Simple America

I’m really getting in the mood to write. When the muse hits me I have to give in. When my friend called and asked for my script I felt pretty happy. Then I had to tell him the bad news, that I lost my script when the lappie died last March. But I told him the story resides in my head and he told me that’s great. Just get a copy to him when I can. I’m thinking I better not wait. This kind of window does not open up everyday.

First thing I have to do is get all of my writing software loaded on the new lappie. So last night I loaded them all. Looks like they can work on Vista. Great! What products do I use when I write? First thing let me tell ya. Microsoft Word is not adequate for scriptwriting. You can plan on pulling out a lot hair if you want to try.

The first tool in my arsenal is Dramatica Pro. I use this in all of my longer writing (novels, scripts). Dramatica is the name of the software but it is also a writing theory. I create all of my characters using its models. Plot and theme is also developed in this application. Dramatica is one of my favorites, because it lets me jot down every idea I could possibly portray in a story and then I can push it around and bounce it off other ideas. It saves time down the road, because I can see what will work for the story and what is a stinker before I do any serious writing.

Once I have things tightened up I can take my plot and theme points and set them up within scenes. Characters can then be assigned to those scenes. I can look at character motives and make sure they are being addressed. Conflict is also considered at this stage. Before you know it I have a basic layout for my tale.

Once I am happy with my plot I export everything into StoryView. This software acts like a story board or index cards. I can look at how my scenes are laid out and make certain things are consistent. Am I ignoring a character. Is one of the themes weak? Would this scene work better here or there. This software lets me shuffle things around too. I like it because I can take the print out and cover my walls with it. I like to cut out pictures of places or people and tape them to these pages. This helps me later when I am writing with my descriptions. The pictures keep the images consistent in my head.

Once I am happy with the story board I write write write. What do I use? Movie Magic Screenwriter is word processor that provides the format used by Hollywood. I like that I can import from StoryView or Dramatica Pro. This really speeds up the writing process and keeps the story on track. At this point I am mostly just writing dialogue as I have imported the scene outline. And that is what I like about screenplays. They write really quick. A novelist has to provide a lot of description. The screenwriter does not have to provide a whole heck of a lot. He just has to make sure his characters talk well.

The screenwriter software has a lot of nice features too. When my script is complete I can click on a few tools and it has voice actors built in that will read your script. Do you want to know if a line works. Listen to someone else read it. Once I’m happy with a script they have a service to help you get the script registered so it won’t get stolen. Lot of people in Hollywood use this package too.

Chances are the studio I sell my work will use this. This will be convenient when the director or producer want some changes. They can jot down notes and send it to me. And these will be easily identifiable because of the way the software flags it. Then I do the rewrites and return to them and those changes are flagged as well.

So I am excited to get writing. Are any of you interested in learning more about this kind of writing. Let me refer you to this book:

When I wrote this script the first time I used this book. They sell it on Amazon and you can find it Borders or Barnes and Noble. And yes I did write the first draft in 21 days. It was kind of fun following her format. I did have to rewrite a lot though. But this book is nice in that it explains the proper formatting for a screenplay. It also tells how to register your screenplay to protect yourself. And lastly, it discusses how to present it for sale. No one will look at a screenplay unless you have it on 8 and half by eleven three-hole punched paper with two brads, not three.

I’m thinking about documenting my entire writing process as I progress on this script. Anyone want to tag along? Because this is pretty confidential writing I am not going to post this out in the clear where everyone can see. That means I am going to put a password on those posts and out of fairness I will not count those posts in the Hug Hug Club tally. Some folks may not care to follow my writer’s journey. After all. What have I published, besides a few roleplaying adventures? But if I become the next hot writer in Hollywood those of you who follow this blog can say you knew me when…

Ask me and I will send you the password.