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Posted
April 27, 2018
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my life as a paste intern
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My Life as a Paste Intern: Week 17

This week, my time at Paste Magazine was a nice reprieve from last week’s epic misstep. Like most weeks, the news started off at a trickle before it started picking up. I found myself finding amazing stories to write at a feverish pace as I wanted to my second to last week as an intern count. Seating in my usual black desk chair typing away on my bronze-colored laptop was the best time I had writing in a while. By the end of the week, I found my stride as I turned a slow news day into a rewarding one through my politic piece for the website. My fellow interns and I have built a nice comradery as we went out for lunch. Hopefully, we can repeat that again as next Friday is our last day. The end of my internship hit me on Friday as my fellow interns and I had to fill out paperwork plus the evaluation I sent my news editor.

This week, I felt something I haven’t in a while when it comes to my writing – self-confidence. Every writer struggles with self-confidence especially when it comes to having others read your work. As someone who only wrote when prompted or needed to, my confidence as a writer has always been on the lower end of the gauge. But every once in a while, there is a moment where you felt like your voice and message are reaching the masses. This week, I felt my confidence grow within me as a few of my articles were quite popular with the Paste crowd.  After months with Paste, I finally got the hint that knowing your audience is a key to success for any writer (but writing a blog and working on a website are two different things). I felt like I finally found my niche as a writer when it comes music news reporting. Creating content about something you love is a major plus for an audiophile like myself. Hopefully, as my tenure with Paste comes to a close, I will ride this wave of self-confidence into the rest of my work.

Posted
April 20, 2018
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my life as a paste intern
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My Life as a Paste Intern: Week 16

Working at the Paste office this week was a mixed bag for me. The week started off a little slow on Monday as it always does. As the week rolled on, I found my writing output increasing with better results each time. I was proud of myself as I peck away on my HP laptop sitting in my usual spot at the wooden desk. Everything seemed to be going well until I made a major faux – promising a feature without consulting the proper channels. Getting reprimanded for overstepping my bounds was the smallest I had felt in a while. I had it coming, and it was definitely a learning experience.  But all work out as I got another feature out of this crazy situation and ended up with some good feedback on my work. Between this feature and my feature list posted on Monday, I had a great week as a writer.

Again the two-headed monster of self-sabotage and overstepping reared its ugly head this week at the Paste office. Just as I thought my ways were being subdued, I let my ego get in the way and make a huge promise I had no authority over. Being an intern, mistakes are going to happen, but this time, I really made a mess I thought was going to end my tenure with Paste. I haven’t received an angry email in quite some time. My self-doubt and overzealous nature have always been my worst enemies because of my people-pleasing nature. But looking at it with a little perspective, my subconscious has pushed me into some uncomfortable situations. I just let things happen without actively participating in trying to prevent it. I felt like my fears keep holding me back from doing and being my best. But I will conquer this demon as I continue to push all the negativity and darkness to the side for a more fruitful and exciting future. I know with time this will happen.

Posted
April 15, 2018
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The Screenwriting Forum
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Editing and Revising Part 1 – The Preparation

So you finished your first screenplay, now what do you do? It’s time to start revising and editing your work. While this might seem like an overwhelming task, there’s no need to worry because The Screenwriting Forum is here to help.

With any piece of writing, a writer needs to prep for the process as it can be long depending on the length of the script.  Here are a few suggestions for the road to revising:

A computer and printer: These two essentials are necessary for your revising journey as they allow you to edit and revise your screenplay through a computer screen and a nice print-out.

Image result for pen and pencils

Writing tools: Pens. Pencils. Markers. Highlighters. Whatever you need to strikethrough, write notes, add in or correct while reading your screenplay.

Writing mood setters: Your favorite pen. A personal trinket. Your favorite snack. Everyone has something that aides them in the writing process.

places

Find a comfortable spot: This all depends on what you need as a writer to concentrate – some need a quiet tucked-away spot while others enjoy the ambiance of a coffee shop. Just find what works for you.

Along with these suggestions, here is a book to reference during the process:
Image result for the hollywood standard

The Hollywood Standard: The Complete and Authoritative Guide to Script Format and Style (2nd Edition) by Christopher Riley

Hopefully, now that the preparation is out of the way,  you are now ready to start revising and editing your screenplay. Get ready for a mix of hard work and fun as you take this journey with The Screenwriting Forum.

Come back next week for Part 2 of Editing and Revising. See you then.

