Authoring & Playwriting

What incredible responses [jawdrop emoji]. Thank you, all.

It's a great tool to help with loglines, especially when you struggle with sharing a story in a single sentence.

I'll also echo the same thought as many: while I'm generally against AI in this field of endeavour, if you're doing it for some basic research or to inspire you (maybe creating some visuals to help put a character firmly in your mind's eye when you write), then that's one thing, but for analysis, it's a big fat no. You might think what you get from AI notes is insightful, but I can assure you any script consultant or story analyst worth their salt will find holes. And at the end of the day, who do you make your stories for? Humans or AI? The answer to that question will inform you who you'll really need to check and provide feedback on your story.

I have read some AI generated novels and they are awful. As an English professor, it concerns me because some people are actually reading them. I'm finding that AI is great for generating scenarios. As I move through the first draft of my fifth novel, I'll reach a "what-to-do-next" point. I feed in some ideas on AI and see what it comes up with. I do that repeatedly. It's like adding fertilizer to a garden. The garden in my creative mind.

John! That is So interesting. Certainly a reasonable and controlled experiment you are doing -- and: with the awareness you have, you're not ever going to fall "victim" to it. I really appreciate this comment, thank you.

Good luck! I have turned to ghost writing novels as the requester doesn't generally care if I'm not a minority person.

Try google.. list of book publishers 'Reedsy"..Also I think the UK has a healthier attitude towards the query letter regarding books... though I fear the publishing landscape we associate with a Norman Mailer or a Stephen king is gone.

Have you tried this site? They send monthly details. I also pay to use Duotrope and get a weekly update e-mail. At the site, you cab search a database by parameters such as length, subject, genre, target audience if over 5K journals, e-zines, agents, etc. At $50.00 a year, it's worth it.

https://publishedtodeath.blogspot.com/2024/04/85-calls-for-submissions-i...

You'll see headings such as Agents Seeking Clients; Publishers,Seeking Unagented Manuscripts, Calls for Submissions, Paying Markets ...

Gonna have to disagree with you on Query Mangler. Most submitees request that a writing sample be pasted into a QM field, which strips away almost all formatting, necessitating lengthy fixes before hitting SUBMIT. Thankfully, some agents accept samples as .docx or .pdf uploads. Pasting into a gmail email below the query at least retains the formatting.

A. S. Templeton I get where you're coming from, but I think the form gives you the benefit of the doubt for formatting to the publisher. Also, I write in blocks. Unless specifically requested in different format, my manuscripts are in block, because it's way easier to manage them when submitting in various methods. So formatting for the form isn't a huge problem for me.

@JohnRoane

I quit Scrivener back in 2018 and never looked back. The index cards, scrivenings, and project-organisation features were just okay for my first project... until I entered the revision phase. Lack of true styles, extremely sluggish global search & replace, drag-and-drop formatting nightmares, and bloated directory structures quickly made the project impossible to manage. I finally exported to Word, which, with a few choice editing add-ons, has become a powerful tool for my writing... and notably lacks a 750pp manual.

That’s terrifying. I’ve used Scrivener for 5 years and have thankfully never encountered that nonsense. It’s great for series work but I admittedly don’t use all the features.

Like any tech-based tool, you gotta feel out what works for you. I know people who live Scrivener and use it religiously. Meanwhile, I have little desire to learn yet another tool to use for writing. I’m just now getting the hang of FinalDraft after 6 years of using it, lol.

To be perfectly honest I really do not trust any of these 'software programs' as after several years and having lost at least 2/3 memory sticks we are now having to start all over again....

As we value the right to life I am stuck with apps like Google but you can change the fonts in Microsoft word.

My laptop has OpenOffice and that's what I'm sticking to.

Best wishes

Linda

Thanks, Ashley Renee Smith - hopping in to ask Shannon a question right now.

B.J. Cyprian, Stage 32 has Adaptation Reviews where you can connect with an Executive for advice and feedback. You can learn more HERE: https://www.stage32.com/scriptservices/coverage/buy?id=66

B.J. Cyprian one aspect to think through is that lit representation for a novel is different than representation for screenwriting. Typically, an agency focuses on one or the other. Every now and then you'll find an agency (like Verve) who has agents on both sides, but even there, the agents don't do both, just one or the other typically.

Also, for the IP to have value for a manager or agent, it's got to have success in terms of sales numbers. So I'd caution against self-publishing a novel and then thinking you can turn right around and sell the script as IP.

