Authoring & Playwriting

Congrats!

You're welcome, Ashley Renee Smith. Thanks. You're right. It's such a satisfying feeling. Sometimes it's just about looking at plot holes from a different angle.

Like @Maurice I’d a plot hole to figure out. Mine was for a Detective Vintage Noir with 2 parallel ongoing cases. My brain began to fry in a seemingly unapproachable puzzle if I was to get the end I wanted to a major scene. I feared the page cos the angst was like walking in glue. An act of God to coin a phrase or co incidentals used as a turning point are a big fat no. Then I took time out to explore what would have been simple ordinary daily occurrences in characters lives, no intense research but thinking out of the box. Out walking the puzzle yielded without the prior intense foreboding. Visceral realism in the small things provided believable reason for someone to physically move location for time needed to trigger next plot point. Moving away from the work & fresh eyes approach after a good nights sleep shifts the paradigm.

Haha! So true. Mine is a scene where the characters actually need to talk and say the words that are at the heart of the whole film. My solution is to put replacement dialogue and then each time I read it, edit it sloghtly as ideas occur to me. I left that scene till last to write!

Mine is actually a scene that came to me suddenly—and of course, it happened when I had no way to write it down. I loved it so much just “watching” it. But every time I sat down to actually write it, I hesitated. I was like—no… not that… not yet. So I've been avoiding it for a while :)

Jason Sylvester, It’s exciting to see technology being used not to replace creativity, but to enhance it, giving writers more time to focus on story, character, and voice. What’s the next canon-heavy world you’re diving into?

That's an interesting idea, Jason. I can see how using AI this way would benefit authors who have their own extensive "worlds."

This is a very clever idea of integrating AI in writing, without delegating the creative work, Jason Sylvester!

Thanks all, for the kind comments. Ashley Renee Smith my next canon-heavy world is one of my creation; an epic trilogy deep diving into many scientific and human elements--an idea that has been bouncing around in my head for almost a decade while I wrote other projects.

Ai is a great tool Jason Sylvester

Hi, Jason Sylvester. I force it sometimes when I get writer's block (like when I'm on a deadline), but waiting/shifting focus to something else works too. Sometimes I shift focus to another project, emails, movies, etc.

Jason Sylvester, thank you for sharing your process so openly. That Buddhist mindset of releasing control and trusting the timing really resonates. There’s something powerful about allowing space for the subconscious to work, rather than forcing words that aren’t ready to emerge. I love your phrasing: “ride the dragon all the way to the edge.” It captures the intensity and urgency of those rare moments when the words finally rush in.

If you ever feel like sharing more about your collaboration with the UChicago professor or how you’re integrating those transcendent themes into narrative structure, I’d love to help you coordinate publishing a blog post here on Stage 32. If you’re interested, feel free to message me at blog@stage32.com.

An interesting way of processing your writing, Jason. I don't believe the creative flow is rare. But getting into that flow is what's important and sometimes difficult. Our minds are so busy that shifting into our story world can be difficult. So the Buddhist mindset could be very helpful. For me, thinking about the story when I'm doing something else is helpful, such as going for a walk or a long freeway drive. I dictate notes into my phone. Also brainstorming with other writers can get you through a block.

Glad my insights might help others; at least those NOT on a deadline! I agree getting into the creative flow is not always that hard. What is rare, for me at least, is hitting that zone, striking that higher octave of creative energy, where I can write effortlessly and nonstop for 24 hours because the ideas just won't stop coming and I have to get it out.

Hi Geoff, I'm reading Fredrick Bakman's book Anxious People. OMG its like someone has opened my brain, checked out all my thoughts, memories and feelings, compiled them into a book together with some very twisted thinking - okay that's probably me too! What a clever writer. I feel like a kindergarten writer next to this giant. As you know his 4 minute piece attracted me. This book, which I thought, yeh I'll read a few pages, I'm almost half the way through the 400 pages (I read a book a day generally) So clever. Such a genius.

PS - I didn't procrastinate.

Sylvia Melanson mine too. I’m glad you found it fun. How are you doing? What are you working on at the moment, or are you procrastinating?!! ;-)

Carol M. Salter Hi Carol, happy Sunday. He’s definitely someone I’ll have to check out later. Maybe a holiday read. You read a book a day? Wow, I can’t do that. I’m a slow reader and anyway, to add 365 books a year to the house would cause some consternation amongst the other residence of the abode, due to the limitations on space!

