Hi everyone!
I’m thrilled to be headlining this week’s blog for November Write Club Week 2, and I wanted to share my personal goals and reflections as we dive deeper into the month.
My Week 2 Goal:
I’m currently writing the feature-length screenplay for The Misstep, a project I’ve already written and directed as a short. For Week 1, I hit my goal of completing Act 1—25 pages. This week, I’m aiming to write 25 more pages, bringing me to the Act 2 Midpoint.
I promised my team I’d finish the screenplay this month so we can start building the package and prepare to hit the festival circuit in 2026. The pressure is real, but so is the excitement!
Collaboration Matters:
This week’s blog dives into what makes a great collaborator, and it couldn’t be more timely. As a writer-director, I’ve learned that collaboration isn’t just about sharing the workload; it’s about shared vision, trust, and the ability to challenge each other creatively.
Whether it’s your producer, co-writer, or even your beta readers, the best collaborators help you elevate your work while staying true to your voice. I’m grateful for the team behind The Misstep, and I’m reminded this week how essential it is to surround yourself with people who believe in the story as much as you do.
You can read here: https://www.stage32.com/blog/november-write-club-week-2-insights-from-th...
What are your goals for Week 2, and what do you look for in a collaborator?
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Hi, Sandra Isabel Correia. Congratulations on hitting your Week 1 goal! I'm rooting for you to reach your goal this week and finish your script this month!
I almost reached my goal last week. I got to page 86 of the draft I'm writing. I did some more work on the draft today and added a new ending. The script is 90 pages now. My goals for this week are finish another draft of the feature script and outline a short script.
"what do you look for in a collaborator?" Someone who has the same vision for a project as me, someone who acts professional, and someone who does their share of the work.
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Thank you, my good friend, Maurice Vaughan. Me too LOL :D Wow, page 86, it's an amazing job on your draft. I am so happy for you. 90 pages is a good number, and you have more space if you feel you need to add one more scene. I am rooting for your new draft and new outline. I love what you look for in a collaborator, because that is the foundation of a successful relationship, not only professional but also personal. It's a match.
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Congrats, Sandra! That's awesome.
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You're welcome, Sandra Isabel Correia. Thanks. Most of my spec scripts end up being around 90 pages. The short script might be 3-5 pages.
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Week 2 goals are to get drafting underway on my next feature film, Inspiration Inc.. I'm drafting my skeleton pass, which is always the longest. Wish me luck!
I posted about my collaboration wish, but I'd love to be part of a Southern US based filmmaking effort.
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You're doing wonderful Sandra Isabel Correia - that's a big goal for week 2 but I have no doubt at all that you will make that goal. Keep going - I'm rooting for you my friend. I was able to reach my goal of getting the manager letters in place. Now I have to research some managers to send to.
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Sandra Isabel Correia you’ve got this, Sandra!
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Thank you, Ilanna Mandel. Have you shared your Week 2 goals alteady?
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That's interesting, Maurice Vaughan. My short scripts have around 10 pages. 3 pages for each act (yes, I do 3 acts in the short script) and one more page for balance. My screenplays usually rom-coms with 90 pages and thrillers with 100.
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I am cheering for you Elle Bolan and I will jump to your week 2. Drafting is a fun part. :) Yes, gathering experience is the best. I am rooting for you.
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Thank you, my good friend, Leonardo Ramirez 2. Yes, and I've only written half a page out of 25 because my life has required me to focus on other subjects. But I'm going to do my best this week. How are you searching for managers? What is your process?
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And I am for you Geoff Hall :)) Lets go my friend :))
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Hi Sandra,
Congratulations on hitting your Act 1 goal for The Misstep and on tackling the full feature script! The short's focus on identity and neurodiversity in a surreal thriller context sounds fantastic, and the pressure you're under for the 2026 festival circuit will certainly pay off. Good luck hitting that 50-page Act 2 midpoint this week!
My Week 2 Goal:
I'm currently finalizing the pitch materials (deck and budget overview) for my contained Action/Conspiracy Thriller, The Safe House, which has a completed screenplay.
What I Look For in a Collaborator:
I completely agree—it's about shared vision and trust. I look for a producer or director who is as passionate about the core emotional stakes as they are about the marketability of the concept. Someone who can challenge the mechanics of the plot while elevating the human element.
I'll check out the blog post. Cheers to a productive week!
Best,
Salisu Abdullahi
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Hey Sandra Isabel Correia - it's totally understandable that life asks for attention to it and that is rightly so. This week is my daughter's birthday so I've been focused on that. We had a really good dinner last night and I got to encourage her in her creative journey. For managers, I'm going through LinkedIn and some through IMDb. I search for what movies they've produced and make a list. Right now, the list isn't very long because of life but that's a good thing. Bless you, my friend.
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I have been struggling (actually probably a bit intimidated) to find an idea that would form the basis of a feature script. I've only written TV pilots at this point and my story ideas need more runway than a 90 minute movie but in the spirit on November Write Club I decided to focus energy yesterday on developing a good feature idea. The Sizzler is that idea. I am loving it so let's see what awaits....
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Salisu Abdullahi, you absolutely nailed it with your publication. Thank you. Congratulations on finalizing your pitch deck and budget for your safe house, and I am rooting for you. Yes, collaboration is that! In my opinion. Have a great NWC week 2.
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Yes, I saw both of you on Instagram Leonardo Ramirez 2, happy birthday, and I hope Daddy's girl had a wonderful celebration. That is a sound strategy, my friend, and I am rooting for you. I am confident you will get your manager. In my experience, I prefer a small but good list over a long list with nothing. :) Bless you, too, my good friend.
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Oh, Darrell Pennington, I just love that. It's so important that we challenge ourselves; that's my motto. I am my challenge.) Congratulations for thinking about writing a feature. I prefer feature films because they allow me to tell a complete story in 90 minutes. I am rooting for you. Let's make NWC week 2 memorable for all of us!
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Hi Sandra,
That is so kind of you—thank you for the encouragement on The Safe House pitch. I really appreciate the support.
It's clear from your background that you bring a phenomenal entrepreneurial drive to your creative work, especially with The Misstep and SOUL MATED. That passion for both the human element and the execution is exactly what drives a project forward.
Wishing you the very best of luck hitting that 50-page goal this week!
Best,
Salisu
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I'm so impressed that you wrote 25 pages in a week! How many hours a day? Your thoughts on collaboration: "I’m reminded this week how essential it is to surround yourself with people who believe in the story as much as you do." are so important. I agree with your statement completely Sandra, and I feel they work as hard as you do to make it happen. Wonderful post.
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Thank you Salisu Abdullahi, and for take the time to read my bio :))
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Hi, Sheri Barbera, Thank you for your compliments. I usually begin at 10 am and stop around 6 pm. A total of 8 hours a day. The secret is to write a very good outline so I won't get lost. The first draft is similar to the first design; after that, I'll edit with complementary scenes and twists for the second draft. Usually I take one month to write a screenplay. But The Misstep is the evolution of a short script that I wrote and directed as a proof of concept, so I have all the plot in my mind. Absolutely, Sheri, we must surround ourselves with people who align with us, have the same vision, have different goals, and have similar energy. For me, it is the recipe for success. Yes, they do, each one in their area, but complementary to mine. Thank youuuuu, and I wish you a lovely NWC week 2.