Susan Jordan, LISP Short Screenplay FINALIST

LISP Short Screenplay FINALIST, STILL HERE by Susan Jordan

- Can you please tell us about you and your daily life?

I'm a published Writer and a Producer who spends time between a small town in Oregon and Denver, Colorado, USA. Most mornings you'll find me out walking local hills, returning with an "animal sighting account" for my husband. Watching the Quail, Deer, wild Turkeys, and other animals grounds me before I head into the writing zone for several hours each day. Oh: I forgot to mention that I listen to "Queen with Adam Lambert" when I choose to power-walk. The variety of their music pumps my creative energy. - When and how did you get into writing? Writing, especially screenwriting, stems from my mother's love of film. She and my dad fell in love at Ford's Theater in a rural town where farming and sports dominated their worlds. Movies saved my mother's sanity as a teenager because she grew up with a difficult father. My mother passed on her passion for movies to me. I've always experimented with writing. The impact of language influenced my previous marketing and product development career. Once I exited the corporate world, my writing passion took over. So far, acknowledgement of my work includes the 2021 LISP Finalist designation, a 2020 "Honorable Mention" within the LGBTQ Unbordered International Film Festival, several 2021 and 2020 festival acceptances, a "Gold" placement at the 2019 Hear Now Audio Festival and a quarter-finalist selection within the 2018 Screencraft Family Film contest. - How often do you write? Do you have a writing routine? And what inspires you to write?

I'm either writing or researching five to six days a week. Inspiration explodes all around me. My biggest challenge is to not venture too far down "the rabbit hole" of research. I'm probably a frustrated librarian. Also, one reason to believe in reincarnation is to have more opportunities to answer the siren's call to read, read, read, and write, write, write. - How does it feel to have your work recognised?

Don't all writers love the near-heart-attack adrenaline rush from recognition? Pure JOY floods me when I see my hard work receive notice. - What's the best thing and the most challenging thing about writing a Screenplay? Screenplays allow me to put into words the visions of the stories in my head. Choosing a story that has "legs" is challenging, because not all ideas have the strength and depth of story to translate to the screen. - How did you come up with the idea for your LISP selected story? Is there a story behind your story? And, how long have you been working on it?

My short script evolved from a personal challenge during the Pandemic to write a "contained script" with few locations and few characters. Also, I remember being distressed over the number of hit-and-run accidents within Denver's lower downtown area where many young people live, work and play. An accident provides the catalyst for my story. This story seemed to quickly find its way from idea to completion. Film production on the script was postponed due to the ongoing Covid crisis. - Can you please give us a few tips about writing a Screenplay?

Although I loathe "formulaic" writing of all types, screenplays require structure. Once I immersed myself into learning the screenwriting craft, I was able to move from frustration to focus on the work. Excellent Online classes can provide a foundation for writers interested in screenwriting. - What's the best thing and the most challenging thing about competitions? Setting goals to produce my best work is the best thing about competitions. Releasing the outcome of the competition is challenging, but the surrender can be sweet when recognition occurs. - Lastly, do you recommend the writers give a go on LISP?

LISP! Why wouldn't writers want to participate in a platform of excellence?