Authoring & Playwriting

As a crime thriller reader, I say, I would prefer one large book. I don't see why you couldn't divide the novel into volumes inside. I have read books that are divided into parts.

Yes, you can do this type of format, works best for Kindle and other e-readers. Then when the story is completed you can offer a full book broken down by the individual sections.

Stephen King kinda did that with The Green Mile. So why not?

Stephen Folker Every time I think, just buy it, I remember Word is bought and paid for...

Celtx looks awesome, though. When I finally sell a script and need to look legit, it'll probably be worth the doll hairs.

I use MS Word

As a newbie, with zilch idea how to format a film-script, I bought Final draft to format it for me.

Buy software. Why rent? FD causes you to upgrade roughly every year.

My favs: Movie Magic Screenwriter, Fade In Pro.

I do not put scripts in the cloud and want positive control of software and IP.

PS: When working on someone's script that is in Word, a number of hours going into reformatting and check to see that everything imported correctly. Word is a poor option for production...

At the time my novel Plastic Love was extremely daring for me and I only shared it with a few people and some agents when I queried it. I am glad I did because otherwise sharing my screenplays in any capacity probably wouldn’t be possible right now.

I'm a screenwriter available for collaboration on feature films and short films. If you need a professional screenplay for your project, feel free to contact me.

Thank you everyone - I think you are all correct in what you are saying. I do feel there's a few factors at play but it's good to hear what you all do in this scenario! Thanks Team!

I alway start with figuring out what's really happening with the writer's block. Is it actually Page Fright? I know what needs to be on the page but I'm afraid of doing it for some reason? Or is it Idea Constipation? Once I figure out which ones of those is the true culprit, then I can be more strategic with moving forward.

Without going off on a tangent from original story, heighten wants v needs, inject more conflict & add greater stakes. A secret can add tension, a character may hide it from others, but the audience or another character knows it. An additional character to inject a new POV & plot line or sub plot. Use subtext & mind games. Options vary considerably, depending on the remit/request & particular genre employer requires.

Lauren Hackney Are you still blocked? I can help you with that, but we would need to chat for me to work my magic ;)

Yes please @kat I would love that!

Lauren Hackney I have several children's books but haven't had time to think about illustrating or publishing! I need to talk to you!

Private message me and we can set up a meeting

I am listening the audiobook Project Hail Mary. (no spoilers please, haven't seen the movie) and since I still have 7 hours to go, I can say, :I have no idea where this is going." There has been a few things I didn't see comintg, not knowing what the whole thing was about othere than Ryan Gosling goes to space to save Earth.

As for the show that has has genuinely surprised me, FROM. I am halfway through Season 4 and this is a show that you really don't know what is giong to happen next. I try to space it out and only watch 2 episodes at a time as I want to savor the experience.

There are too many shows where I can I fiigure out where the episode is going by the end of Act 1. So many seem formulaic. Law & Order SVU, as long as it has been one still remains unpredictable.

I agree with that Suzanne Bronson (about SVU). Thanks for the recommendation, too! I just saw Project Hail Mary, loved it! The book must be so good. Another added to my long list..

Tui Allen Very cool that your work is getting so much reach!

I'm considering the self-publishing route. Thanks, Kat Spencer!

It took me nearly two decades to write all of my books, which is one reason they span so many different genres. Writing was something I pursued part-time—between classes, work, COVID, and summer vacations with family. Over the years, I kept returning to the stories whenever life allowed. Now, I have reached a point where I can fully devote my time to writing novels and screenplays.

Kat Spencer, I live is such a tiny country, selling internationally isn't really saying much. In America, your home market is so huge there must be hardly any motivation to reach other countries. Besides all my recent stories are aimed at spreading the kind of marine awareness that already exists in this little country sitting in the middle of an ocean that covers half the globe. It's the rest of the world who needs to learn what most of us here know already, almost by birthright. Although those of us, even living here, who can profit from ignoring what they know, don't hesitate to do so.

Francisco Castro - Awesome! If you need any help, let me know. I know it well.

Radoslav Isakov THAT is so wise - and True! Thank you for your insight.

I'm one of those writers who love writing & hate marketing Jonathan Jordan. Please share ForWord.io when you get your ap up & running!

Congratulations John E. Bias! Having a book (first) to prove the screenplay is all the rage these days.

Aven Sinclair Whoa. It's pretty obvious you're not quite who you pretend to be. This post alone shows it in spades. Two different fonts and the "moves the needle" idiom is straight AI-speak. Gotcha!

I need to connect with those who agree with my vision. I have three low budget screenplays that have ranked highly in competitions (top ten on Stage 32) so I believe these projects have legs - just need to find others who want to assist in bringing my dreams to life.

I get these types of emails all the time. Some even cite titles that aren't even my books. Total scams

Aven Sinclair Why is your profile pic an obvious AI generated image? Mine isn't.

Robert Zwerneman, it isn't exactly AI generated but more AI polished from a selfie. Cameras are not my friend. At 69 years old I just had some of the deeper lines from life's experience smoothed over. Some may condemn me for vanity but what can I say? Their opinions are their own. Is your profile picture an actual photo? If so, your photographer is quite imaginative

Robert Zwerneman, I thought you were asking me about my AI generated profile Pic. Not condemnation of your remarks to Aven Sinclair at all, Either way, no offense meant and none taken on my part. Still want to be Stage 32 friends?

Thank you for this post - a great reminder to do due diligence every time we are contacted.

Madeline Gouin — Thanks. Just a manuscript request—here's hoping it becomes more than a read. But today, a full read feels pretty good.

Congratulations, Adam!

Be careful of agents whovsimply ask forctgecfull manuscript. This us not normal.

Be careful of agents who start with asking for a full manuscript. This in NOT normal!!!

Jeff Gregory, I used QueryTracker to submit my book to a short list of agents whose tastes I believed aligned with mine. Since each agent had slightly different query requirements, I customized each query to suit its intended recipient. Initially, none of the agents requested a full manuscript. I sent three initial queries. The first query was rejected within an hour, and the second received no response. However, the third agent took the time to read the first 50 pages of my manuscript along with the other items in my query package, then reached out to me via QueryTracker to request to read the entire manuscript.

Happy 4th July! I love to create stories that honour those I love. Great question!

That's beautiful Lauren Hackney !

Happy 4th too you and your love ones