On Writing : Can you make a novel out of a script? by Alex Marroquin

Yes. There are several screenwriters that have turned their scripts into novels.

I was writing a MOW style script and then saw Hallmark Publishing had a free submission contest for novels so I turned the story into a novel at the same time as writing the script. I would say it's easier to turn the script into the novel than the other way around.

I'm currently turning my published books into a screenplay. I can't say which is easier because with a book for the most part you have so much room to be descriptive where in a screenplay you have a few lines max to really convey a scene. Though, I finished my first feature screenplay in 2 weeks where it took me months to finish one book. So both have their pros and cons.

I've written both scripts and novels, and one of my books, called Sight Unseen, was written based on a screenplay. It is certainly a different mode of writing needed for each one. I'm currently doing another one for a customer, as this is my business.

I published my screenplay in book form. Had to change some of the formatting, but it worked out okay. It's called The Projectionist and is available at all good online bookstores. And Amazon.

My speciality :) I wrote a self-contained script into a novel but realised it was too short as a standalone story, so I wrote two sequels to make a trilogy and novelised those as well to make an epic book. :)

It was a huge undertaking. But early reviews from beta readers are all extremely positive.

You certainly can, but pitching to publishers and literary agents is just as difficult. But it’s cheaper to self publish than make an independent film.

I did it with three of my screenplays. I'm presently turning on of the novels into a series bible/pitch deck for streaming. What I did was take each chapter and write it up as a scene - then expand and add in whatever is missing. Long process - but very fun.

I've wondered that as well. I think either way you go, it's about putting in the work and getting the content out there. Keep at it and see the project through! If you believe in it, someone else will too. :)

Yes it's possible. I've done it both ways. Book to script - and script to book. Heck, I've even gone short script, to feature, to graphic novel (6 issues).

But as always, it's about being able to either self market, or get some agent or publisher excited enough to take on the marketing. It has to be that good.

Yes, it's certainly possible. I have experience doing the whole writing screenplay to novel with a couple of screenwriters in the US. One of the screenplays was adapted from short screen play, to full length novel, then back to a full piece screenplay. I've also done novel to screenplay, so I'm well versed in both. It's well worth having the screen play AND a novel to target all the creative markets in my opinion.

The only way I can write a book is if I write is a script first. It's my outlining process.

Yes, it can be done. And vice versa

Alex Marroquin I find this to be a very interesting question especially since I am trying to do the opposite: book-to-screen adaptations. If you haven't already I would recommend checking out some of the available webinars on the Stage 32. There's a few that may be helpful but the one that sticks out to me the most based on the topic you're asking about is this one: https://www.stage32.com/webinars/Book-to-Screen-Taking-Your-Book-or-Scre...

If you ever want additional feedback on your script, feel free to check out Stage 32's scripts coverages as well to get feedback from professionals in the industry.

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If you have questions on who may be the best person to connect with, Stage 32's director of script services, Jason Mirch at j.mirch@stage32.com can point you in the right direction.

I take a pitch into a novel, and know people who did the other way round, so yes, it's possible.

Absolutely.

I did exactly that... Published and sold on Amazon / Smashwords / and all good online bookstores.

I have jumped genres several times: screenplay to play, play to novel, novel to screenplay. I think the key issue is that you look at each project freely -- meaning you don't try to be wed to the original but use the assets of each genre to enhance or even re-invent the new work. If you do that, you can come up with something splendid. Surprisingly what's been hardest for me is transforming a play into a screenplay because there's so much dialogue and so little action....

I'm currently adapting my screenplay into a novel as part of a larger transmedia project, so it's not necessarily only if the screenplay fails that one might adapt it to a different format. The novel could be used to build a readership which can then be used as an asset for investors- a pre-established property with a built-in audience.

I would say, however, it would appear I'm not as adept at novel writing as I am screenwriting. It's an entirely different discipline.

I'm adapting my screenplay to novel. Yes, it's possible. I know a writer who first writes the script and then the novel, the scripts gives a complete structure, then she has to add "words and feelings" but most of the job is done.

Above I wrote about jumping genres from novel to screen play and play to novel but next I’m going to try to turn a unpublished Manuscript into a dramatic series. I think it will work because each of the chapters has the potential to become an individual episode with some development of course. Well We’ll see....

I did, yes. :)

I've gone both ways. Made a novel into a script and a script into a novel. The big difference is the description/fill in the blanks stuff that a director would do for you. But I found it helpful when I was going back and forth. That each fed something good into the other. :-)