RITA HANNER-WARD
 RITA HANNER-WARD
Where do you live (City, State, or Country)?
I reside in Sun City West, Arizona. 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? My inspiration came from lived experience and a desire to explore an emotionally charged love story rooted in forgiveness, redemption, and the choices we make — and the ones we’re finally ready to face. The story arrived with a cinematic pulse, so writing it as a screenplay felt natural. Screenwriting is deeply rewarding for me, and unlike a novel, it allows the emotional core to emerge with immediacy and clarity. How long did it take you to write your script...and what is your writing process? Do you outline...use in dex cards...white board...or just start with FADE IN? From concept to final draft, the screenplay took just under 35 days. Not to say everything I write will happen that fast. When an idea ignites, it hits me like lightning — sudden, bright, impossible to ignore. I do a light outline, but my process is largely organic. The story evolves as I write, often revealing turns I didn’t anticipate. I follow the current wherever it leads, giving life to the characters who insist on stepping onto the page. What is your ultimate ambition as a writer? My primary goal is simple: keep writing forward. I want to continue crafting original, emotionally resonant stories — work that speaks to the heart and lingers. I’m committed to staying in motion, always creating, always exploring the next idea. Was your entry at The Wiki Screenplay Contest a full script or “the first ten pages”? Why did you make that choice? I submitted the full script. I’m confident in my opening pages, but I wanted the judges to experience the entire journey — the emotional arc, the reveals, the payoff. The story is meant to be taken in as a whole. What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show...and why? I can’t name just one. I’m drawn to both comedy and drama. Legends of the Fall and All the Pretty Horses are longtime favorites — sweeping, emotional stories that stay with you long after the credits roll. I also love the shadowy elegance of Film Noir. On the lighter side, Mel Brooks’s films never fail to make me laugh. And my all‑time favorite TV show? Gunsmoke— timeless, character‑driven, and endlessly rewatchable. What advice do you have for writers hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have? Every writer will wrestle with self‑doubt — those quiet moments when we wonder if our words matter or if the spark we feel will translate to the page. I am no exception. My advice: trust your voice. Keep writing. Keep showing up. The only way to silence doubt is to outwrite it. What else are you working on that the world needs to know about? I’m deep into my next dramatic feature screenplay, with several more projects waiting in the wings. The ideas keep coming, and I intend to keep moving — telling stories, exploring new worlds, and sharing them with anyone willing to read or watch. LINKS: Websites: https://ritahanner-ward.com ; https://kivawolfe.net Script Revolution: https://www.scriptrevolution.com/profiles/rita-hanner-ward Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rhannerward.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584421268809 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/rita-hanner-ward-8ab1a6412 |
