I Finished My First Spec Script in Years!

 You know that sese of accomplishment you get when you finally finish something that you've been putting off for the longest time? It's a feeling of satisfaction and pride because you pushed past your laziness, avoidance issues, and excuses and finally did the thing. The thing that's been nagging at you for so long it pretty much developed the personality of an annoying bully that picks on you every chance it gets. I had that sense of accomplishment earlier week because I finally finished my first spec script since I was in college. Here's some added context to give you an idea of how long ago that was: I graduated from college in 2015. Yikes! I know. I've started scripts, read/studied strategies for how to develop a screenplay, written treatments, and pitches, but I had not actually finished a full screenplay since I was an college student. Now that I have finished a script my satisfaction is wearing off because now I have to do something with it -- several things in fact. Since I don't want to lose too much momentum I thought that maybe it would help to document my journey with my screenwriting. Let me share my screenwriting story with you.

To begin, we're going to have to take it back to how this all started. A couple of years back I was not in a good place with myself inside and out. I was blessed in many ways, but I really wanted to start writing again. I kept putting it off. So my younger sister told me that I should write something and submit it to a contest. She told me that a lot of people get discovered through writing contests. So I thought, why not? She's right. A contest with a deadline could be just the thing I needed to put some healthy pressure on me and keep me accountable. This all sounded like a great idea, but like everything in life it was easier said than done. So instead of holding myself accountable I let life, bad habits, and poor mental get in the way. I let the deadline pass without completing my script, and then I let even more time pass after that. 

I finally finished a spec script that I have been working on for over two years. Yes I said OVER TWO YEARS. I'm not proud of how long it took, but I am proud of myself for finishing. Now I have to move on to the next step -- cleaning it up. So maybe I should fill you in on what I wrote, why I chose to write it, and what I plan on doing with it next. I wrote a spec script for Bob's Burgers. I chose Bob's Burgers because of serval reasons: 1.)  It's got good comedy and just the right amount of heart; 2.) I've watched almost every episode so I know how the show's plot flows and how the characters operate; 3.) I think the laidback and easy going vibe of the episodes would make it easier for me to create a decent plot with the writing tools I have right now; I wouldn't need to come up with a super complicated plot on my first go round in years; and finally 4.) I absolutely love animation (between us I really want to have my own animated show one day).

Anyone who's ever taken writing seriously knows that the process isn't truly done until you've edited the you know what out of it. Even though the script is completed I'm not too proud the whole body of work just yet (more information on that to come). What I plan to do is read it with my sisters and some other people that I trust to see how it sounds to them. Then take notes based off of their feedback. After that comes the editing and rewrite process. My ultimate goal is to make this a permanent piece of my writing portfolio and to hopefully to submit to contests and applications for job opportunities.

The process ain't over yet and I'm a little nervous about what the final product will be, but I'm also excited to have a polished piece of work. For now I'm to pat myself on the back for getting this far. Now I just have to keep going.

Til next time guys! Stay safe and be blessed!