In an era where digital connections often feel superficial, the Twisted50 horror writing project stands as a testament to the enduring power of genuine creative communities. Through an enlightening podcast conversation between Chris Jones, Leo from Norway, and Eimear from Ireland, we discover how a shared passion for storytelling can transcend geographical boundaries and transform aspiring writers into published authors.

The journey of these writers reveals a profound truth about the horror genre - it's not merely about violence or shock value, but rather a sophisticated medium for exploring deep-seated fears, societal issues, and personal transformations. As Eimear poignantly notes, "I had this idea that horror was very violent... But that's not what horror is about." This revelation challenges our preconceptions and invites us to explore the vast spectrum of horror literature with fresh eyes.

The collaborative nature of Twisted50 emerges as a powerful antidote to the isolation often experienced by writers. The project's structure, combining deadlines, peer feedback, and community support, creates an environment where creativity flourishes. Leo's observation that the community is "so important and unfortunately rare in the arts in general" underscores the unique value of this supportive ecosystem.

Perhaps most compelling is the project's role in combating imposter syndrome - that persistent doubt in one's abilities that plagues so many creative individuals. Through structured feedback and encouragement, writers find their voice and confidence. The transformation is particularly evident in Eimear's experience, as she progressed from being hesitant about horror to producing multiple short stories and discovering the genre's unexpected mental health benefits.

The success of Twisted50 demonstrates that when writers are given the right platform, support, and community, they can overcome their creative barriers and produce compelling work. Leo's experience with his first story about a sadistic job interview shows how the project encourages writers to push boundaries and explore challenging themes while maintaining a supportive environment.

For anyone considering joining a writing community or exploring the horror genre, the experiences shared in this podcast make a compelling case for taking that leap. The combination of structured support, diverse perspectives, and genuine encouragement creates an environment where writers can grow, challenge themselves, and ultimately find their unique voice in the vast landscape of horror literature.

Recorded at the first Make It Reel event.

Marcus kicked off his talk by connecting ancient Greek theater to modern democracy.

It's not just some history lesson - he's showing us how storytelling has always been at the heart of how societies figure themselves out. "You cannot have theatre without eventually leading to democracy."

But here's where it gets really interesting - Marcus drops this stat about diversity that had everyone reconsidering. Nearly 97% of us could be considered "diverse" in some way. It totally flips the script on how we usually think about diversity, right? It's not about ticking boxes or meeting quotas; it's about actually representing the real world we live in.

The challenging stories unfolded when Marcusr opens up about his role at the Film & TV Charity. The mental health stats he shared are honestly pretty scary - over a third of people in the industry having suicidal thoughts. The charity's work in supporting industry professionals through their tough times shows just how desperately needed these services are.

He talks about being an "angry Black man" in the industry, "Working twice as hard to get half as far is not just tiring. The unfairness of it creates anger." He's not just sharing his feelings; he's backing it up with hard facts about the challenges Black-led businesses face. It's the kind of truth-telling that makes people uncomfortable but needs to be said.

What really stuck with me was how Marcus emphasized the importance of community and friendship in surviving the industry. His speaks aboput how his success came from building strong networks, especially with other people of color.

The way he wrapped it all together was inspiring. Instead of just leaving us with problems, he gave us hope through action.

His message about building supportive relationships isn't just nice advice - it's a survival strategy. And it's not just about individual success; it's about changing the whole industry from the inside out. He showed us that behind every diversity statistic, there's a real person with real experiences trying to make it in this industry. That's the kind of perspective that actually changes minds and leads to real change.

The path to creating a compelling screenplay isn't just about putting words on paper - it's about falling head over heels in love with your story. That's one of the key takeaways from an enlightening masterclass with screenwriter Rowan, who compares writing to marriage: you've got to love it deeply because only that love will get you through the tough times. It's refreshing to hear a professional admit that writing isn't always sunshine and rainbows, but the passion makes it worthwhile.

Getting started with a screenplay is like preparing for a long jump - the run-up is actually more important than the jump itself. Rowan emphasizes that before diving into the actual script, writers need to spend time developing their idea, testing it with trusted listeners, and refining it until it sparkles. He suggests creating a 3-5 page document that captures your story's essence, which is way more manageable than diving straight into a full script.

One of the most fascinating aspects of Rowan's approach is his "floating" technique - a clever way to handle those darling ideas that you love but might not fit perfectly in your story. Instead of killing them off completely (as the old writing advice goes), he suggests keeping them in a sort of creative limbo. They might find their perfect place later, or they might inspire something entirely new. It's like having a safety net for your creative ideas.

The relationship between content and structure comes across as a kind of dance in Rowan's explanation. You need both partners - the what (content) and the how (structure) - to create something meaningful. He breaks down the essential elements that make a story work: a compelling hook, solid turning points, and most importantly, a character's quest that makes the audience genuinely care. His memorable quote, "If you haven't got a quest, the most important thing about your character is what do they want? And why do I give a shit whether they get it or not?" really drives this point home.

Theme emerges as another crucial element in Rowan's toolkit. He introduces the concept of a "dramatic argument" - distilling your entire story into one powerful statement. But what's really cool is his two-winged approach to theme: it needs to work both as an abstract message and as something concrete within the narrative. It's like having a philosophical idea that actually plays out in real (story) life.

Throughout the masterclass, Rowan maintains this perfect balance between practical advice and inspirational wisdom. He's not just teaching techniques; he's sharing a mindset about how to approach the craft of screenwriting. His emphasis on taking responsibility for your own creative journey while embracing the freedom that comes with it is particularly powerful. When he says, "The more responsibility you take for your own life, the more freedom you will have," it feels like he's talking about more than just writing - it's about the whole creative journey.

What makes this masterclass particularly valuable is how Rowan weaves his personal experiences throughout his teaching. He openly shares his struggles and successes with current projects (referred to as Project A and Project N), making the whole process feel more real and achievable. It's like getting a behind-the-scenes look at how a professional writer actually works, complete with all the messy, human moments that make the journey authentic.

For anyone serious about screenwriting, the key message seems to be that success lies in the preparation, the passion, and the persistence to keep refining your work. It's not about waiting for inspiration to strike or hoping for a lucky break - it's about putting in the hard work while maintaining that "insane passion" that got you started in the first place.