Authoring & Playwriting

I’m starting to think I’ll never break into the film industry.

Even though I’ve received great feedback, the story keeps getting rejected — mostly because it would require a high budget to bring to life.

I think I’m slowly reaching that phase where I stop trying and just move on, without thinking about film anymore.

But maybe that is playing it safe?

Arthur Charpentier I'm sorry it's challenging times for you - but I do appreciate you making some time to connect with this community and share what you have to say. I hope no matter what the circumstance, that you remain creative. If it's part of who you are then you need to feed that part of your soul. Thank you for always stopping by and commenting - I understand if it's tough some weeks.

@sanna I think redefine what you think is success. My version of success is showing up when I'm shot down. Showing up and creating what I think is important when everyone else thinks it's garbage. I've made no money in this industry and my magazine gig pays minimum wage. It's not what I expected either. But I'm exactly like you - I've had no success in the film industry but I'm not stopping because I'm not advancing. I'm connecting with others like you and you never know where this both could take us #amiright?! Take a break and breathe - but don't quit. Quitting is permanent.

Lauren Hackney Thank you for the good advice — maybe that will do me some good.

@Lauren Hackney, Thank you so much for your words of support. I believe that only by going through difficulties can one gain valuable experience that helps in creativity. Unfortunately, life in Russia does not promote creativity for ordinary people.

I'll carry hardcopy pages in my purse to edit when I have a few minutes. If I need to write because of a deadline, I'll often schedule Zoom writing with a friend or friends. I have a regularly scheduled Zoom Tuesday night writing time with three other friends.

I'll always remember someone telling me "One page a day means 3 scripts a year!" Even on days when I'm not into it, I usually get into a groove pretty quickly. It's like dreading a yoga class, then within 5 minutes I'm happy I'm doing it.

This is something I really struggle with (I'm well aware that self doubt and procrastination that comes from it are the root cause). Since quitting my day job to focus on writing I'm still as yet to have a writing schedule. I've read articles recommending consistent shorter sessions daily which is a lot more feasible than large chunks of time. I find the balance stressful as I need to first educate myself about each stage in the process, read screenplays, watch films, take advantage of Stage 32 webinars etc and write.

Marie Hatten The fact that you left the job is a tremendous step that most never take. Respect. You got this!

Thank you Vidal Ramirez but that was at the end of 2022 . It was actually a very toxic environment and I'm afraid I developed TMD from it.

Some independent and children's book publishers accept graphic novel proposals without an attached illustrator. I work with Australian publishers who prefer to pick the illustrator however the author has no creative control as to who they pick. This is under a tradition publishing arrangement. What age and genre are you aiming for? It is costly to produce a graphic novel, I do agree with what people in the chat are saying here. However, you can self-publish and see how that works for you.

Hi, Lauren Hackney. I didn't know some indie and children's book publishers accept graphic novel proposals without an attached illustrator. Thanks. I'm thinking Action and Sci-Fi Action graphic novels, and I'm guessing teenagers and adults.

My experience with graphic novels from a screenwriting perspective has been very positive. Comics as well. The good ones are remarkably well paced and the visuals are near cinematic, so you get two things at once. For exampe, in issue #3 of Black Widow: Homecoming, a 7-page sequence (exactly 7 pages down to the story frame) starts with Black Widow hanging in mid-climb from a tall building and ends with someone falling from that same building.

So a well placed scene start:

(1) has visual forshadowing.

(2) makes the scene challenge not the rainy night climb, since at that point we know Black Widow is an expert climber, but rather sneaking into an apartment where a danger is expected but it's not clear what's in there.

(3) works as a bookend with the scene ending.

I now read comics almost as mush as scripts.

Thanks for the info, Michael Dzurak. I'll help with my graphic novels. I'll check out issue #3 of Black Widow: Homecoming.

Maurice Vaughan That whole series of 6 issues was really good.

Yes, Lauren Hackney! The Berenstain Bears would make such a heartwarming and visually charming series. There’s so much timeless wisdom in those stories about family, kindness, and learning life lessons, plus the cozy setting of Bear Country would look amazing in animation or even as a live-action hybrid. It’s the kind of feel-good storytelling the world could always use more of.

I was actually surprised by how much I enjoyed the recent remake, David Horton! I think The Hardy Boys still has so much potential for another reboot, there’s a timeless appeal to that mix of mystery, adventure, and sibling dynamics.

