Goodreads Authors/Readers discussion

This folder is for writers and readers of plays and screenplays.

For this folder, I must mention one word of precaution: this is an open forum. The moderator is not responsible or liable for posted titles and/or ideas, or the risk that said titles and/or ideas could be borrowed or stolen.

It's a pain to mention this, but I've worked long enough as a writer to know that disputes sometimes arise.

With that said, I'll throw in a screenplay I've written:

"On Eagle's Wings" (A coming-of-age mystery story)

Hi all,

My name is Vanessa Richardson, I am an author and playwright.

Here are clips of my stage production and inspirational suspense, Love Found Me.

Love Found Me:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_xyPQ...

Inspirational stage production: God Knows My Heart!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0wSjT...

Thank you for starting this site. I have a number of plays, but very few places to list them. You'll find extracts and details of the following on my website http://www.acolinwright.ca and (for the first three only as yet) on http://www.productionscripts.com.

1. "Lieutenant Kizhe," based on the satire about a non-existent hero, by Yury Tynianov with music by Sergei Prokofiev.

2. "Germany Calling," based on the life of William Joyce, the British traitor known as Lord Haw-Haw because of his radio broadcasts to Britain during the war.

3. "Really, Judith," a new interpretation of the story of Judith who, according to Apocrypha, gained admission to the tent of the invading general Holofernes in order to kill him--only here she's seen as passionately in love with him.

4. "Out of This World," almost a farce, involving a broad-minded professor of theology, his "outragious" mistress, her confidence-trickster husband who's escaped from prison, and a forgetful but traditional head of the department of religion.

5. "Tangle of the Isles," where an impoverished businessman discovers his house in the Hebrides has been taken over by a bunch of "lay sisters."

6. "The Loss of My Good Name," based on the proposition that the works attributed to Shakespeare were in fact written by the Earl of Oxford.

7. "Unlikely Ceremonies": three one-act plays designed to be performed by the same six actors on the same evening. Celebrations where everything goes wrong, with hilarious conclusions: "George's Funeral" (the straight comedy), "Nora's Anniversary" (the tragi-farce) and "Jennifer's Wedding" (the farce, ending with a same-sex marriage).

For further information see too http://www.authorsden.com and, for my novel, http://www.sardiniansilver.com.

Chapter one of Sardinian Silver is outstanding. I would read it for the compelling narrative voice, with character, setting, plot, . . . all else serving as bonus.

I do hope the play Lieutenant Kizhe has been produced on stage. I love the music.

Jeanne wrote: "Chapter one of Sardinian Silver is outstanding. I would read it for the compelling narrative voice, with character, setting, plot, . . . all else serving as bonus.

I do hope the play Lieutenant Ki..."

Many thanks for your comment. I took a look at "Manx Adventure" too, and enjoyed it-and I can't remember either why the Manx cats are not spoken of there. I've been to Scotland and Ireland, but never to the Isle of Man. I should go, since I have some knowledge of the Gaelic that is still spoken in Ireland and Scotland, whereas the Manx version is extinct.

"Lieutenant Kizhe" was performed in an amateur local theatre in 1993, after winning in the special merit category of the Theatre BC Canadian National Playwriting Competition and being work-shopped in Vancouver. Alas, I've never yet managed to get it performed professionally.

All best wishes,
Colin Wright

Hello Colin,
Since the Manx cats originated on the Isle of Man, I expected to see Manx cat souvenirs, T-shirts, legends, symbols, histories, flags, etc. The Manx cat is intelligent, sociable, and easy to recognize, so I wondered why the Isle of Man tourism promoters hadn't adopted such a cute mascot.

