Hi everyone. I have been on Stage 32 for a few years, and have had some great conversations with several connections. Here is an update on me.
I am a novelist, primarily. Both of my first two novels have won awards. So far, I pretty much suck at screenwriting - working on it. I have done minimal acting but continue to participate in a video practice format for commercial auditions sponsored by my friend Jolene Kay (see IMDB). At the present time, my first novel has been revised and submitted to a writing competition in England. I am still waiting to hear the results. My second novel is in process of re-publication through Fresh Ink, and I am working on a revision of my poetry book. The poetry is about my life and developing awareness, anyway, but when the revision is finished, it will be a combination of prose and poetry and will essentially be an autobiographical, semi-self-help book. As well, I continue to work on completing my fourth novel. I haven't paid much attention to my art lately, but have submitted a few pieces for consideration to an art gallery in NYC after visiting there last week.
That's my news. I hope this finds everyone safe and well and enthused about their craft.
Blessings,
Karlyle Tomms
karlyletomms.com
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Nice to know you
Hi, Karlyle. If you want some guidance on screenwriting, I recommend reading Linda Seger. I own almost all of her books. She's not only practical, but she is also inspiring.
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Karlyle Tomms keep at it. You definitely are a talented creative if you can write a novel, poetry and prose while also painting!! Screenwriting should come easy to you if you're a novelist. Just think in terms of movements on the screen. Everything you write needs to be an action that helps drive your story. You have this. Stay positive and it's great to hear about you and your work :)
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Thank you Steven. I appreciate the suggestions. I have read a couple of books including. Save The Cat and Story. I think that what I really need to do is take a class in screenwriting at the local university when I get a chance to do that. It may take a while.
Thank you Chaun Lee, My problem with screenwriting is that I tend to be too verbose for it. That is something I have to work on. It is telling a story in a very different way than novel writing. I have said that if you compare to poetry, an novel is a sonnet and screenwriting is haiku. It takes some discipline for the sonnet writer to scrape off all the beautiful frills and fills and trim everything down to the bare beautiful essence that touches our subconscious affiliation to image versus the conscious need for eloquent word filled descriptions. I have to learn how to simplify and cut to the purest essence of the story in order to be a good screenwriter.
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I agree. I read a lot of novels and wrote two manuscripts before garnering more interest in screenwriting. I'm also a poet and love the transcending depth of haikus in their vivid brevity. I believe that's what screenwriting is at its core. As a novelist, you have an advantage over most screenwriters in that, you only need to learn how to say more with less. You already understand the beats of a story and how to craft compelling characters. The rest will come with patience and dedication, both of which I'm certain you already possess in your field. Keep me posted. Are you a Writer's Room member?