I recently adapted the first novella in my 5-book scifi series into a feature script, then a 2-hr tv pilot, and I was wondering if anyone here has had any success adapting their own books into scripts. I found adapting a 125-page novella much easier than trying to adapt a full length novel, mainly because I didn't have to cut anything, only rewrite. Anyone else have experience with this?
Screenwriting : Anyone else adapting their own books into screenplays/teleplays? by Joseph Rhea
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Hello -- yes I've adapted two of my MG novels TRUE BRIT and FORCED JOURNEY into screenplays and had a great time with both and some success -- neither has been optioned but I won 2nd place in one contest and 5 semi-finalist wins with the other. I've discovered that adapting novels to screenplays is easier than adapting plays into screenplays because novels have different locations and more action than plays. Also, doing an adaption of your own work gives you the opportunity of improving on the stories, developing the characters further or even making additions that add to the story. I think you'll enjoy the process. The hard part of course is eliminating stuff and streamlining the story because it is a different medium with a different structure.
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Rosemary, I admire your ability to cut things that you obviously liked in your novel, when adapting to your screenplay. That couldn't have been easy.
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Good practice but I dont see much/any success (income) from self-published novelists adapting their own works to screenplays.
Two different crafts and businesses. What movie ppl want to see from novelists are book sales.
3 people like this
Yes. I have a novel adapted to screenplay. It's a huge challenge to overcome the immense difference between the two formats.
A good story, well told in either format is still a good story.
JMHO
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I’m currently adapting my novel (230 page memoir) into a screenplay. I chose a specific section to expand on. Not the whole book.
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I'm adapting my storybook into a screenplay. It is self-published and is available on Amazon. It is called MULOGO AND HIS QUINTUPLE OF TROUBLE.Currently getting art done for a pitch deck. https://www.amazon.com/Mulogo-Quintuple-Trouble-Martin-Reese-ebook/dp/B0...
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Yes - I am adapting my first novel Sister Blackberry I am thinking it’s not difficult out to adapt my own work because I value every word, it’s hard to condense the words of characters you love so much
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Yes, the scripts for my proposed sci-fi series "Hot Fudge Warriors" take place in the same universe as my published novel "The Girl with the Bloody Dreadlocks." Please read and rate my log lines, and if you're a producer, then please help me get this series made.
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I will say again that I'm in awe of all of you who are adapting entire novels. I originally broke my 600-page Novum saga into 5 novellas, simply because I needed smaller milestones to keep me writing. Then when I considered adapting them into screenplays, I realized that each novella was perfect for 2 hours of screen time. The last 2 books are longer and equal about 3 hours each, so my plan is either a 12 episode tv series, or 2 seasons with 6 episodes each. Either could work for a streamer like Netflix, which is why. I'm finishing the series bible now, just in case someone wants to throw money at me.:)
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I've written 38 full-length novels in my "Sojourn: What Dreams Await" saga, and I'm currently adapting the first book in that series into a full-length feature. It is hard to condense the story into just a 2-hour or so runtime, because there are so many things about the book that I think would fit well into the feature. I feel like it's just a matter of staying true to the logline, when adapting a novel, because it keeps you on topic, so to speak. There is a book by Blake Snyder that really helped me with this, called "Save the Cat."
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I’ve been thinking about this very topic for over ten years! I’ve decided to turn one of my ideas to a book and another to a screenplay. I chose my YA tale to turn into an episodic series since I see it as a long term growth of my main character and her world. It’s been difficult to make this decision since I love books! I only made this decision last week since I’ve been watching webinars here on Stage 32.
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OMG! I know what you mean. I have just completed my 1st adaptation... that was hardly the story that I started with. One of my novels ends up as 6 1/2 hours by the narrator for my audio books. Now pack that down into a 2 hour feature. Can't be done. You have to cut and chop and remake the story to 1) fit the time constraint, and 2) to suit the absolute requirement to structure it exactly to fit expectations. Oh, and don't forget that you can't just narrate long passages - You either see it or expose it in dialog. AH! My head explodes. It took me a whole year to beat all of that into my thick skull, but I did. Welcome to la vida loca.
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If I can offer any help, please feel free to contact me any time. scifiwriter@twc.com
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Sounds like quite a fun thing to do. I might actually give that a try for my book sometime, just for the sheer enjoyment of imagining what it would be like on the big screen.
2 people like this
Did this with my memoir and managed to get a producer attached.