Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Alexandra Pell on May 22, 2010 at 6:54pm

Hi, everyone.

I mainly write short stories and am currently editing a draft of my first novel, but I've co-written a screenplay with my partner. He is a screenwriter, and working with him on this has been amazing. I've learned so much about plotting (my weak spot), and it's been invaluable.

I am not completely sure when I will write another screenplay, but I'm sure I will do so sooner or later.

Permalink Reply by Renee Threatte on July 5, 2010 at 12:05pm

Hey folks!
New to SW and really excited to have stumbled on this community. I'm a NYC based actor and avid reader. Confession: despite working on many new plays and projects with writers I've always been a little intimidated by the process myself. Then I realized that all artists, writers, dancers, painters, musicians- all of us are storytellers. We just have different ways of expressing it. Why can't I branch out?
So here I am.

I'm currently working on a novel and television pilot.

Permalink Reply by dianejwright on July 5, 2010 at 4:16pm

Welcome, Renee. Don't be shy about starting discussions. Often wall post threads get lost in the shuffle. NYC is a fantastic place to be a writer in this country! Enjoy! You're just scared to put yourself on paper. We all are and it doesn't really get easier if you're doing it well. :) Welcome to it.
djw

Permalink Reply by Pauline Frederica Kiernan on July 15, 2010 at 2:05am

Hi Renee
Welcome to the group. Sounds like you've realised straight away what lots of new screenwriters take time to recognise - that screenwriters are storytellers above all else.

What I find with my writers is that they think writing a screenplay is very different from writing a novel or even a play, and get all hung up on structure. The great thing is to concentrate on the characters, let your imagination take wing and see where your characters lead you.

That you're an actor means you've got a fantastic start - you've been inhabiting character's lives and inner emotions - and that's exactly what a screenwriter needs to do!

Very best luck with your writing.
All good wishes,
Pauline
www.pauline-kiernan.com
www.unique-screenwriting.com

Permalink Reply by Melanie Sweeney on July 11, 2010 at 11:47am

Hello,

I am so new to screenwriting that I'm still waiting on some textbooks from Amazon. I'm in an MFA program for fiction and have been writing short stories since before I knew that's what they were. I just finished the first draft of my first novel a few weeks ago and am plugging away at editing it. This has been a rough year for me - lots and lots of rejection as I'm trying to publish short stories in lit mags that I love. I've been exposed to new writers and new teachers as well, which has altered in many ways what and how I write. I guess it's an important transition, but it left me feeling off-kilter, which is what made me, in a roundabout way, look into screenwriting - not because I think it's any easier or less full of rejection because I don't, but because it's something different to get excited about.

I also started painting this summer. And there are barn swallows whose eggs just hatched above my back door, and I've spent hours each day watching them and waiting for little beaks to jut up over the top of the nest. These things keep me energized while I struggle with writing.

Permalink Reply by Pauline Frederica Kiernan on July 11, 2010 at 12:28pm

Hi Melanie
Welcome to the group.

I'm a screenwriter who's gone through almost every screenwriting guru book, as well as done numerous courses and masterclasses.

I'm on a mission to drag screenwriting advice into the 21st century as there are far too many manuals out there re-hashing the same one size fits all templates which basically encourage aspiring writers to create scripts that are derivative, formulaic and forgettable - and don't have a hope of getting developed.

So I hope you don't mind my suggesting that you let your imagination fire up with your stories before getting trapped into the guru straitjackets that too often stifle the creative brain. As you write prose fiction you already have an understanding of storytelling. And writing screenplays is storytelling. And as with all stories there are myriad ways of approaching how we write screenplays. The books only give you one way to write them!

Hope our paths will be crossing.
And good luck with your writing.
Best wishes
Pauline
www.pauline-kiernan.com

Permalink Reply by nanci richards on July 14, 2010 at 7:11pm

hi

I joined your group because every story I write, I imagine what it would look like on screen. I truly am at the beginning of screenwriting. Curious about this genre. One thing I just did was I read all of my favorite films to see how the original story was. Funny thing is most people read the book first. So I would love to listen in on your lingo and start, somewhere. I am currently writing a romantic/comedy , which spans 30 years and takes place in the US and in Ireland , I also hope to see it one day as a film.

