I tend to do quite well in writing contests (Big Break, Red Planet, BBC writersroom) but only because I wait until I’ve written something and then if I go for a contest at all, I look first for the next one that fits what I’ve already done. It’s not always true, but usually, and it usually works out. <\/p>\n
Except the other day there was the 50 Kisses contest and the moment I read the brief, I had the whole thing in my head. It was a writing contest where you wrote a two-page scene set on Valentine’s Day and presumably a kiss would be a good idea. <\/p>\n
I wrote it in one go, sent it in immediately, entirely failed to win. Didn’t even make the long list. <\/p>\n
You can see where this is going, I know, and I do apologise in advance for selling you secondhand goods but I just had a really good time writing this and I want to share some fiction with you instead of incessant babbling about writing fiction.\u00a0 <\/p>\n
So. If you’ll forgive the near-as-blogger-will-allow script layout, let\u00a0me tell you a story. <\/p>\n
— <\/p>\n
CAUGHT<\/b>by William Gallagher<\/b><\/span> REVEAL DANNY (7 years old) holding Tom’s hand. He’s squeezed in between Tom and Susan’s legs. He’s embarrassed by them.\u00a0 <\/span> Danny wriggles away from his dad and goes to her.\u00a0 Charlotte hangs on to him like you’re-never-taking-him and at-least-I-can-trust-him. <\/span> REVEAL MRS. HARE, Susan’s mother – and MR HARE, her dad. Both dressed in Sunday best.\u00a0 <\/span> REVEAL the \u2018we\u2019 is herself and TWO UNIFORMED POLICE OFFICERS standing behind her. <\/span> Beat. <\/span> The police lead Susan toward the court. <\/span> FADE OUT <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I tend to do quite well in writing contests (Big Break, Red Planet, BBC writersroom) but only because I wait … Continue reading
<\/span>
EXT. CITY STREET – DAY <\/span>
<\/span>
SUSAN HARE and TOM BRYSON (both white, late twenties, smart) kiss like there is no tomorrow. Like there is no one else in the world.\u00a0 <\/span>
<\/span>
The kiss lasts and lasts and lasts. <\/span>
<\/span>
Finally, they break lips – <\/span>
<\/span>
– but it’s only to catch a breath – <\/span>
<\/span>
– and they are back in the single most important snog of their lives.\u00a0 <\/span>
<\/span>
The snog lasts and lasts and lasts. <\/span>
<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span>
REVEAL CHARLOTTE: Tom’s wife, standing some distance behind him. She’s slightly older than him and has been carrying a bunch of Valentine\u2019s roses he gave her. She slowly lowers them. <\/span>
<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/span>
But Tom and Susan are utterly unaware. <\/span>
<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/span>
Neither any happier than Charlotte.\u00a0 <\/span>
<\/span>
Tom and Susan eat each other.\u00a0 <\/span>
<\/span>
REVEAL a SOLICITOR (woman, 40s). <\/span>
<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/span>
REVEAL that behind them is a Court House. <\/span>
<\/span>
Tom and Susan finally break their kiss. <\/span>
<\/span>
But still hang on to each other. <\/span>
<\/span>
Susan presses her hand against his chest. <\/span>
<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/span>
Tom turns to Charlotte. <\/span>
<\/span>
She holds up the roses and lets them drop to the street. <\/span>
<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n