Insecure Writer's Support Group
A database resource site and support group for writers and authors. Featuring weekly guests and tips, a monthly blogfest gathering, a Facebook group, a book club, and thousands of links – all to benefit writers! #IWSG
Website / Facebook Group / Twitter / Book Club
Reedsy Discount / Past Issues
Fast Five Free Gift - Mobi / Epub / Pdf
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Top 5 Reasons to Write for the Screen
By Trai Cartwright
1. THE PIPELINE IS VAST
Netflix is putting $12 Billion into content. Global box office continues to expand exponentially. YouTube has daily viewing in the billions. Besides the Hollywood studio-friendly franchises and sequels, we are also seeing a tremendous spike in original content and content that tells stories of people and situations once relegated to art house theaters. Hollywood and Silicon Valley need your stories.
2. BECAUSE THAT STORY IDEA ISN'T A BOOK, IT'S A FILM.
Sometimes a story demands a screen. Sometimes it's so vitally visual, sometimes it's the simple, clear conflict that doesn't need more than 90 minutes to tell, sometimes the concept is "high" or "commercial" and when you pitch it to your friends, they immediately tell you, "That'd be a great film!" Why waste the time trying to make that story fit the wrong medium?
3. THERE ARE NO LIMITS TO WHAT YOU CAN WRITE.
Once upon a time, the Powers That Be said that a writer would only confuse their readers if they wrote outside of a single medium and genre. That stigmata is gone. Today, book authors are playing with graphic novels, gamers are hitting the big and small screens, screenwriters are indulging in the Great American Novel, and round and round it goes. The more multi-faceted you are, the better your chances to cultivate a wide audience. This of course makes you all the more desirable to content buyers.
4. GETTING MARKETPLACE VIABLE FAST IS POSSIBLE.
It's unbelievably easy to expedite your screen/TV learning curve. Classes both in person and online abound--one day workshops, six-weekers, and MFAs, oh my. Colorado has it all, including a low-residency MFA at Western State Colorado University, headed up by Hollywood pros. Story consultants and notes services stand ready to help on your individual script. Access to the marketplace is easier than ever. Really, what's stopping you from making use of the tools ready and available to transform you into a screenwriter? But do your research--not all are created equal.
5. IT'S REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY FUN.
And hyperbole is welcome.
About the Expert: TRAI CARTWRIGHT, MFA, is a 25-year entertainment industry veteran and creative writing specialist. While in Los Angeles, she was a screenwriter, independent film producer, and story consultant and development executive for HBO, Paramount Pictures, Universal Studios, and New Line Cinema. She was the Assistant Director of Leonardo DiCaprio’s online endeavors and the Manager for 20th Century Fox’s Mobile Studios. She is the screenwriter of Secret Ellington, and producer of docu-series Hidden Tigers. www.traicartwright.com
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The next IWSG Day will be September 5
Sign up here.
OPTIONAL IWSG Day Question: What publishing path are you considering/did you take, and why?
RULES: This group posts EVERY month. If you sign up and miss one first Wednesday, that's all right! Those who sign up just to advertise or miss two postings in a row will be removed so as not to waste group member's time. Please refrain from posting non-writing related tangents under the IWSG badge. We believe in freedom of speech, but please relate your post to the life of a writer in some fashion. Those who don’t will be given a warning. If done a second time, you will be removed from the blog hop list. Guest posts for IWSG Day are acceptable, but the post should address writing insecurities in some way. Thanks for respecting the purpose of this group!
Visit members. Return comments. Be respectful. And have FUN!
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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Toi Thomas is an active part of the IWSG and WEP, and this month she won the Encouragement Award in WEP! She's always supportive of other bloggers, and she does helpful posts on her blog The ToiBox of Words. Currently, she's doing a series on a study of words.
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The IWSG Instagram
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Member News:
Congratulations to Carol Kilgore on the release of Bluebonnet Ballerina, Book 2 in the Amazing Gracie Trilogy.
Congrats to Diane Burton on the release of Numbers Never Lie, a Romantic Suspense.
Big congratulations out to Roland Yeomans for releasing The Not-So-Innocents Abroad on Audiobook.
Patricia Lynne's new book is out under the name Patricia Josephine: Tempting Friendship. Congrats!
If you want your news shared in our next issue, email a short tidbit with one link to Shannon at thewarriormuse@gmail.com
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IWSG Anthology
The 2018 Annual IWSG Anthology Contest
Word count: 3500-6000
Genre: Young Adult Romance
Theme:
Masquerade
A Masquerade can be a false show or pretense, someone pretending to be someone they aren't. It can be a ball, a fancy dress party, it can be a mask. Open to interpretation.
Submissions accepted: September 5 - November 4, 2018
How to enter: Send your polished, formatted (Double spaced, no page numbers), previously unpublished story to admin @ insecurewriterssupportgroup.com before the deadline passes. Please include your contact details, your social links, and if you are part of the Blogging, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter IWSG group.
Judging: The IWSG admins will create a shortlist of the best stories. The shortlist will then be sent to our official judges who will be announced September 5.
Prizes: The winning stories will be edited and published by Freedom Fox Press next year in the IWSG anthology. Authors will receive royalties on books sold, both print and eBook. The top story will have the honor of giving the anthology its title.
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BOOK CLUB
Our book selection for August/September is:
The Art of Memoir by Mary Karr
This one is for our memoir writers and anyone who has ever thought of writing a memoir. The discussion will start September 19th and will go to the end of the month, but it will be up indefinitely, so you can hop in whenever you're able.
Join Us.
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Author Visibility
By Shannon Lawrence
As an author at any level, it's a good idea to be visible to possible readers and publishers. A lot of newer authors tend to think it doesn't matter if they have a website or social media presence, but that's a mistake!
Having an online presence can help you connect with other writers, in addition to readers and publishers. Some of the places you might consider creating a presence in early days:
1. Build a website. Be sure to grab a domain in your name if at all possible. If you can't find it in .com, maybe try for one of the other options.
2. Create a blog. Chances are, those of you reading this already have one. Your blog can act as a website for you, as well. Use the tabs creatively.
3. Facebook. If you create a Facebook page or profile, be sure to put links to other social media and your website/blog. It's also a good idea to be clear that you're a writer.
4. Instagram. A lot of people are flocking to Instagram to get away from the proliferation of politics and other divisive topics on Facebook. It's a much simpler format, which helps it remain friendlier.
5. Amazon. If you've had even one short story published, and the book or magazine it's in is on Amazon, create yourself an Amazon Author Central profile. You can connect all publications you're in there as long as they're for sale on Amazon.
6. Twitter. It's a faster format for faster lives. If you have any interest in Twitter pitch parties, you'll want to have an account.
These days, readers, agents, publishers, and other writers expect authors to be searchable online. The easier you make it, the more people will find you, so consider amping up your online presence.
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From the IWSG blog this month:
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