TRY IT ANYWAY

You might have thought of writing a book. Or maybe not that often. Then an idea pops into your head and you can’t wait to get it down for real.

That’s almost the easy part, finishing the first draft of a novel, The hard part comes in the many drafts it will take before it’s polished enough to catch a publisher’s attention.

Even more important is deciding to write a second one. Can I do it? Or was the first one a fluke? Knowing the time it takes, the next two years or so to come up with a finished product is daunting enough.

Then it hits you. Why not turn it into a screenplay as well? If you want a producer to read it, make it no longer than 105 pages.

Turning a published novel into a screenplay is a different style of writing. You’re a writer, what does it matter?

Dialogue carries the screenplay. You’d better get to know your characters inside out and not rely on description to carry the plot. The characters themselves do all the work.

Author’s comment: Take a bold step and write both. Book, screenplay. Think of it. Would your latest effort as a book lend itself to film? It’s a different kettle of fish, but worth the effort.