Dora Eff

A development exec tries to become a writer whilst keeping her identity secret, because... reasons?

[Dora Eff @dorafwrites]

I knew it was bad in terms of companies being slow/reluctant to agree contracts & pay writers, I did not know it was this bad. Been actively working on multiple projects for months now with no deal or payment in sight. Do better, people 😡

[Dora Eff @dorafwrites]

Producers sent me on a 90s thriller deep dive before rewriting this treatment. Suddenly my FMC is getting ah-matized and her life turning into a nightmare, because sexual liberation can only end one way amirite? 👀

[Dora Eff @dorafwrites]

The way my development brain immediately translates a perfectly nice email into “we hate it” 👀

[Dora Eff @dorafwrites]

@MizzMarshaS Little glass of fizz… then back to my desk as am meant to be delivering a treatment next week too 🤯😂 Hope you’re having a good Easter weekend :)

[Dora Eff @dorafwrites]

First script commission! Kissing goodbye to my social life for the foreseeable. Totally worth it.

[Dora Eff @dorafwrites]

@MizzMarshaS Thank you!! For an indie not a broadcaster (yet!), but I think it still counts ☺️💪

[Dora Eff @dorafwrites]

@MizzMarshaS I know, I’ve been awol!! Life just got stressful for a while tbh, but fingers crossed the sun is coming out again now… How are you doing?

[Dora Eff @dorafwrites]

Third original project into paid development, hooray! Progress has felt painfully slow, but a year ago I had zero projects sooooo 🥳 #screenwriting

[Dora Eff @dorafwrites]

Where are the new drama commissions from female writers? I’ve seen several big announcements in the past couple of weeks, but (unless I’m missing something?) all from the same well-known men. Asking as both a development exec and a female writer myself. Seriously!

[Dora Eff @dorafwrites]

In case it’s helpful for anyone else, I signed with my agents in 2022 and got NOTHING into development until this year. I was scared they’d drop me. But that first thing led to the next and (tbc🤞) the next. This is a long game - expect to be a “new” writer for years, not months.

[Dora Eff @dorafwrites]

Is this a safe space to say that I would secretly love to get my script on the Brit List, but am far too proud/awkward to do all the required vote-gathering?💀

[Dora Eff @dorafwrites]

So great to hear that you’re looking well & don’t seem like you might be secretly miserable, that’s excellent news

[Dora Eff @dorafwrites]

Other writers: “The first draft just poured out of me…”

Me with 15 pages to go:

[Dora Eff @dorafwrites]

Second project safely into development, hurrah! Manifesting no. 3 in September, once the industry is back at its desk, along with finishing my next pilot - still 30 pages to go, oh god why are first drafts so hard…? 😭

[Dora Eff @dorafwrites]

I love these moments between delivering a new draft and the person actually reading it. Anything’s possible. “You’re a genius. No notes.” Etc.

[Dora Eff @dorafwrites]

I can only assume people thought Strange Darling was “clever” because it’s non-linear? There were a couple of interesting moments in the first half, and it’s well made, but ultimately it’s just… not about anything.

I need some better horror/thriller recs!

[Dora Eff @dorafwrites]

Starting to write a new character’s dialogue, realising exactly who they are irl 👀 and promptly closing the document. Awks. New inspo needed.

[Dora Eff @dorafwrites]

I think my pay-to-play screenwriting contest days are done. They were fun, and sometimes gave me exactly the boost I needed. But their ability to help a writer’s career follows a bell curve - at a certain point, the smart thing is to stop :)

[Dora Eff @dorafwrites]

This week can get in the bin. What a disaster. If anyone needs me I will be hiding under a blanket until it’s definitely over💀

[Dora Eff @dorafwrites]

A year ago I was trying to write a romcom while dealing with acute heartbreak. Today I’m sitting by the sea, on a holiday paid for by the sale of that script. Still a long way to go, but… this feels quite nice ❤️