Authoring & Playwriting

That's a great question, for me I just write what I wanna write and trust that whoever likes it will come back haha. It's like real life for me; I've been told that I'm a lot of fun to be around and even though I don't personally get it I know that that means I'm doing something right haha. So I figure in most cases the best way to do it is to just be yourself. I don't imagine readers like to read something they know is fake, just like they don't like dealing with people they know are fake in real life.

I agree completely Banafsheh Esmailzadeh! That is a wonderful mindset to have. Especially for the creative process.

Thanks, Kat Spencer! Yeah my sense of self is tied quite closely to my creativity so it makes sense that there's overlap :) plus, y'know, as artists I do believe we're all still kids at heart and it's never a bad move to keep that in mind haha

I just wrote and published my first book. I had sold about 15 copies on Amazon and all feedback had been that they love that I keep them wanting to read the next chapter. What I found is cliffhangers. It’s also a story based on true events of my life and It seems to be taking off for me.

I hope one day to inspire others.

Hello everyone. I come from a journalistic background; I believe that everyone has a story to tell. I hear stories every day, in the line at the grocery store, or waiting for a flight at the airport, or sitting next to someone on a plane or at a dinner party. I've always felt like it's my job to "find" the story and to write it. I've written two nonfiction books (both published) and as many screenplay adaptations. I've discovered that people like to tell their stories scene-by-scene---have you ever noticed? As they tell their stories, they often use all of their five senses: sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste. A few storytellers embellish with a sixth sense as well. I like to capture each scene of a person's story in details. Then I like to play with the chronology. I like to begin with something that has already happened and something that is about to happen. Sometimes, this scene or chapter ends with what some may call a "cliff hanger." Other times, the scene or chapter ends with a question delivered in dialogue, or a thought someone was thinking. I've found that no one ever tells the bare naked truth right away. They bait us, tease us, and challenge us to say: "ask me what happened next?"

Amanda Alencar Anytime. Until then, happy writing.

Amanda Alencar Yes! That is exactly how it works for me :) It's very magical.

I write for usually just a joke, then I discover, it could be a good story, and I have to expand it to make it something for tv or movie. Not the best way to write books. From there I try and come to an open and a close.. and then try and come up with things that happen in between, laying out the scenes so far.. the open usually changes.. as well as come to more characters. If u have an open and end.. you have a story, then the missing middle shows a lot easier. I did a different process in Marathon. That one kinda wrote itself.. for direction of.. cause it follows an actual path the runner had to take, and has its own history u have to follow.. so I laid out a map and put different points he would have to be at and timed out where the sun would’ve been, based on a average time the running segments might take..then the middle between those is trying to come up with an assortment of added things happening. I think an outline of scenes works really well, and leaves you seeing questions like how’d it go from here to here, and let’s you add scenes more easily (on computer) or just putting a note between scenes to add content too. The most fulfilling writing is when a joke or sketch, you wrote for someone hits and the whole audience laughs and laughs. That’s what got me into writing.

Amanda Alencar I am new to writing stories.

I have written poetry since the age 10.

Recently published my first book and I would have to say what inspired me to write was wanting to get my story out there to help others who may have had similar lifestyle that I grew up in.

I want to inspire people so badly one day! I also feel writing down my thoughts is so therapeutic.

I would love support and feedback from everyone!

Like you I am a Pantzer. My writing comes to life when the character is born and I inhabit its being. It lives and I follow, never knowing where, like this comment, it will go until I reach the final word.

I can’t remember my very first story, but luckily my mom saved my first script. In fifth grade, I started writing this Spy Kids-esque heist adventure on notebook paper and proudly carried it around in a bright red three-ring binder for weeks. I took it very seriously at the time. Nearly 10 years later, when I left home for film school, she gave it back to me. It’s completely ridiculous in the best way, but I’m so glad I have it. It’s such a fun reminder of where the dream began. Thanks for sparking the memory, Kat Spencer!

Hahahaha Erin Leigh Nice!

