writing

Change: embraced

Maximum Z crowdfunding, determination, development, editing, progress, rewriting, screenplay, screenwriting, script, short films, strategy, writing , , , , , , , , , , ,

The ping-ponging between my three projects continues, with a little bit of progress for each.

A lot of this whole endeavor comes down to not only rewriting, but how each rewrite is put together. What to keep, what to cut, and most importantly: what to change.

For the most part, there’s nothing huge or drastic, but just enough to make a difference.

Is this scene necessary, and if so, where does it fit best into the story?

Is there a different way to present it so it’s not the same as its previous version but still accomplishes what it’s meant to?

What would be a more effective way to show the protagonist in action while driving the story, but also reinforces their arc?

Notes for each project are dotted with questions that need addressing (e.g. WHY DOES SHE DO THAT? WHICH IS SHE MORE LIKELY TO DO?, etc.) – all with the intent of helping me figure things out.

Also very helpful – a collection of notes from readers with questions, comments, and suggestions. Some have had quite a lasting impact.

It’s becoming easier to make these changes. Some long-term darlings have been sacrificed, all for the greater good – resulting in what is hopefully a better and stronger story.

It’ll be interesting to see what the end result for each project is, with every day seeing a few steps forward.

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Good news for the crowdfunding of my short film SHECKY! We hit our initial goal, which was all about post-production. There are still a few weeks left, so a stretch goal has been added with whatever’s raised going towards helping out with film festival fees.

All the tier rewards remain in place, with the addition of a new one that includes a personalized video of me telling you a terrible joke. And in case that sounds weird, it’s keeping with the style of the short’s story.

So if you’re a supporter of indie filmmaking, the telling of terrible jokes, and the screenwriting community, I hope you can chip in. Every dollar really does make a difference.

Thanks!

Not perfect. Just written.

Maximum Z action, comedy, draft, education, outlines, perseverance, persistence, rewriting, scenes, screenplay, screenwriting, script, sequence, spec, story, strategy, writing , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Some decent progress this week on two of my three big projects for this year.

The one that really resonates is the continuing work on the outline for the new action-comedy spec. Came up with a few more scenes and sequences, while the laborious task looms of fitting them all together in the most effective way.

But something became very obvious while working on one sequence:

Too much effort was going into the details of the scene, and not enough on “what’s the point of this scene?” I was creating more work for myself than necessary, trying to get everything right the first time out.

Silly writer. That’s what rewrites are for!

One of the most important parts of the first draft is just to get the damned thing written. There’ll be lots of work down the road, so why stress about something that’ll most likely be changed in one way or another?

This has really helped my frame of mind. There’s still a ways to go, but the road feels a little smoother.

On top of that, while taking a few breaks along the way by watching some personal favorite films, I noticed how so many scenes really adhere to the “get in late, make the point, move on to the next one.”

I’m going to try and apply that to how I put scenes in the outline together, and then refine it even more as I move on to actual pages.

There’s always something new to learn, and this is no exception.

-Crowdfunding for post-production of my short film SHECKY continues! We’re at 73%, with just under a month to go. Hope you can chip in – and take your pick from some sweet tier rewards!

…and looking ahead

Maximum Z action, Back to the Future, comedy, community, crowdfunding, determination, development, fantasy, feedback, perseverance, persistence, post-production, rewrite, screenplay, screenwriting, script, short films, spec, story, strategy, thriller, westerns, writing , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Last week was all about 2025.

This week, to paraphrase the words of Dr Emmett L Brown, we plan for… the future!

-First and foremost, nailing down the story of the new action-comedy spec, and churning out at least 1-2 drafts. I’d say it’s about 2/3 of the way there. Still some details to work out, but I like how it’s developing.

Also nice – several readers have already volunteered their services to give it a look and subsequently tear it apart. In a helpfully critical way, of course.

-The other big thing is doing a major polish/revision on my western and fantasy-comedy specs. They’re good, but there is definitely potential to elevate the quality of each.

I’m also very fortunate to have a manager who’s really psyched about helping me on all fronts, from feedback on pages to getting the scripts out there.

As last year wound down, several columnists and podcasts talked about planning a strategy for achieving writing goals over the course of the year. A few really hit home for me, and I’ll be putting my own spin on that approach.

