Confessions of a Screenwriter – Michelle Goode

Confessions of a Screenwriter – Michelle Goode

When presented with the opportunity to write for ‘The Unofficial Blog for Brit Writers and Writers Everywhere’, I felt keen to participate and share my experiences not only as a writer of short stories and prose but as a screenwriter and an editor, too. And what better place to start but where it all began.

It was way back in 2008 during a year spent working and travelling in Australia that I embarked on my first novel. It was something I'd always wanted to do, and with time on my side I decided to give it a go. It was inspired by childhood experiences with OCD and a fascination with the paranormal. I was pretty excited about the story, but I didn't manage to get much further than twenty thousand words.

Looking for inspiration and advice, I stumbled upon writing groups on social networks and some blogs, too. I let my novel slide off into the land of limbo, sadly never to be returned to, for I then discovered something very exciting indeed. Screenwriting.  As a fan of TV and film, who wouldn't get excited about being able to write the kinds of things you'd want to watch?

That year was a big learning curve; one of exciting adventures both in reality as we trekked up mountains and surfed the warm seas, and in my mind as ideas for plots would flutter about like a swarm of excited butterflies. I absorbed as much information as I could about the writing process but ultimately I got stuck in. As they say, there's no better way to learn than by doing.

Since then, I've gone on to become a finalist in the Sir Peter Ustinov Television Screenwriting contest, have had several short radio sketches, comedy web episodes and short films produced and have had short stories and poetry published. I've also trained as a script reader and proofreader/copy-editor, which has allowed me to embark on equally fascinating and enthralling editing and development work.

One thing's for sure; approaching any writing format is daunting when you're new to it, and it never stops being daunting as you learn more and more about the industries you are hoping to do well in. That's why blogs like this one, which encourage and support new writers, are so wonderful. I've always been keen to share my own experiences on my blog,  Confessions of a Screenwriter, and have also set up my own consultancy service, Writesofluid, through my love of helping fellow writers improve their work.

I'd say that, aside from the writing itself, networking is key. Read and comment on blogs, go to events, and frequent social networks. Not only can you source fantastic opportunities this way but you can find support and friendship, too. Had I not participated in these sorts of activities, I wouldn't have had the experiences that have shaped me so far as a writing and editing professional.

Do browse my website, www.writesofluid.com, on which I'm compiling lots of useful writing resources. You can connect with me on Facebook on my writer page and my Writesofluid page, and I'm @Sofluid on twitter. If you fancy having a browse of some of my work, you can find links on the credits page of my website.

I'm very much looking forward to sharing my stories and knowledge here with you all, and hope to inspire more aspiring writers to take the plunge. Could you be the next award-winning author or Bafta-winning screenwriter? Could I be? Should we all give it our best shot? Too write we should!