Did you see our short film ? It released for Halloween on YouTube. Here is the link for Old West End, it surpassed 4K views last time I checked. Thank you for all of the support, share away!
Fall is here, and the quickly approaching holiday season is zooming into view. My head has been whirling around with distraction lately. A lot going on, too many tabs are open!
My current WIP is very much on my mind. I completed the first draft of my feature in October. Now is analysis time. I’ve been reading it and breaking it down to see where it needs work. I find it challenging to see the individual trees needing pruned out of my forest. Will I break it or make it worse by changing things in an attempt to make it better? Waiting for feedback while I dig around in my story to see what I think is wrong, is nerve wracking.
The Tree City Film Festival in Sylvania was a blast as always. The films were all entertaining and creative. I encourage everyone to participate in 48/50 hour challenges. Limitations spur creative choices that would never occur otherwise. Think of it as playing a favorite game. You have fun with friends (old and new) and create something together on a weekend.
The next meetup is November 16th 12:30pm at Freight House Coffee. We are open again for table reads if you have a short or 10 page segment of a script. We will also talk about the rewrite process, since I am going through it right now, it is fresh in my mind!
At the meetup we can choose a day or evening for a Holiday Meetup in December. I want your ideas for a social get together, maybe at a local taphouse where we can do appetizers and have a drink to celebrate as a group.
Happy Thanksgiving!
I’m thankful for each one of you who participates in our writer’s group. We share and grow together. It warms my heart to be able to gather and to help each other pursue our goals as storytellers, as writers, directors, producers and actors.
Thank you!
Virginia
I don’t know about you, but I love the fall. My garden is winding down and the chilly mornings bring a refreshing change I need to reinvigorate my life. We had another wonderful meetup in September at Freight House Coffee and our October Meetup will be at the same location. We may be able to return to the library in November when they reopen to the public.
I hope you are devoting time to a new writing project or polishing a sample for us to read this month. We will be table reading at this meetup so either bring a few copies of your short or up to ten page sample from a longer work. If you would like to share a PDF instead you may send it to glasscityscreenwriters@gmail.com and we can share digitally at the meetup. It’s always fun and we learn a whole lot by hearing our work read out loud. We also welcome any local actors who would like to join us to read scripts, it’s a great way to connect and learn.
Freight House Coffee has two large patio areas. If the weather is good we can utilize the patio for the table readings to have a bit of privacy. Hope to see you at the Meetup!
If you missed the Maumee Film Festival last weekend of September, it was a wonderful weekend full of local and regional films and filmmaking panels. We had such an amazing time connecting with friends and meeting new ones. This was the last fest for Old West End. I plan to release it onto YouTube close to Halloween, so look out for that!
Finally, on a personal note, I am close to completing the first draft of the feature I’m writing during the WGF Veterans Writing Project. It’s always exciting getting that first draft out, even though you know there will be many more rewrites before it is ready to share. The things I am learning in this program are immensely helpful. I am so grateful to my mentors, and hope to pay it forward, helping Glass City Screenwriters by sharing the knowledge I have gained.
Don’t miss the Film Toledo Fall Mixer, get your tickets soon! Dress up as your favorite movie or TV character to win prizes. Monday October 21st at Toledo Spirits.
Get busy doing what you love!
–Virginia
School is back in session. Soon the trees will change, my garden is fading fast 😔
How is your writing going for the year? Time to check in on those goals. If you break the year into quarters, this is the 3rd month of the 3rd quarter. Setting quarterly goals could help if you have a larger project(s).
Speaking your goals out loud and having a group to keep you motivated can work wonders. Glass City Screenwriters is all about supporting you and your writing goals! ✍️
Last month we had a last minute change of our meetup location because the Oregon Library was flooded by a water main break. The collection was not damaged but they have to replace all the carpets and some drywall.
While they are still closed, we are going to meet again at Freight House coffee on September 21st at 12:30 pm.
In August we enjoyed the local coffee and a lively discussion. Hope you can join us!
The last weekend in September is the Maumee Film Festival. There are many local and regional filmmakers who will be in attendance. This is a perfect opportunity for newer writers and filmmakers to network and find partners for their next creative project, and so many cool films to see!
Hope to see you all there. Old West End will screen during the 4:30 block on Saturday the 28th.
Summer in Ohio always feels like a mad race. There is so much to do, and so many events during the short months of warm weather. The stores have parents freaking out because it’s back to school season already and it feels like summer just started. August in a nutshell.
