Authoring & Playwriting

For all the authors and playwrights in our community, a place to discuss, share content and post tips and advice.

Ashley Renee Smith
Michael Crichton's Writing Advice

I love this video that I found from writer, Kieren Westwood, where he's compiled writing advice that was shared by best-selling author Michael Crichton over the years. Crichton is one of my husband's all-time favorite authors and I know how rarely he talked about writing and his methods, so it was i...

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Maurice Vaughan

I see what you mean, Giovanna Silvestre. Yeah, we definitely have to stay authentic to our writings and the stories we wish to tell!

Ashley Renee Smith

That's also how I took the advice, Giovanna Silvestre! It's one thing to try to write the best version of something that you want to succeed, but it's another to write something that you think could b...

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Raven Riley

Ashley Renee Smith Maurice Vaughan I LOVE this discussion because it puts a lot of things into perspective. First, I think it's important to write what you're called to write. I think all of us have t...

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Sherri ZImmerman

Darn! Hit the wrong button and lost all that writing I put here an hour ago! … is there way OF EVER retrieving it? Or lost to Time… Lol

William Joseph Hill

Thanks for this, Ashley Renee Smith ! I especially agree with the first tip of not trying to write a best-seller. If you're focused on the marketing, your story won't be compelling. There's a filmmaki...

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Ashley Renee Smith
Don't Miss Tomorrow's Ask Me Anything Event in the Screenwriting Lounge!

This Wednesday (10/23) Stage 32 is hosting a FREE virtual Ask Me Anything with Krista Sipp in the Stage 32 Screenwriting Lounge! Krista is a Producer, Literary Manager at Heroes & Villains Entertainment, & Stage 32 Educator! She's sharing her wisdom to answer YOUR questions about "Concisely Crafting...

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Leonardo Ramirez
How To Successfully Navigate The Stage 32 Platform!

Joining a platform like Stage 32 can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Check out this helpful guide put together by our amazing Head of Community of Stage 32, Ashley Smith.

https://www.stage32.com/blog/how-to-successfully-navigate-the-stage-32-p......

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Brian Smith
Ask Me Anything (AMA) Wednesday 6/5 to Thursday 6/6- Self-Publishing & Marketing Your Novel

Greetings everyone! My name is Brian Smith. I am a self-published author, and I am doing an AMA this week on self-publishing and marketing your novel. I have self-published one novel and will be self-publishing book 2 of my trilogy in the next month. I'm hoping to publish the final book in the trilo...

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Gregory Barone

Brian Smith do you want me to send you a link to what I have on amazon or AO3?

Brian Smith

Gregory Barone Amazon is good.

Gregory Barone

https://www.amazon.com/Chronicles-Fiction-Novel-Lester-Grimpen-ebook/dp/B0CVJRDGHX/ref=sr_1_1?crid=KRFGPBGQWK6O&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.oFhshsc-rsY7POy0NXc5mQ.9crJqvMBwKXaWoxNDRsRg8Fo8fPtBMRRbrKyJ5g4kYU&dib_...

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Francisco Castro

Thank you for doing this AMA, Brian Smith. I've written a sci-fi novel. You believe having a good editor is key. Where do you recommend finding a good editor and what is a reasonable price for editing...

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S.F. Jesih

Thank you for doing this AMA, Brian Smith. This is very helpful advise. I would also be curious the answer to the question above mine.

Mike Childress
The Dreaded Second Person P.O.V.

Hi All,

So after watching a gazillion videos about Scrivener I still have no idea what I am doing... I just started writing in a box and it seems to have saved properly so now obviously a Master User...

I digress... Found myself wondering if any of you have attempted a novel written in the verboten GA...

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Mike Childress

Terrence Sellers Yeah, might be a nice retirement project attempt!

John Roane

To me, a first person POV novel sounds "weird." You are too much in the mind of the character. The reader learns too much about the characters thoughts. It takes away some of the mystery and tension....

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Mike Childress

John Roane After writing screenplays the sweet siren song of the easy internal conflict exposition of novel-writing doth lure one back to the original craft...

Terrence Sellers

John Roane "Weird" is the correct word. Writing a first person novel has not been fun, even though I love the story I'm telling. So much is lost in first person, because you can only write what the ch...

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Raven Riley

Hi, Mike! I'm going to give you some unorthodox advice, but follow me for a second (and then obviously, take it or leave it).

I'm a big believer that when an idea is calling out to us and we can't sha...

