Authoring & Playwriting

I remember you using Evernote, Geoff Hall. I’ll have to take a look at Zoho but the more I think about it, the more I want to use physical notebooks. I think it would be neat for grandkids to see after I’m gone. But I plan on living for another hundred years. Lots to do.

Thank you for sharing, Geoff Hall. I LOVE Neil!

Ashley Renee Smith have you watched The Sandman series on TV, Ashley? I’ve loved it and hope for a new series soon.

Leonardo Ramirez I use Zoho Notebook mostly when I’m researching a story and use the webclipper. It’s a great tool for pulling together resources, ideas and concepts.

Geoff Hall, of course! I devoured it as soon as it was released. I also HIGHLY recommend The Sandman audiobook, both part 1 and 2. It's fantastic! Neil does the narration, but the characters are voiced by an A-list cast. And the Netflix Sandman spinoff series, Dead Boy Detectives is also a ton of fun.

Great points, Nancy Golden! And hilarious video! We can give notes/suggestions, but it's up to the people receiving the notes/suggestions to apply them or not.

I love the whole "don't use adverbs" bit, Nancy Golden ! I've heard that critique before, it's like saying take all the salt out of your recipe, when having just the right amount of salt makes the dish taste good.

Yes, what Tom & Mark says is good advice, Melanie. I would also add that getting an IMDBpro subscription will let you look at production companies with their contact info behind films in your target demographic. Back in the day you had to pause the VHS tape to see the credits and look at the Hollywood Creative Directory at Samuel French for contact info. I love technology!

Tom Lapke, and William Joseph Hill I am working through locating the producers of some features in my genre that are well-done and locating them on my IMDBpro account. Mark Deuce, I am now in the Writer's Room. Thank you for the suggestion! admit, the numerous platforms, dozen producers per movie, etc. to find the right ones is daunting. But I'm determined!

I would love to take a look at your script, Melanie Lang

I took a faith-based/inspirational screenwriting lab through S32, taught by Nathan Scoggins. He's fantastic and might offer other services here. Also Brad Wilson periodically takes faith-based pitches on S32. Definitely contact Martha Caprarotta or attend one of her noon (pst) writing sprints via Zoom. She has experience in what you're writing and may have suggestions. The links/invites are always posted on the days we meet, Writers Cafe, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Fantastic news, Melanie Lang - looks like you are taking all the right steps. Best of luck!

Jack:

I have four books out, traditionally published. Anyone who reads them likes them. I spend my royalty checks at Starbucks and have to add more money. Being an unknown author is depressing. Too much garbage out there.

Wow Rob Tobin - that's a tough one. I would look at it as any songwriter would. Consider taking it to a song publisher or an up and coming performer - one that is not tied to a label yet.

Hi Rob- I'm a playwright-- you may want to check out the NYC PLaywrights Blog. There's a lot of submissions possibilities there. Also, the Playwrights Center (which is in Minneapolis, but has a good website) also lists submissions, but there's a membership fee required, to be upfront. Additionally, there are musical theatre labs all over the place, but I'd recommend getting someone to write the music for you, as most producers won't look at a musical without music as of yet! Let me know if I can offer any other advice.

Thanks, Jared!

I like to break down rewrites/edits into categories when I'm working on a script, Ashley Renee Smith. A Story rewrite, B Story rewrite, subplots, dialogue, etc. If something isn't working in a script, I'll go back to the outline and figure it out. Or I'll write alternative versions of the scene, dialogue, character arc, etc. until I find one that works. And sometimes I just step away from the script and work on something else. I'll figure out the problem in my script while working on the other thing.

Thank you so much Ashley Renee Smith

This is great, Ashley Renee Smith ! For myself, I'm used to rewrites when it comes to screenplays, so editing a novel is a natural process. But I would say that it's harder with a novel because the structure can be different. I do periodic ghost writing with taking author's books and turning them into screenplays -- that is a challenge in itself as often I have to find where the movie is in the book. I love Sara's tips!

I like how you break it up by categories Maurice Vaughan. Alternative versions of scenes is a really good idea also!

I agree with you that the structures of a novel are the harder obstacle to overcome when you’re used to the straightforward formatting of a script. I’m glad that you enjoyed Sarra’s tips, William Joseph Hill!

Good point, RB, about the ups and downs of trends. My ROMANTIC COMEDIES Film Guidebook was published in 2017 by Michael Wiese Productions; we were all pleased to see a revival of the rom-com. Researching the book to find the best classic rom-coms and new ones, too was a most enjoyable project.

Ivan, congratulations on your accomplishments so far. May you have continuing and increasing success with your romantic comedies.

I'm sure that guidebook is even more relevant today, Pamela Jaye Smith!

That's cool that you've published five books already -- I myself write in the action/sci-fi space, but I am very impressed with that amount of work you've written!

Thanks, William! I appreciate your kind words. How is your writing coming along? I have always felt us Indies are all in this together so keep those books coming out my friend!

Try Brower Literary & Management in New York. They have a division that represents self published authors. There is still a query process, but I don’t know exactly how it works, or how difficult it is to get them to take you on. Good luck!

WGA and SAG-AFTRA franchised agents list can be the best way to go. You will have a third-parted contract with many guaranteed rights like minimum agreement, payment for every rewrite, interest rates. Agencies in Los Angeles should have connections with biggest cinema companies.

Thank you @Miroslavas & @Mary for your help

You're so welcome, Mark Deuce! I'm glad that you find it helpful!

This is great, Ashley Renee Smith . I myself use an app called StoryOrigin which helps with creating reader magnets, newsletter swaps (where you exchange promoting other authors' books and they promote yours), and other book promos. My newsletter goes out once a month on the 30th, and I write an article about a writing or filmmaking topic -- sometimes I'll share news too, but I always try to have some useful content. Then I'll list my books along with the swapped books at the bottom. Mailchimp is the service I use. I use Mailerlite for my Indiegogo backers - a lot of them are also on my newsletter list which was also how I promoted the Indiegogo campaign too.

StoryOrigin has been worth it for me -- I'm starting to see more sales of my book, so newsletters should be an author's #1 marketing tool!

Absolutely right, Ashley Renee Smith. It's a go-to crowdsourcing tool.

I hadn't heard of StoryOrigin, William Joseph Hill. It sounds like a great resource of tools!

She's absolutely right Ashley Renee Smith. And I think the biggest hurdle (for me) was getting past the belief that no one wants to read it. Not true at all. I have followers on mine that I'm surprised still follow my newsletter after so many years. I've tried a few platforms and MailerLite is the absolute best. And it looks great.

I will check this one out Pat Alexander and THANK YOU!

Nice share, Pat Alexander. Loved this line: "But the thing about screenwriting that's interesting is that everybody wants to talk about what you're doing, like, four years after you did it."

Embrace the long game, people. Embrace the long game.