Selma Karayalcin: Screenwriter, researcher and other in Kyrenia, Cyprus.

Selma Karayalcin

Great article! Funny, engaging, informative and ---inspiring! Way to go, Anthony :)

Selma Karayalcin

Cannes has always seemed so vague, so untouchable - thank you, Sille, for opening the door for me!! Your article has made me realise that Cannes a very doable experience ! My aim is to get my short film shown there - once it's made, that is!!

Sille Larsen

You´re welcome! I hope you will get to show your short film there once its ready!

Xaviera Iglesias
What was your day job?

What was your day job before becoming a screenwriter? And are you still working in that field or have you transitioned from the 9-5 day worker to full-time caffeinated, insomniac, first-draft procrastinator, rewrite-hater writer you've always wanted to be?

Also, have you ever written a character or a story based on your former career?

Eric Roberts

I'm all that! I think it's on the days I'm not sure my story is relevant and important.

Ronika Merl

Still at it. backend data management for real estate contracts for the mobile operator industry in Germany. Boom.

Now that's what I call excitement. :D

But it's a good job and I like it.

Justin Plourde

Accounting/Finance, mainly in science based industry. Great work, great people. Still writing is my passion.

Ashley Renee Smith

Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences with us, Selma! It goes to show that the trick to networking is simply putting yourself out there and "doing", no matter where you are. It's not always easy, but the effort will be rewarded in unexpected ways. Your story is very inspiring!

That’s a great story about how you started screenwriting, Selma. Stage 32 really is the key to international networking. I live in North Carolina, and I collaborated with a Stage 32 member/producer in Poland on a short script. As for the education, people all over the world can sign up for webinars...

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Selma Karayalcin

Wow! Inspiring story about working with a member of Stage 32 in Poland - it just reminds us of how wonderful the world of Stage is!

Maurice Vaughan

You're right. It does remind us of how wonderful the world of Stage 32 is. And I'm part Polish, so it was great to work on a Polish project. :)

Tom Stohlgren

Thanks, Selma. My experience has been much the same. I love the connections, advice, and encouragement I've received from Stage 32. Thanks for posting the Hemmingway story.

Susan Joyce

Hola from Uruguay! Great post! Congratulations! You are a screenwriter. Bravo for sticking with your projects and sharing your journey with others. I spoke with you years ago when you first joined Stage 32 because we have the Cyprus connection. I lived in sleepy Kyrenia and survived the Cyprus War o...

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Haley Mary

So inspiring!

Geoff Hall

Selma, that is such an encouraging story. Thank you for sharing it. What are you working on at the moment?

Leonardo Ramirez

My absolute favorite line of this post: "I can now say, and I believe it, that my real job is that I am a screenwriter." So much yes! I'm also hearing an invite for a bunch of us writers to visit Ayia Napa Beach to have a writers "room"! Thank you so much, Selma. Great post!

Selma Karayalcin

Lets make it happen!!

Leonardo Ramirez

Selma Karayalcin That would be a blast!

Deborah Jennings

What an interesting life you live! I am a story writer first. I have no time to become a screenwriter for a career and I have no intention of doing that. But I agree that Stage 32 brings supportive and like-minded people together who have great stories to tell. I enjoyed your blog. Thanks.

Selma Karayalcin

Many thanks, Deborah. Would love to hear your stories - I am sure you have an interesting life too!

Thank you, Selma

Extremely helpful.

This inspired me.

Love it!

Bill Brock
Visit a SMALL town & a GREAT gift falls into my lap.

Attended the 44th Annual James Dean Festival in Fairmount, Indiana, last month. Met a man who has lived in James Dean’s NYC apartment since 1974! Regaled by his compelling stories, I suggested that a documentary be created. He agreed and handed the screenwriting reins to me! An LA filmmaker friend c...

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Monica Mansy

Wow, Bill Brock! This is incredible... congratulations to you!

Amy Gray

How fun! Have a blast :)

Selma Karayalcin

That is amazing! So exciting. I hope you manage to find people with memories to share.

Selma's network

Matthew Parvin
William Long
Catherine Cole
Leonardo Ramirez
Ashley Renee Smith
Gary Rose
Katherine Arifin
April Ranck
Matthew Kent
Sam Sokolow
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