Posted
April 13, 2018
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my life as a paste intern
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My Life as a Paste Intern: Week 15

Writing for Paste Magazine this week was a mixed bag. I found myself sitting in the black chair creating content that I was proud of this week.  I found myself still making the same rookie mistakes I thought I was over.  I got checked by my editor which was a wake-up call for me if I want to pursue freelance writing as a career.  I was proud of myself for churning out some decent content without much trepidation. There’s still no word on my next feature piece yet so come back to this spot when it arrives.

Self-sabotage and professionalism reared their ugly heads this week at the Paste office. To get you up to speed, I have been tackling this two-headed monster since high school. This issue always seems to come up every time I get close to some achievement or earn someone’s praise. I did it when it came to entering art contests and good job opportunities. I seemed to be doing it now as I enter the last stretch of this internship. I recognized what it was when I got called out for my unprofessionalism for an unfulfilled pitch. Just a while earlier, I was praised for doing a great job in a previous article. I felt like I was once again messing up a good thing. Over the years, I have done my best to keep myself from doubting any and every opportunity that comes my way. Being a pessimist hasn’t helped the situation either. I have to get better at pushing all the negativity and darkness to the side for a more fruitful and exciting future. I know with time this will happen.

Posted
April 11, 2018
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The Screenwriting Forum
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Welcome!

Hello readers and followers, and welcome to The Screenwriting Forum. Through this platform, I will be sharing all facets of the screenwriting process in an informative and accessible manner. I feel any and everyone who studies screenwriting or a knack for it should have a clear understanding of what goes on after the spec script is done. Not everyone needs to or has to buy every single how-to-write-a-screenplay book under the sun especially in the internet age.

Through this blog, I will speak on a variety of topics related to the editing and revising a screenplay. To make it more relatable, I’ll be using my editing and rewriting process to guide and help other aspiring screenwriters along with novice to the practice.

While my process will be documented, you, the reader, will be encouraged to share your thoughts and opinions and ask questions on any and every post.

poitning finger_participation

 

This is a community, not just an advice blog.

I hope we can grow together on this screenwriting journey.

Posted
April 6, 2018
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my life as a paste intern
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My Life as a Paste Intern: Week 14

This week, my time at Paste Magazine was a little slow yet fulfilling. With it being spring break in Atlanta and other areas, the news seemed to trickle in this week as people lived their lives. At the beginning of the work, I found myself alone as my fellow interns were absent. Of course, my anxiety was a little high as I felt the pressure to make for the others’ absence. I found myself still making the same rookie mistakes I thought I was over. By the end of the week, I found my stride as the content churned out of me like a leaky water faucet. On top of the content surge, I made a new attempt at having another feature for the website. Keep your eyes posted for the results.

Self-pressure and anxiety were the demons I had to conquer this week at the office. As a writer, I am still not as confident as I want to be, but it deeps more when writing for Paste. Since I was a kid, I suffered from serious self-doubt and low self-esteem when it came to any and everything. Even though it has gone better over time, my craft is still a major concern considering how I am still new to writing. I want to do my best so I place this unneeded pressure on myself to be perfect in every way. That need for perfection has created quite a bit of inner turmoil (typical artist). Perfection has led to a lot of second-guessing, but I am slowly conquering that. But every time my nagging self-doubt starts to get loud, I try to get out of my head and let my heart and words speak for my capabilities.

Posted
April 6, 2018
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Weekly Roundup
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Weekly Roundup: Week 14

Here are my latest articles in Paste Magazine:

Bush, Stone Temple Pilots and The Cult Set to Co-Headline Summer Tour

Chasm Is Finally Coming to PS4 and PS Vita This Summer

Leon Bridges Becomes an Emotional Guardian Angel in “Bet Ain’t Worth the Hand” Visual

Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish Go Line for Line in Hilarious First Night SchoolTrailer

Riverdale Star K.J. Apa Replacing Kian Lawley in The Hate U Give

Australian Sensation Hatchie Reveals Fun Visual for New Song “Sugar & Spice”

Ashley Monroe Gets Animated and Serene in “Wild Love” Video

PUBG Corp. Suing Chinese Mobile Gaming Company for Copyright Infringement

Tiffany Haddish, The Mindy Project‘s Xosha Roquemore Developing HBO Comedy Pilot

Sony Pictures Hops on the Reboot Train With Jagged Edge Remake Starring Halle Berry

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Come back next week for more news and views from Paste!

