I started off writing short stories, tossed novels into the mix and then discovered screenwriting. I was so enamored that shelved a novel I was a third the way through and focused solely on screenplays.
Well, after finding out that the legendary Ramsey Campbell praised one of my short stories, I figured I’d write one just because. Wow, what a difference those screenplays has done for me. I focus on story so much more now, fleshing out the characters in a much more visual way, using dialogue when necessary but focusing more on showing emotion, intention and the scene.
I have to say, I’m much more pleased with my writing now.
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That's incredible, congratulations! I love how stepping into a new medium can improve the one you're already familiar with. I, too, used short films to improve my television writing. I've been writing a lot of blogs this past year and I think it's made me a better writer all around.
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Thank you, and congratulations to you as well! I used to blog when I first started writing but fell off a long time ago. Maybe I should start back up again. Crazy enough, I’ve dropped 2500 words on a new short story in the last two days and I’m still inspired to work on my latest spec feature.
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That's awesome! "Show don't tell" is important in both mediums but carried out in many different ways so it's great to practice and I agree that it makes for a stronger writer. Keep going!
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How are you, Nicholas? Nice to meet you. I wrote a short story once. It was about Humpty Dumpty. I enjoy writing screenplays more. Out of short stories, commercials, podcast scripts, radio scripts, screenplays, etc., I think screenplays are the best.
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Hi Maurice- I’m great! How are you today? I love writing screenplays, I’d say I’m the same as you. Out of everything that’s what I enjoy the most.
Meg - I haven’t read that series of books, guessing I should? It’s really interesting how writing short stories and such can help with story structure in screenplays.
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I'm doing ok, Nicholas. I finished up a short script today. I'm watching a webinar on Stage 32 ("Is Your Script Not Getting Noticed? Turn It Into IP"). My main focus is screenwriting, but I think some of my short scripts can be turned into short stories, articles, etc.