CATRYN BECKER
 CATRYN BECKER
Where do you live (City, State, or Country)?
Montgomery, Texas Your script stood out among hundreds of others. What was the inspiration for your story and why did you write a script instead of a short story or a novel? A Family Event was inspired during a mastermind on reimagining healthcare. People were brainstorming ways to help others, apps, curriculum, online tools, but I realized something crucial: all those solutions required people to seek them out. And the truth is, most people are overwhelmed and burned out. They’re not looking for another program. They’re looking for relief. And where do most people go for comfort? TV. Movies. Stories. That’s when it hit me. What if I could meet people where they already are and embed healing within a story? Not in a preachy or overt way, but through characters so real and situations so familiar that the audience feels seen. I chose TV as the medium because it mirrors the healing journey: slow, episodic, layered, and often messy. I wrote something I hope people come to for entertainment but leave with something much deeper. How long did it take you to write your script...and what is your writing process? Do you outline...use index cards...white board...or just start with FADE IN? It took about a month and two full revisions to get the version I submitted to the contest. I had spent a lot of time thinking about the characters beforehand: who they were, how they related to each other, and what internal and external obstacles they faced. But when it came to actually writing it? I just started. This was the first script I’d ever written, and my very first draft wasn’t even formatted properly. I didn’t know about Courier font or margins or any of the standard structure. But I learned quickly. I embraced the process, figured things out as I went, and kept refining until it felt like the story I’d been carrying inside me finally lived on the page. What is your ultimate ambition as a writer? If you had asked me this question a month ago, I wouldn’t have even identified as a writer. My background is in engineering and business strategy, not screenwriting. But through the process of just starting putting words on the page and shaping a story, I’m beginning to feel more and more like a writer, and I absolutely love it. My ultimate ambition is to become a showrunner. I genuinely believe my experience in the corporate world—with managing budgets, leading teams, and building systems—has prepared me well. Now I just need someone to show me how it works in this industry, and I’ll be ready to run with it. Was your entry at The Wiki Screenplay Contest a full script or “the first ten pages”? Why did you make that choice? Because I believe in it. The beginning draws you in, but the ending? The ending is fire. I chose to submit the full script because it’s a complete emotional arc that’s layered, honest, and deeply human. It’s not just about the plot; it’s about the feeling you’re left with. This script represents the kind of storytelling I want to be known for: truthful, grounded, and cathartic. What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show...and why? It’s nearly impossible to pick just one, but if I had to choose, it would be The Princess Bride. I love that it doesn’t fit neatly into a single genre because life isn’t one-dimensional. It’s romantic, funny, suspenseful, heartfelt, and a little absurd, much like the human experience. At its core, it's a story about love, and that’s what I’m always drawn to. When I reflect on the stories that have stayed with me, love is the common thread. To create something as timeless and beloved as William Goldman’s work would be an incredible achievement. I also love that the original book was written for his daughters. You can feel the love behind it, and I believe that kind of pure intention is what makes a story truly last. What advice do you have for writers hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have? My advice for writing (and life!) is that you are at your best when you just do you. When we’re new to something, it’s tempting to seek out teachers and rules, but the downside is that you end up learning through someone else’s lens. Their experience can’t be duplicated, and trying to match it can hold you back. We give away our power too easily by believing there’s only one right way to do something. I want to empower and encourage other writers to just start writing. Don’t worry about the “rules” at the beginning. That’s what revisions are for. If I had waited until I knew all the technical details, I’d still be stuck thinking I wasn’t ready. Trust in your own brilliance first. The rest will follow. What else are you working on that the world needs to know about? I’m challenging myself to write every day and make it as habitual as brushing my teeth. That consistency has cracked something open. Now, everywhere I look, I see stories waiting to be told. While I’m focused on getting A Family Event picked up, I’m also growing as a writer. Since it’s a female-led drama, I’m expanding my range by writing a Landman spec to stretch into more traditionally masculine themes and voices. I’m also developing a character-driven supernatural sci-fi feature that explores identity through a more metaphysical lens. Switching between pilot and feature formats has made me sharper, more flexible, and more excited than ever to keep going. |
