March 2025
We made it thru February in Ohio! That always feels like an accomplishment doesn’t it? Hopefully the weather won’t derail our in person meetups from here on out.
Practice and creativity go together. Any kind of practice helps, whether you journal, read scripts, take notes while watching films, watch videos on YouTube, or take part in a film challenge ☺️ The point is to keep the wheels greased.
At our March meetup we will do a mock 48 hour challenge (just the writing part). If you’ve never done one this where you make a film in 48 hours. The first step is group thinking the script from the required elements (Genre, location, dialogue, prop, character) and developing it based on items and locations you have available.
A writer can practice these things alone by free writing from prompts, but it can be more fun to collaborate. Everyone brings their own type of creativity into the mix.
If enough people want to commit, we can also form a group for the next local 48 hour challenge.
The next meetup is Saturday March 15th at 12:30pm at the Oregon Library. Everyone is welcome!
In the cold winter months here in Ohio it is a good time to hunker down and get some writing done. If you set goals for the year in January, get that list out and break it down into manageable steps. Sounds simple right? The only way I get things done is to put it in my calendar. Like this monthly blog for our group 😃
Big news! After what seems like forever, the Oregon library is finally open. Our February 15th meetup at 12:30 pm is in Meeting room B just inside the doors.
Feel free to stop and get your favorite coffee or drink on the way.
We loved the Freight House meetups and will still do coffee talk there, stay tuned on Facebook or Instagram.
On my trip to LA we started working on our screenplay pitches. It was an exciting weekend full of panels and talks with well known writers who shared their personal stories of breaking in and working in the industry. I can’t wait to talk about it and practice pitching at our February meetup.
Open table read; now that we have a private room, you can bring those script samples and hear your work and get feedback.
See you soon! We also have an accountability group chat and zoom for our more dedicated writers. Send me an email if interested. Glasscityscreenwriters@gmail.com
A new year just like that. How’s it going for you so far? This year for me is the continuation of a major change in my focus on my feature writing. My next trip to LA is coming at the end of the month where I begin developing my pitching skills. 🙃 Thoughts and Prayers to those affected by the horrific fires going on in California currently.
Let’s talk about pitching for a minute. Writing is such a personal endeavor, but filmmaking is not. The goal and dream of every script is to get made into a film. So how do you get that to happen?
First you need to find people that like you 😆 but seriously, if you want people to invest time and money, you have to get along right? The self pitch is as important as pitching your idea. Being your authentic self and sharing what you are passionate about will help you find the best collaborators for your work.
When it comes to pitching a project, simplicity and clarity are vital. You may only get five to ten minutes with that person, make them count by distilling your story into a powerful few sentences that create excitement and interest.
If you do it right they will have questions and want to read your script! Know your story and characters well enough to have answers to their questions and be ready to change things, because that’s how a script gets made!
The January meetup is at Freight House Coffee in Oregon at 12:30 on Saturday January 18th. We have a local group requesting scripts to possibly produce, join us to find out more details!
It’s December, last month of the year to finish that script you said you’d finish!
Making my list and checking it twice. No I’m not Santa, I’m a writer with a feature script that is in rewrite phase. My list of plot issues, character issues, punctuation reduction, emotional thru line, beat sheets, etc. My list is long!
This leads to my favorite recently stolen meme.
Our normal third Saturday meetup will be December 21st at Freight House Coffee in Oregon. I will be there from Noon until 3:30 or 4. Because it is so close to Christmas and everyone is busy, stop by to have a coffee and say hi if you can but don’t feel obligated to stay for a full meeting. I will have GCSW merch and holiday treats for everyone who stops by. Everyone is welcome to come hang out.
This is also the time of year to reflect on what was accomplished, won, lost, and our goals for the next year. I don’t do resolutions but I continue to review my 100 things list from past years and add/check off my dream list. Keep focused on accomplishing your goals, a little at a time!
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Holidays and see you soon!
-Virginia Shine
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