Permalink Reply by Melanie Smith Bates on July 19, 2010 at 9:27pm

Hello, my name is Melanie and I am a screenwriter and a novelist. I received a Masters Degree in Dramatic Writing from New York University eons ago and have been writing screenplays for a little over a decade. I am currently working on revising a couple of scripts as well as a novel. When I’m not chasing two active little boys and tending to a newborn as well as working on my writing projects, I write book reviews for a national magazine. I am really excited to be a part of this group. It’s great to be here.

Permalink Reply by Corrie Ann Gray on August 10, 2010 at 10:25pm

Hi everyone - I started out writing short stories many years ago and found the practice of writing conducive to my introvert personality. I started taking my writing seriously (even went as far as going the MFA route - long story) in 1999. It all started while I was in an English class at Marymount College. We read a book that was loosely based on an unsolved murder in Los Angeles. I was intrigued and soon found myself obsessed with the case and the victim. I started drafting scenes and outlines, lot's of notes and brainstorming and realized I needed (really - it is a real need) to write a novel. The working title is Beth and it is a ghost story.

Yes, I started the novel many moons ago; however, I found myself stuck with no ending that satisfied me. I don't want to solve the murder in the book. I came to a point where I knew I had to set it aside. During that time a dear friend of mine begged me to write a screenplay of a story that he developed (he is not a writer, and yes, he begged for two years - I was stubborn). I was finally itching for a project, and having not even thought of writing a screenplay before (stage plays were in my writing history to that point) I said, "what the heck." Over a few years we molded his story into a great screenplay - Tsubaki - if I do say so myself. It is currently on the desk of a high-profile producer who actually has interest in making it into a feature film - imagine that! We should hear the final word in a week or so.

In the meantime I've turned my attention back to Beth. I have decided to take a different spin on the original story concept, but it still remains a ghost story. My goal is to have a first, completed draft by the end of 2010 (hold me over the coals on this, please!).

I currently have a corporate job (18 years today) with a major automotive company (you may have heard of it in the news lately), and while I love the work and the people, it is time for me to meander on outta there. I'm developing a writing/coaching organization and will relocate to New Mexico - the new movie capital.

In my "spare" time I am a freelance copywriter. Whew...that's all folks. For now at least.

Permalink Reply by Julie Kenner (aka JK Beck) on August 18, 2010 at 10:17am

Hi y'all -- I'm a novelist with a background in film (my undergrad degree) and I'd still love to get a screenplay produced; would love to be working on both fronts. I worked in LA for a while as an attorney doing entertainment related work, but now I'm back in Texas. I've had some traction on some treatments I've written, been paid to write one screenplay eons ago, won/placed in a few contests, and have more ideas than I know what to do with! Time is my big factor--since the novels pay the mortgage they come first. Plus, I homeschool my kids. Anyone know how to buy 48 hour days? Oh, and one of my novels, Carpe Demon, is currently in development, but I'm not the screenwriter. I will, however, happily wear a new dress to the premier and pig out on popcorn!

Permalink Reply by Fi Phillips on September 7, 2010 at 3:14am

I've been writing murder mystery plays for my business Murdering The Text since 1997. I'm constantly writing a novel too.

More recently, my husband and I put together a pilot script for a sitcom and we're currently working on a pilot script for a sci fi/time travel tv drama.

Fi
x

Permalink Reply by dianejwright on September 7, 2010 at 4:46pm

Welcome all!

Stephanie, documentary-making is such an interesting topic. Would you start a discussion in our group? I bet we have members who are dying to learn from your experiences so far. Creating a compelling story from footage is one of the most difficult tasks I've seen (witness!) and it's great to see more and more storytellers diving in. Tell us what it's been like for you?

Fi, glad to have a playwright with us. Maybe you'd share your observations with us on writing for the stage vs. writing for the screen in a discussion? A note I find myself giving to new screenwriters (and sometimes not so new) is that actors need not walk into a scene, play it out, then walk out as on the stage. I'd love to hear what else you've noticed as you work on your pilot. Hey, that's what our discussion board is for, right?

We have such a diverse group in terms of experience. My wish for us all is that we all get as much as we have to give from being here together.
djw

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