As you know, I took my novel, Pennies from Burger Heaven, and turned it into a screenplay last spring. Next, I entered it in the Austin Film Festival screenplay competition. They had a record number of entries this year — 9,100 screenplays!
It took me 7.5 weeks to write the screenplay. That’s not enough time, but it’s all I had before the contest deadline.Here’s how Pennies performed …
I made it to the Second Round. That’s the top 15%, or the top 1,365.
Am I proud of myself?
YES!
Am I disappointed?
Yes.
Wouldn’t it have been cool to final, or better yet, to win the whole shebang? There’s a mishmash of emotions swirling inside me, but I have to remind myself this was only the second screenplay I’ve ever written, and the first one was over 11 years ago in 2005.
Writing a screenplay writing is completely different than writing a novel. Each is its own kind of hard. Each requires a different set of creative skills, which I discussed in Turning Your Novel into a Screenplay.
What Austin Said about My Work
The form part of AFF letter said, “This year’s scripts proved to be incredibly competitive, and featured a high-standard of exemplary stories, including your own. This is a tremendous accomplishment, and you should be extremely proud of your success.”
The handwritten comment on my letter said, “Your twist on the crime genre by having a twelve-year old homeless girl as the detective is fresh and compelling. Good work!”
I’ll receive my reader’s notes about Pennies in December, but I’m delighted. I was scared (terrified, in fact), but I wrote a screenplay, and made myself enter the contest. That may be my biggest victory.
I’m Pitching Pennies Next Week
I’m attending the Austin Film Festival, October 13 – 16, 2016. Because I’m a “Second Rounder,” I get to attend special workshops and round tables for the top 15%. Maybe, there will even be a special ribbon on my name tag!
But, wait! There’s more!
I’ve also entered the AFF Pitch Competition. I’ll have 90 seconds to sell them on my story. I made it to the finals when I competed back in 2005, so NO PRESSURE, Marcy!
Send Good Vibes My Way
I’ll do my pitch on Friday, October 14, between 10:45 am – Noon. There are 160 participants total, with 16 people in the 10 different pitching sessions. I can’t recall if 10 or 20 folks make it to finals on Saturday night.
Please send any and all good thoughts my way next week.
What advice to you have for me as I compete in the Pitch Competition?
Please leave comment. Let’s talk.
Pick up your FREE copy today of the mystery, The Moon Rises at Dawn (SkipJack Publishing). Read, enjoy, repeat.
Just be yourself and stay true to your belief that Pennie’s deserves to be seen & heard. Like I said, Copper’s story is still with me today after reading it 8 months ago. It’s a phenomenal story and don’t let others tell you different. Remember we all like different genres and none of us have the same taste, so if someone gives you a negative review just let it go in one ear and out the other because there are so many of us that know that this book is phenomenal I needed to be told.
Thank you so much, Tonya. I LOVE how much you loved Pennies, and your support means the WORLD to me. I’m nervous about next week, but excited. It’ll be fun to meet other screenwriters and be invigorated. YAHOO!
Congrats on your screenplay! You can do it! Relax and have fun.
Thanks so much, Susie. It turned out to be a blessing that I had to write that screenplay in under two months. It gave me less time to FREAK OUT. I’m excited about Austin, and will do my best to relax.
Hey, that is AWESOME! Sending lots of good vibes your way re: the pitch sessions!
Thanks, Robyn. I’m trying to harness my awesomeness to shine during those pitch sessions. As corny as it sounds, I’ve already won when I first step foot in front of those judges because I’ve pushed myself out of my comfort zone. Thanks.
“It turned out to be a blessing that I had to write that screenplay in under two months. It gave me less time to FREAK OUT”
Which ALSO kept your inner critic at bay, allowing your creative mind to do her job!
Congratulations, Marcy!
EXCELLENT point, Anita. Excellent. I needed to hear that, and appreciate you taking time to reach out. THANK YOU!
