Annie Rowe, LISP 4th Quarter 2020 Official Selection, Short Screenplay

LISP 4th Quarter 2020 Official Selection, Short Screenplay, 'The Earthquake' by Annie Rowe

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

I'm a freelance writer and casting director who works from home.

- When did you start writing? How often do you write?

I started writing during lockdown in the UK so this is all very new to me.

- How does it feel to have your work recognised?

Extraordinary!

- What's the best thing and the hardest thing about writing a Screenplay?

The challenge not to play it safe but to dare instead, to dare with every draft to go farther than I thought I could, to be braver, to listen to my instincts, and trust them - that's the hard part. It's also the best part too.

- How did you come up with the idea for your LISP selected screenplay? Is there a story behind your story? And, how long have you been working on it?

I read about it in the newspaper. The story is based on a true story, albeit somewhat embellished.

- Can you please give us a few tips about writing a short screenplay?

Write what you love, not what you think other people want to see. It has to come from your heart.

- What's the best thing and the hardest thing about festivals/competitions?

Celebrating the successes and taking the knockbacks on the chin are all (equally) part of the ride. There's no one size fits all. Festival entry fees are expensive so choose carefully.

-Lastly, do you recommend writers to give it a go LISP?

Yes. Definitely.