I love Scotland, I've been to the Edinburgh Festival 5 times with plays. Remember why you wrote the story - let that inner passion guide you.

This is very true. Sweet struggle...I like that. :) Writing and creating feeds my soul, especially during these uncertain times and although it's difficult, I wouldn't change it. Look forward to chatting with you and hearing all about your endeavours.

There will be a two part video blog about my screenwriting journey. You'll get to meet me :)

Hi, Sharon! Welcome! Congratulations on completing your first screenplay; that's awesome! I totally agree... it's definitely scary and also so exciting and made all that more worthwhile with great support. I have definitely found that here on Stage 32 and definitely within the Writers' Room here. We meet a few times a week, learning about the craft, business and supporting each other. If you're interested in trying it out for a free month, please feel free to reach out Jason Mirch (j.mirch@stage32.com), the Director of Script Services here at Stage 32, for a free month!

Thank you, Debra and thank you, Monica. So glad you've experienced The Fringe and the beautiful city, I can't wait to go back when lockdown ends here in Scotland. I'd love to try this, Monica! Thank you for mentioning it, appreciate it. Look forward to chatting to you all!

Thanks, Natalie! Lovely to meet you, appreciate the warm welcome. My first one is a Romantic Comedy (well, I hope it's funny!) and I'm working on a couple of others in the twilight hours. So glad to hear, I've read wonderful things about the community so I'm really glad I joined the fun and graft. Look forward to chatting with you further. Are you currently keeping busy with any projects?

Welcome!

Thanks, Tasha! Lovely to meet you.

Nice to meet you! Best of luck with everything, and keep us posted as to how things are going :)

Welcome aboard, Shaz. If there is any way I can help you, let me know.

Thank you, Dawn and Jimmie! Lovely to meet you both. I can't wait to hear and see your future endeavours. Likewise, Jimmie. Even as a total novice, if I can be of any assistance, always happy to help! All the best.

Welcome, Shaz. Keep up the good work! Wishing you every success.

Thanks, Wayne! Thanks, Wally! Same to you, Wayne.

Hi, Mack! Lovely to meet you. I've yet to travel to Holland, it looks beautiful. I would love to chat with you, thank you for your details and the warm welcome. A Rock Opera about the Spanish Armada sounds fantastic! I can't wait to see it! Thank you for the introduction, I'll be sure to get in touch with David too. All the best and hope to chat with you soon!

I don''t mind falling as long as I can make a few movies before it happens... XD JK

Hi Shaz! I'm from England, but have been up to Scotland which was a little less sunny than you are describing it! We're all here to pulling each other up, you just have to find the right people to help you do it. Hope you are doing well.

Great to see you Sharon! Best of luck to you in those competitions!

Hello Shaz, you have pulled a couple out of the reserved shadows of the UK and Europe with your post. Not often you get them introducing themselves so well done and 'Good Luck' with your screenwriting competitions. Scotland was lovely and sunny when I last visited over the Edinburgh festival a couple of years back. Regardless of the weather the people there do have a constantly sunny disposition and I consider it a sweeter place to be than here in the South of England. Hope you let me in if you get your independance! I wrote a blog about the ideal screenplay for an actor that's on here. Don't hold it against me !

Hi Sharon, I can read your script, and give my opinion if you like. Greetings, Gerard from Barcelona

Nice to meet you, David! I can't wait to see your Rock Opera, sounds fantastic! Nice to meet you, Harvey! Yes, Scotland has a tendency to favour cloud. Thanks and glad to find others who support and nurture in this industry. Hopefully chat soon. Nice to meet you, David and thank you! It was a scary thing to do but glad I've done it. Hi, Sara! Nice to meet you. So glad to find some UK based fellow creatives. Edinburgh is fab as is the festival. Haha of course, all welcome and thank you. I'd love to read your blog! Hi, Gerard! Nice to meet you and thank you for the offer, that would be great to get more feedback. I love Barcelona, I grew up in Spain. Miss it dearly.

Little known fact, I was also a pharmacy tech in another life. Gave me all the preparation I needed to run this joint - he said, sarcastically. Fantastic to have you and your talents here, Sharon!

There must be a whole group of us current or former pharma people. I spent 7.5 years running a U.S. pharma company's Japan affiliate in Tokyo. Since 2018 though, living the Portuguese Dream writing screenplays (and surfing and drinking really good local wine) in sunny Portugal -- which I've found sunnier than sunny Scotland, based on my personal experience :-)

Hi, Richard! Lovely to meet you and thank you for creating this wonderful space for us fellow creatives to share! So glad I joined and look forward to meeting lots of new people and getting involved more on Stage32. I love being a Pharmacy Tech and although it feeds my tummy, writing feeds my soul. Nice to meet you, Randy! I am so jealous Haha, I'd love to be sitting writing in the sun with some vino. All the best and hope to chat soon.

