Authoring & Playwriting

This webinar was incredible, Sarah Lucas! Thanks for taking the time to host the webinar and answer our questions!

This is going to be epic!!

The recording is up! If anyone missed the webinar or want to rewatch it, here's the link: www.stage32.com/education/products/filming-adolescence-how-the-ad-team-m...

Thank you Maurice Vaughan

My pleasure, Sandra Isabel Correia.

I think you would do really well with a publisher Maurice Vaughan. If you keep the same mindset you have with productions and switch it to publishing (learning all you can) it would go great.

Thanks, Leonardo Ramirez. I've been thinking about writing short stories again and writing a novella. Who knows? I might be working with a publisher one day.

I have no doubt they'd be happy they worked with you Maurice Vaughan.

Thanks, Leonardo Ramirez. I appreciate it.

Maurice Vaughan You are very welcome my friend.

Definitely Chiara Torrisi. I like the idea behind fictional settings so I changed the setting for "Haven of Dante" from Chicago to "Charity Vane". The idea was that the city was a character all its own that prided itself in being good but with a hidden population of the forgotten, that pride had caused the city to deceive itself into thinking it was good.

Oh I like the idea to turn the city into a character, @Leonardo Ramirez! And it suits perfectly your story, since Dante's poetry is full of allegories. Great idea

Thanks so much Chiara Torrisi !

I see, Maurice Vaughan, sometimes real places just feel too limiting. I think it applies especially to stories where mood and atmosphere are fundamental, like horror and mystery.

You're right, Chiara Torrisi. Sometimes real places feel too limiting. Yeah, it applies especially to stories where mood and atmosphere are fundamental, like Horror and Mystery. Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Adventure too. It's also fun to come up with my own towns, places, companies, products, etc.

I had fibro from 1999-2004. After much research, I found it is mostly caused by persistant viral infections. Mine were parvo b 19 and mono, caught from a student who sneezed all over me. The parvo was from a dog bite. I took anti virals and had a flu die off reaction for years, but got better. Maybe get tested for the 19 most common viruses? Then last April I got covid and now have long covid. But I REFUSE to give up. Covid reactivates all your autoimmune issues and causes resurgent viral infections.

I am sorry you are suffering. I KNOW hwat you are going through. I will request an add and see if I can offer some help.

lol what not hwat, sorry

Thank you for sharing your journey, Jade Bald, and I truly admire your commitment to writing despite the challenges. My mother suffered from fibromyalgia my whole life, so I’ve seen firsthand just how difficult it can be to manage pain, fatigue, and brain fog day to day. The fact that you’re still pursuing creative projects is incredibly inspiring.

I think using ChatGPT for brainstorming, research, and outlining is ok. When it comes to writing the full manuscript, though, I don't suggest it. Instead, you should consider a collaboration with a co-writer. It could ease the physical demands while giving you a creative partner to help shape and refine your story, especially for something as layered as a mystery or memoir.

Teaming up with another writer can bring the emotional depth and nuance that takes a story to the next level.

You might even find a great collaborator right here on Stage 32.

Hi Jade Bald - thanks for being transparent and sharing your journey. I also battle fibromyalgia so I understand what you're going through. I totally agree with what others are saying. I wouldn't necessarily rely on ChatGPT for the bulk of your writing. Use it for research as Ashley Renee Smith mentioned and try using speech to text as Lindbergh E Hollingsworth suggested. What helps me with the brain fog is keeping notes in front of me at all times. That's not just for writing but with all things in life. Make small goals for each day, write those down and keep them in front of you. You'll be surprised as to how much you'll accomplish in the midst of the struggle. But most of all, stay positive and surround yourself by people who genuinely care about you while removing all sources of toxicity which exacerbates fibro. And like Jon Shallit mentioned, don't give up. Your creativity is part of who you are. Fibro is not and should never be a part of your identity. You're not a victim, you're a victor!

All chatgpt is google, it can be used as an advisor to help you, (I have used it) the film industry use it, its there to help you. I would never have it write the whole book, that's boring, but if it makes stories / films better, whats the loose

Danny Range How right you are!

Negative reviews were hard at first. One that really bothered me was when I had a negative review on a newly published book saying that the story wasn't historically accurate. I think the reader gave the book a two star. I strive for historical accuracy, and I couldn't imagine what the reader was talking about. I worried that the review, when I only had two other good ones, would impact my sales.

