Screenwriting : Suggestions by KF Ridley

It's really great that you have a source material as the basis for your screenplay. Screenplays focus on what the viewer sees and hears. If you want to write it yourself, you probably should learn the structure of a screenplay. Syd Field's Screenplay, Blake Snyder's Save the Cat, Michael Hague's Writing Screenplays That Sell are all good places to start. There are also books about how to turn a screenplay into a novel, and web shows on how to do it. I think Stage 32 even offers a few. There are also people who will do it for the novelist. I'm sure a few of them will hit you up before the sun goes down in Mississippi tonight. So it kinda boils down to if you want to learn how to write a screenplay, or if you want someone to do it for you. I'd choose the former, since it would be my story and I wouldn't want to pay someone to do it or share any credits. And I'd take my time. You may be different, though. And maybe a producer or studio would want to buy the book rights - that would be potentially sweet. Good luck in your endeavor, KF!

you must first understand your prose as director and not an author before scripting the screenplay

Be prepared to completly rework your basic premise idea for the novel. Novelists think they can just transfer their novel into script format and it will work. It won't. You'll have to redesign your story. Just FYI

Worked for Gone Girl. Author mastered script format in less than a year :)

We actually had a great class on how to do just that! https://www.stage32.com/webinars/Adapting-a-Book-Into-a-Film-or-Televisi...

Hi KF, I'm the educational coordinator for Stage 32 so I'll definitely direct you to some education that will help point you in the right direction. First, I do want to tell you that the best way to learn how to write a screenplay, original or adapted is just to read screenplays like Aray suggests. Reading adaptations like the Coen Brothers - No Country for Old Men, or Graham Moore's The Imitation Game. Understand that these are two separate mediums so what works in your novel may not work in your script. That's okay! Read scripts, get advice and write. That's the best how-to. And yes, educate yourself by learning from people who have done it before you. I like Erik's suggestion of Adapting A Book Into A Film Or TV program: https://www.stage32.com/webinars/Adapting-a-Book-Into-a-Film-or-Televisi... Also, check out this webinar by Lane Shefter Bishop who is very experienced in this area. I like this webinar because it not only gives you the creative approach but also the business behind it all. https://www.stage32.com/webinars/Book-to-Screen-Taking-Your-Book-or-Scre...

I've only adapted other people's novels... http://www.scriptsecrets.net/tips/tip309.htm

I found Screenwriting for Dummies amazingly useful