According to the slim book I finally found in the Douglas library, the genetic aberration that causes taillessness also causes serious, even fatal, deformities of the lower vertebrae and hindquarters.
At the time the book was written, it was said that something like half of each litter had to be destroyed. The high percentage might be lower now if breeding is more selective. Still, I can understand the silence around a cat that is bred despite the non-viability of its litter mates. This is not something they would want on luncheon place mats.
Here's an excerpt from on line:

Special Medical Problems

Manx Syndrome is a normally fatal defect caused by the so-called Manx gene, which causes the taillessness. The gene's action in shortening the spine may go too far, resulting in severe spinal defects--a gap in the last few vertebrae, fused vertebrae, or spina bifida in newborns. If there is no obvious problem with a Manx Syndrome kitten at birth, the difficulties will show up in the first few weeks or months of the cat's life, usually in the first four weeks, but sometimes as late as four months. It is often characterized by severe bowel and/or bladder dysfunction, or by extreme difficulty in walking.

Breeders of Manx will generally not let kittens leave the cattery until they have reached four months of age because of the possibility of Manx Syndrome appearing. In most cases, however, experience will point to a problem in a kitten long before the kit is four months old. Rarely will a breeder have no suspicion of anything wrong and have the Manx Syndrome appear.

Manx Syndrome may occur even in a carefully bred litter, but is more likely in the instance when a rumpy is bred to a rumpy in or beyond the third generation. For this reason, the breeder carefully tracks rumpy to rumpy breedings, and uses tailed Manx regularly in the breeding program. Generally speaking, a sound breeding between a tailed Manx and a rumpy Manx should produce a litter that is 50% tailed and 50% rumpy, but as we know, what should happen and what does happen are many times two different things. Usually, however, one may rely on this percentage. As long as litters are produced in which all tail lengths appear, the breeder may feel that the breeding program is on track.

Jeanne wrote: "Hello Colin,
Since the Manx cats originated on the Isle of Man, I expected to see Manx cat souvenirs, T-shirts, legends, symbols, histories, flags, etc. The Manx cat is intelligent, sociable, an..."

Gosh, how interesting. It certainly makes sense. Thanks for copying this out for me! It inspires me to try harder to get to the island someday.

Best wishes,
Colin

Hi everyone,

I'm a screenwriter as well as an author. I adapted my novel The Marlowe Conspiracy into a screenplay and won the nationwide Writers On The Storm Screenwriting Competition, placing first out of 1000 entries. I've also place in the top 30 at the Nicholls.

No one in Hollywood wants to make it, though. Too expensive from an unknown writer. Oh well...

Hi, folks.

Geoff Thorne here. Prose and screenwriter, mostly in TV so far.

i've got a stack of books here. More coming.

I do neo-pulp fiction but i hope there's more meat on it than just guns, magic, aliens and gadgets.

take a look and judge for yourself.

please.

Hey there people I got a question for you. I don't exactly write movie scripts or plays but have great ideas for both and have been coming up with some great stuff for a few comedy cartoon shows like The Simpsons, Family Guy, and Robot Chicken. I just get these great ideas and type them out in how I think the scenes should play out. I'm not looking to make bank on any of this stuff but I am looking to find a way to get it connected with people attached to these shows. Do any of you know of a way to do that? Is there a way Goodreads could get producers and directors for film, TV, and plays connected to Goodreads? I will attempt it from my side if I could get some help that would be cool.

Ideas are, as a rule, not a good thing to post on the web. You can't protect an idea legally so, when you post your stellar notion up for millions to see, you are essentially giving it away.

Ideas, in themselves, don't have much value in "Hollywood." Execution is what gets checks signed which means a treatment or an actual script. Good novelists do not, automatically, make good screenwriters. They are different skills.

If you want to be taken seriously in the screenwriting world you will, at some point, have to become a screenwriter which means learning the proper formats and then writing your ideas into real, actual scripts.

You can sell individual jokes or gag bits to stand-up comedians sometimes but screenwriting just doesn't work that way.

honestly the ideas I have written out I'm not looking to make any money at. I'd just like a thank you and to eventually see it put to use maybe. I will look into a book or instruction for getting things cleaned up and put into a proper format though. I already have a full time job and get enjoyment out of the ideas I come up with and think they would get some major laughs.

i'm not trying to be harsh here but, if they're just ideas, even written out, it's doubtful anyone will read them. you have to write an episode of the show in qeustion USING your jokes and gags in that context. An entire episode. In the proper format and structures.

unless you know the creators of these shows personally, there's no way for them to get to see ideas and, if they see them on the web and use them, you'll never know if it was just a coincidence that they came up with the same joke as you or if they actually used your joke. Lots of people actually do come up with the same gags and plots independently. I've seen it many times.