Posted
March 31, 2018
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my life as a paste intern
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My Life as a Paste Intern: Week 13

After a spring break filled with work and more work, the Paste office seemed to be an oasis away from the fast-paced graduate student life.  This week, I found material lit a fire within my writing soul (I’m looking at you, Steven Spielberg). The variety fulfilled me in a way I haven’t felt since my first month at Paste. With my financial woes pressing on my mind, I found solace in being able to shut out my problems and write with a sense of purpose and duty (even if it’s pop culture-related). Dealing with my news editor rather than the managing news editor made me realize how much Scott had groomed me to be a better writer since interning for Paste. The comradery amongst my fellow interns and I seemed off this week as everyone seems to be on opposite schedules with no time to fraternize. Hopefully, next week will be even better than this week.

This week, time management was my biggest enemy. I felt like my writing suffered due to the shortened time periods I had at Paste this week. Usually, I go with the flow, but between class, work, life and this internship I felt out of sorts like my mind and body were in two different time zones. Being absentminded, I always feel like my brain is betraying me. But being back the first week after spring break, I felt extra scatterbrained. My body was at Paste, but my mind was thinking of every assignment and task I needed to accomplish by Sunday. I struggled to try to work in moments of personal time as my calendar was full this week with no breaks (other than going to see the Show of Shows). Even Dad’s birthday seems to be an afterthought as I think of all things due around that time. At this moment, I would like to thank my Google Calendar for always keeping me on point. I have to get more organized this quarter with all the things I have coming up. With that in mind, I can’t let my writing – professional or personal – struggle due to my overly ambitious ways. I want the remaining weeks of this internship to be just as fulfilling as the first ones. I just need to take a breath and schedule everything out. I’ll be just fine (I hope).

Posted
March 24, 2018
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my life as a paste intern
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My Life as a Paste Intern: Week 12

Writing for this week at Paste was an interesting one. Being out for spring break, my intern workload felt different as Scott took the week off while managing news editor Jim oversaw my work. Being under the direction of someone else was a little different in that Jim was a little more hands off than Scott when it came to the idea of news and subject matter. I was quite refreshing yet unnerving at the same time. I got to expand my writing wings and do something a little more political this time. Of course, there were the usual rookie writer snafus I had to conquer (which got on my nerves for the umpteenth time). I’m a human being, not a robot (despite popular belief). Despite the spirit of relaxed comradery spring break offers, my fellow interns and I were a little mum when it came to talking. I guess it’s guys being guys. Just when I had reached the highest plateau with my retweet from Kate Nash, I had my articles reposted on Facebook by some of my supportive classmates.

My struggle this week had to do with change and taking constructive criticism. Dealing with the managing news editor was an experience I loved and hated at the same time. I relished in the idea of doing news without any judgment or hipster ideals interfering with my craft. On the other hand, having to report to a major figure within the organization added a sense of pressure and upheaval my Aquarian mindset was not prepared for. I don’t mind having my grammar corrected, but some of it was nitpicky which bothered me a bit. I liked the free reign over my subject matter, but I still need some structure in my work life. My A-type personality needs and craves structure when it comes to my professional and personal life. So I end this to say I will be so glad when my news editor returns even though I enjoyed the break.

Posted
March 16, 2018
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my life as a paste intern
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My Life as a Paste Intern: Week 11

This week at Paste was a mixed bag of thoughts and emotions. While the news I covered this week was more fulfilling, I felt like my software was trying to be a sideline player hater. I felt like my turnaround was a little slowed down by my aging laptop and memory-sucking software. On top of that, I had to play the waiting game when it came to getting approval for my articles. I do admit that my time at GameSkinny made me a little impatient when it comes to editorial work. I complained to myself or others on occasion about the rapid-fire pace. But on the plus side,  my personal strife subsided enough that I could focus on my work at Paste without being rushed. I could write without interference or have to worry about my time management. Of course, there were the usual rookie writer snafus I had to conquer (which got on my nerves for the umpteenth time). I’m a human being, not a robot (despite popular belief). While my writing was a little hit-or-miss, the intern bond was still in full effect as we bonded over my Wikipedia brain’s ability to remember pop culture facts. This week ended on a real high note as English singer-songwriter Kate Nash retweet my write up about her new single and video “Life in Pink.”

This week, I continued to suffer from a bad case of boredom. But for an Aquarian like myself, boredom can lead to my two least attractive qualities – a bad temperament and impatience. Primadonna Adreon tends to rear his ugly head, and completely show out. Of course, being the emotionless person I am, PA never came out to play, but he kept creeping up every once in a while to make me an unsatisfied mess. I wanted to write so much, but the material I found was a little lackluster even what I enjoyed covering. I still needed a good shakeup I’ve been whining about. I feel my professional fortitude is still strong but is starting to wane. I hope I can make it to May without letting PA out to play for the sake of my professional career.

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