Then she/he returned the next day and downgraded the review to a one star, listing the three things that weren't accurate. She was WRONG on all three! I felt SO much better. And the sales were just fine.

There was another early review on my fantasy series from someone who loved my historicals and didn't like the other genre. I remember crying, although 14 years later, I don't recall quite why.

What I've learned is that I have predominately good and great reviews and they pile on top of the bad ones. I've learned to shrug off the bad ones and appreciate the good ones. I've also learned some things from the good reviews about what my readers love and I try to keep delivering those things.

Don't feed the trolls. Since the critics can't be held to account, they enjoy their perceived power over you. "Oh, the sanctimony of midwits'. Congrats on your success!

I have a script I went you to look at title price for a salvation

It's so frustrating when people complain about historical inaccuracy and are wrong, Debra Holland! Shouldn't they first check what they will write before doing it? It happens quite often, sadly

Maurice Vaughan How is that going? I am helping an author finish their book and revamping my websites. Tomorrow . . . I shall take the day off :D

Debra Holland Good luck!!

Xochi Blymyer How's that going?

Trying to keep the thumbs busy on a video game script. It is the most difficult things you can imagine. Now at 62500 words (3 full features length). And you have to be creative in showing scene changes as the player needs to SEE the scenes he or she is not in while doing something ELSE! This is only thing I have ever written that reequires constant rewrites. Jonathan Millett (stage 32) is an excellent game player and has made this project possible. I am aiming for something as complex as RED DEAD REDEMPTION so the player wants to play it over and over. Then you have to write a bible that lists every thing the computer programmer must create for each scene. ARGGHHHHHH!

It's going great, Kat Spencer. I'm thinking of exciting ideas for my script. Looking forward to seeing your revamped websites.

Leonardo Ramirez, You know a love for pie is something we share, my friend! I think there’s something powerful about pairing that celebratory moment with giving yourself a bit of space before diving back in. Editing can feel like such a grind, but small rituals like that (and finding a rhythm that works for you) make a big difference.

You know it my friend Ashley Renee Smith!

Good question, Ashley Renee Smith. While editing, I've never suggested a whole rewrite because I edit only ready stories. Before taking a job, I offer a free sample: this way, the author sees how I work, and I understand if the story is ready for editing.

If not, there will be a manuscript evaluation: in this case, I don't work directly on the text, but I create a detailed analysis with strengths and weaknesses, with practical suggestions on how to fix the issues.

I edit and flesh out as I go, so when I'm finished with the book I'm basically done. I have a final edit where the computer reads the book to me. Then it's off to the developmental editor. After those edits, I send it to the line editor. Then a final edit where the computer reads to me. Somewhere in the process, I have my aunt do a read through. I used to have my mom, too. But she has dementia now and isn't able to.

Debra Holland Is there a program that you use for the computer to read back to you? So sorry to hear about your mom. Mine has dementia and my dad passed from Alzheimer’s.

Hey Maurice Vaughan, novella's can really be anywhere from 17,500 to 40,000 but also depends some on genre. A 40,000-word book could also be a MG chapter book, though on the light side even for that genre. As far as the differences, not a ton except that the plots are typically more simple and you don't have as many characters or side plots happening. Novellas lend themselves well to a more screenplay-ish feel.

Hey, Jonathan Jordan. Glad to hear novellas lend themselves well to a more screenplay-ish feel. I think it'd be easier to transition into book writing with a novella. Thanks for the info.

Great insights, Jonathan Jordan! Thank you for sharing!

The length depends on your genre and also the other types of books you write. If you write big books, say over 100k words, then a novella in your series might be longer than someone who's "big" books are only 50k. For me personally, it's about 20-40k, with my "big" books (the historicals) being 80-90k.

Hi, Debra Holland. I didn't know the length of a novella also depended on the genre, but that makes sense. It's like with screenplays. Thanks for the info.

Hi Anthony McBride, I worked with an author this summer who turned his novel into an audiobook. I don't recall the company he worked with, but let's connect, maybe I can help you.

Anthony McBride If you’re looking to collaborate with a vocal artist, you might consider connecting with talent right here on Stage 32. There are incredibly skilled voice actors in the community, and many are open to collaborating on indie audiobook projects. You can even post your opportunity on the Stage 32 Job Board.