Marcy!!! How exciting. I agree with the reviewer. You must play up Copper’s role as homeless teen detective. It is new and fresh. I love that you are bringing light to homeless kids and the issues they face. I look forward to seeing what is next for Copper.
You’re the best, Kelley. You bring up something I hadn’t thought of…it is exciting to think of what’s next for Copper Daniels. It’s a special story, and I need to get my ego out of the way. LOVE YOU!
Oh my goodness! I’m just so happy for you and very proud. I know the kind of courage it takes to do something you’re not comfortable with. My advice would be to write a killer high concept sentence. Jenny can help you. She’s absolutely the best at doing this. Then in a few sentences, encapsulate the whole book. Memorize it so you can be well prepared and project confidence. Preparation is really the key. A lot of people think they can go in and talk off the cuff. Most can’t pull this off because they’re nervous and forget what they wanted to say.
Huge Congrats! I’m happy dancing all over the place. You’re going to go places, Marcy. I just know it.
You’re such a gem, Linda. I’m working on that very thing right now. Ninety seconds gives me two paragraphs that I’m memorizing. I recited it last night to Jenny and the others, who helped me tweak it. I’ve made the changes and am practicing it over and over, so that it sounds natural.
Fingers crossed!
Wonderful news Marcy! You’ve managed so much this year. Survived it all really well. So just go this extra mile, knowing all your ‘peeps’, will be behind you. As someone else said, keep true to yourself, let your passion for Copper’s story shine through. We’re all living vicariously through you…. no pressure! LOL
Looking forward to hearing how things went. Hugs!
You’re so right, Anne. In the past 11 months, I debuted my first novel, wrote a screenplay, am halfway through the first draft of Pennies #2…all while working and being wife, mom, sister, daughter and friend. That’s A LOT.
I’m going to have a GREAT time @ the Austin Film Festival, learn great new things, meet cool people, and garner inspiration. I’m not going to let a 90-second pitch overshadow all the good I’m going to receive new week. Working on a new attitude ASAP.
Congratulations, Marcy! I’m SO proud of you, my sweet friend, and hope you’re proud of yourself too, Missy! You did GREAT! I know you’ll rock the pitch, because you rock my world!
Tight deadlines are always scary, including NaNo. But being pushed to do something in such a short time frame is a journey in both self discipline and self belief. On that note, on a personal level, the crying baby that is book 2 has revealed themselves to me, to the point where I now have a very bare, bullet pointed outline. Whew.
I’ll be thinking of and praying for you <3
How can I fail when I have friends like you? Your pep talk has energized me. I think I’ve nailed the pitch…now, I’m going to start memorizing it.
“The crying baby that is book 2” made me LAUGH. I can so relate, and am so HAPPY for you.What a great feeling you begin to see your story.
Thank you for your friendship! xoxoxo – m3
Aww shucks, I’m just me! Thank YOU for your help with the campaign! You really rock my world! I hope the crying baby doesn’t grow into a screaming toddler for a few weeks, so I can continue with the other projects before November lol.
Of course, you’ll do beautifully in Austin…remember you have Copper Daniels in you and nothing, but nothing, stopped her! She is such a strong little one…can’t wait to learn more about her…best best in Austin.
Love you,
brenda
That’s IT, Brenda. I need to channel my inner Copper Daniels. She’d be kicking ass and taking names, so I need to do the same. Thank you for this gem + believing in me!
Love you, too,
Marcy
AWESOME! Very exciting news. So proud of you. Enjoy the experience and who knows, there may still be an opportunity for Copper to be on the big screen. Looking forward to Pennies, Book 2!! Congrats.
Sheryl
Thank you, sweet Sheryl I’m really excited about next week, and look forward to reporting back to you!
Pitch your story with authority but forget about wanting it to become a film.
Easy to say I know, but the story will be judged purely on its ability to make money for those willing to invest in turning it into a film.
Disconnect yourself from the outcome and just sell the great story you have written.
What a totally zen attitude, KJ. Disconnect yourself from the outcome. Yes! I love this and will read through all these replies next week before I do my pitch.
