Phyllis K Twombly
One thing I check my writing for is a repetition of a word or phrase that can jar the ear when heard or the eye when read. For example, if something floats in one sentence nothing else should float within a paragraph or two at the very least. Thanks again for posting here. All recommendations are gratefully accepted.
Thank you for giving us this window into the other side of screenplay competitions. It helps to have a short list when there are so many out there (many of which are currently cramming the inbox of screenwriters everywhere.) I keep telling myself to wear blinders until my work is complete. There will always be another competition but there's only one chance to make a good first impression.
That's RIGHT, Phyllis! Competitions are fun and a great way to set deadlines but they are frosting compared to just generating fresh work. The writer who you are competing against is writing every single day, no matter what.
It's great that you help people at all stages of development, from finding resources likes books and podcasts to connecting with collaborative filmmakers. Thanks.
Appreciate you recognizing all of this, Phyliss...So much more to come. Thanks for being so active.
Thanks Phyllis. Just the tip of the iceberg. We're very excited about the future of this community at Stage 32.
Very interesting and enjoyable podcast. Coincidentally my publisher called while I was listening to inform me of their new program for overtures to filmmakers. My response will be different than it would have been. Good timing. Thank you.
good good good!
Best of luck, Phyllis...
Just wondering what your thoughts are about the April Fool's Day tradition. Being politically correct hasn't quite gotten passe, so it's easy to take a joke too far. Newspapers still print fake articles with 'apologies' and retractions close behind; albeit with a bit of the 'gotcha' factor. My personal take--a joke, whenever it's played, should never be mean spirited (and this is highly subjective, as one person might not realize how sensitive another is) and should never result in damage, loss of income or extra work for the 'target.' Another words, don't make someone else clean up your crap, even if it's jelly meant to make the tp stick to the car.
The prank I regretted most was jumping out suddenly at a coworker who chided me with: "Why would you do that? I'm a smoker!" after she climbed down from the ceiling.
My publisher has informed me that my Martian Symbiont series (Been Blued, Martian Blues & Martian Divides) is being converted into modern e-book format. All three titles were originally available as e-books but the first two were published before things like Amazon's Kindle and B&N's Nook were developed. So the early e-books were readable on a computer but that was about it. Ironically this comes about after I've spent the last year (plus) learning how to write screenplays. I always wanted my stories to be made into film. It wasn't until after being published that I learned about screenwriting. In retrospect one of the smartest things I did was use a self-publishing service (iUniverse) so I retained the rights to my exegetical world and characters. I plan on writing the screenplays for the series in the future. Right now I'm finishing other screenplays and getting comfortable with the formatting. This has been a conversion process for the author as well.
I really don't know if traditional publishers have begun asking the author's opinion regarding the graphics. Look at some of the scifi book covers and you might find a total disconnect with the back cover copy. In fact you may be left wondering, WTF where they thinking? Eye candy, of course. Bright and unusual graphics always grab the eye quicker. Fortunately movie posters tend to be more indicative of the actual content. I can't speak for other self-publishers but I had a great experience with iUniverse. They're about as close to a traditional publisher as you can get, as far as wanting revisions, author input and commitment. In other words you're responsible to complete the work of your book content. If you want their people to do rewrites or editing you'll pay extra. But they'd rather you do your own work.
Thanks. Anyone out there in the community I'll be glad to trade covers for some editing or screen writing co-op. If it's not in a hurry I'll gladly to covers for a credit. Here is an example of a CD cover I designed I am very multifaceted and versatile and love all sorts of graphic styles. I can be original or work along a "look" yo like. http://bit.ly/Hj5NJu
Hi, thought I would chime in. As a self-publishing author the responsibility lies with me in all aspects of book production, but control over graphics, insertions, etc. are primarily why I decided to self-publish. The trad publishers do not ask the authors for their input into the process; they just go ahead and do what they are comfortable with, which sometimes completely destroys the marketability of the book. My history with book covers, for example, is that I do try to include some aspect of the plot or a symbolic summary of the plot, rather than slap on a stock photo and a title and hope it catches a reader's eye. That would never happen with traditional publishers. I'll post a few samples of my covers on my profile. I am thinking of revamping one cover, but then that is also my perogative as publisher.
Photos of my best covers are on the profile now in my "Book Covers" gallery.
About Phyllis
- Gender: Female
Phyllis's Desert Island Movies
FOR SURE; alliterations, repetitive words, all of that stuff. Make it very easy for the reader :)
Great read Julie. Compact and packed with information.
Which begs the question... can a script have too much, or conversely too little, dialog?
Yes, it can. But the question isn't really relevant: dialogue is one of the primary ways that your characters communicate and that the plot moves forward. The question really should be: is this premise working? Is it compelling? It is original? Is it uniquely entertainig? Is it a page turner? :)