That's a beautiful memory Ashley Renee Smith! Hug your mom for hanging on to that and giving it back to you.

I wrote a story that I placed my niece as the main as the though, who’s ahead in school.. and had her run for school office, treating it like it’s for actual president and inviting real candidates to debate… ?? I don’t remember everything I do remember it was to try and work a bunch of inventions into a book format. So she was somehow inventing new things and carrying out ideas.?

This is my first story. I am learning and have only published this one.

Currently working on book number two however, that’s taking me a bit longer.

I would love some feedback!

Nice William Joseph Hill

Dawn Prato, it’s so relatable to hit those mid-edit snags, especially with a multi-POV format where every chapter has a specific role to play in the structure. I love that you and your co-writer are going back to the beginning and reevaluating character backstories and plot reveals. That foundational work can make all the difference. When I run into logic issues or conflicting motivations, I usually create a visual roadmap or timeline to track what each character knows and wants at every major beat. It helps me spot where things veer off or contradict. As for structure, I’m a fan of using it as a guide but not a cage. If a chapter doesn’t serve the story, I try to find a creative workaround, like combining perspectives or shifting the order slightly, so the rhythm stays intact, but the momentum doesn’t suffer. I’m curious to hear how you two decide what to keep and what to let go.

I remember reading that the writer of Death Note had to kill off a character, Naomi Misora, because she was too clever against the villain protagonist Light that she basically would have derailed the entire story. Since Death Note is a serialised manga of course the fix was pretty jarring but nonetheless it needed to happen in order to keep the story going.

I know in my second life's work Petal I've written myself into quite a few corners and most times the solution was to go back and remove the corner and try new directions. If the previous direction was the way then I had to figure out where it bottlenecked and have setups that organically lead the way out of said bottleneck.

Hey Dawn Prato - I usually go through the document and highlight any plot holes or lingering questions. Normally, I add those to the outline but in a case like this where there was something I missed, I create a new word doc that lists all of the plot holes or unanswered questions. Then I search through the doc to see where those can either possibly be handled or inserted. Hope that helps.

This is all fantastic advice (and commiseration - it's nice to know it's not just us!), thank you everyone :) In a way, I'm almost glad we're bumping into these snags, because it means we've fleshed out parts of the world and backstories - at least, in this case. So it's a good thing, in the long run, and it definitely gives us a lot to talk through and strengthen.

There may be consolation popcorn mixed with chocolate, from time to time..... but it's all going to work out in the end :)

What a cool experience to look back on, Sam Sokolow! Seeing that original production with such an iconic cast must’ve left such a strong impression. Glengarry Glen Ross has such sharp dialogue and electric pacing, whether on stage or screen, it hits hard. I’ve seen the James Foley film and thought the performances were phenomenal.

BLAKE: Put. That. Coffee. Down. Coffee is for closers only.

WILLIAMSON: Will you go to lunch? Go to lunch. WILL you GO to LUNCH?

Alas, never saw the play though I'd like to.

hi there, I'm a little new to this but if I can give you any advice(and hope) it's keep going and never give up.

Andrea Johns This is actually something book agents often help with, connecting their clients with production companies or entertainment reps who might be interested in adaptation opportunities. If you don’t have an agent, Stage 32 also offers Career Development Calls where you can speak directly with industry executives and producers to ask for guidance on how to approach this process as an author. It’s a fantastic way to get personalized advice and make connections that could help bring your story to screen.

I also recommend reaching out to our Stage 32 Success Team at Success@Stage32.com. Let them know more about your book, your goals for adaptation, and where you are in the process. They’ll help you connect with the best execs and producers who are actively looking for compelling IP to adapt.

Register the copyright for the source material and for two treatments you create: one for feature; and one for series. Once those copyrights are registered, pitch to a literary agent that specializes in adaptations.

Hi Andrea Johns -- Ashley has some really good advice. I'd say that having a literary agent would be a good step as the agent can act on your behalf to approach companies looking for material. It can be done by yourself, but it's a lot of work and research. Best of luck!

