Mel Massey: Author and screenwriter.

Alas, poor Lugo!

Yep....Poor Lugo.

Alle, Vikings are really in right now. I guess we can thank The History Channel for that? Lots of publishers are looking for Viking stories as well. Wish I had some.

Hi Mel, doing one last round for the day, it now being 1:23 am, I thought I'd just acknowledge your mail and say hi! Great to share the news in here with you :) Will be back with you in a few days. Contract will be sorted. :)(

If your fantasy world has magical elements, consider outlining the magical "laws" first. I write fantasy novels and the most important thing to remember is to have a strict set of laws/limitations before any real action happens. Create your world one layer at a time as well . Geography, creatures, and rules will help make it believable.

I really liked the ideas presented. I like writing in a sci fy or fantasy world - you get to explore without the restraints of today's world, like convention and laws. But two things are really necessary. It's still always about the human condition and the things that people go through. There have to be conventions, laws, mores, rituals, etc. for it to seem real and to prevent the environment from becoming ready made for the moment (manipulated).

Yes I'm a guy but go shopping. Everything, everywhere inspires sometimes when you intentionally look and sometimes unintentionally. I went shopping the other day and looked at the stores as if I were shopping for props. I seen this God awful welcome mat that a characters wife could love, the husband hate and loathe and how it could become a common or few times used item of controversy. Fantasy check the toy isle or a novelty shop or even cheap dollar toys. Tool aisle's too, clearance isle you may just be amazed what can inspire. Try to talk to people too if your a conversationalist especially if they are in the same area looking at something. Be funny, be curious and open. Oh yeah only spent a dollar for a drink too. LOL!

Hello Ted. Welcome to the world of telling stories through film. I've been at it for a very long period of time I'm working on several screenplays at the same time and have produced, directed and acted in my own solo stage production which is available in book form, stage production and I am now working on perfecting the screenplay. My best advice is to get the 360 degree experience by watching award winning productions and study each work, from a cinematic POV. You will quickly learn how to pick up story line twists, character growth/development, symbolism, continuity, etc. This would be a good start, if I may suggest it. Getting into format, etc is not difficult at all. I'll send you some information as soon as I can make time, With tons of blessings. Amy Leo.

Thanks so much for your answer., Amy. Actually the 360 degree is exactly what I have been doing for 6 months or so which was led me to this intense interest in screenwriting. When you do have the time I would be grateful for any and all information, suggestions and ideas you can pass over. Thanks again. Ted Gross

Hi Tom ... I am in Pro Series 49 and love it.

Hi Rob! I'm lurking about the forums as I just recently became a member. However, I wanted to jump in here and give you a high-five. I'm coming from the opposite direction. I've published two books, the third is with my editor now. After being approached by an agent to consider this avenue (screenwriting), I've started to look into it. Not sure about the agent but I decided to adapt my novels into a screen play. Lots of reading and fact finding before I start has kept me pretty busy. Good for you and I enjoyed your blog post as someone from the exact opposite position. :-)

Although writing novels is different than screenwriting, they're not that dissimilar. When plotting a novel, you must know your character and locations in your mind. You must "see" everything and be able to translate that. Even if you're what's called a "pantser" (someone who does not outline prior to sitting down to write) you have some clue about a few things at least. But for those of us who outline our little hearts out before opening a Word document, then we have all the basic tools to also write the screenplay. Notice I said tools, how we use those tools for each project is very different.

Novel writing is a time commitment, to be sure. But Maggie's point is sound: you've already written the "roadmap" for your novel. What you add via the novel is depth and backstory, in ways you just may find undoable in a screenplay. When you're asked to 'adapt your novel into a screenplay,' it MAY be as simple as digging out the old script... or (you've rewritten it before) revisiting the screenplay with a new insight birthed by the novel writing. Alle and Dan... I am not as far down the path to getting produced as a lot of people here, but diving into the novelization was a liberating ride. I got to know my characters better, you might say, and solidify a story that was perhaps oversimplified and rendered in shorthand for the sake of making a pithy read. There is no standard evolving template for novels, the way that there is for screenplays – part of freeing one's self is to let go of the comfort of the cage. I say dive in without the water wings and see what happens. The worst scenario... you have a clearer mental picture of what you've written? (By the way, it's wonderful to converse with members of my tribe at last :) ) I don't have the definitive answer on anything. I simply found a grain of information that resonated with truth, for me, in this article. I wanted to pass it on – it may be the thing someone is looking for.

Thank you!

Hi Alan! Thank you. Right back atcha. :-)