For all the authors and playwrights in our community, a place to discuss, share content and post tips and advice.
Hi, I'm in developmental mode as a screenwriter and in need of a team of likeminded individuals and creative intellectuals to help build a supportive network. I am serious about building a network of opportunity and turn it into an unimaginable career. Fellow writers for sure, as well as agents, cre...
Expand postStage 32 crew so technically shouldn't reply BUT like Morgan Aitken says, you got everybody right here and waiting so start networking. What stage are you at with your novel and who are you looking fo...
Expand commentAlso to add, the creative industries can be super tough (and I've definitely had 'one of those' years,) but this is the place to find others in exactly the same position, which I find kind of reassuring...
Just interested. Any genre and screenwriting or novels. Watching The OA atm...
For me, it's character-driven. Interested to hear your thoughts on The OA. I'll save mine for when you've finished the show!
D.E. White for me, there’s no need to have a plot if you don’t have characters.
I watched the OA a while back and for me it just petered out. It was almost like the story-world expanded beyond its mea...
Expand commentD.E. White or to put it another way, characters are the flesh and bones of plot…
I prefer plot driven, because I think the human condition is fairly limited. Real people are mostly boring until they're made to respond to out of the ordinary situations. So for me the plot is most i...
Expand commentI have 8 chapters of my light novel, “Starseed” written, should I finish the novel completely before I can pitch it or bring it to a director or literary agent. My thought process is that if they like the idea, they will work with me as I produce each chapter.
Morgan Aitken I hear what you're saying and I know it's hard. But I've not quit my job yet I'm enjoying the journey because even when you've written that book, screenplay or whatever and it's done wel...
Expand commentWell done on your writing journey so far, but I would echo what others have said, for a lit agent for fiction, it must be finished and polished before you pitch. The agents will be spending a lot of t...
Expand commentMorgan Aitken and if you don’t have a day job?
and if you don't have a day job? Ah Geoff Hall ... you caught me with my bahookie hanging out the window on that one. I've never had a job, and I've never really been famous (except for that CC TV foo...
Expand commentMorgan Aitken so, if you don't have a day job to give up. Just give up? Or listen to The Postal Service's Album 'Give Up'. I prefer the latter. Hehe!
Has anyone ever visited one?
And no: checking out your own site doesn't count (or spying on the competition).
Cool Debbie Croysdale ! Script to novel, and jumping in and out of characters' heads. Living many lives in a flash of time, or being a director, actors, and stage manager of a play in your own head.
I...
Expand commentI did, to see how the sites look and what's there. Honestly, I think people are delusional. Everyone is a writer nowadays. Everyone has written books. There is just not enough readers. And I doubt they'll be interested in the authors who aren't professionally published.
I spy on loads of authors via websites lol. No, seriously, it's just a tool, and if you are hoping to get booked for speaking/panels they always ask to see your website. Journalists too, and bookshops...
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Writing really is a profession.
We as writers could be (sometimes) more proud of that. (Even though I am additionally engaged as a director, for me writing is an essential start to directing.)
Last week I received a question from a dramaturg of one of the national Dutch television broadcasters. She...
Expand postI'm a writer but it's not my profession. If it earnt me enough, it would be. But, alas, it doesn't. So I have to rely on my other career for income.
Writing is hard work. One of my favorite quotes is from Ernest Hemingway about "writing is easy." He said: There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.
It is hard work, indeed, Debbie. One important note,: I'm earning money with writing for 20 years now, but for the most part it is with commercial and business-like tasks. As a ghostwriter, speechwrit...
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We always do this on our writing retreats, so I thought it might be a good time to do one on here too!
What have you achieved as part of your writing goals this year?
What do you hope to achieve in 2023?
Mine are:
Another book out in my crime series, a standalone written and delivered to my agent (out o...
Expand postThis year, I was able to write a number of treatments, create a pitch deck for one of them and I'm almost finished with the pilot episode for a kids animated project. I'd love a social media makeover...
Expand commentCrikey! Another year? I've gotten nothing but older, gone further through the cracks, deeper into hiding and a lot poorer with book adverts that did embarrassingly nothing. I have, mind you, made a fu...
Expand commentHey there, authors and playwrights, my name is Cee. I am working on a brand new holiday-themed graphic novel based on my "Ryder & The Deer Guardians" idea, but I do need help writing dialogue according to the story.
Wow, this is awesome, I can help you out in writing each character's backstory and the dialogues. If you're interested, I have sent you an invitation. Let's chat, hope to hear from you soon. Thanks
I've been trying to figure out how a graphic novel is different from a comic book, or a storyboard, for that matter.
Hi Cee Whirx I hope I can be of help to you. And thanks Shellie Schmals for this....
Expand commentCee Whirx what is your story about?
Morgan Aitken a graphic novel is a comic book. The first graphic novel ‘Watchmen’ was originally sold as 9 or 10 issues. But since it all told one story then they released it in one book. Thus coining...
Expand commentI agree, Julia Warren. I like to outline an idea before writing the script, but sometimes I just have to step aside and let my intuition (or story and characters) lead. :)
I can't share it yet, because of an NDA, but the cover for the sci-fi novel I've posted about previously is finally settled on. The image, layout, and everything else is approved by all the important people. And I'm happy with the way it turned out. I actually did some of the graphic design work mys...
Expand postCongratulations! Can’t wait to see it! That’s a hard decision, and I’m sure a great relief to check off the list.
Morgan Aitken I can share the major concept of the novel. I just can't share the cover or assets from the novel. Originally I was contracted to write an animated series, which I have posted about in t...
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They quoted Chekhov in Frankenstein's Monster's Monster, Frankenstein as well. Apparently he said it in 1883 (it was noted down by Ilya Gurliand); there is a longer quote from his book on writing:
‘If you say in the first chapter that a rifle is hanging on the wall, then in the second or third chapte...
Expand postThanks, Julia Warren! I think about this quote when I write scripts, but I couldn't remember who said it.
It's a handy one, isn't it? I saw his Fortune's Fool at the Old Vic - amazing stuff; loved the set, the lighting and the play with shadows. He was an avid chess player, and chess seems to pop up quite...
Expand commentI'm terrible at chess, Julia Warren. Haha Craig D Griffiths made a video about plot holes I think ties in with Chekhov's quote (https://www.stage32.com/media/3154588592005718763)....
Expand commentCatching up on writing and audiobooks today. Didn’t think I’d be able to write 2k words in one session. Also converting some narrations I got done. Digital Marketing is also doing better- hundreds of engagements on my end. And should be hearing back soon on being an Amazon Affiliate.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Morgan Aitken it’s a way for marketing. I have my social media viewed everyday (over 100 engagements per day). Signing up with Amazon Affiliate means they get paid from the traffic (clicks). I get pai...
Expand commentWilliam Schumpert -- re Amazon Affiliate: you put their adverts on your site. If someone clicks on one of the Amazon adverts you get paid. Have I got that right? And if so, how much do you tend to mak...
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Such an apt description! Still trying to figure out which "rabbit" to hang on to!
Hi, Julia Warren. Hope you had a great Christmas. Can you explain what you mean by "What do you do if/when ideas bubble over the edge of the plot?" Thanks.
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Bunnies! Oooo, cute. Maybe kittens, or puppies -- funny little puppies next -- I just wuv witty bitty puppies. Yeah, festive season makes meeting posting minimums a real bitch. ;-)
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2023 Lunar New Year begins in late January it's The Year of the Rabbit !!
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This happens for me with events, I want to keep adding on to make it extraextra but at some point, I kill the darlings and bank the ideas for next time! Love the rabbit analogy!