Coming at screenwriting from a novelist perspective is interesting. For example, a 2-page scene I wrote last week, then deleted yesterday, was a little "side detour" to add some world-building background to Act 1 and would have been fine, and even desired, in a novel. However, it introduced 2 speaking characters who would never be seen again, plus a whole new set and a dozen extras, so from a film perspective, it was a waste of time and money for what little it contributed to the story. It's a very different (and practical) way of thinking and I'm kinda digging it.
Screenwriting : Novelist writing a screenplay. by Joseph Rhea
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Definitely a different writing medium to work in, William. I enjoy what each has to offer and the challenges they offer. Great that you recognize the differences and are embracing them.
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Hi Joseph, what genre are you working with?
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Thanks, Ty.
To answer your question Billy, I'm writing an original science fiction script that takes place "beneath the surface of a hostile and alien ocean" if you can believe the logline. :) It's actually an origin story for a book series I wrote several years ago.
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Joseph Rhea I did the same thing and enjoyed the switch very much. Huge learning curve but glad I made the leap. I also write sci-fi with a steampunk bent as well as fantasy. Hope you’re doing well Joseph.
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I'd watch a movie about that, Joseph Rhea ("beneath the surface of a hostile and alien ocean").
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Thanks Maurice. My first ever screenplay was adapted from the 1st book of my undersea series and it made 2nd round at Austin Film Festival. Details here if interested: http://www.josephrhea.com/scripts/index.htm
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Welcome!
We are on the same journey. I, too, am a published novelist writing my first screenplays. I catch myself adding thoughts, feelings in action description and sliding into past tense. I am learning a lot from the experience. and having fun. People here are wonderful and helpful.
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Hi, nice to know other authors are expanding horizons too. I find that hopping between my manuscript and screenplay writing gets tricky as I have to entirely switch the mindset. My first screenplay was adapted from pieces of a trilogy I'm trying to finish. The second, I'm going the other way around--wrote the screenplay first which I will use as a template for the novel. Doing it that way, I see the whole story unfold and it will be much easier to expand it into a novel. Definitely having fun with this!
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My brother was reading Victor Hugo’s Le Miserable. I asked if it was good. He said “except for the 135 pages about the internal workings of the French Catholic Church it’s good”.
Slight difference to a screenplay.