JUNE — The Character Lab

May 29, 2026

Scriptwriters Network 40th Anniversary Celebration

12 Months • 12 Ways We Give Back

As Scriptwriters Network celebrates 40 years of supporting writers, we’re giving back to the creative community with monthly opportunities for writers to learn, connect, and grow.

Each month throughout 2026 highlights a different aspect of our mission — from mentorship and education to creativity and community.

Everyone is welcome to participate.

June 40th Anniversary Monthly Challenge

The Character Lab: Character & Voice Challenge

June focuses on one of the most important elements of storytelling — creating memorable characters.

Great stories are driven by characters who want something, face obstacles, and make choices that move the story forward. Whether writing for film, television, fiction, or stage, strong characters are often what audiences remember most.

As part of our 40th Anniversary – 12 Months • 12 Ways We Give Back initiative, this challenge is designed to help writers strengthen their ability to create compelling characters and develop authentic character voices.

The Challenge

Participants are invited to create:

One main character
One supporting character
One conflict between them

Then write a short interaction (Maximum 1,000 words) that demonstrates their personalities, motivations, and unique voices.

The interaction may be written in screenplay format or narrative format.

Focus Areas

Writers are encouraged to concentrate on the following elements:

Character Development — Who are these characters and what drives them?

Character Voice — Does each character sound unique and distinct?

Conflict — What tension, disagreement, or obstacle exists between them?

Relationship Dynamics — How do the characters influence one another?

What Makes a Memorable Character?

A compelling character should:

Have clear goals and motivations
Feel authentic and believable
Possess strengths, flaws, and contradictions
Reveal personality through actions and dialogue
Leave a lasting impression on the audience

Who Can Participate

This challenge is open to all writers, at any level of experience.

Whether you are developing your first character or refining your craft as an experienced writer, this challenge offers an opportunity to strengthen one of the most essential storytelling skills.

How to Enter

Please submit your entry via email to:

info@scriptwritersnetwork.org

Subject Line:

June Character Lab Submission

Please include the following:

Your full name
Character name (main character)
Title of your submission

Please paste your submission directly into the body of your email. Attachments will not be reviewed.

Submission Guidelines

One submission per participant
Maximum 1,000 words
Original work only
Screenplay or narrative format accepted
Please review your submission for spelling and grammar before sending

Entry Deadline

All submissions must be received between:

June 1 – June 30, 2026

Prizes

Winners will receive:

🎁 One-Year Free Membership to Scriptwriters Network

🎁 One-Hour Script Consultation with SWN President Melessa Y. Sargent

🎁 Featured Writer Spotlight in the SWN Newsletter

In addition to the Grand Prize winner, selected Honorable Mentions may be featured on Scriptwriters Network social media and in the SWN newsletter.

Why This Matters

Great stories begin with great characters.

By focusing on character creation and voice, writers can develop stronger protagonists, more engaging relationships, and more memorable storytelling. Understanding who your characters are and how they communicate is a critical step toward creating scripts that connect with audiences.

Winner(s) & Featured Spotlight

Submissions will be reviewed at the end of the month.

The winner will be contacted and announced during the first week of July 2026.

View all featured winners

Celebrating 40 Years of Writers Supporting Writers

Throughout 2026, Scriptwriters Network continues to celebrate its 40th Anniversary with special opportunities, giveaways, and events designed to support writers at every stage of their journey.

We invite you to join us in honoring four decades of storytelling, mentorship, and community.

*Invite another writer to participate and celebrate 40 years of Scriptwriters Network together.