writers to hear for themselves how their words sound when spoken aloud. Many writers have had their screenplays produced across the country, and many have written multiples works, rather than merely being “one hit wonders,” Mook said. “We have some that submit that have done production and we are able to give them a different view of it, a new rendition of it, with different actors giving different interpretations,” Mook said. “Playwrights keep submitting. They find out we can read their works, they can listen to it, they can get comments before it ever goes into production.” Rory Penland, a member from Altamont Springs, has been a member for a year and a half. He was invited by another prominent member, Jim Moss, a fellow writer he had known for more than 30 years. Penland had written multiple screenplays, one of which had been produced in 2002. Since then, he was written several scripts for animated movies and TV pilots. Penland appreciates the overall camraderie of the group. Being able to hear his screenplays read allows him to see and hear for himself what works and doesn’t work so that he can make the proper revisions. He has written three plays since starting the group, something that he had never done before, and the feedback he has received for each of them has proven valuable. “We always have a good time when we read, we always get constructive criticism, and you get support and encouragement which is helpful,” he said. “It is nice to hear your writing come to life, to hear your characters read by proffesional actors, and it is a nice feeling, and that is why I have stuck with it for a long time.” Just Write! Lakeland offers a little bit of something for everyone interested in theater or EXPECT MORE... GET MORE... WE DELIVER!
film. For writers, it allows them to have their work performed and critiqued, allowing them to better perfect their screenwriting. For actors, it offers them the opportunity to exercise their acting skills and performances. “For writers, screenwriters, and playwrights, they get their work read out loud,” Fedkiw said. “We try to get them with actors. So writers can get it out of their heads, into the public forum, and they hear what works and hear what doesn’t work, and they can do that second draft.” Just Write! Lakeland meets every Monday at 7 p.m. at their writer’s workshop, located in the downstairs stage room at 310 E. Lemon Street, Lakeland, FL. For more information, contact them at: info@justwritelakeland.com, or visit their website at: https://www.justwritelakeland.com/
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