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Nancy Bhs
Pitch

Hello,

I’m reaching out with a quick question I hope somebody might be able to help me with. I’m an author with a published novel, and I’m looking to pitch it to a producer. Could you share any tips or advice on how to approach this process effectively?

Your insights would be greatly appreciated! Thank you :)

Chase Cysco

Congrats on your novel! When pitching to a producer, you’ll want to keep it concise and engaging. Start with a strong logline that captures the essence of your story in one or two sentences. Make sure...

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Jonathan Jordan

A producer is also going to be interested in the fanbase for the novel...how well did it sell, is it high concept enough, is there a built-in audience for the IP, etc. They have to think about how they can turn around and either sell it to investors or to partner studios.

Giovanna Silvestre

Hi Nancy! it’s a pleasure to meet you. Congrats on your published book. I know the feeling of accomplishment and excitement as I'm getting closer to the publication of my first book. Regarding pitchin...

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Ricardo Santiago Soto

Interestingly, JK Rowling wrote novels to her Harry Potter franchise. However, screenplays for each novel were written by someone else (i.e., Steve Kloves, Michael Goldenberg). Therefore, I suggest wo...

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Raven Riley

Congratulations on your novel! That's amazing!

I highly recommend joining Pitch Practice in the Writer's Room if you haven't checked it out yet. The feedback there is next-level amazing! I cannot reco...

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Ashley Renee Smith
Next Week's In-Person Stage 32 Meetups!

Hey, Writers!

There are 2 FREE Stage 32 in-person networking meetups coming up next Thursday, October 17th! I'm including links to the meetup pages for you all below. If you live in any of these cities or are nearby, be sure to RSVP and seize this opportunity to meet with other creatives in person an...

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Ashley Renee Smith
Tomorrow's Ask Me Anything Event in the Writer's Room!

This Friday (10/11) Stage 32 is hosting an exclusive virtual Ask Me Anything with Christina Pamies in the Stage 32 Writer's Room Lounge! Christina is a Screenwriter, Podcast Writer, & Stage 32 Educator (BAGHEAD, NO GOOD DEED, 60+ PRODUCED PODCAST SCRIPTS- PARCAST NETWORK/SPOTIFY) and she's sharing a...

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Ashley Renee Smith
Popular Writing and Publishing Tips Aren't One Size Fits All!

In the below video, author Jenna Moreci is countering common writing and publishing advice and providing alternative strategies for writers looking for a different path.

I'd love to open this up to the community- What are some of the popular writing tips that haven't worked for you and what did you...

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Jonathan Jordan

So true. I like to say you should follow half of writing advice half the time. Because even the great advice isn't going to work for every situation/project. For instance, for years I've heard the adv...

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Maurice Vaughan

"Don't edit as you go." That's great advice for a lot of writers, but I love editing as I write, Ashley Renee Smith. I figure things out right then instead of waiting until later. My 1st draft is like...

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Dave Wickenden

The one thing I agree with is that not all advice fits the author. I'm a pantser and have completed 7 novels with 2 more on the way. As she mentioned, I do get stuck, but unlike writer's block, I feel...

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Suzanne Bronson
Phoenix Metro Area Authors!

In Person Stage 32 October Meetup

https://www.stage32.com/meetups/1998

Ashley Renee Smith
Neil Gaiman's Advice For Aspiring Writers

In the below video, Neil Gaiman shares his tips for aspiring writers during his talk with Daniel Handler at BAM.

What advice would you add for new writers?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFiXZCzzHF4...

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Giovanna Silvestre

Stay Curious! Keep observing the world around you. Inspiration can come from anywhere, so stay open to new ideas and experiences.

Jonathan Jordan

"Finish Things" is so good. My hard drive used to be filled with the corpses of half-done (or less) story ideas. It's why I've become such a fan of using outlines, even with fiction, because it adds i...

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Ashley Renee Smith

Feedback is essential, Maurice Vaughan. It's scary and that never really changes, but it's so important. Just like every other writing skill, practice makes perfect when it comes to hearing and proces...

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Ashley Renee Smith

Giovanna Silvestre, I love that! I love to go places like a busy mall and just people-watch. It's interesting to observe how others interact in the world and with the people around them....

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Ashley Renee Smith

Jonathan Jordan, I'm determined to avoid my common mistake of getting 3/4 into a project and then getting distracted by something else and moving on. It's why I'm determined to fully outline my curren...

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