LILY SANDERS
 LILY SANDERS
How did you discover The Wiki Screenplay Contest and how did you decide to enter this contest among all the others?
I came across it when I was googling contests that were legitimate and provided credible feedback within a fast timeframe. Where do you live (City, State, or Country)? Currently, I reside in New York. 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 best way to explain my inspiration for screenwriting is my love of life. Paying attention. Listening. And, learning with a humble heart. I get all of my inspiration from life. Not just through lessons I have learned, but from happenings and events that have yet to be discovered or understood. How do you decide which stories to tell, and what draws you to these particular themes? A feeling. A voice… that whispers, “write on this.” What is your typical writing routine? How do you structure your workday to stay productive? I am highly disciplined with blocking out the same time each day. For me, it is early in the morning. However, I have been known to start editing a piece till the wee hours of the night and not stop until I am satisfied with it. 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? I typically start with the ‘Title’. The idea of it is already in my head, and I imagine that is why it works for me. I do use an outline method, a whiteboard, and index cards for full-lengths and pilots. How do you handle writer's block or moments of doubt (we all have them) during your creative process? I write whatever comes out of my head, even if I think there is nothing there. There is always something there if you are listening! 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 entered quite a few contests for the first time this past season. One project is currently in the quarterly finals in the PAGE International Screenwriters Competition! I have received valuable feedback from analysts, which has been both helpful and inspiring. I’m looking forward to the results as placements come in. My approach to all of it is simple. I am not writing stories to put under a rock. In truth, I write because I have a story to tell to the world. So, entering contests is a decision I don’t take lightly. If you are balancing your “writing time” with a “day job”...how are you managing that? Discipline. All work and no play. I do, however, add family time! Where do you see yourself in five years as a screenwriter? Having my pilot greenlit, and going on the journey! That is my ultimate ambition as a writer. 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? I have not used AI at all. I am an old-school writer who refuses to go that route. To be clear, I am not in judgment of anyone who does…it’s just not for me. My feeling about this is simple. Since God gave me a creative writing gift, that is what I will use. Which film or television writers inspire you? Aaron Sorkin for his boldness to write long dialogues in his films like “A Few Good Men” and “The West Wing”. Sean Penn for his heartfelt storytelling in “Into the Wild”. Steven King for his brilliant writing in “Shawshank Redemption”. What advice do you have for aspiring screenwriters? Just keep writing from your heart. What else are you working on that the world needs to know about? (links to your projects?) I have a few Shorts currently circulating, and my Pilot as well. Where can the world find you online? (Social media links, etc.) https://lilysanders.live/ https://www.youtube.com/@LilySandersChangemaker https://www.instagram.com/lily_sanders_author https://x.com/lilysanders11 https://www.facebook.com/lilysanders.live |
