Writing a screenplay based on personal experience

... is much more exciting than I expected.

While I was living it, it didn't feel nearly as dramatic, but then there is this thing called artistic license. Still, the adventure itself was plenty engaging so there's no need to embellish - better to grind down to the innate truth of each character and the story worthy of an audience's attention.

It's made me pay attention to the truths that all the characters in the story experienced, rather than focusing only on my own point of view of what took place at the time. It's enlightening and entertaining for me - I'm working hard to make sure it translates for everyone watching as well.

Engaging with the central character, a truly unique and terrific teenager worth knowing, will hopefully give every viewer the chance to grow just a little, and feel good for having known him.

It is hard, however, not to make my own role in this scenario too complimentary! I have to tell the truth, the whole truth, yadda yadda. Maybe in the second draft.. ;-)