KAREN MARGARET MURPHY
 Karen Margaret Murphy
How did you discover The Wiki Screenplay Contest and how did you decide to enter this contest among all the others?
I discovered The Wiki Screenplay Contest while browsing through opportunities on Coverfly. I was drawn to it because it seemed to champion emerging writers, regardless of their background or experience and it felt accessible and inclusive. The Wiki Screenplay Contest not only ticked all the boxes, I also had my script and pitch fully read and assessed within days of submission and the feedback was super helpful. Where do you live (City, State, or Country)? I live in Stanley, Tasmania, Australia with my partner J. We’ve only just moved here in 2025. It’s a small and beautiful historic village and where the feature film The Light Between Oceans was filmed. 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? What inspires your overall journey into screenwriting? The original idea began as a novel — an epic love story that unfolds across time. Further inspiration down the track came from a trinket box that my partner J gave me as a gift, which was made in 1910. I also gave him a pocket watch which was handcrafted in the same year. We wondered about their past owners and what their life journey was like. One day I was listening to the song Someone Like You by Icehouse (released in 1984) and was struck by how well it captured the heart of my characters and their journey. The lyrics blend purity and depth, underpinned by an emotional complexity beneath the surface. I then saw the story unfolding cinematically, with a powerful soundtrack featuring recordings and compositions from Icehouse and showcasing Australian actors and some of our country’s amazing landscapes. From there, I transitioned the story into a screenplay. It’s the only feature film I plan to write, but it’s a story I felt I needed to tell. Music has always inspired me, and this screenplay is as much about emotion and atmosphere, as it is about plot. My partner J helped with some additional concept ideas and introduced me to some Icehouse songs that I’d not heard of before which fitted well with the storyline I’d already planned. I was also able to weave some real-life stories from my family going back to the early 1900’s, and some from my own somewhat difficult (at times) life journey. The script showcases themes that were and still are relevant and timeless. Like being brave and escaping abusive relationships and about happy endings - which is surely what we all strive for? How do you decide which stories to tell, and what draws you to these particular themes? I’m drawn to love stories that transcend time and logic. The idea of soul connections and fate. I love the emotional pull of films like Titanic, The Notebook and The Lake House, where love challenges time, memory and even mortality. These are the kinds of stories that leave their mark and make us believe in something bigger than ourselves. What is your typical writing routine? How do you structure your workday to stay productive? As I still work full time in the finance industry, I find time early in the mornings, late evenings and on weekends. It’s not always consistent, but I find I’m most productive when I immerse myself fully for several hours, rather than trying to snatch a few minutes here and there. I also play the songs from the movie soundtrack that I’ve suggested in my pitch deck, which keeps me focused while I’m working on the script. 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? This project evolved over a few years, so I had a strong story arc in place after several reworks. When I decided to transition my partially drafted novel into a screenplay, I did an online production course with NYFA and also listened to Save The Cat as an audiobook. There were no places left in the screenwriting course, however I’m glad that I grabbed the last spot in the production class, as it gave me a good overall picture of the industry, including screenwriting. I’m not into index cards or whiteboards, so I dot-pointed the story from beginning to end in a notebook. I designed the original PowerPoint pitch deck as an assignment during the production course, before starting the script in Final Draft. It took three months for the first draft, and I’ve been making changes periodically for the past 14 months. Sometimes I dreamt of scenes and woke up to write them down. My first draft was way too long at 157 pages and had ‘CUT TO’ between every scene! I saw a video about it on YouTube and thought that was how it’s still done. How embarrassing! I then sought assistance from professionals and brought the screenplay down to 111 pages, and yes there is a significance in that number too. I also adjusted the transitions for the 3 acts and added more conflict in line with the feedback I’d received. P.S. There is still not enough conflict, some pacing problems in Act Two and the antagonist character needs some work. What can I say? I’m a lover, not a fighter! How do you handle writer’s block or moments of doubt (we all have to!) during your creative process? I take a break and go back to the music that helped the writing of the story evolve. Listening to the soundtrack instantly reconnects me to the emotion and vision. Sometimes I’ll write a poem or a journal entry from a character’s perspective, which soon gets me back on track. What tools or software do you find essential to your workflow as a screenwriter? Final Draft was a game-changer for formatting. I’ve also used Google and AI to research various things, especially for Acts 1 and 2 which are set in the early 1900’s and The Great War. I’ve also found Coverfly’s platform helpful for sourcing competitions and tracking submissions to get a sense of where my script stands in the industry. How do you approach competition entries, and what have you learned from participating in these contests? Which contests have you entered…and how has your work been received overall? Have those contests been helpful to you in your writing? I’ve entered quite a few contests over the past year. It’s helped me to rewrite and polish my script to a much higher standard. I’ve learned that contests can offer both encouragement and direction, especially for newer writers. I made the mistake of not asking for written feedback in the first few competitions I entered, believing that my script was amazing, which it was not! However, I’ve since discovered that it does have promise, and I’ve worked hard to refine it and make it more marketable. I was so happy to be chosen as a finalist in the February 2025 Wiki Screenplay Contest, for both my Someone Like You feature film script and pitch deck. The written feedback I received was also excellent, so I’m now at the point where I believe there’s only some small tweaks required to make my project marketable. Can you share a specific challenge you’ve faced in your screenwriting and how you overcame it? At the beginning it was a challenge to transform my idea for a novel into a screenplay. The pacing, structure, and dialogue all needed to be re-imagined. My first draft was far from industry standard, yet I thought it was the best thing ever and that I’d have producers bashing down the door to make my movie! I feel a little embarrassed looking back, however I’ve since worked with a professional consultant who gave me some good tips. Now I think my screenplay is something quite special and unique in today’s market. The guidance from people who know what they’re talking about is invaluable. |
If you are balancing your “writing time” with a “day job”…how are you managing that?
