Authoring & Playwriting

Bill McCormick I love that. I guess it's my packaging mentality, I'm trying to get my stories as finished, the finished ones, into the suits who read them and make the decisions. I know my writer-self, and my critical-self. I'm still struggling with the packaging/presentation self. some agents, etc. won't read YA and some will and it's a entirely different kind of agent/reader. You're right I don't care how they're presented in the market. But I'm trying to position myself correctly for the right reader, so that when a professional reader reads it, I guess I'm not confusing them too much?

or so much that they won't consider it

I'm curious if you ever want to write something that isn't "hyper violent dystopian scifi" and if so how would you go about packaging it?

PolyD Flynt my way of dealing with this, and it's not for everyone, was to come up with generic, but intriguing, covers that tied the titles together. Basically, you get the idea of what's inside without being beaten over the head with it.

yeah that's cool!

Jonathan Jordan Thanks.

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.

Thanks for giving everyone a heads up, Terrence Sellers.

Yeah, I would definitely avoid those type of publishers. They tend to be rather predatory, take advantage of aspiring fiction authors, and their quality is usually [imagine a poop emoji here]. You're right to ignore them. You'd be better off doing digital publishing where you can at least get paid for views/reads and still attract an audience (and possibly publishers). I just read a story from a romance author this weekend who was rejected by many agents, started publishing on WattPad, and 6 million reads later, agents and publishers are coming to HER.

I met my novel publisher at a writers conference. I worked on my pitch. She overheard me talking with another writer and asked me to send her twenty pages. Two weeks later she asked for the entire novel. A contract followed. There have been three more since then. My suggestions are, for what they are worth: 1. Finish the novel. Don't pitch unfinished work. 2. Do it face to face at a conference. 3. Work on your pitch, make it short, deliver it, and shut up. 4. Agents and publishers are busy, The business is rough. Don't go into a lengthy discussion about who you are, etc. They don't care. They just want to know what you have and if they can sell it. 5. Never give up. Do it again and again if you have to. Meanwhile, keep working and editing your work. The writers work is never done.

I'd definitely avoid those vanity publishers like the plague, Terrence Sellers. Look into going digital. Also consider looking up how Andy Weir did it. It's akin to what Jonathan is talking about if I remember correctly.

Ashley Renee Smith I watch it every year too!

Terrence Sellers, It's our Christmas Eve tradition! =)

Tom Kapinos admitted himself that Californication is a "writer's fantasy. There's no reality in which beautiful women are throwing themselves at the feet of middle aged novelists".

The character of Hank as a writer provides him an excuse to be successful but not have his "shit together". Further proving that financial or critical success as a writer does not at all guarantee financial or personal stability. It's as much a harsh critique of the profession as it is a fantasy of its public perception.

A Protagonist with layers of flaws = Writer...end of story.... LOL!

I have four novels traditionally published and I blow my royalty checks at Starbucks. On the last one, I was short and had to come up with 74 cents. Since I'm in there so often, the barista spotted me the four pennies because I didn't have a nickel. I am a professor of English at the community college. Fortunately, I'm retired, so I'm just having fun. I've always loved a couple of old sayings. "Those that can, do it. Those that can't teach. And those that can do neither become critics." Also: "Writers are the only professionals that revel in the failure of their contemporaries." Maybe that means there's a gap in the ranks.

Ashley. This was nice. I am a lover of theoretical analysis. As a medical professional, I go at a story like I'm making a diagnosis, beginning with the microscope and enlarging.my perspective. In retirement, I am an English professor at community college. I teach a writing seminar to anyone who is interested. I got into all this a bit late. At this point, at 83, I'm just having fun and wondering where it might lead.

Thanks, Ashley! I was thinking on a muuuuch smaller level ;) -- even when having, say, actor friends, people like me who often use audition material or scripts by others that are not produced, to work on personal craft...we were concerned that the smallest leak could turn into some big mistake. Is this silly of us?? Wow, I am definitely green at this...

It's never silly to wonder and ask! I'm so glad you reached out to the community and I hope you'll continue doing so. But the important thing to remember is that no one will ever write something the way that YOU write it, even if they're approaching the same concept. Plus, the material will likely change quite a bit from draft to draft. So don't be worried about making mistakes with sharing it, especially not with friends or people you know. Just trust your gut. =)

Hi Lynelle Paulick - very nice to meet you. I've never had anyone sign an NDA for a draft. Once my script is polished, I do register it with the US Copyright office. And I'm with Ashley on this, it's never silly to ask. It's why we're all here. Glad you're with us!

Yes, people have had readers sign NDAs. I generally discourage the practice.

I keep all my multiple draft levels. I don't allow anyone, except my wife, to read my first draft. The first pass is awful. At least mine is. My wife agrees. Anne LaMotte calls it the SFD. By the time I have the completed product ready for submission, I'll have anywhere from five to eight printed version in various stages. I think if anyone was going to steal my idea, then more power to them. I think I could prove it was mine originally. As they say: bad writers copy, good writers steal.

you can ask PI, GPT, and Gem to act or roll play as a screen writer and it will do it just like one. I have more of these.

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.

i've never heard of this! excited to dig in! thanks!

Great informations Jonathan Jordan

I use Scrivener, it works exports to most formats. They have a screenwriting format as well — fantastic, affordable tool.

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

John Roane - I can certainly understand the frustration especially after losing a manuscript. Although I've used it for years, I wouldn't push anyone to work with something they're not 100% comfortable with. There are great formatting companies out there like Jera Publishing that you can use to format your book. These folks are fantastic to work with: https://www.self-pub.net/

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.