Interview:

Originally from  Kentucky, Lily  Mercer is a working actress, theatre
director, and teacher, although she has  been writing all her life.  Her short plays
have been produced and two of her  poems have been published.  Three years ago
she began taking  the screenwriting program at NYU, and found a new focus.  
Lily now lives in New York City and continues to make a living as an actress. 
She is currently  rewriting another screenplay, “Nellie Cashman,” the true
story of an Irish  immigrant at the turn of the century who helped to shape
the American  Southwest.

Is FALLING INTO PLACE your first script? If not, what else have you completed? 

FALLING INTO PLACE is both my first screenplay and my fourth.  I wrote a
screenplay ten years ago based on the same story, but set it aside because at
that point the story was quite convoluted and lacked structure.  Three years
ago I began  writing the screenplay again, from scratch, and was able to focus
on the real story in a way that made sense to me.  In between I wrote another
full length feature, NELLIE CASHMAN, about an Irish immigrant at the turn of the
century, and ALL ABOUT EVIE, a short about a woman who takes on multiple
personalities in  order to find out who she really is.

Why did you write FALLING INTO PLACE? And how long did it take you to write it? 

FALLING INTO PLACE is based on a true story.  While  living in Sedona, AZ I
picked up a 99-year-old yoga master hitchhiking.  This screenplay is much
about our relationship.  I have been working on this version of the script for
three years, while taking  the screenwriting program at NYU.

Describe your process; do you have a set routine, method for  writing?

I wish.  I tend to be one of those people who works best under pressure. 
But I have to say that my stories are with me on a daily basis.  I mull over
plot lines even in my sleep, and sometimes  wake up in the middle of the night to jot down a line or a scene.

What inspires you to write? 

The simple answer is "everything."  But I am drawn to ordinary people in
extraordinary circumstances.  And I have a passion for the underdog.

Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

I teach artists how to market themselves.  I love to help people achieve
their goals and  become successful.  So I guess you could say I have a real
passion for  helping the Sisyphus in each of us get up the  mountain.

What influenced you to enter the Movie Script Contest?

I wasn't as concerned about money as I was about quality.  I looked for the
contests that seemed legitimate and had  qualified professionals involved. 
Movie Script was definitely one of those.

Do you feel that screenwriting contests are worthwhile for writers and why?

Contests are an excellent gauge of your ability to be a successful
screenwriter.  If you make it past the first cut, you have probably done a good job
with format and structure.  If you make it past the second cut, you probably
have an interesting story.  But when you make it to the third cut, you really
begin to feel like a  screenwriter.  And if you win, you have clearly
demonstrated a "craft."  That's what I'm shooting for now.

Who is your favorite  screenwriter or writer and why? 

I am a huge fan of Tom  McCarthy.  Both THE STATION AGENT and THE VISITOR
highlight ordinary  people who might never have met, but do, and who's lives are
changed  dramatically as a result.  In retrospect, it's no accident that my 
story has the same kind of theme.  

Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?
Yes - never give up, never give up, never give  up.  

What’s next for you?

I am busy rewriting FALLING INTO PLACE for two producers who are interested
in the script.