Last month we discussed beat sheets for planning to write a feature. We also read a really fun short script by a new writer to the group. I’m always amazed at the talent we have in the area!
Our next meetup is Saturday August 17th.
As I continue in the WGF program I’m in, the next thing we work on is outlines. I can share some of what I am learning at our meetup. It’s gratifying to get positive feedback on my progress from the mentors. Getting feedback on your work is one of our most valuable tools to improve our work. Writers are often so close to their material, outside eyes give perspective that is often surprising.
Goodluck to everyone who entered the Maumee Film Festival 48 hour challenge! I was part of a team and we had a ton of fun. The films will be played as part of the festival September 27th-29th at the Maumee Theater! We will share details as it gets closer.
We will keep our meetup short and do the updates/educational component first. I know everyone is busy. After that anyone who wants to read a script for feedback or discuss other stuff is welcome to stay. I reserved the room for the whole afternoon!
Have fun and keep writing ✍️
-Virginia
Commitment
Hard work
Participation
Generosity
Perseverance
It takes a lot to build a creative career. These things are also needed for a group to be effective and last a long time. Our little group has been going for eight years and counting!
Do you want advice and support for your writing? Everyone wants to receive these things. Being part of a group also means giving advice and support, even if you are just beginning. Everyone’s time is valuable, so giving notes and participating should be valued and reciprocated.
For our local Toledo area writers, we realize not everyone can attend all of our meetups due to work schedules and distance etc. We are working to form a more cohesive group, and also to get your opinion on what works for you.
To that end, if you are truly interested in being an active member of GCSW, we created this short survey. It will help us determine future days/dates and times as well if there is interest in discord, email or group messages. Those interested will have the opportunity to interact beyond the monthly regular meetup. As always I love to see people make connections in our group and continue to work on projects outside of the group!
I started this group, but I would really love to see others step up to share and collaborate more. Even if you are just beginning, you can share and learn by reading others’ work. I am overwhelmed sometimes as the one person running the website and social media side of the group as well as working on my own writing career.
The next meetup is Saturday July 20th at the Oregon library. Also make sure to check out the Film Toledo mixer Monday July 22nd at Toledo Spirits.
See you soon, keep on writing.
Here is the LINK for the survey!
–Virginia
So many exciting things are happening this month in Toledo. I can barely keep up!
We have films shooting, festivals open for submissions, it just feels alive again in our film community, it’s wonderful!
On a personal note, I just got back from a trip to LA where I started my year-long journey with the WGF Veterans Writing Project. During the year I will learn and develop a project with help from mentors and alongside other veteran writers. It is an honor to have been selected for this amazing program.
Hey Horror fans, the weekend of June 22 is Horror Hotel in Cleveland, Ohio. It’s a fun time with films, panels, vendors, and a scream competition! I have been going for a few years now, this year I’m on a panel about screenwriting.
Our June meetup is Saturday the 15th at 12:30 at Oregon library. Also, if you have a favorite coffee shop and want to have a writers “hang”, drop me a message or email glasscityscreenwriters@gmail.com
Another event we will be attending this month is at Toledo Talent on Sunday June 30th. They host open workshops on a regular basis so make sure to follow their socials!
See you soon, and keep on writing ✍️
-Virginia
So much is happening lately with writing and film locally, it’s difficult to lock people down to a regular meetup schedule. We all have our own schedules with work and events. I am planning to have more coffee shop meets this summer. If you want to join us, I will post the days on Facebook, along with our meetups on the calendar on our website. Feel free to suggest a day/time and coffeeshop you prefer that we can try!
I’ve been thinking about how a screenwriter can promote themselves and to what purpose in advancing their career. There are no right or wrong answers, some things work for one writer, and something completely different might work for you. I have tried things like Stage 32, Coverfly, entering many competitions and film festivals on Film Freeway as well. There is an overabundance of educational, contests, and “help” with screenwriting that can cause you to go broke with submissions trying to get attention or representation.
If you write genre scripts, entering film festivals that you can attend in person is a great way to connect with filmmakers who are already creating things similar to what you are writing. It is wonderful to network and find friends who understand this unique type of career! This is a good path if you want to create independent films or build a team to produce your own work. Come to a meetup and share your story of how you are advancing your writing career, we learn by sharing our experiences with each other.