Getting a thank-you is EXTREMELY unlikely. Like nearly unheard of.

well I think if I can get this stuff into the right format and structure maybe I can find someone with some interest in them. They aren't really just ideas I kind of wrote them out scene by scene and made notes on camera angles and such. They are pretty detailed ideas actually.

sounds like you're on your way to a script. excellent.

oh and you weren't being harsh just helpful and I appreciate it. Although I am sure Hollywood can be a harsh place which makes this a nice place to pick up tips.

Hello - I'd like to post about Autistic License a play by Stacey Dinner-Levin. My wife's company has published this, and I'd like to point you to it if you have a family member, friend, student and/or acquaintance on the autism spectrum:

Description:

"This award-winning play is the autobiographical account of one family’s journey to raise a son with autism. From the time that her child is diagnosed at age three, “Mom” leads us through the challenges and milestones of living with autism. We learn from her experiences, the impact this disability has on her marriage and family, while witnessing first hand the best and the worst of people who encounter her son in the outside world.

As a result of living with disability, not only does she come to a greater understanding and appreciation of the uniqueness of her child; she also gains greater depth as a woman and a mother.

“Nobody sees what goes on in families living with disability. To me, theater was the perfect vehicle to tell this story and give voice to all these families. I really wanted to open the doors, take down the walls of our house and say; “Come in, take a good look, see this for what it is: the struggle of my life along with the beauty and joy.”
–– Stacey Dinner-Levin, playwright

Autistic License

Thanks!
Joel

Hullo hullo!

Although I'm on Goodreads as a novelist, I'd have to say by sheer volume, I'm primarily a playwright. Four of my plays ("Math for Actors," "Charming Princes," "Wallace's Will" and "The French Butler") have been published from Playscripts.com - whom I highly recommend. My plays have been produced nationally and internationally, from Dublin, Ireland to Christchurch, New Zealand. My first five-act iambic pentameter play, "Cupid and Psyche" premiered in Boston in 2009, and was a semi-finalist for the Princess Grace Award in the same year.

I like plays. (Actually, I recently wrote a post on why it's easier to write plays than novels, over here: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/6...

But the script is only a blueprint, I feel. Hence, youtubery! http://www.youtube.com/gaudete

Hi, I've just joined the group and I actually have a few questions that I've been needing some help with. I spent the better part of my high school years and quite a few after writing screenplays and I have a few that are finished and dozens more that aren't even close. Recently however I've come to realize that these do me no good sitting in a box like they have been the last 5 or 6 years, so I've been thinking about turning them into books. Unfortunately I have no idea how to take what is mostly dialog and make it into more of a novel format. Has anyone else ever had this problem?
I've looked at a few books, but most just deal with forming ideas and coming up with characters, but if anyone knows of a good one that might help me I'd really appreciate it.

Melissa wrote: "Hi, I've just joined the group and I actually have a few questions that I've been needing some help with. I spent the better part of my high school years and quite a few after writing screenplays a..."

Melissa,

What a novel needs is insight and perspective. Choose a point-of-view character. You can have it be the same person for the whole narrative or change it from scene to scene (but don't change within the same scene).

Then let the reader know how the character sees what is happening. Descrie people and events through the character's eyes. Put the reader inside his or her head. Let us know what he or she is thinking and feeling.

And remember the golden rule of writing: show, don't tell. Don't tell us what's happening or what's being thought. Let us see it happening.

Does that help? My earliest attempts at novels were largely dialogue, so I had to learn how to write more descriptive prose. Feel free to follow up with any other questions.

Best,
John

Actually, that does help. Thanks John.

Hello,

When I have the time I enjoy writing plays and I hope one day I'll publish them.

Melissa wrote: "Hi, I've just joined the group and I actually have a few questions that I've been needing some help with. I spent the better part of my high school years and quite a few after writing screenplays a..."

