Monthly Archives: April 2010

Eager to Start “Windfall” Rewrite

I must be nuts but I absolutely LOVE rewriting screenplays.  I keep hearing that most people hate the rewriting part but I don’t.   I really do enjoy it.

I love seeing the skeleton, the first draft (or second draft or third, etc.)  as it takes form.  Scenes are cut, characters are deepened, purposes are defined, exposition is deleted and a screenplay improves.

I like creating the original story but I really “bleed” during the creation part.  Stories don’t just flow out of me, I have to pull them out and it often feels like torture.

I envy writers who get a story in their mind and just sit down and write.  It doesn’t work like that for me.    It seems like questions bombard me while I write… What about this?  What happens if that happens?  Does the timeline work?  What about a character that…

These questions lead to confusion, and I find myself wondering if I’m writing something that even makes sense.    During the first draft I question my motives and my character’s actions.  During the rewrite, I clarify and expand on motives and actions.

The first draft is torture.  Yes, enjoyable torture.  But not as much fun as subsequent rewrites.

The first draft is pain.

But, the rewrites?  The rewrites are fun!

I have received a couple of really good “Windfall” reviews, and I am anxious to get started on the rewrite.  My original plan was to wait until I had a half-dozen reviews but I think I’m going to start.  I can see what needs to be done and I’m going to do it!

Oh boy!  This is gonna be a blast!

My Baby is being Dissected

Right now, “Windfall” my current baby is being read and reviewed by other screenwriters.  This is the part of writing that I love and hate.  “The Dissection.”

The “fresh eyes” are good.  It is always interesting to me to see the various directions other writers want to take my story.  And I appreciate  writers giving their time and thoughts to me.

What I have learned is to be patient and wait for all the “reviews and comments” to come.  I usually see a pattern.  If one reader tells me the second act is weak, that’s an opinion.  If all the readers tell me they think the second act is weak, then I’ve  probably got a problem.

Some ideas are beginning to surface, ways to improve “Windfall”.  But, rather than jump in and start a rewrite, I’m going to take a break and see what develops as the reviews come in.

In the meantime, I’m going to coax another idea out of my tiny brain and see if it develops into anything.  And, on May 1, I’ll tackle MoviePoet.com’s next challenge.

“Windfall” This Week-end

I think I’m close to the final first draft of the fifth revision of “Windfall”.

It’s embarrassing but, you know, I actually remember those days when I thought my story was done after the first draft.  What a joke!

I’ve been reading and re-reading the hard copy all week.  So, this week-end I plan on implementing all my handwritten notes.  That is, if I can read my handwriting.

After that, I’m going to spend some time with the “Final Draft” tools.  First, I’ll check all my location slugs to make sure they are consistent.  And then, if I have time, I’ll take a peek at all character dialogue and make sure each character has a truly unique voice.

Hmm.  Looks like it’s another week-end spent with “Windfall”!

$$ The Cost of Screenwriting $$ and Time!

The beauty of writing a screenplay is all I need is paper and pen (or computer).  A very true statement.

But, once the screenplay is written…  I need $$.

$$  I have to register and copyright the screenplay.  Some screenwriters  tell me that it doesn’t cost much but “much” depends on your income bracket.  Right?   $22 to one person is pocket change.  $22 to another is a couple of meals for the family.

$$ Query letter costs.  Postage.  Paper.  Return envelopes.  It adds up.

$$ Contests.  I’m told that to get noticed I should win contests.  But, to win a contest I have to enter it.   And those entry fees aren’t cheap.  And, yes, someone will win but what are the odds that it’s going to be me?

In my opinion, I must register my work.  That’s an expense I can’t get around.  Gotta protect my baby from people who want my baby!

As far as querying, I haven’t decided if there is a difference between sending a letter in the mail or sending an email.  One costs $$, the other does not.  But, since I always get the same response … NO RESPONSE … I can’t say if one way of querying is better than another way of querying.  For now, I’m sticking to querying by email.

Contests?  I’ve struggled with the subject of contests since I finished my first screenplay.   Since money is tight in my house, I really have to question if contests help or not.   I have received honorable mentions in contests that I have entered but I have not won any yet.  The honorable mentions got me a mention on a few web sites but that’s it.  No one asked to read my screenplay.

The odds that I will win a contest… very slim.  But, someone has to win so I might as well enter.  Right?  But who really wins?  The contest rakes in the money and I get nothing.  Does the winner get their screenplay made into a film?  Sometimes.  Not often.  Winning a contest is no guarantee.

Which is why I prefer contests that give you something in return for your money.  Even if it’s only a few lines of “review”, at least it’s something.

Screenplay Contests …  Think of them as an industry, use them wisely.  And, except for a few exceptions, the contests are in business to make $$.  Remember that!

And then there’s another cost of screenwriting.

Time.

Boy, does it take a lot of time!