I know I haven't contributed to my own blog in several weeks. I have been busy developing recipes for my other side-line - for the Spicelopedia spice line that I am helping to promote. I'm going to be rolling out a few videos soon with these recipes, which I will create with the help of a special guest. Stay tuned.
One of my first posts was a challenge, to find something new to satisfy your creative muse.
YES, I TOOK MY OWN CHALLENGE!
I told you that I would. Speaking of backroads and detours, I guess some would say I went backwards to move forward. Confused? Let me explain.
I'M WRITING A NOVEL BASED ON ONE OF MY SCREENPLAYS
"Wait, MK. Don't most people write the novel and then the screenplay?" Usually.
HISTORY OF THE SCREENPLAY
I finished the second draft of the screenplay, then titled "Hearts in the Sand," in January of 2021. Remember the actor who I wrote about in an earlier blog post (who shall remain anonymous here out of respect). I met him in the late 90s, but when I reached out in June, he didn't have a clue who I was. Oh, well. I'm not very memorable. LOL.
That actor kept coming into my head in late 2019 and through 2020, when I was writing at a feverish pitch during the pandemic. So this lead male character, and also Ryan - the neurologist who talks like a mob guy in "The Monongahela Mysteries" - and another comic lead role in quirky holiday film were all written with him in mind. Not that I'd have a say in the casting, unless I attach myself to a project when it gets made (note I'm being an optimist here). My experience with my previous options and development deal (which fell apart) was that the producers sometimes ask you if you had anyone in mind for any of the roles to help them pitch the idea.
Oh, before I go on, to that actor, if you ever read this, I believe you have a birthday coming up at the end of the month, so "Happy Birthday." I recall when we spoke on the plane out of LAX in the late 90s that we are both Libras. I'm an October baby myself.
Note before I continue: I changed the name of the script to "Love Under Construction" as I thought it fit the concept better.
WHY WRITE THE BOOK NOW?
The first reason is, I am seeking a literary agent. Since COVID, I am finding that the agents who are willing to work with writers who aren't produced, which I am officially not since the development deal fell apart, mostly handle books and may also help you look to known film agents/managers if you have a script to market along with the novel. Having a book along with this script made sense to me. I know just where I'm going to market the book.
The second reason is, I wanted to delve into these characters more. Maybe I could make the script even better. In a screenplay, all that goes on the page is action and dialogue. You don't get inside the characters' heads unless a character is narrating. In a book, you get a chance to explore the characters in ways you never can in a screenplay.
The third reason is, I wanted to challenge myself. I have always wanted to write a novel. I am finding that I am almost enjoying it more than writing screenplays. Maybe stepping outside my comfort zone has found me a new niche. I first studied screenplay writing in 1992. I started taking it seriously in the late 90s. I mentioned that I took the detour into food writing and blogging.
Oh, and for the book, I purchased a subscription to Dabble, which makes formatting a breeze. I highly recommend it. It's a cloud-based product and I just love it.
The fourth reason is, the movie industry has changed. Because of the streamers, so many producers are looking for ultra low budget work now. I write mainstream. I thought having a novel and a screenplay might help open a few more doors for me. While I plan to keep marketing the script as is for now while I finish this novel up, I figured it was worth a shot. I might do this with "The Monongahela Mysteries," too. Since I have the script written, the book writing is easy. All I'm really doing is adding in more background and thoughts into the story that I already have.
TO CLOSE ON THIS EARLY SEPTEMBER DAY...
I recall when "My Big, Fat Greek Wedding" came out, Rita Wilson, who produced the movie, said that she went to see Nia's one woman show of the same name and told her that should could see it as a screenplay. To which Nia exclaimed, "I have one!"
Look at the success of that movie! Nia, also an actress, took a detour with that one woman show and it paid off for her. So, in conclusion, I guess me writing a book based on my screenplay isn't all that novel of an idea after all.
Pun intended, be blessed and be best.
MK