Hi Bill. Thank you for starting this newsletter. I am an aspiring screenwriter and could use all the help I can get! I’d also really like to hear more about the process of turning your novella into a screenplay. Looking forward to your wise words!
Hi Kofi, thank you so much for this encouraging message. Im glad to connect. In terms of adapting the novel...or any novel maybe?...I needed to identify a singular, main narrative to avoid being distracted by a novel's ability to wander more than a 'commercial' movie does. I often point out to people that short stories are often a better source for screenplays b/c they have a 'singular effect' like movies usually aspire to. Adapting a novel requires killing a lot of darling because there just isn't space for all the great details and inner landscapes that novels provide. So ultimately the advice for adapting is the same for any screenplay in that we need to be clear about the stories Main Dramatic Question (which I'll write about at some point here), clear about what the Character's Hope Dream is (which I'll write about here :) ) and what the Obstacles are to that dream. Since a novel has all the raw material you can set about identifying the simple singular narrative and then identify the subplots and secondary characters that connect to that Main Plot line..........hope this is helpful!
Thank you, Bill for providing such a detailed and insightful answer. Very useful advice that I will keep in mind going forward. I am very much excited for your newsletter!
Now I’m thinking about all my secrets!
"I will gladly pay you Tuesday for your Substack post today"
Yep, just making myself crack up with a Wimpy joke (pun intended).
"writing needs you"
Nice work, Gullo.
Thanks BF glad to have your eyes on it
So excited for Tuesdays now!
Me too!
The meconium line did it for me! 🤣
that one was for you!
that's a good one, Alyson! Hello!
Hi Bill. Thank you for starting this newsletter. I am an aspiring screenwriter and could use all the help I can get! I’d also really like to hear more about the process of turning your novella into a screenplay. Looking forward to your wise words!
Hi Kofi, thank you so much for this encouraging message. Im glad to connect. In terms of adapting the novel...or any novel maybe?...I needed to identify a singular, main narrative to avoid being distracted by a novel's ability to wander more than a 'commercial' movie does. I often point out to people that short stories are often a better source for screenplays b/c they have a 'singular effect' like movies usually aspire to. Adapting a novel requires killing a lot of darling because there just isn't space for all the great details and inner landscapes that novels provide. So ultimately the advice for adapting is the same for any screenplay in that we need to be clear about the stories Main Dramatic Question (which I'll write about at some point here), clear about what the Character's Hope Dream is (which I'll write about here :) ) and what the Obstacles are to that dream. Since a novel has all the raw material you can set about identifying the simple singular narrative and then identify the subplots and secondary characters that connect to that Main Plot line..........hope this is helpful!
Thank you, Bill for providing such a detailed and insightful answer. Very useful advice that I will keep in mind going forward. I am very much excited for your newsletter!