Looking forward to seeing how it all goes.

-Another significant project for this year is seeing the completion of post-production on my thrill-omedy short film SHECKY. The crowdfunding is just about halfway there and as of this posting, hovering around 71% funded.

Several readers of the blog have chipped in, and I once again put out a sincere request to anybody else who can contribute and is willing to do so. This is a long-in-development project for me, so any help I can get to reach that finish line is highly appreciated.

There are also some fantastic tier rewards, including invaluable feedback on scripts, directing reels, and acting reels. Click on the link above to take a look around and see if anything strikes your fancy.

-Lastly, my hosting of The Creative Writing Life Podcast continues. Guests are already lined up into February, and I’ll see what I can do about finally adding some theme music.

Those are the big ones for the next 12 months, and no doubt other things will show up.

Exciting times are ahead, chums. Make your 2026 as amazing as you want it to be.

Looking back…

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It’s my final post of 2025, so here’s a short breakdown of how it went in terms of screenwriting and the screenwriting-adjacent.

For the most part, there were two highlights:

-I got a manager. I’m especially proud of this because it was because of my writing, and not because of an arbitrary (and ridiculously costly) scoring system or contest results. He likes my stuff and is very enthusiastic about it and my potential for the coming year.

He’s also very supportive regarding the developing of new material, in that he’ll give feedback but not in a “I think you should do it my way” way. I’m looking forward to how he responds to the new spec.

-The other one is that after years of holding off and delays, my short film is that much closer to becoming a finished project.

There was crowdfunding to raise $ for production – 52%, which wasn’t bad.

A whirlwind 2-day shoot in my house (and a special thanks to my wife K for being incredibly patient and helpful during that time).

Lots and lots of back and forth with my extremely talented, capable, and also very patient director.

The editor worked her magic on it, and now it’s in the hands of the sound department. FYI – crowdfunding to cover post-production continues, so it would be very cool and highly appreciated if you’re able to chip in to help get it across the finish line.

-On the contest front, results were less than desired – a few whiffs and a handful of QFs and SFs. I’ll write more about this next week, but I think I’ll be skipping the 2026 season.

-I had the pleasure of reading a lot of phenomenal scripts from many of the fantastic writers in my network of associates. Exchanging scripts and the subsequent feedback among peers is invaluable.

-Speaking of which, The Maximum Z 2025 Script Showcase posted last week. 89 great works by 89 great writers. Feel free to give it the once-over and reach out to any writers whose work you’d like to read.

Overall, it was a good year. Hope it was for you too.

And here’s to the next one being even better.

Even with help, it’s all on me

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Another busy week here at Maximum Z HQ!

-Submissions continue to come in for the 2025 Script Showcase (which posts in exactly two weeks from today, so don’t keep putting off sending in!)

-Got some excellent notes back on both of the scripts that will be overhauled next year

-A few more scenes added to the new spec outline. Still hoping to have that completed by 31 December, but we’ll see

But what may be the biggest development is that I made some minor changes to the pitch deck I’d put together last year for my western, and then sent it to my manager to get his two cents.

He liked it – didn’t love it – and had some recommendations to make it much more effective for both appealing to producers and as a marketing tool.

My initial thought was “That seems like a lot that will also take away from my writing time.” But if this is how to move things forward, then so be it. I can split up how much time gets spent on each and still get results.

And most importantly, it’s not like there’s anybody else who’s going to do it. My script, my effort.

Yes, I know there are people I could hire to do it, but that’s not something I can do at the moment, and it would probably be a good thing to teach myself how to make these kinds of changes.

I was never one of those “I got repped, so now all I have to do is write and they can do all the heavy lifting” types.

My manager’s a busy guy. He’s got other clients. He still works in production. He’s got a family. If anything, I want to make it easier for him to be able to help me. In this case, that’s fine-tuning the pitch deck so he can take it out to potentially interested parties with confidence.

There’s no doubt he’ll have comments about the next version of the pitch deck, and there’ll probably be a lot of back and forth until it’s a solid piece of material. And that’ll be because of the work I put into it.

My career is making some slow and steady progress, and I’ve no intention of easing up on the throttle. I have always and will continue to do what I need to to make things happen. Fortunately, I have a little more help now, but for the most part it all still falls on my shoulders.

A burden I heartily embrace.