Ten easy steps for screenwriters to turn that unproduced script into a novel     This topic has come up in several places lately so I thought I’d re-post this article I wrote, previously published in Written By, the journal of the WGAW, as How To Become A Novelist In Your Spare Time.) 1. I bet you have that unproduced script that you’ve always secretly thought would make a great novel. Pull that out and let yourself remember everything you loved about it. If it’s been sold or optioned in the past, consult with your lawyer and the guild Contracts Department to make sur ..read more

It’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Why not celebrate this American hero and work on your storytelling craft—by watching Selma?   I’ve been doing a breakdown of the movie for my online Screenwriting Tricks for Authorsworkshop. The film has a wildly ambitious goal: to depict the monolith of U.S. racism; to educate its audience about King, a key civil rights battle, and the history of voter suppression in America; to break the history down into understandable segments to change the hearts and minds of its audience; and to prompt present-day action by awakening both rage and inspiration.   ..read more

2020 was a hell of a year. I’m know I’m not the only one to be glad for a chance to take out the trash and start fresh. I actually got a lot done last year. I launched an online writing class. I had Covid in the spring and recovered, although it took a while. I did everything I could do from a distance to help save democracy. And I wrote a book. Not just a book—the biggest book I’ve ever written. The first of a new series that’s different from anything I’ve ever written before. How did I do it? By writing five minutes a day. I never stopped writing. Even if I only spent five minutes a day on ..read more

As anyone who's read this blog knows, I do a Nanowrimo Prep series every October to help writers do some planning to get the most ouf of their November writing session. This year I'm going multi-media and doing it as a free mini-workshop on Teachable.com, with videos, assignments, and discussions to help you jump-start the book you're going to write this winter — and sell in the New Year! You can access the course here. Hope you can join ..read more

From the Calendar of Canceled Cons: Today I would have been in the Scottish Borders, teaching Screenwriting Tricks for Authors at the Borders Writing Forum. I had other workshops scheduled this year in Ireland, New Zealand, Australia and L.A. That’s a lot to miss out on! I guess it’s no wonder I started doing videos of the workshopinstead. I’ve just finished the tenth video, an Act One Elements Checklist, and we’ve worked through all the essential story elements of Act I. Each video is just about 10 minutes long, with exercises that will take 15-20 minutes of your time and get you writing ..read more

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