Next Meetup is Saturday May 18th 12:30 pm at the Oregon Branch of TLCP Library.
April showers and chilly weather makes it feel like spring is not quite here yet. So a warm cup of tea or coffee is a good companion as I continue to weed through my idea bucket of writing files on the computer to decide what I will work on next.
What system do you use to organize ideas? I have journals and google docs, genre lists and research files. Also I need to cut down on my screenshot habit, it’s very challenging to sort unnamed pictures you have to open and rename. Way too time consuming!
Exciting news! The Maumee Film Festival is coming back! Here is what we know so far. April 12th open for submissions on Film freeway. July 26th 48 hour weekend. Fest screenings September 20-21st.
Our open writing time is Wednesday April 10th 6:30 pm, join us at the Oregon library, or on our discord!
Teaming up with Toledo Talent again on Sunday April 14th 3-4 pm at their studio. Check out the link for details!
Don’t miss our April meetup Saturday April 20th 12:30 at Oregon Library. There is so much going on, be sure to check social media for updates on all of the film related events popping up in the area. Part of being a writer is connecting with others in the local creative community. Up and coming actors are as excited to read your new script as you are to hear it read and performed. So join us and have fun working on a fresh idea to develop. See you soon!
–Virginia
We are getting a sweet taste of spring here in Ohio, just a taste for now. The realist in me is waiting for that foot of snow we’ve missed out on this winter to drop upon us soon.
There is so much advice about how to write, how to tell a story properly. Should(s) and should nots, sometimes opposing one another, it’s enough to make your head spin. When the learning process makes you want to give up, the best direction to follow is your own path. Use your passion to guide you. March to the beat of your own drum. If you want to write something truly unique, you have to listen to the voice inside more than the cacophony of external forces.
Reading and learning from others is important, but you still have to ask whether it is true for you, your writing, or particular story. This can be difficult to determine sometimes. Giving your story the time to breath and develop is important, don’t rush it. This is a continuous lesson, I still struggle with.
It’s exciting to greenlight yourself even with just a quick short film project. This is a great way to learn, but when you have a deeper story to tell, take the time to make sure it is saying what you want it to say. Mistakes will definitely happen, don’t beat yourself up. There are always surprises and problems you can’t anticipate with making a film. Learn from it and keep going!
Hope springs eternal, I hope to see you at a meetup soon. Let’s plan to create something special this summer together as a group.
-Virginia
Important dates:
Wednesday March 6th 6:30 pm at Oregon Library Open writing time. This is our weekday evening meetup. If you have questions, want to talk about your writing project, or just have a set time to write. Come in person or join us on our Discord chat.
DO NOT MISS JUPMODE HERE FOR GOOD T-SHIRT SALE! March 11-31st We have a new design! You order from their website and they ship directly to you. This helps to support our group and website hosting, please consider purchasing a shirt to show your support. FilmToledo and many other local creators are also participating, make sure to check it out.
Saturday March 16th 12:30 pm Our Monthly meetup. Don’t miss out, stay up to date on local films and projects crewing up for the summer season. If you have a writing project you want to get read by actors, we have been teaming up with a local group, so join us at a meetup to get involved. This month we will also talk about finding the time to write while balancing other careers and families. A major challenge, right?
We hope you are working on something exciting for 2024! What else is there to do in February?
Our group is growing and changing with new writers and longtime collaborators. We encourage anyone who wants help or advice to join us in person. This group is about giving as well as getting support for our work. I often get requests and emails of people wanting help or wanting to join the group. Sadly I don’t always have time to respond to every message. I say just show up and participate. I added a weeknight (2nd Wednesday evenings) in addition to our monthly Saturday meetup. Keep an eye out on our Facebook page for event updates.
Generosity is an important part of developing the relationships you need to advance in a creative career. We all need help and we all have different skills to share! Here in the midwest, the spirit of generosity is strong. It’s important to give back as well. Getting to know the creative community in person at events and meetups is the best way to reach out and connect with others.
I just hit submit on my application for the WGF Veterans Writing Project. Much like applying for a grant, it is a thorough process. I can share details at the meetup. Working on these applications gives you practice in writing about yourself and the direction of your career. This is my fourth time applying for this well respected program. Rejection is a fact of life in the life of a writer, but don’t let it stop you. If it is something you want, keep trying.
–Virginia
Join us Saturday February 17th at our next meetup. 12:30pm at Oregon Library