Samantha J. Stephenson is a Montana girl by DNA and a San Francisco girl at heart, though she currently resides in Redondo Beach, CA. She has an MFA in creative writing, a BA in English literature and a minor in film and theatre arts. She moved to L.A. in 2006 to join The Writer’s Arc screenwriting fellowship.

Is  BLOOD AND WATER your first script? If not, what else have you completed?

More or less. My background is in fiction, so until about four years ago all I wrote was prose. The first script I attempted was a wretched “Six Feet Under” spec, followed by a couple scripts for short films.  BLOOD AND WATER began as an adaptation of a novel I had been writing.     

Why did you write BLOOD AND WATER?  And how long did it take you to write it?

I wrote BLOOD AND WATER because these were characters that had been living in my head for years, and also because I needed to say something about the nature of guilt and redemption and institutionalized self-loathing. I spent about two years writing it, but developing this story was really like my third year of grad school. I had a lot to learn when I jumped into this.

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

I loathe outlining. With the fire of a thousand suns. But I do it. I’m working on a feature right now, and subscribing to the “don’t write a word until the outline is finished” philosophy. I feel like I’m flailing around in the void if I don’t have an outline. I do leave room for discoveries and assume that things will change, but I need to know where I’m going first. I also invent a lot of backstory for all my characters because I need to know who and where they’ve been before they arrive at the point at which they’re relevant to my story.

What inspires you to write?

Great writing inspires me to write.

Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

Feminism, politics, animal rights, potatoes, perfume and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”

What influenced you to enter the Movie Script Contest?

I researched a lot of contests and liked that this one seemed interested in promoting talent rather than just giving away money.

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

I think getting industry eyes on your script is important, and if those eyes look kindly on your work, only good things can happen. Recognition does wonders for a writer’s confidence and motivation.

Who is your favorite screenwriter or writer and why?

My favorite writer is a novelist, Louise Erdrich. Her work defines magical realism in my mind, and her characters are always so heartbreaking and titillating at the same time. My favorite screenwriters are Joss Whedon for his pitch perfect sense of tragedy and character dynamics, Sofia Coppola for her quiet discovery, Aaron Sorkin for his wit and dialogue, and Alan Ball, Tim Minear and Matt Weiner for their cynical yet endearing storytelling.

Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?

I don’t feel like I’m in a position to advise anyone, but I can offer two quotes that inspire me when things get tough:

Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goals. (Henry Ford)

It's kind of fun to do the impossible. (Walt Disney)

What’s next for you?

In an effort to write something more commercial, I’m working on a thriller set on a ranch in Montana. I’m also working on a couple of TV specs.