Doug Richardson: Screenwriter and author in Los Angeles, California.

Hey Tommy Lee. Been away awhile. Glad I came back to collect your pithy critique. Cheers.

Outstanding question, Ryan. I'm thinking of the reader always. Not second guessing what they want to read, otherwise I'd be paralyzed. I start with a story I want to tell then put all the work into telling it well. To be compelling. I'm always asking "why does somebody want to turn the page." The craft is to get the reader to start then eventually finish with the feeling that their time was well invested. And that goes for my showbiz "audience" too. Otherwise I'm just being boring. As to whether they understood it? As you know, good stories are layered. If they get just the surface tale, fine. If they get every syllable, even better. But not everyone is going to be a fan. Different tastes.

Thanks for taking the time to respond, Doug. Only, how would you answer your own question? What do you believe keeps your audience turning the page, so to speak? Of course I don't expect a certain answer, as I've often heard one writes in order to prove they can keep their audience attentive. There's an uncertainty implied, isn't there? But underlying that question is--as you said, not everyone will become a fan--who do you expect to be interested in reading/watching the story you want to tell? Can you choose your audience? (Or, do you choose them by choosing what story you want to tell?) As a side question (and sorry, I know this is a lot, and probably not asked very well) do you feel any similarity in writing novels, and in writing screenplays? In the context of reaching your audience. The producers, etc are a kind of intermediary audience, no? In that the audience of the completed film see the results of many people's work. Is it similar working with editors and publishers for a novel?

Still discovering my audience. As a novelist, it's crime fiction. That's a pretty stat pool to draw from. And the trick is drawing from it because it's a competitive space. And then there's the blog audience. And that just grows on it's own. Thanks Denise.

The details of your journey made for a great read. Oh yea, congratulations on your many, many successes.

Can't speak for the softness of RR's hair, only the strength of his handshake and the softness of his voice. As for superb screenwriting, there's much to choose from depending on genre. Look for screenplays written by Steve Zaillian, Scott Frank,Tom Schulman...

Appreciate it, Doc.

Well, you've got something working for you. If you write a book that somebody wants to make into a movie, you've got the leverage to write the script. Guess what. You just got noticed.

I'm signed with a Film/TV with four adapted screenplays from my books and one original on the docket, no telling if they'll get picked up or not...

Hi ...I am just beginning to be a writer and film maker at a ripe old age too. If you have an itch, why not scratch it...You never know where it might take you.So far I am on my third movie. low budget though they maybe the first two exceeded my expectations. Happy to say the next two are already gaining a lot of interest. (Cellar Whispers) in particular and it is a cracker...I have high hopes for it's success. This goes to show that no matter how challenging your ambition is ...NEVER let that itch go unscratched. A wind swept journey over rugged unchartered territory is always more exciting than a mowed lawn. My blessings are with all who follow their unchartered journey into the world of the greatest gift to mankind .....THE CINEMA...kind regards .Sheila.

Fun part about the refrigerated set was that it was an unusually hot week in L.A. So walking up to this huge soundstage with a phalanx of massive refrigeration units pumping frozen air in was a trip to see. As for your question, I believe that anything that gets you read by professionals and delivers you opportunity or quality feedback is a solid plus. You need to get noticed. It's opportunities where and how you get noticed that continue to evolve. And don't forget to always work on your craft, Ted. Producers and studios want you to be ready when that moment of discovery happens.

And I'm grateful for that. Thanks.

Great article. After making films, I too have turned to writing books. A storybook is like directing a movie. You got to create the whole cast, sets, costumes and hair!!! But 1 actor does all the words you! Ok and a editor. Thanks for your inspiring blog post. :) "Jack The Bear And Golden Hair"

Thank you anyway.

Only sets I visited were in LA. They were so short of snow they ended up refrigerating an entire soundstage at Fox and brought in snow machines.

Thanks for the reply Doug... personally, my favorite part/line of Die Hard 2 is when the female desk attendant flirts with Bruce Willis and asks him out for a drink after she gets off work, and he nudges his wedding band and replies, "Just the fax ma'am... just the fax." Classic! In terms of knowing your audience, a few months ago after morning mass, I started playing some blues on piano, and one of the older nuns came up and told me, "I don't like it when you play that kind of music." She's used to me playing Bach-sounding pieces... and it's been a good lesson to learn: Play to the space... and know what your audience likes. Don't give 'em X if they want Y, eh? One of the things I've come to enjoy about your writing Doug reminds me of a line from the Tim Burton movie Big Fish where Albert Finney tells his son: "You always wanted the facts with none of the flavor." Your writing provides an abundance of savory flavor... with a wide array of wordplay you display... Well. Cheers for a superb weekend Doug... and blessing to you and your family. Brian