Screenwriting : Outsourcing your story to other writers by Stefano Pavone

Dan Guardino gave great advice, Stefano Pavone.

An advantage to outsourcing your story to other writers:

You said, "I don't think I have the energy to write...," so you'll get the script written without having to struggle to write it yourself.

A disadvantage to outsourcing your story to other writers:

No one knows your story like you, so if you hire another writer to adapt it, that writer might not be able to do the story justice like you could.

If I ever win the lottery, Dan MaxXx , then I'll let you know.

Stefano:

Here's a crash course on writing the screenplay yourself.

1) Buy The Hollywood Standard screenwriting book on Amazon and learn the fundamentals of script formatting. You may also want to consider purchasing the 90-day Screenplay and the Screenwriter's Bible. Spend a few weeks reading and absorbing that material.

2) watch several movies similar to how you envision for your novel would look on film, and then locate the screenplays; read and study the writing style.

3) Attempt to objectively evaluate which parts of your novel will make the best screenplay; and bear in mind what works on the pages of a book won't necessarily work well for a screenplay.

Like Maurice said, nobody will write your vision as well as you can if you commit yourself to learning the screenwriting craft. It may turn out to be time well spent.

Dan: Someone else may benefit from it. Haha!

@Stefano At least begin the screenplay from your Novel, you may find it just flows rather than the imagined psychic vampire energy drain you feel it could be now. The story came from you so you are best to write it as others in this thread stated. However if you hand it to another writer many factors are at play with regards to advantageous or disadvantageous? Even a brilliant writer per sae might not grasp your innermost vision, the record that played inside your own head when you wrote the words. Similar to a Director’s vision statement writers who pass on material should give a verbal brief. Off course a novel is pretty explanatory in itself already and maybe includes thoughts of all the characters but if making a film writer may want to sway Genre Eg do they want specific or hybrid. Or input vital subtext matter. Or through who’s eyes we see it. Or relevant key moments to them. Another writer may read your novel and put their own version on screen. Visuals may not be wrong but it won’t be yours. I’ve heard of writers mortified after seeing their play on TV and writers walking off film sets.

Stefano, I am never going to knock back paid work. But that is what it has to be. You have to pay a screenwriter, then you have a choice of who.

The other thing is (for me anyway) I would have to read it and tell our how I would adapt it into a screenplay. As you know Books and Screenplays are like cats and dogs, a lot of similarities, but vastly different. I may not see three movies I may see two or even one. If you don’t allow a writer to adapt what they see, you are look for a secretary not a writer.

Tell people the budget and a guarantee you’ll be swarmed.

Why 3 scripts? Aren’t Trilogies the result of film one, then two being successful?

It's one "supernovel" divided into 3 acts - the first is self-contained, while the second and third are a sequel split in half (part 2 is also a prequel, Godfather 2-style). :)

Advantage: I'm rather reasonable priced (deferred payout is outta question)

Disadvantage: not available till end of 2023...

I've thought about this long and hard... it's my story. It's my duty, my responsibility, to bring it to life. :) Thanks for the ideas and advice, folks.

You're welcome, Stefano Pavone. Have a great time writing!