Marva’s Portfolio

Marva’s childhood love of science fiction prompted her to study both English literature and physics at Arizona State (she thought learning a science would help her to write sci-fi; proving she does, in fact, have a wild imagination), then earn her MFA in screenwriting at the University of Southern California. But growing up, she never did see herself - a chubby, multiracial, introvert - reflected in the stories she loved so much. While honing her craft in the hopes of someday changing this, Marva spent much of her time experiencing all the toxicity a workplace has to offer, looking for love in all the wrong dating apps, and generally annoying people with her less-than-obvious mixed-race appearance and her extreme INTJ personality. Marva's written freelance, as well as staffed on and developed animated series. She’s also worked in communications and content marketing. In her spare time, Marva enjoys writing big, genre-blending worlds with characters we all know but never get to see on television. When she's not writing, she reads, plays video games, watches tv and movies, doodles, attempts to exercise on a regular basis, and makes wild statements that worry her Dad.

GRAVEBOOKS | sHORT STORY

A short story about the dangers of the unknown. Based on the writing prompts: Cemetery Tale, Pool Hall, Bookworm.

First published on WritingBattle.com under pen name Jane Cartwright in November 2024.

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SOULMATE | SHORT STORY

A short story about seeing your soulmate for the first time and it turns out to be crushing. Based on the writing prompts: Comedy, Daydreamer, Balloon.

First published on WritingBattle.com under pen name Jane Cartwright in February 2025.

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EVERYTHING YOU HAVE | sHORT STORY

A short story about the nature of motherhood, based on the writing prompts: Adventure, Divine Ruler, Origami.

First published on WritingBattle.com under pen name Jane Cartwright in June 2025.

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THE HORRORS WE FACE FOR LOVE | SHORT STORY

A short story about immortal love arriving late. Based on the writing prompts: Vampirical Romance, Pizza Shop, Editor.

First published on WritingBattle.com under pen name Jane Cartwright in the autumn of 2025.

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The Book In Her Right Hand | hour long dramedy pilot

Earnestine Bin's life is a disaster; when she's not lost track of her keys, she can't find her bra... or sometimes her toilet. But when a strange book comes into her life, things get even messier as strange soldiers, a multi-dimensional flirt, and even her coworkers begin to notice that her biggest flaw may actually be her greatest power.

Winner, WeScreenplay TV Pilot Lab 2025
Semifinalist, WeScreenplay Diverse Voices Lab Spring 2025

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Miss Communications | hALF HOUR COMEDY

Obsessed with giant fighting robots, Jane Era dreams of getting a job working inside one, but only manages to land a job working in communications for a deeply toxic giant-fighting-robot-adjacent industry, where she'll have to learn to balance following her giant dreams with paying her giant-er student loans.

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TIME BAR | one hour dramedy

When the love of her life dies, leaving her a drinking establishment that exists outside of time and space, Shezera Whendrum is determined to leave it closed and move on with a normal life. But dangerous people and creatures are aware she's been left more than just a bar, and will stop at nothing -- even going so far as to kidnap Shezera's brothers -- to get what Shezera isn't even aware she has.

Winner, Script Summit Screenplay Contest Best Dialogue Category, 2019

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FUGUE | HALF HOUR COMEDY

On the 100th Anniversary of Naked Narwhal magazine, its iconic creator, Fugue Fefna really seems to have it all: she has the Narwhal mansion, a dozen boyfriends in their early twenties, and she looks pretty damn good for being 117 years old. But when two scientists develop an app that stands to change the porn industry forever, Fugue's going to have to learn a few new tricks, or at least remember some old ones, to keep her company afloat.

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