"Here's to climbing and falling together. " I could not love this more!

So lovely to meet you, Sharon, and so refreshing to have your energy and support in our Community :)

Hi, Angela! Lovely to meet you and thank you for the warm welcome. Here's to the climb! Look forward to chatting with you soon. All the best.

Hey Shaz! Great to have you in the community! You're in exactly the right place! We have such an amazing community of screenwriters and other creatives. Are you familiar with Stage 32 Script Services? We provide opportunities for consultations and development notes from working industry producers, executives, managers and others. So while the scripts you submit are not submissions to the companies, they are being read by their top executives who provide you feedback.

Stage 32 also has a ton of free resources and you should also use those to connect with folks. You can post your loglines on Stage 32 - and unlike other sites we never charge you to host your loglines or your full scripts. The industry professionals on Stage 32 are always looking at loglines and writers' bios on the site in order to find projects and new writers.

You can check out our success stories page here: https://www.stage32.com/scriptservices/success-stories and you can see our success story blogs here: https://www.stage32.com/blog/tag/success-stories

There are some great ones! Do me a favor and drop me a note at j.mirch@stage32.com - I would be happy to help!

Hi, Jason! Lovely to meet you and thank you also for the warm welcome. I have been looking at the Script Services and it's certainly something that I will be happy to use. Feedback is ridiculously important to me, both good and bad, as I feel any form of constructive feedback shapes you as a writer. Thank you for the links, I will have a read with my afternoon cuppa! Thank you, I will drop you an email with any queries I have. All the best and thanks again.

Hi Shaz. Welcome to Stage 32. I say that like I'm part of the group but the truth is I haven't even introduced myself yet. I relate strongly to your feeling of a mountain to climb but I keep reminding myself that it's a privilege to be in good enough health and to have the time to climb it. This seems like a great place to connect and I'm looking forward to the journey and to learning more about your project(s) along the way. Best of luck!

Hi Shaz! I love your attitude about this new endeavor. It is new to me as well and your words are encouraging.

Hi Shaz, I am a fellow screenwriter, and found Stage 32 offers an incredible op to live outside of LA and yet connect with producers, executives, and professionals in many well-known studios who offer so much, from script consultations, pitch training and practice, great screenwriting webinars, and networking. You are in the right place. Plus, this community is so encouraging and helpful. Enjoy your time here!

Hi, Frances, Kelli and Ricki! So wonderful to meet you all and so happy to find newbies like myself taking the first steps. I look forward to chatting to you all and hearing about your projects. Stage 32 certainly is a great place to be and a great community to be a part of. Happy creating!

Happy creating!

Good on ya! Remember, a writer writes. Go get em!

Hi, Shane. Nice to meet you! I try to write something every day, even if it's just an idea for a scene. Keep the creative wheel turning! I really enjoyed your interviews on Film Courage, very inspiring so thank you for sharing your experiences and knowledge. All the best with your endeavours, look forward to hearing about them.

Hey, Sharon. Highlands or lowlands? Come from Wales originally myself, although now living in California. Any questions, please ask. Welcome to the group.

Love the analogy, Sharon! My dad thought the best was to build his children’s confidence was by scaling cliffs - with him as back-up below. Here’s hoping you build that same confidence as you “climb.”

Nice to meet you, Lynn! I'm from Ayrshire so closer to Glasgow. Still never been to Wales, a must when travelling is possible! Thank you for the warm welcome, look forward to chatting soon. All the best.

Nice to meet you Cara! I love that! Dads do tend to know best. Thank you, all in time and experience. Look forward to chatting with you and hearing about your projects.

Wonderfully written, Sharon, and a pleasure to meet you! Hoping to continue to network and make connections while climbing the mountain to success. Best of luck to you!

Pleasure to meet you, James! I look forward to hearing about your climb and chatting with you about future projects. All the best from "sunny" Scotland and happy creating!

Absolutely! Thank you!

Hey, Sharon. Welcome! Blending Pharmacy Tech and screenwriter--could be horror script!!!

Hi, Aray! Lovely to meet you and thank you, I hope if anything the feedback is constructive and of value. We can all scale together! All the best with your endeavours and hopefully chat soon.

Love this!! Best of luck to you!!

You too, Jordan!

Hey Shaz. How have the last 7 months been? Still climbing? Here if I can be of any support. I have plenty of metaphorical crampons, carabiners, ropes and harnesses to help you avoid those script rock-falls and story crevasses!