Peter
asked
Doug Solter:
Hey, Doug. Peter Koslik here. You may remember me from Nichollscribes back in the day. I am continuing to write scripts and placed as a semifinalist again in 2014. I'm curious about your decision to switch to YA literature. Would you mind sharing some of that evolution?
Doug Solter
Hi, Peter!
I do remember you from Nichollscribes back in the day. Congrats on the 2014 SF! That's awesome. Let's see, I'll give you the "short" version. Basically when the economy tanked in 2008 and the spec script market went dry, I decided to switch gears and try writing books. At first it was a different approach to getting my film projects made and I thought it would be good for me as a writer to expand my skills. My best received screenplays (Nicholl SF '01 and QF '09) have had teen protagonists so after analyzing the YA genre, I concluded that it fit my writing niche. After I completed several drafts of my novel SKID, I shipped it around to over 60 NYC lit agents for publication. Received a lot of good feedback with a few submission requests but no deals. Then the Amazon Kindle eBook revolution took over in 2011-12 and I decided to go the indie-pub route. For the first time since 1999, my writing is actually earning money. So I released more novels and decided to make this a business. Do I still love film and screenwriting? Yes. I desperately want to find time to write more screenplays. But right now it's difficult with a full time job so I'm forced to pick between fiction and screenplays. I know I can sell the books for money. The spec screenplays are still the big what-if. However, I'm hoping I can somehow carve out the time for one more submission to the Nicholl. Good luck with your writing! Anytime you want to ask me anything else, let me know.
I do remember you from Nichollscribes back in the day. Congrats on the 2014 SF! That's awesome. Let's see, I'll give you the "short" version. Basically when the economy tanked in 2008 and the spec script market went dry, I decided to switch gears and try writing books. At first it was a different approach to getting my film projects made and I thought it would be good for me as a writer to expand my skills. My best received screenplays (Nicholl SF '01 and QF '09) have had teen protagonists so after analyzing the YA genre, I concluded that it fit my writing niche. After I completed several drafts of my novel SKID, I shipped it around to over 60 NYC lit agents for publication. Received a lot of good feedback with a few submission requests but no deals. Then the Amazon Kindle eBook revolution took over in 2011-12 and I decided to go the indie-pub route. For the first time since 1999, my writing is actually earning money. So I released more novels and decided to make this a business. Do I still love film and screenwriting? Yes. I desperately want to find time to write more screenplays. But right now it's difficult with a full time job so I'm forced to pick between fiction and screenplays. I know I can sell the books for money. The spec screenplays are still the big what-if. However, I'm hoping I can somehow carve out the time for one more submission to the Nicholl. Good luck with your writing! Anytime you want to ask me anything else, let me know.
More Answered Questions
Peter
asked
Doug Solter:
Thanks so much Doug and congratulations on your successful transition! I'm in a transition with my creativity as well and it's helpful to hear your story. I'm in this rather strange creative space because I feel like I'm just beginning to truly grasp screenwriting and yet, the industry seems harder than ever to break into. I know it's all dubious and difficult but perhaps novel writing is the best way to go?
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