Ashley Renee Smith I recently saw The Amateur - with Rami Malek. It's based on the novel by Robert Littell. There was a film made in 1981 with John Savage, as well. In some ways, the Rami Malek film was better than the John Savage film. Updates for the 21st century, etc. So, having said that, I feel The Hardy Boys could be updated, as well, for all the reasons you mentioned. We could see them as older siblings and perhaps - they both work for the CIA.

Mine. I have seven published. However if it has to be something from my child hood then The Folk of the Faraway Tree.

Ashley Renee Smith I’d want Calvin & Hobbes adapted as a fast-paced action thriller, where their boundless imagination explodes into epic, high-stakes adventures on screen.

You're welcome, Lauren Hackney. It is! Grey area could be the theme of a book, play, screenplay, etc. Well, the start of a theme.

Great ideas !!

Thank you Darrell Pennington

Lauren Hackney I’ve also found that genuine curiosity goes a long way; when you reach out to learn from someone rather than immediately pitching yourself, it opens doors in unexpected ways. Networking truly doesn’t have to feel transactional; it can be about connection, curiosity, and community, just like this.

Ashley Renee Smith Completely agree. Love the community feel here at Stage 32!

G.R. Barnett Thank you for telling me your publishing journey. Do you think you will self-publish again? Also, did you enjoy the process of having complete creative control over your project? I like that you had your own illustrations in your book.

This is such an insightful breakdown, Lauren Hackney. The economics behind picture books are often overlooked, and it’s so valuable for writers to understand that rejections often have more to do with budgets than with the quality of their story. I also love that you mentioned hybrid and co-publishing models!

Lauren Hackney You know I would have been perfectly okay with it had they advertised and maybe I had gotten some decent sales for it but as it was I got nothing out of it except bitterness and a bad experience. I loved writing the book itself, I'm still proud of it, just rather humiliated by its non-success.

Ashley Renee Smith Thank you for reading my post. I appreciate it!

@G.R. Barnett I hope you do keep writing. I hear so many of these stories both traditionally published and self-published. Where marketing wasn't done properly and not enough sales were generated. An author friend I know didn't sell enough with her debut book and now feels like the publisher wont give her a second chance. But do keep writing - you never what may come of it in the future.

Keep writing the character until they talk to you, then make most of the changes they want. If they argue then let another character argue with them.

YES, DAVID!

For me, I try to build upon small details --- little idiosyncrasies that I write for the character. I feel the small details do matter in my opinion and you should build upon them in order to get some kind of character going.

Great list, Elmare Hendricks, those are such strong fundamentals to build from. I’ve found that one of the most powerful tools in character development is contradiction. Giving a character a trait that seems to conflict with their surface identity (like a fearless leader who secretly doubts themselves, or a villain who’s deeply kind to animals) adds depth and realism.

Thanks Jon, I once had two screenplays on the go, finished them, then had the main characters from each living in my house chatting to each other for a while. It was quite strange but very enjoyable.

Your wife is right, Ian Hannaford. Sometimes I'll be outlining, writing, or rewriting a script and something just isn't working, or I'll be researching something and can't find it, then I'll remember I can change it/make up something. It works better for Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and Horror in my opinion though.

Sure, although I think it works for any writing. I had forced myself down path of a chance meeting at an airport. I was trying to squeeze in the narrative until that moment occurred when I was like…rewind, rewind. Start again and then ended up down a happy path.

The overall realisation though was how powerful writing can be, we are literally making up worlds, fantasies, emotions, settings, scenes. we can make it rain, shine brightly, cause pain and suffering or pure happiness - not only in and between our characters but to the audience.

That’s a big responsibility right there

You're right, Ian Hannaford. It works for any writing, and it's a big responsibility. I also like to make up companies, brands, products, technology, vehicles, etc. for my scripts.

I think it was John Steinbeck who said - para - if there is something in your writing you really like you should probably take it out.

It’s so true, Ian Hannaford, sometimes we get so deep into the process that we forget the incredible creative freedom that comes with being a writer. We have the power to shape entire worlds, shift perspectives, and move hearts, all from a blank page. Your wife’s comment is such a perfect grounding moment; it’s your story, and you can always change it. What a gift that is!

I'll check out the Dracula Flow videos, Vidal Ramirez. Thanks. I reread my outlines, reread my scripts, read other people’s scripts and books, and watch movies, shows, etc. when I want to be inspired.