For all the authors and playwrights in our community, a place to discuss, share content and post tips and advice.
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 pro...
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Now that I've finally gotten my copyright letter, I've officially started querying publishers. I've only sent out 11 so far, but I've actually enjoyed the process. When I did screenplay queries in the past, I always hated it. For whatever reason, this feels like a different beast. What I didn't real...
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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 hi...
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So, I’ve been working on this screenwriting thing, trying to understand format for a couple years. This place has been invaluable in my learning - especially through the script coverage. Now, I’ve got a good pilot for my first novel. I know original IP is being sought after. However, I’m really tr...
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Hi Filmmakers and Authors
It's great connecting with you.
Hopefully you and your family are doing well.
We're currently in development with a High School Mentorship program through the Entertainment Industry.
Do you know any Book Author or Business Owner that willing to place their Product or Book in a film
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
In today’s blog, Lori Wilde (New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author) talks about six key must-haves for the highest visual impact when crafting a novel.
www.stage32.com/blog/cinematic-catnip-crafting-a-novel-with-visual-appea......
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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.
I have a kernel of an idea that I think could be developed into a movie and/or series. But I am not a screenwriter nor a polished author. I'm a retired grandmother who simply is trying to understand how this works. Clearly there are thousands of 'good ideas' out there that could be developed and I d...
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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,...
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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...
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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...
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Come to this month's in person S32 Meetup
https://www.stage32.com/meetups/1970/April-Stage-32-Phoenix-In-Person-Meetup
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 br...
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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....
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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.
A funny thing happened to me last week. As I finally got the fantasy trilogy I've been working on ready for querying, I submitted the copyright application for all 3 books at the same time. This is because group applications cost less. Since I knew I wouldn't be querying until I finished all 3, it m...
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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.
Ghostwriters...we put the "boo" in books. But what does ghostwriting actually look like?
Like many others, I used to think of ghostwriting as being a "sellout"...at least, until I stumbled into it during an editing gig in 2019. Ever since then, I've been ghostwriting content for thought leaders, incl...
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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...
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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 screen...
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I'm working on a novel and I've just been rereading as I edit the close-to-final draft. I think it's lit spec fic, but at this stage it might fit best as YA. I'm a bit worried because I wanted it to be literary and if it's YA that's a (lower?) more pop - less critical, class of writing?
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...
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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 with...
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yeah that's cool!
Book Trailers to enhance bringing story to film.
I published my memoir No Stone Unturned: A Remarkable Journey to Identity in 2021 and asked a book support group from Ireland called Books Go Social to create a Book Trailer.
Book on Amazon has 108 heartfelt reviews mostly five stars.
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Hey All - be sure to check out May’s Education Schedule brought to you by our amazing head of community, Ashley Smith!
https://www.stage32.com/blog/stage-32s-may-2024-education-schedule-3710?......
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@JohnRoane
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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...
Expand commentI 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.
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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.
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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.