Screenwriting : "RUNNER UP" in Breaking Walls Thriller Competition by Stephen Barber

Stephen Barber

"RUNNER UP" in Breaking Walls Thriller Competition

Great email from Breaking Walls today on my feature thriller, OUR SHADOW’S PLAYLIST. Seeing my name alongside writers I respect never gets old.

If there’s one thing that shaped my voice, it’s reading other writers—especially my competition (many of whom became friends). Outside of lived experience, that’s been the biggest unlock. It gave my writing a rhythm I didn’t even know I was searching for—and one I’ll carry forward. Shoot, it's even starting to rhyme.

Curious—what helped you find your voice?

Jim Boston

Stephen, my reading other people's scripts (be they made into movies and TV shows or not) helped me find my voice, too...as well as thinking about things that've happened in my own life.

Great question...and here's wishing you plenty of success in that screenwriting-TV writing journey!

Preston Poulter

Woot!

Stephen Barber

Jim Boston Awesome. There was once a script that I read from a famous writer, and when I finished it, I knew two things at once: 1. I should throw this entire dream into the trash because I'll never get there. and 2. I immediately saw a level I hadn't even known existed, but now I had a target to improve my game towards. Same to you, Sir! Onward in 2026!

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