Take the TSA Challenge and Write Your Best Script(s) in '26!

First of all, I’d like to thank the members of the Tennessee Screenwriting Association for trusting in me to steer our organization for another year and for supporting a great new Board of Directors.

I hope you are ready to move forward in your development as a screenwriter and storyteller.

At our last Open Mic session, TSA members discussed their screenwriting goals for the coming year and I even laid out some bold ones for myself.

What will your screenwriting goal be in 2026?

If you haven’t already given that question some serious thought - or even if you have - I would like to present you with the TSA Challenge for 2026…

• Write one new feature spec screenplay in 2026. The industry is driven by new screenplays and new ideas. Will you compete on the contest circuit? Do you have something new and original enough to land an agent? TSA’s Script School program will get you primed and ready to complete a new feature spec in six months. OR…
  

• Write three short scripts and enter them in our short script contests. Our contest genres again this year are romance/rom-com for the Short ‘N Sweet contest (deadine is Feb. 14); the Short ‘N Scary contest in the fall and another short script contest in the summer (details tba). As you prep your script for one of our contests, pitch your story idea at Open Mic and/or tune in for TSA’s Study Hall sessions on writing short scripts. OR…
  

• Fully commit to finishing the final draft of a screenplay you’ve already written. Even if you don’t have a workable idea for a new screenplay this year, TSA can help you workshop and get notes on the next draft of an old favorite of yours. All you have to do is put in the time and commitment to finish it in time for contest season. OR…
  

• Take the next step in your career by making a film yourself! TSA has always been supportive of its members who come out from behind the keyboard and onto the set to shape their vision on camera themselves. Whether you need advice from working filmmakers, to network, or to build your skills and contacts as a filmmaker, we and our partner organizations are here to help you tell your story.
  

• Some or all of the above!

Don’t keep your goals to yourself. If you’re a TSA Member, log in and go loud and proud about what you want to do to build your career and expand your abilities as a screenwriter. If you’re not already a member of the TSA, make it part of your New Year’s Resolution and join today for only $25/year.

On behalf of our Board, I wish you and yours a Happy New Year! I hope you will rise to our 2026 Challenge and we will do everything we can to help you achieve your goals.