Babbling is so much easier
Hi there. In case you’re wondering why I’m not frantically writing away on the screenplay that has to be in the mail THIS FRIDAY, it’s because I have a policy of always taking Sundays off, not only because we need clean underwear over here, but also because I believe the brain and the body and the spirit need a sabbath, even (or especially) when there doesn’t seem to be enough time to take time off. So that’s why today I’ve been to the farmer’s market, done three loads of laundry, caught up on Project Runway and the season finale of BBC’s Robin Hood (don’t get me started), and generally been a slug. Ahhh. Feels nice.
But I just wanted to give you aspiring novelists-turned-screenwriters a little heads up: Novels are easy. Dude, you have all the time in the world. Page after page, just babbling away, taking as much time as you need to tell your story. Screenplays? Zip, zip, zip. You’re in, you’re out. Move on. Next scene. Zip, zip.
Now I understand why they’ve decided to split the last Harry Potter book into two movies–impossible otherwise. You only have so much time in a movie, and the fact is, we want to see as much of that book as possible on the screen.
This screenplay I’m working on is an adaptation of my next novel. The more I try to condense it, the more I have to laugh at all the long, lazy pages of thought and dialogue and other fun distractions I never really thought much about as I was spinning them off of my fingers. Now I’m all, “That’s not important! Out it goes!” Which I know will ultimately help me a lot as I get to the final editing stage of the novel–I’ve already learned to be ruthless about it.
I’ve also really had to turn my brain away from thinking in words and dialogue, and instead try to translate more of it to the visual. The old show-don’t-tell. Easier said than done, my friends. Thankfully someone whipped some sense into me a few nights ago when I described what I’d written so far. This person has read the novel, and knew that I had just stripped the screenplay of one of her favorite parts, and instead was letting the lead character just tell someone about what had happened, instead of actually showing it on the screen.
After my dear friend got done screaming at me (in a very nice way), truly the scales fell from my eyes, and I saw very clearly how I needed to fix the whole screenplay. Ever since then it’s been zip-zip-zip. Good thing, too, since I have to zip this puppy into the mail in just five more days.
That’s it here from screenwriting land. Hope you’re all enjoying your own lazy Sunday.
And if you don’t believe in having lazy Sundays, let me encourage you to rethink that. God made the Sabbath for Man, and whatnot.
Technorati Tags: Screenwriting, Novels, Screenplays, Authors, Writers, Publishing
I’m always impressed by a really good movie adaptation of a novel, precisely because of how much has to be condensed or conveyed in some creative new way. I wonder if it’s easier or harder when it’s your own novel? Anyway, good luck and godspeed!
Sounds like a great learning exercise for a novelist, Robin, but methinks I’m too afraid of it! (Dare I admit, my book is currently running 97,000 words! WHICH — I must point out, is only a measly HALF the length of Breaking Dawn!) But seriously, screenwriting sounds really hard. Curious if you’ve seen & read Atonement, because I think that is the most faithful adaptation I have ever seen — but in a good way; the book just translates well to screen, I think.
As for your Sunday sabbath — I could have used one of those today. But instead I tried to finish draft 3 and am about to surrender, unfinished, for the day. I think I can finish in the morning. But egad, I am so sick of this book it is making me NAUSEOUS.
Good writing week! Go, you!
One of the reasons that I love your blog is that, like with your book(s), you seem to write DIRECTLY TO ME. Seriously, how can you know EXACTLY what I need to read? In writing and in life, you are an inspiration. So thanks. And godspeed with the rest of your writing process.
Elizabeth, you just got me all choked up! Thanks for saying that!
Laini, Laini, Laini–I HEAR YOU on that. We love our books, of course, but there does come that point when we’ve read through them about eighty million times, and nothing seems fresh or fun or surprising anymore.
But then you know as well as I do that once you put it away for a while (or send it off to the editor for the last time and finally get it back in galley proofs) that you’ll fall in love with it all over again. And this is the time to remember that there are thousands and thousands of people (like me!) who love your writing, and can’t wait to read what you give us next! So suck it up!
Eisha, I think it’s easier to adapt my own novel because I don’t have to feel guilty about cutting out certain scenes (or even characters). If I were adapting someone else’s material, I might feel like I have to call the writer every day and ask, “Is this okay? So sorry! Have to keep things moving, you know?” I’m pretty good at being ruthless with myself.
don’t worry robin i know that your screenplay will be great. i know that i would never be able to write a screenplay i’ll just stick to trying to finish my book and maybe get it published (unlikely).
I HAVE MASHED POTATOES!
Patrick, glad to see you agree with me about babbling.
Thanks, Carli, and good luck on your novel! Believe me, the only secret is to keep working and FINISH.
I had to test your theory that babbling is easier. It was.
Gosh, I’ve missed this! And we even got a Patrick funny! Hee, hee! I mean, I know this won’t happen often for a while, but I’m glad you wrote and I’m glad everyone’s been commenting. I said previously that screenwriters amaze me. The sheer precision required of the craft is so intimidating to me! But I’m glad you folks keep at it. We love good movies, and good movies first and foremost require good writers.
As for the Sunday sabbath, my family and I attend church most Sundays, but we try to avoid doing anything that makes us feel overly stressed. We really enjoy our weekends–Saturdays are definitely sabbaths, and Sunday is a nice way to get ready for the week ahead, especially if we approach the day with the right frame of mind.
One more thing: the talk about hating your work reminded me of something I read on Libba Bray’s blog recently. I found it hilarious! I’m not published, but I can identify with the roller coaster of emotions that come with writing a novel (what a love story!). See post here: http://libba-bray.livejournal.com/36896.html.
Kelley, thank you so much for that Libba Bray link–that post was freakin’ HILARIOUS! As for your weekends, how lovely they sound! We all need our downtime–especially with our families. Good for you!
I’m not sure I would even attempt to write a screenplay because I would be terrified to pitch it. I’ll stick with the novel e-query, tyvm…
I’m very proud of you, though. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Robin,
I love how you meet all these writing challenges with such enthusiasm and need to share tips with us.
All the best and write on!
Vivian, I really do hope that anything I have to say about my experiences in the writing business are helpful to other writers. I try not to just babble! (Not always successful, of course . . .)
Heather, why not? You might find that having to rewrite your story as a screenplay helps you refine the novel. It’s amazing how many useless scenes I realize I can delete from my novels once I’ve had to delete them from the adaptations. Try it!