A Writer Rewrites

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

 

It seems I have a problem with further drafts of my scripts in that I don't give them the required attention that I should. I tend to write the first draft of a script, then proof read and maybe change a few scenes, etc. What I'm not doing is rewriting and rewriting until my scripts are as good as they can be. This means I'm sending out scripts that are far from ready, which is evident with Mr. Valentine. I'm gutted and annoyed then that I sent this to Celtic a few weeks ago. I should have spent more time rewriting it before I sent it out. I let my eagerness of a potential sale, and their interest in me, get the better of my judgement; the reason so many new writers fail.

I tend to think that the first draft is where most of the work is done, when in reality the real work is in the rewrites. This is something I'm going to have to pay close attention to.

The main points J.K. made about my writing where:

• Know what you plot and theme are. If you don't know how can you expect a reader to?
• Show, don't tell.
• Cut down on scene description, do not overwrite. Don't use ten words when five will do.
• Make scene descriptions more dramatic, less static.
• Use direct actions like 'Flick' instead of 'Flicking'.
• Combine action and character description. Don't go from one to the other.
• Don't direct. A director directs, you write.
• Don't tell the actors how to act. Write the dialogue and let the actor decide how he or she delivers it.
• Do not write generic locations. Try to create a sense of place. This will add to the atmosphere of your script and story.
• A good spell check saves embarrassment.

There were many other smaller points about my work J.K. made which only goes to prove that the most important part of writing is rewriting. Sending scripts out that are far from complete is a big mistake and lets the reader know you're not professional. It also dramatically reduces your chances, and there aren't that many to begin with with.

As with drug addicts and alcoholics the first step on the road to getting better is to accept you have a problem. I have a few problems with my writing. Now I have to spend a good amount of time going through all of my scripts rewriting them.

I've got a lot of work to do.

A Writer Writes

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

The first is a ten minute drama called Body Bag (although this title might change at a later date). I've decided to write a few more shorts as practice, mainly just to keep my writing muscle in tip-top condition but also to post on Shooters for up and coming directors to film. After this one I have another one ready to go to the writing stage, called Testing.

I have also started to work on the treatment of my next feature, a dark drama about life on the streets of London. Faith is an idea that has been gestating for some time time now and the only reason I haven't written it before is that I felt its subject matter was too dark so soon after Sins Of The Father. However, I have come to the conclusion that dark drama is where my talent lies so I shall be taking Faith into its first draft in December. I like comedy, but it's so bloody hard to get right, after all what's funny to me might not be funny to anyone else.

Back To School

Monday, November 06, 2006

I think it's important as a writer to realize that you don't know everything, and last weeks NO's were a little welcome back to Earth for me. It does no harm to brush up on your craft once in a while. It keeps you fresh and helps you to iron out any bad habits you may have picked up along the way.

That's why I've sent one of my scripts (Mr. Valentine again) to J.K. Amalou to run his expert eye over. I think having to pay for your work to be read and assessed is also a good way to find out if you're really serious about writing, or if you think of it as more of a hobby. Let's put it this way £250+ for page by page feedback on a script is going to put off all but the most dedicated. Money is a bit tight at the moment, but I feel it's a worthwhile expense, especially if the polish to my work and my writing knocks me up that extra level I need to get something sold.

Read Bang2Write's article and make up your own mind.

You're Not Good Enough, Carver!

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

(1) An envelope arrives from Carnival Films returning Sins Of The Father unread.

(2) An envelope arrives from Micheline Steinberg returning Sins Of The Father and From This Day Forth, with a letter saying they thought Sins Of The Father was, "a well-realized screenplay." They also thought From This Day Forth was, "a strong piece." Yet they did, "not feel able to offer you representation at this time."

(3) Not one, but two emails from Marchmont rejecting Sins Of The Father and Mr. Valentine.

(4) An email from PFD regarding From This Day Forth. They liked it, but, "it's simply not enough for me to admire a piece of work: I need to love it if I am going to make any kind of difference."

(5) My dad phoned to tell me the vet had to put the cat down.

 

All this even after five years of hard work.

So for those of you who are just starting out and you can't stand rejection or criticism, then I suggest you try another career. Writing isn't for the faint hearted. Get used to it!

Writing Read

Monday, October 30, 2006

Lucy is a fellow Bournemouth University Scriptwriting graduate, reader and trained teacher, so who better to give your script the once over. She has clients of all levels from beginners to well known professionals working in the film and television industries, and confidentiality is assured. Check out her listing on InkTip and drop her a line. Her advice is well worth the time and money. Also check out her blog.

By the way, I don't usually advertise other resources on this blog, but for Lucy I've made an exception, as she's helped me sort out a script that I've struggled with for four years. Mr. Valentine will be launched soon. I know I keep promising, but it will.....honest!

Catch Up

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

I photocopied five copies of Sins Of The Father and sent them out. One went to the BBC Writersroom and the other four to small production companies. The reason for this is I feel it has a better chance of getting made with a smaller production company. Let's face it the gangster genre is almost played out, but I reckon that a small production company could use such a well known genre to establish itself firmly on the map. We'll soon see if I'm right.

Last week I emailed eleven agents including details of Celtic Films' interest in From This Day Forth. To date I've had two positive responses from big agencies, both of whom requested an email copy of the script (one agent I mentioned in the last blog). I have high hopes of landing an agent this time round.

The series bibles for my two new drama series ideas are coming along nicely and I hope to have the pilots written by April 2007.

The fourth draft of Mr.Valentine is finally finished after a major overhaul. Two people are currently checking it over and when I have the notes back I'll make any final changes that are needed, and give it a final polish. I aim to be able to send it out January 2007.

I've had a few enquiries about my work from fellow Shooters and two look quite promising. I will give you details later if anything pans out.

That's all for now.

Email Frenzy

Friday, October 20, 2006

Yesterday I emailed ten agents in a bid to find representation, as Micheline Steinberg are taking their time to reply.

I got an instant reply from the Dench Arnold Agency, who asked me to email them a copy of one of my scripts. Hopefully they'll get back to me quickly with a decision.

I today received an email from a new producer I've had contact with over the last couple of weeks. She has read Sins of The Father and really loved it, "one of the best scripts I've read so far," were her exact words.

However, she isn't sure she wants to commit to it as it does have a drugs/gangster theme which she said she thought she wanted to avoid, but she is still interested in talking to me about it. She even suggested it could be turned into a TV film, something I'm not really sure about as I think the themes in Sins of The Father are too large for the small screen. Talks continue.