A screenplay for “Pennies”! Excellent! This is great, Marcy. I’m very happy for you. Your meeting on the 14th is going to go great! It’s my birthday on the 14th, so good news for you is on top of my wish list. Will be thinking of you and sending good vibes. You GO girl!
Happy early birthday, Sarah! Don’t waste your wish on me (though, I’m honored at the sentiment). Everyone has lifted me, so I feel GOOOOOD. Many thanks.
So thrilled for you Marcy!!
I’m going to echo one of the other comments: bring out your inner Copper!! I’m picturing you doing it right now and you’re going to ace it.
I can’t wait to hear how you do!!
I’m feeling a million times stronger since I sent this post this morning. Everyone has shared such wisdom, and it’s made ALL the difference in the world. Thanks for having my back!
Excited for you, you’ll be great!! Since I’m not a writer, I can’t really give advice. However, I will say, just trust yourself and your God given talent. Best wishes to you for an amazing pitch!!
Yay, Kim! I’m so grateful you’re here. We’ve been friends a long, long time and I appreciate your encouragement. Thanks for everything!
So, so proud of and happy for you? The top 15% in a field of more than 9,000 entries! Wow!!! Be confident and believe in yourself and your story. We do and so did they. I’ll repeat- Top 15% in a field of more than 9,000 entries! Wow!!! You go girl!
Thank you for your confirmation, Emily. The top 15% out of 9,100 IS A BIG DEAL. I will believe in Pennies, and move forward in confidence. You rock. TY.
Didn’t intend the ? in previous comment. Was supposed to be !
Congratulations Marcy! #HUGSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
I haven’t emailed you back about Pennies – thanks for the autographed copy <3 – but your little girl grabbed me from the get go….brilliant! <3
Love you
K
#HUGS back to you, Kitto. I’m so grateful you read Pennies, and that you enjoyed. Means the world to me. Hope you’re doing well. I’ve been thinking about you.
Oh girl, so excited for you! And I have lots to share with you, better done in a convo, my fingers would start hurrying! Would love to share whT made the difference in my pitch for the Enterprise Challenge . Call me when you have 10 minutes!
Wow, wow, wow! You definitely know what makes a kickass pitch, so I’ll definitely be calling you! Hot damn, thanks!
You go girl! You’re headed for great things!
Believe me, Dione, this girl plans on GOING! I appreciate your excitement for me. Means a lot. TY!
Excited and impressed with you and all that you have done. As a fellow creative artist, I know what it takes to put yourself out there in front of the whole world in the ways that we do with our craft and also following our personal, private inspirations. To accomplish that alone is an awesome task. To make goals and meet them is a huge leap beyond that and takes dedication in the dark. So encouraged by your success. Make it happen!!
Dedication in the dark. I ADORE that statement and will refer back to it often. It’s so powerful! Plus, it’s often 5 am when I’m crawling to my laptop.
You 100% get it, Parks. and I appreciate you taking time to share your wisdom with me.
Marcy, God has gone before you. He’s already there. You have been prepared for this very moment. Go in to the pitch with confidence, humor, humility and pride. I’m so proud of you. Terry
This…took my breath away, Terry (which you’ve done for me for years). God IS already in Austin, Texas, waiting for me. I just need to show up (prepared). Thank you so much. I love you more than you know. m3
Wooohoooo, Marcy! Congrats for how far your screenplay has already come! And good vibes for MORE and MORE!
Sweet, Janda. Thanks for the well wishes. I’m trying my best to give Copper Daniels more and more! Much love. m3
Very proud of you Marcy!! What an accomplishment!! Obviously you are already a winner! Keep on working an giving your best! You are an example to others! Do what you love!! Sending billions od good vives!!!!
Many, many thanks, Ruth. I’m going to keep giving my best. I appreciate your comment. You’re wonderful!
Congratulations on doing as well as you did, Marcy! And as far as advice is concerned: there are a lot a people with you so keep believing!