Today we’d like to introduce you to Grace Abbate.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I moved to Los Angeles when I was 17 years old to attend a small college to study film. I wasn’t exactly sure where I was going to fit in the film industry at the time, but I took a few writing classes and that’s where things started to click for me. I had a lot of my peers and professors take interest in my stories, and I really enjoyed creating characters and plots, so before I knew it I developed a full-on passion. Honestly, I love studying human behavior so creating emotionally complex characters has really been something I enjoy most about writing. And from there, I decided a few years ago to set up a small business for myself online, where I can publish stories and poems that I need to get out of my head and into the world somehow. That’s how Not So Graceful was born. It’s really tough for us young writers to get ourselves any exposure and this felt like a feasible way to do that.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Oh, there’s definitely been a lot of bumps in the road. I’m sure there will be more in the future. But that’s life, it made me stronger and smarter. I’m grateful for that. When I first started interning my first year of college, I had a lot of older, more experienced writers, directors and producers take advantage of me and my naivety. One producer I met at a networking event offered to give me a 50,000 dollar writing contract under the conditions that if they decide that they don’t like it after I spend six months to a year writing it, I get nothing. I was maybe 20 years old at the time, mind you, so I had no idea what writing contracts were supposed to look like. Thankfully, I had a few trusted sources who told me not to do it. Super glad I listened to them. I’ve also had people blatantly steal my ideas before. That’s always annoying, but one thing I learned about that is to let them take it because it’s always about the execution. No one will be able to tell your story better than you. No one will be able to write the characters you see and hear in your head beside you. So, it’s best not to worry about anyone else and just focus on what you’re doing.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Not So Graceful – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Not So Graceful is a blog where I publish stories, ideas and poetry to my followers. It’s a website under the URL graceartdotblog.wordpress.com. The people who’ve supported my writings would likely say they know me for being kind of dark and profane but sweet at the same time. It’s a contradiction, but aren’t we all? I typically draw inspiration from a feeling that’s either plagued me in my past (I’m turning 23 in a few days so my past is basically just my childhood and adolescence) or a feeling in that current moment. But I’d say the perspective in which I tell the stories sets me apart from others. I’m proud of how much it’s grown in the past two years.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Since my junior year of college, I started working with a major film investor who’s hired me to write a few feature films. One of which I helped work on is currently backed for full theatrical distribution and we’re preparing to film it within this upcoming year. I’m very excited for that. I also began writing professionally with one of my previous college professors, which has been wonderful. I’ve got a lot of hope that the pilot we’re writing will sell. Who knows.
Contact Info:
- Website: graceartdotblog.wordpress.com
- Phone: 2489284477
- Email: Graceabbate436@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/graceabbate
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grace.abbate
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