Sara Stiffler's Lounge Discussions

Hi Kelli!

I say better late than never! I understand the feeling of imposter syndrome but comfort myself in the idea that EVERYONE feels that way at some point. I guess we can use places like this to increase our confidence and be part of a like-minded community, hopefully the feeling fades. :-)

Funny Kelli... haha! The Stage32 Screenwriter Imposter Syndrome support group meets in the Lounge every Monday at 9:00 pm. Bring donuts ... I'll see-ya there :)

Hi Sara! Yes, I am doing research for a historical fiction novel right now. I have about 3 or 4 movie ideas that I'm fleshing out as well. I've got Final Draft and some books on the shelf to learn how to write those screenplays. And after the book and the movies are written, what am I going to do with them? No clue. That's why I'm here.

Robert, I'll be there with bells on. And some tissue.

Welcome to Stage32 Kelli :)

Welcome to the community, Sara! I too do not have advice on transitioning from screenwriting to novels - I'm sure it's less constraining than writing a 120pg script! And ditto on Matt's post - Stephen Kings book "On Writing" is a stellar read. Much luck and happy writing!

Hi Sara, I have been wanting to go in the opposite direction and convert novels into screen plays. I finished my first novel about 3 years ago & it has recently won a New Apple award for general fiction. Just this weekend, I finished my second novel in the series, and it has just been sent off to the editor. I have no idea what it might be like to go from screenwriter to novelist, but I never expected I would be either a novelist or screenwriter. Prior to this novel, all my writing was for a few newspaper articles, for my job and for a regional magazine back in the 1990's. My novel wasn't really planned. It evolved through a series of events, and a series of encouraging connections. The real estate rule is, location location, location. the writing rule should be, write, write, write. Best of luck and many blessings.

Sara, you will do great, and the best is you will get it correct.

Hi, Sara - All in all, there are fewer rules for novels. Page 15 or 27 doesn't have to mean a thing, for instance. On the "negative" side, writing 30,000 words means you're maybe half-done! Conversations can, if you want, last a lot longer. Descriptions don't have to be limited to three-line paragraphs. On the other hand, a 50-page chapter might be a mistake... Someone described novels as "baggy monsters," and despite all the online advice about what you must or must not do, you can frankly ignore a lot of it. The novel police aren't as strict as the screenplay police.

Thanks everyone for your responses. I appreciate the encouragement. Best wishes for your writing projects as well.