Screenwriting : Screenwriting vs. novel writing by Annie B

an adaptation for 4-8 episodes comes out of one novel

Thanks so much. But how long does it take you more or less to write one episode? An episode is about 60 pages (for a one hour show). How many hours of work does it take you to write an episode? Just a guesstimate.

Annie B, I wrote a 120 page script in 4 months. script 60 pages in 2 months.

Thanks so much. I appreciate, Arthur. Do you write full-time or only after hours? Just trying to get an idea if I'm just new to screenwriting and will improve or whether I'm just really slow.

Annie B, I write during non-working hours. I'm not a professional screenwriter, and I can't work on a script all day.

I'm a hobby writer. When assigned, I work hour/hour and a half tops a day, mon-fri..gets me 90-100 pages in approx. two months scope...revisions, rewrites, give-take another month.

When on spec, I write whenever I feel like, but mostly also follow this discipline.

I outline, write, and rewrite a feature script in about 1 and 1/2 to 2 months, Annie. I write full time. I do the heavy lifting during outlining, so the writing and rewriting don't take long.

Thanks so much muvh for your answer, Maurice. I really appreciate.

They are different disciplines for sure but generally speaking feature and TV pilots are steeped in a specific structure that needs to be mastered and then created within while novels have more latitude in format and length. That lends screenwriting to usually happen quicker, at least for a first draft, once the structure is ingrained. That’s a broad stroke but what I’ve experienced.

You're welcome, Annie B.

Thanks so much, Sam. Glad to hear there is light at the end of the tunnel.

I find it easier to free write as well. You just let the words flow. I have to go back and edit A LOT with screenwriting, trying to turn 10 words into 2.

Takes a lot less time for me. I've adapted three of my novels. Of course novels are much longer so you have to decide what is important and what is not so much.

It's easy to write a script - it's difficult to sell.

All writing is hard. The difficulty you may face is the “everything has to be visual” aspect.

In a novel you could write “Harry sees the car crash. It instantly takes him back to the crash that killed his mother. He is frozen, paralysed by memories of that day. People are screaming for help. He doesn’t move”.

We cannot visualise his thoughts. In the screenplay we would have.

Harry stares at the car crash in a trance. People are screaming for help. Harry doesn’t move.

They're different. I write in multiple formats (novels, nonfiction books, journalism, screenwriting, copywriting, publicity pitching, etc.), and they all use my brain/skill differently. If you're used to one form of writing, you've likely optimized it already so it can feel easier/quicker. Like all writing, with practice and dedication, it becomes easier, more efficient, and streamlined. Be patient with yourself as you learn your process. The biggest difference is screenwriting focuses on writing visually and audibly, whereas novels focus on thoughts and feels more. I hope that helps

Harry sees hears etc is a filter and unnecessary when we are in his head POV. Show what he sees. Show don’t tell.

Mark, that was example of how it may appear in a novel. I can see how I could use it is an action line. But I normally wouldn’t.

@Annie I find screenwriting more time consuming cos ideas & characters need “honing in” for what audience sees & hears. Novels, even complex ones are easier to be inside head of characters & be in any plot point at any given time.

just remember there are 250,000 books published every year and 250 film scripts sold. thats the REAL difference between book & film.

I came to basically 2nd what Craig said, it's possible that because you're so used to writing in a particular way, switching the voice to be "show, don't tell" can take time. Scripts don't get to have long internal monologues or allow viewers/readers to innately be in on the emotions/feelings of a character.

A novel can tell a story versus a sceenplay needs to show a story. Adaptations are tough, missed meaning, vision skewed, intent unelaborated. etc.

Novels show a story also if done right but many dive straight into a lot of telling. It's not a good look. Adaptations are easy if you know that. Internal thought and commentary are done in character voiceover. At least that's how I do it.

Hi Annie. I have 9 novels out. I found the two mediums much different. But I do find that when you get excited by an idea it is much easier and satisfying to get it out in aTV, Feature or short script format than in a novel. And ideas that get me excited are what it is all about for me.There also seem to be more options to getting your work out to the public. like this site, than there are with novels.. Best, Jed.

They are both very different mediums where meaning can be conveyed in different ways. Reading screenplays of movies and adaptations you like can be a good way of studying how your meaning can be translated into a new medium.

If you could ghostwrite my book (already written) and find a publisher you get half of royalties.

In many cases the author also writes the screenplay of their novels. A factory writer may be attached as well.