I am happy to announce that I will compete in the third round of the NYC Midnight Short Screenplay Screenwriting Championship this week-end.   This is the first time I’ve ever entered something like this so I’m pleased with my showing. 

My first entry earned a score of 22 out of 25.  My second entry only earned a 12 out of 25.  What does this tell me? 

Basically it reminds me of how SUBJECTIVE this business is.   My writing style didn’t change.  But the story did because of the assigned genres, locations, and required objects.   There’s also a possibility that I had a different set of judges.

I am currently involved in another contest.    I won’t talk about the contest details  but, if the folks who are sponsoring the contest find a script they like, it will be produced.  The director and producer will decide if anything warrants production.

This contest is informal and small enough that writers are encouraged to submit drafts for comments.  After we receive the comments, we can polish and resubmit.  I submitted my draft and it was read by the director and the producer.  Comments were sent back to me.

I had two very different reactions from them.   One loved it but mentioned a few areas that could be changed.  The other didn’t love it so much.  So I have my work set out for me.

What does all this mean?   It just reminds me that it’s going to be very difficult to please every judge.  Every reader is not going to like my story.   I need to write my best and pray someone out there smiles when they read my work!