Now, if your novel is a runaway hit, great. Then the IP is worth something in terms of a screenplay adaptation! Even books that have been traditionally published can struggle to get picked up on an IP deal if the sales numbers were lackluster.

If you really want your pilot to be a TV show...focus on that. Focus on making it the best damn pilot ever and finding a manager or agent (or both) who will champion it alongside you. Turning it into a novel first is at best a distraction and, at worst, could actually sabotage your chances for success, not boost them.

Hi B.J. Cyprian - I recommend this Stage 32 webinar on how to find the right literary manager for your career - Krista is an awesome resource and I find her insights super valuable: https://www.stage32.com/education?p=8944865673523

I make comic books. You want one in your movie?

This sounds like a very cool project. Can you share what the film is about or are you asking more broadly?

Clay Walker I'd love to, but they're adult romance... What an awesome opportunity though!

Hello Lark, Sam, Preston please send me an email walkercs2004@yahoo.com Thanks Clay Walker

Lark Anderson ,

What an amazing read. Lori is inspiring, educational, and completely on point. Thanks for the share, Maurice Vaughan.

You're welcome, Sam Sokolow. Lori's blog is great for screenwriters and filmmakers too.

You need a ghost writer or partner. They are on here I think in jobs.

Browse the members. I mean those who live near you. Then you may discuss over a cup of coffee.

Hi, Judy Tenen. I agree with Terri Jay and Göran Johansson about hiring a ghostwriter, writer, or writing partner.

If you have a half-hearted desire to promote your concept, it'll show when you pitch, which will affect your pitch.

There are written Pitch Sessions and video Pitch Sessions. You can find the details about Pitch Sessions on any Pitch Session page (www.stage32.com/scriptservices/pitch-sessions). Each page also has what type of projects the executives, managers, etc. are experienced with. If you need help deciding who to pitch to, email success@stage32.com and let them know what your goal is. They’ll give you some suggestions.

Check out this Stage 32 course I taught on pitching TV seiries - I only recommend because it covers some of your questions. Hope this helps: https://www.stage32.com/education?p=8944915120435

I do not recommend pitch sessions. I can work with you to help develop your idea into a script.

https://www.stage32.com/media/3500252380887264882?ref=search

Allow me to make a comment about Scrivener. I have used this program for years. They continue to upgrade and I own the latest edition. It is a complex and quirky program. The creators are obviously brilliant individuals, but I truly believe they don't think like writers. They think like computer programmers. I attempted to download the manual for the new version and it's 750 pages. What's wrong with that picture"? I was working on my novel when it suddenly disappeared. I couldn't find it, so I emailed Literature and Latte. They told me some steps that didn't work, so I ended up giving them control of my computer. It required several days for them to find it. Since then I am afraid of it and use Word. I am the type of writer that when I want to write, I want to do it. Scrivener has become so cumbersome from my point of view that I spend too much time with the workings of the program rather than my writing. I purchased a new manual from Amazon, one of those supposedly easy use explanations. All it does is make me feel stupid.

John Roane I believe your comment is in the wrong place. What post were you commenting on? I can move it to correct one so others, who can help you, can see it.. Otherwise I will need to delete this. Thank you.

Move it where it needs to go. Thanks. I have had problems with Scrivener, and out of frustration, am now using Word to write my novel. I does the same thing as Scrivener, just in a different way. After years of using it, I am very proficient with it.

Leonardo Ramirez I first heard Andy Weir's story of getting The Martian published while taking of tour of Sony Pictures studio lot in Hollywood. I love that story.

I encourage you to raise your expectations.

Yeah, Terrence Sellers. It’s a great story.

Thanks for that info, Jonathan.

Terrence, appreciate the heads-up on this. Too true about vanity predators.

Thanks, Jonathan Jordan. I mainly get clients because I'm active on Stage 32. Thanks again for having this AMA. It's incredibly helpful!

For anyone who's interested in more info about freelancing rates (ghostwriting, editing, etc.), a good starting point is to check out the EFA rates page. https://www.the-efa.org/rates/ If you're just starting out, then start on the low end, but this gives you a way to show prospects you're not just making stuff up. I've been doing it long enough, I charge on the high end/off the scale depending on the project.

Thanks Jonathan Jordan. Where would I find story development (fiction/consulting)?

Thanks for sharing the link, Jonathan Jordan.

Jonathan Jordan thanks for your answer, Jonathan. I’m so glad your answer won’t lead to any kneecapping, or some such torture. Do you think that your ghostly gigs helped you gain confidence for screenwriting?