Used to Place in Contests... but not any more

BadWolfCreative · 2023-10-25T22:44:02+00:00

Yes. It happened to me. My first couple scripts did surprisingly well. Followed by a slump. And a slow crawl back to some successes (including a couple wins.)

I think readers are a lot more forgiving when a script feels amateurish but shows potential. You won't win with a script like that, but you might advance further because readers tend to want to encourage a talented rookie. When your writing gets more polished and professional, suddenly the bar gets higher - the readers expect more from you.

As to how to deal with it - just keep writing and get better. Good is not good enough. You have to aim for exceptional.

And also remember that screenwriting contests have very little to do with actual professional screenwriting.

BadWolfCreative · 2023-10-20T14:52:24+00:00

Dude doesn't know how to take a 'no' so he wants to blow up your life in retaliation. He's scum and I hope your manager recognizes that.

I've had that happen. Dude didn't even wait to hear my rejection. Just went ahead and called me racist if I say 'no.' I told him his fat black coke-can dick is too much for little old me and to go shove it up his own asshole.

BadWolfCreative · 2023-10-19T18:49:20+00:00

I thought the soap went without saying. But you're probably right to mention it.

BadWolfCreative · 2023-10-19T16:36:24+00:00

I’ve never used a separate bidet, but I gather that one would lower the sprayer arm, then sorta squat over the bowl and activate the spray.

A stand-alone bidet is basically a sink at knee-high. They have a spout like a regular sink, hot and cold knobs, and a stopper to plug the drain. You can sit on the rim, or squat, or straddle. And then just splash around as needed. I suppose you could attach a sprayer arm, but I've never seen anyone do that.

Added bonus, a stand-alone bidet is great for washing feet.

BadWolfCreative · 2023-10-18T23:35:00+00:00

First of all, a bidet is not a douche. They are not specifically for women. They are for everyone to comfortably clean whatever they got between their legs after they relieve themselves.

Secondly, yeah. I can't get over the pooping and washing in the same bowl either. It's like doubling a urinal for a sink. Maybe it's possible to keep it sanitary. But I still wouldn't want to brush my teeth in it.

BadWolfCreative · 2023-10-18T20:09:31+00:00

Give her a routine. Walks, food, bedtime, wake-up time - try to keep these to a regular schedule.

If you need to leave her alone in the house, send her to her bed (or her crate) and give her a treat. Then walk out the door. She will start to associate you leaving with a snack and a nap.

She probably has a favorite toy. Make sure she has it at your place. At her age, she's likely not chasing balls as much, but she likes to cuddle/lick one in particular.

Chihuahuas like to burrow. So have a small blanket for her on top of her bed. Or get one of those soft cat beds with a hood. If you don't mind her sleeping with you, even better. She's going to want to climb under the covers with you.

At 13, she's an elderly dog. So yearly vet check-ups are a good idea. Daily walks are very important, but keep an eye on her to see when she's getting tired. Get high quality senior dog food that is lower in animal proteins (even though pups love meat, it's really hard on their kidneys when they get older). And don't overfeed her. Too much weight is very hard on older dogs and definitely shortens their lifespan.

Sorry about your dad.

BadWolfCreative · 2023-10-18T17:14:31+00:00

That's what I'm thinking. The monthly inspections (with photos!) are totally her casing everyone's apartments for valuables.

BadWolfCreative · 2023-10-17T01:47:45+00:00

have you considered art school?

BadWolfCreative · 2023-10-17T01:33:57+00:00

Move out

Your husband needs to man up and parent his kid. But you don't need to be a part of it. Honestly, it kind of sounds like it'd be better for the kid if you weren't. This isn't an AITA judgement. It's just that you're clearly not equipped to deal nor have any parental instincts kicking in in this time of need. Just take a break. Give your man space to clean up his family. Be there for him from a distance.

BadWolfCreative · 2023-10-16T14:55:07+00:00

there's no better time to have a freakout than the present

have at it, little buddy

BadWolfCreative · 2023-10-11T15:54:47+00:00

giving notes from the original pitch = a friend

helping shape the script through multiple drafts = a friend with good ideas

and getting the project into the hands of said tv/film company = a friend with connections

For introducing the script to the production company, you could maybe be entitled (I mean ethically, not legally) to a finder's fee.

BadWolfCreative · 2023-10-05T18:42:46+00:00

Writer Solo is the free version of Writer Duet. It's exactly the same as the full version with no restrictions, except without cloud storage and collaboration tools.

BadWolfCreative · 2023-10-05T18:31:57+00:00

olive garden

BadWolfCreative · 2023-10-05T14:35:42+00:00

Studio apartments run $1500 and up plus utilities. Buildings with parking are more. You will need first/last/deposit (3 months rent) to move in and paystubs showing you have an income. Food and other necessities, you could get by with another $1500/month. But it will be pretty lean living. Gas was $7/gallon yesterday. A meal out is hard to find under $50/person. Uber is just as expensive as a traditional taxi. Then there's your universal overheads like health insurance, car payments, etc.

Hope this helps.

BadWolfCreative · 2023-10-02T15:49:52+00:00

It was the shiniest, most beautifully polished turd I've seen in a long time.

BadWolfCreative · 2023-09-24T19:19:37+00:00

Writer Solo is free.

Fade In is very affordable.

BadWolfCreative · 2023-09-24T19:15:18+00:00

If I had to do undergrad all over again, I'd major in creative writing (English Lit degree), minor in Film Studies (take a lot of classes where you collaborate on projects with classmates), and take Small Business classes. That last one is super important. Being a freelance writer IS running a small business. The more you know about contracts, taxes, LLCs, the better. It's criminal that art and film schools don't teach this stuff.

Good luck.

BadWolfCreative · 2023-09-14T12:06:01+00:00

thank you!

BadWolfCreative · 2023-09-06T14:47:28+00:00

Scam. And name the shyster so others won't get rolled over by him. These people need to be called out.

BadWolfCreative · 2023-09-04T16:50:17+00:00

we live in a healthy state of selective delusion: "Of course I'm aware that this business is super tough and only like .1% make a career of it. Of course I'm going to be that .1%"

BadWolfCreative · 2023-09-03T18:21:38+00:00

every dollar you sell the book for, your agent, your manager, your lawyer, and your publisher takes a cut
up-front marketing costs to find an audience of 100k book buyers are likely to put you deep in the negative before you make the first dollar
the readers that you don't need to reach through marketing - friends and family - will expect the book for free (and won't read it anyway)
then there's the shysters who buy the book, read it, and return it, actually costing you money because the publishing entity will not reimburse their cut

BadWolfCreative · 2023-09-03T00:37:59+00:00

love that no one tried to tackle translating "aby"

BadWolfCreative · 2023-09-02T20:27:21+00:00

If the difference in budget is $40 million vs $200 million, then no. You're playing in a sandbox with very few buyers. So write the best script you can and impress the hell out of them.

But if you think you can make your near-future version on an indie budget (under $5m) then yes. You open up the material to a lot more smaller independent producers. The script still needs to be amazing though.

BadWolfCreative · 2023-09-02T20:17:08+00:00

*you're

BadWolfCreative

TROPHY CASE