In this month’s “Ask the Coach” article, I’m responding to a writer about whether to give up on a script after not getting the response they anticipated from contests and fellowships:
“I’m ready to throw in the towel. I sent out what I thought was a strong polished script, highly regarded by my writing community and others I trust – but the number of contests and fellowships I’ve submitted to passed on the script. Should I give up on it?”
In the main article, my reply included looking at some possibilities that might be at play here.
Here’s a list of the highlights of the article:
1. Contests and fellowships aren’t the final referendum on your script.
2. Not all contests are created equal.
3. Your script may not be as polished as you think it is.
4. You may want to write something else and come back to this script.
5. You’re the one in charge of you and your writing.
6. You get to decide.
This one reader, producer, agent, or manager may not love your script. But the next one might. That means it’s your responsibility to shepherd your script into the right hands, which will involve research, networking, querying, and more. A fellowship or contest is just one way to do that work.
I’d love to answer them for you in my column.