Mine is the "I don wanna" feeling. Sometimes that feeling wins. Sometimes, I force my way through it. I much prefer the days when I'm in the flow! :)

Hi, Kelley Watson. I suggest adding a profile picture and a detailed bio to your profile. People will feel more comfortable networking and collaborating with you if they know what you look like. And if you have a picture, your profile will show up when someone searches for you. A detailed bio will help you build relationships/network on here. You could add things to your bio like why you became an actor, your accomplishments, your goals, and what movies and shows you like. Hope you get the advice you're looking for!

Hi Maurice Vaughn - I was once an avid supporter of Stage 32 submitting to Pitch sessions and playing the webinars, of which all were worthwhile. Over the years I have redirected my energies to other pursuits. I have asked my friends at the Acting School of Chicago for a legal referral. I am sure they will be able to recommend someone. Thanks! Kelley

You're welcome, Kelley Watson. Glad to hear you were an avid supporter of Stage 32. Keep the community posted on your book.

I agree, Inspiration comes from so many places.....The main thing, is to always remember where and what that inspiration comes from so if you ever find yourself creatively stuck, you know where to look to get those ideas flowing again.

There's various works that I've fell in love with and has rooted into me, but I don't think I'd ever have taken any steps towards genuinely writing (rather than concept creation) if it wasn't for two people in my life; they're my biggest source of inspiration and the reason I feel any level of confidence to try.

My most memorable? Maurice Vaughan Probably the life circumstance that inspired Beautiful Addiction :) Mike Hall knows what I'm talking about ;)

Great tune!!....Love the title too!

Kat Spencer For me, inspiration tends to show up through relationships, those that challenged me, changed me, or revealed something I didn’t know I was carrying. And sometimes, it’s the quiet moments between the chaos that leave the biggest imprint: an overheard conversation, an old photograph, a recurring dream.

After nearly two years and $400 wasted on Stage 32 pitch sessions—with zero traction despite success in Coverfly competitions—I discovered through forums that many writers share similar frustrations, pitching to "execs" who seem more interested in selling feedback than developing scripts. While success stories exist, they appear rare, making the platform feel more like a monetized black hole.

Honestly you're much better off networking here and finding others who are as hungry as you (artists, musicians, voice actors, etc.) collaborating and working together to create something, as opposed to hoping a pitch session will work out.

Granted this is just my observation based on research and experience, so take it with a grain of salt; but I refuse to spend any more money on here, lol..

Pay > Pitch session > Feedback > Implement > Pay > Pitch Session > Feedback > Implement > Pay > Pitch Session > Feedback > Implement...

If this wasn't the case they wouldn't have the disclaimer on nearly every single "pitch session"; and they do that purposefully so they don't get sued, lol..

Just... be mindful...

Thank you for the information Nathan Grimm!

2025 is going well, I think! We've submitted our proof of concept short for some film festivals and gotten some awards and selections, I submitted my feature-length script to a festival and it was selected, pitch deck is done, and now I'm working on honing my pitching style. Looking to get funding and produce the movie before the end of the year!

Candra Baguley competition(s) is where you'll shine if you have the coin.

Place (and potentially win in few) with the same piece then use that momentum to submit to query tracker or manuscript wish-list, using those accolades to push your writings; it's what I do.

Candra Baguley, I love that energy! “The year of action” is such a powerful declaration, and it sounds like you’re absolutely delivering on it! Huge congratulations on your first live pitch. That’s no small milestone, and it’s incredible to hear how it’s fueling your momentum.

I just returned from Cannes, where I had the honor of meeting so many Stage 32 members from all around the world in person. I can’t tell you how many told me about the incredible success they’ve had with their projects thanks to Stage 32 pitch sessions and education. I met members who found their reps, producing partners, and creative collaborators through Script Services and these very lounges. And many of them were in Cannes to sell the exact projects they workshopped through Stage 32. It was unbelievably inspiring.

It’s exciting to see you at the start of that journey. Keep going strong! You’re inspiring more people than you know, just by sharing your journey with us all!