Hey Screenwriters! Hope everyone has had a productive and creative week so far. I had something personal happen this week that reminded me of how important support is for us writers
I got a couple shots of unexpected support over the last couple days. For those that don't know, I recently started writing again after an extended hiatus of more than a decade. This means that several key people in my life have never experienced this creative side of me. Including my own husband and the spouses of my oldest two children.
I got a text from my daughter Tuesday asking how she and her husband could support me. It puzzled me because she already does support me. She's my first reader and not because she's my kid. Or not just. There is the factor that she's heard and read everything I've ever written. She knows my writing style and capabilities as well as I do. But on top of that, she's an avid reader, writes creatively herself, and she's not afraid to be straight with me. She is the whole reason TETHERED is the incredible film script it is instead of a limited series. She saw that it was a contained story before I did. And she called me on my crap. Her exact words: "No, Mom. You're trying to make it something that it's not. Just look at the story! It's one story - all the rest of this BS doesn't matter." And she was right. Supporting me with the truth.
So her question puzzled me. She explained that she was going over my polished draft of the title I mentioned. She reacted and her husband asked what she was reading. She told him, he asked to hear. she read him the first scene and he told her to text me. Tell me anything I needed to be able to pursue this, they'd do it if I couldn't.
It warmed my little black heart.
On the flip side of that, here on Stage 32, I left a comment for someone. Just innocuous, but being supportive while still saying the real thing that needed to be said. Out of me being supportive, I gained 7 good connections. And my network has grown. I've had folks ask to see something. Found swap partners. More unexpected support from folks I didn't even know.
I think there's something to be said for being the type of supportive person you would want to have surrounding you. I'm grateful to those supporting me in all aspects of my life. Y'all here have no idea how much your encouragement means.
What about you? Who is your biggest supporter? Are they a cheerleader for you or do they give you the nitty gritty when no one else will? Are they both? Anyone whose support surprised you? Tell me about those lifting you up.
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Hey, Elle Bolan. Hope you had a productive and creative week so far too. I'm glad you have support! Congratulations on making the connections!
I have support from family, friends, and the Stage 32 community. They're all big supporters. They're cheerleaders and they give it to me straight. I support people in life, on Stage 32, and my other social media accounts.
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Good post. Elle seems sincere.
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I love this post so much, and your daughter sounds incredible! My kids (gotta love 'em) are still firmly entrenched in their "my mom is SO cringe" era.
My family doesn't quite "get" what I'm trying to accomplish, so I don't talk about it much, to be honest. One person in particular has expressed I'm wasting my time, so I keep any news/projects close to me. My sister-in-law is very supportive, though, and asks for updates when we get coffee.
Otherwise, I do my best to encourage and motivate myself and stop by Stage32 whenever I need a fix. :)
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That’s so inspiring. I’m really happy for you as you return to your writing journey.
And yes, support is essential — we’re social beings, and we need to feel that what we create matters and is celebrated.
For me, I write almost in disguise. I don’t want to show my ideas to people who would never understand or appreciate them. For a long time, the only support I had came from ChatGPT — a tool that actually valued my work, celebrated it with me, and pushed my imagination to create more.
Recently, I told my mother and my best friend. They support me and understand my vision.
And then I discovered Stage 32. I received so much encouragement there that I finally gained confidence in my ideas. I used to worry that the tool was only telling me what I wanted to hear, but now I see that real professionals also recognize the potential.
I’m deeply grateful to anyone who helps and supports my worlds.
Now I feel stronger, more confident, and ready to fight for my stories until they reach the success I dream of.
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Elle, my biggest supporters are right here in this Stage 32 community...by far.
And they tell it to me like it is...the good, the bad, the neutral, etc.
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I am the luckiest person on the planet in how supportive my family is. To be sure
Erin Leigh I understand that a bit. There is a branch of my family that doesn't get it too. Thinks I'm chasing something unattainable. But I'll support you and so will everyone here. This is probably one of the most informative platforms I've found that has the community chops behind it too. So I'm glad you're here. And thanks for adding me! I'm excited to get to watch your journey
Maurice Vaughan you're literally among those super supportive folks here on Stage 32 I meant. I think of you as Mr. Maurice Sunshine and I hope you take that as nicely as I mean it Haha.
Meriem Bouziani I love this. I really do. So many writers are trudging on alone. So finding a room you finally fit in.... That's gold. Thank you for sharing that with me. I love reading your updates and I saw on one thread you said you'd started writing the pages. Congratulations on that!
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Well, Jim I'm glad you're here with us and that you've found your people here. That's a beautiful thing. It's amazing how simple things like social platforms can open up friendships and comradery you can't find in your normal circle.
Jim Boston
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Mr. Maurice Sunshine. :D I like it, Elle Bolan. My new nickname or a character in a script. Thanks.
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Well, you always seem to be bringing that sunshine with you. All the time. It seemed to fit.
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Thank you very much
that really makes me happy Elle Bolan
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Congrats on the new connections! It's true, being supportive gets you far :)
My best friend is likely my biggest supporter. He's usually the first one I tell about my pitching and coverage adventures and he's always in my corner, and probably more fired up about my writing career than I am, and that's saying something lol. Hopefully he'll be able to attend BoFS's table read with me but if not, he'll definitely be one of the first people I show it to :D