Writing is Rewriting

I read a quote from Jordan Peele recently, "When Im writing my first draft I'm constantly reminding myself that I'm simply shoveling sand into a box so that later I can build castles." Part of me loves that first draft, because the bar is so low- but there is always this nagging thought in the background, "will any of it actually make it into the coveted final draft."

I've just reached what I'm calling a final draft (it's never really final) on The Leaves Will Change, a recent script I've been working on about a Catholic father who discovers his son is gay and has to reconcile his commitment to his faith with his love for his family. I don't know how many drafts I've written or what constitutes as a draft anymore, but I can say it's been many. In looking back at that first draft of Leaves, the beginning has changed, the ending has changed (dramatically) and the middle has changed. There are some elements from the first draft, but not many.

The "semifinalist" round of The Outstanding Screenplay competition means of the 600 applicants I was in the top 120. Reaching the semi-finalist round was the most realistic goal I could set for myself. Now the only thing I can do with it is try to get it made. Somehow.