It’s definitely a juggle as I work full time, so I treat writing as a passion project. It means some late nights and early mornings, however when you care about the story you’re telling, you make the time and enjoy immersing yourself in the fictional atmosphere you’re creating. Where do you see yourself in five years as a screenwriter? I’d love to see Someone Like You in production or, even better, on the big screen, with the soundtrack echoing through a cinema! Maybe Netflix could be an option too? The story could also easily be expanded into a limited series, assuming the feature film goes well. Beyond that, I may consider writing something else in the future, but for now, this story is in my heart and mind always. What is your ultimate ambition as a writer? To see this one story — Someone Like You — become a feature film. That’s my dream. I’m absolutely passionate about seeing this vision and the special characters and their journeys come to life. I’m not looking for a career as a screenwriter, in fact I’m planning to semi-retire in the next few years and would love to write a collection of short stories, possibly based on some of the history of the township of Stanley where I live. The film and television industry is constantly evolving. How do you see the role of screenwriters changing, especially with the rise of streaming platforms and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence? Have you used A.I. in your writing; if so, how have you used it? Streaming has opened up more opportunities for unique and diverse stories, especially those that might not follow the traditional Hollywood structure. As for AI, I’ve used this occasionally to brainstorm a name or to research historical facts, but not for actual storytelling. I believe the human emotional sentiment, particularly in this genre, is what drives a compelling screenplay. Which film or television writers inspire you? Why? Two writers who have deeply inspired me are Nicholas Sparks and James Cameron. Nicholas Sparks has a remarkable talent for weaving emotionally rich, romantic narratives, that feel both intimate and universal. His stories often explore themes like enduring love, fate, and the impact of choices. These are elements that I strive to capture in my own writing. What resonates with me most is how he grounds sweeping romance in everyday moments, often set against the backdrop of small towns and beautiful landscapes, like where I live. Whether it’s The Notebook or Message in a Bottle, his use of letters, memory, and emotional time travel creates a poignant sense of longing and connection that stays with the reader or viewer, long after the story ends. Similarly, I admire James Cameron’s work on Titanic for his ability to combine epic storytelling with deep emotional arcs. Titanic is the perfect blend of history, romance, and tragedy. All things I’ve tried to capture in my own work. While he is known for his visionary direction, he also wrote a screenplay that beautifully balanced historical tragedy with an intimate, unforgettable love. That blend of spectacle and soul is something I aspire to in my own storytelling. Both Sparks and Cameron have shaped how I view romantic drama. Not only as entertainment, but as a vehicle for exploring the most meaningful aspects of the human experience. What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show? Forrest Gump is my all-time favourite film because it truly has everything. Humour, heart, history, romance and unforgettable storytelling. It’s a rare film that can make you laugh, cry, and reflect all at once. The visuals are stunning, seamlessly blending real historical events with fiction. What really sets it apart for me though, is the emotional journey it takes the audience on. The soundtrack is iconic and perfectly captures each era, enriching the story without overpowering it. Forrest Gump is a masterclass in storytelling that reminds us how extraordinary a simple life can be. What advice do you have for aspiring screenwriters? It’s ok to start while you’re still a little wet behind the ears! The first draft is unlikely to be perfect. Get feedback, learn from it and be willing to rewrite, probably multiple times. I spent many months sending my incorrectly formatted script around to industry professionals and submitting to competitions and was surprised when I didn’t receive any placements. The penny finally dropped when I sourced professional assistance. I realized that paying a little bit extra for feedback is well worth it when entering competitions. What else are you working on that the world needs to know about? (links to your projects?) At the moment writing-wise, Someone Like You and getting the right people to back the project, is my sole focus. You can find more about the script and my writing journey on my Coverfly profile: https://writers.coverfly.com/profile/writer-b071464c3-274492 Where can the world find you online? https://www.facebook.com/karen.murphy.79462 https://writers.coverfly.com/profile/writer-b071464c3-2744 |