A few additional tips:

• Know the voice you’re looking for: Is your book best served by a warm, conversational tone? A dramatic performance? Think about what fits the emotional world of your novel.

• Request a sample read: Before committing, ask potential narrators to record a short excerpt. It’s a helpful way to hear how they interpret your work.

• Discuss deliverables up front: Will they handle editing and mastering, or will you need a separate post-production partner? Make sure those details are clear from the start.

• Payment structure: Decide whether you’re offering a flat fee, royalty share, or a hybrid agreement, and be transparent in your job post.

Sure, I created three Audiobooks. Two of them are well received. Matthew Longmire, Stephanie Rigby and Georgia Black did my Dark Comedy for me because I had vocal issues at the time, but I did "Then the Earth Swallowed them Whole" all by myself. I have a deep voice, which is loved by some. See who is on Audible first, have them do a 2 minute audition and then work out a deal. I would suggest finding someone who knows ACX specifications, because they run Audible. If you use platforms like Fiverr, make sure that person is actually on Audible and has a history. Our names are in blue hyperlink.

https://www.audible.com/author/EJ-Wade/B07VTTLT7B

It's actually not a daunting task at all. (Says the author who was so daunted that she waited months to start audiobooks.) Go to ACX.com (the indie publishing branch of Audible) and select and listen to narrator samples. Or just put your book out for auditions.

The narrator does all the work, with you doing an edit. I prefer a chapter by chapter edit so I can change the character voices if need be. I also find that working on the audiobook is a way to do another edit on the ebook/print book, because you hear mistakes or repetitive words.

Make sure you have an agreement with your narrator that he or she is willing to make changes. My agreement is that I won't have her make changes when she's spoken something different such as an A rather than a THE and it really doesn't matter to the context. In return, she'll make some changes for me that weren't originally in the book/manuscript. Of course, she makes changes for her errors, such as missing a sentence or pronouncing a word wrong.

ACX really makes the steps simple.

I sent you a contact that had one done.

Chiara Torrisi This is such a fun tool, thank you for sharing it! Prompts like these are great creative jumpstarts, especially on days when the ideas aren’t flowing as easily.

That's true, it's a funny way to practise, Ashley Renee Smith! Also on the go, on the subway or during a short flight.

My script changed when I realised by antagonist was a better character than my protagonist. I originally enjoyed writing my protagonist with her triumphant ending but when I started working the villain more - then the tables turned. I was a little shocked how much I enjoyed creating the villain. Feel like a traitor to my 'Disney/Happy Ending' brain....

hahahaha love that Lauren Hackney!

I got a smile from that as well, Lauren. Good luck with the project.

Kat Spencer, I absolutely relate to that feeling of being surprised by your own story. The book I’m currently working on is the first in a planned trilogy, and I spent an entire year worldbuilding and outlining before I wrote a single page. During that time, I also roughly mapped out books 2 and 3 to make sure the full arc felt cohesive.

One of the biggest discoveries that completely snuck up on me was realizing that my original antagonist, the one I designed the whole first book around, is not the true antagonist of the series. He’s still very much a force of evil and a personal threat to my protagonist, but as I dug deeper, I realized the story needed a larger, more insidious evil working in the shadows. It shifted the emotional weight of the final book and gave the entire ensemble a higher-stakes mission beyond what I initially imagined. That realization changed everything.

Well done, Ashley. And how cool you got the follow-on books mapped out as well. Your words make me want to pick back up a trilogy I haven't worked on in a while. Thanks for that nudge.

In my book THE POWER OF THE DARK SIDE I present the classic observation that there are Three Levels to the Dark Side. 1 - A character's own foibles, phobias, faults (like Indy's fear of snakes in RAIDERS, overcome later on to help save the day). 2 - The Dark Forces of nature (like in TWISTER, ARMAGEDDON, or DON'T LOOK UP) . 3 - The Dark Ones, the big baddies or systems on high levels and with great strength (like the President and the tech bro in DON'T LOOK UP).

So we want to have at least two in a story: 1 - Personal, 2 - Impersonal, 3 - Supra-personal.

Best to you all in crafting wonderful, engaging, fulfilling stories!