Ashley is absolutely right Andrea Johns - definitely go through an agent. They can also help with the pitch process and what you need.

That's great to hear. For you I hope you can get your scripts to the screen. Fingers crossed! Petru Gradinariu

Hi everyone!

Writing wasn’t always the plan. For years, I worked in kitchens around the world after serving in the Army. Food was my art form, it’s where I poured all my creativity. But over time, my military-related injuries got worse, and I had to make the tough call to leave that career behind. That was a rough chapter, losing something you love like that. I didn’t know what came next.

Funny enough, it was my friends who lit the writing spark. For years, they’d joke, “You always figure out movie plots way too fast, you should be writing them.” I heard it a lot growing up, but never thought anything would come of it. Eventually, after enough of their (loving) badgering, I took the leap and enrolled in school for creative writing. And here we are.

Now, writing has become that new outlet I was missing, a way to take all that creative energy I used to put into food and channel it into stories that matter. I’ve always loved layered tales like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, where the real battle is internal, and the themes cut deeper than what’s on the surface. That’s the kind of storytelling I want to pursue.

Excited to be on this journey with all of you.

That's awesome Montana Clayton! I can relate to losing something you love and trying to find your new path. I share your talent in "figuring out movie plots way too fast." hahaha. Though I have written some fiction novels, I've never thought about moving into creating movies or TV. Honestly, I look at everything it takes to make something like that, and I'm in awe. Welcome, and thank you for your comment and best of luck to your storytelling career!

My main motivation for writing began with wanting to read my own science fiction stories. Then I transitioned to writing scripts for film and sketch projects I would film on Super 8 and VHS as a teen. I always looked at writing as part of my career along with acting and filmmaking.

I was inspired by everything that Stanley Kubrick's films conveyed to me, A Clockwork Orange, Full Metal Jacket, 2001, but my biggest idol in this profession is Vince Gilligan, with his masterpieces, Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, my greatest motivation is to write a story that touches the hearts of the people who read it, that like Kubrick, explores the duality of human nature, that shows and transmits all the advice that I could give about love, and that explores the corruption of people and shows the reality of human beings.

Hey, Leonardo Ramirez. I'm looking forward to this AMA!

Maurice Vaughan Same here my friend! I’d love to go at some point.

I would too, Leonardo Ramirez. For the networking and hanging out with everyone from Stage 32.

Yes, that would be a blast.

Hi, Kat Spencer. I read the blog. It's a great Q&A! And like you said, truly inspiring!

Thank you for sharing, Kat Spencer!

Hi Kat Spencer - thanks for asking! It's definitely a scheduled spare-time thing for both of us. Our day jobs take up a majority of our time, I have a few other projects I'm either collaborating on or being paid to write, and she loves physical activity and prioritizes spending time with her partner. So, while it's not quite a hobby/for fun thing we're doing, it's more of a, "we want to pursuse this as professionally as possible but recognize we have limited time" thing :) So far, we've been pretty good at sticking to meeting via Zoom once/week and meeting in person on a weekend day, so we're trucking along slowly but surely haha.

@Banafsheh and @Leonardo, congratulations to you both as well! Everyone here is doing amazing, and I love that we're acknowledging personal/physical/non-writing-related goals as well - balance is so, so hard to manage sometimes, but we're all trying :)

Have a great Sunday, everyone!

Have a great Sunday too, Dawn Prato!

Dawn Prato Thank you for your answer! I wish you the best with it and congrats on keeping it in your mix. I am an advocate for a balanced life. What is the novel about? (If you don't mind sharing)

Kat Spencer I'm so sorry I missed this! I haven't been able to pop on here as often as I'd like (or should) lately.

The novel is about a girl caught by Fae, the changeling who replaced her, and the Unseelie squire sent to try and bring the girl back when she escapes :) They have to figure out how to work together (and figure out where they belong) while navigating two Faerie courts, internal politics, and little things like how to get along so they don't get killed.

Dawn Prato Only a few things to figure out. hahaha. Sounds like a fun read!