Hello Melissa- I don't have any remedies to suggest, but I've raised some related issues in my blog which you might like to peruse: http://mainelarrycrane.blogspot.com/

At my blog http://iron2112fist.blogspot.com/ I post free previews of screenplays and soon TV pilots I wrote. Check it out when you have time and let me know what you think.

Melissa wrote: "Hi, I've just joined the group and I actually have a few questions that I've been needing some help with. I spent the better part of my high school years and quite a few after writing screenplays a..."

Hi Melissa,

I'm a fellow screenwriter and aspiring novelist. Have you ever thought about entering those screenplays into contest or paying for professional feedback. Even if you think the scripts aren't ready, you never know. The first script my writing partner and I wrote together became a two-time semi-finalist. The Page International Screenwriting Awards is a well-run competition and they offer feedback year-round. So is the Austin Screenplay Competition and their feedback is free if you make Second Round or higher.

Hello everyone! My name is Everett Robert and I am the playwright of Allie In Wonderland (a new take on Alice in Wonderland) and The Absolutely True Story of Tom Sawyer As Told By Becky Thatcher. Both were produced by the Hil City Community Children's Theater program in 2010 and 2011 respectively and then published by Heartland Play Publishers in 2012 and 2013. Since the publication of Tom Sawyer, I've been trying to update my online presence. I'm also looking for reviews, fans, etc. However, as many of you know, not a lot of resources out there for the playwright, so I'm glad I found this group looking forward to more interaction!

Everett wrote: "Hello everyone! My name is Everett Robert and I am the playwright of Allie In Wonderland (a new take on Alice in Wonderland) and The Absolutely True Story of Tom Sawyer As Told By Becky Thatcher. B..."

Hi, Everett--

Have you thought about publishing them on Amazon? I understand that a lot of screenwriters are starting to do that-- maybe that's the case for playwrites as well. That might not only increase your web presence, but you might sell a few copies as well. Good luck!

--Brijit

And hello, Folks--

I recenlty published one of my screenplays, Unbound, on Amazon. Would be happy to send free copies to anyone who would be willing to review it there and/or here on Goodreads. Here is the link: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_nos...

Let me know if you're interested.

Thanks!

--Brijit

PS... sorry for the typo. "recently"!

Brijit My publisher controls the rights so I cant put them on amazon. however if you're looking for reviews I'd be glad to take a look. everettrobert@hotmail.com

Girl Stories & Game Plays: an anthology of stories and plays . This spirited anthology offers energy, movement, and an unexpected journey in the form of 18 stories and 3 one-act plays. It's for everyone who enjoys a good laugh, a cathartic cry, and an entertaining tale.

Ages ago I had an agent and even had some of my scripts read by recognizable names. However, nothing ever came of it in terms of sales. The plan now is to write a few more books in the two series I currently have out and then start converting my screenplays to novels since most of the work is already done.

By the way, my two books are "Sensation: A Superhero Novel" (which just broke into the Top 100 in its category on Amazon):

http://www.amazon.com/Sensation-A-Sup...

and "Warden (Book 1: Wendigo Fever)" about two teens being hunted by a legendary and unstoppable monster - the Wendigo:

http://www.amazon.com/Warden-Book-Wen...

Anyway, getting an agent was one of the most difficult experiences of my life. I think I'll just focus on writing good novels and maybe Hollywood will come to me.

I'm sorry to have missed this corner of the Group. I have two plays in print and ebook format

I'm sorry to have missed this corner of the Group. I have two plays published

and

Review copies free for the asking.

Hi guys!

My name is Nihar Suthar, and my hope is to screenplay my current book, "The Corridor of Uncertainty," into a movie. I'm working with a director right now, but the book isn't completely finished - so that is the first priority before the screenplay.

Do any of you have experience in writing screenplay for movies? It's a ton of work.

I would love to talk to you though if you have experience. Contact me through my website, www.niharsuthar.com, or message me on here.

Cheers!
-Nihar

Hello. I just finished my new screenplay, Dark Days. I would love any feedback or notes if you check it out and get the book at amazon.

www.amazon.com/Dark-Days-Screenplay-J...

When the post-apocalyptic world, weary from the long fight, was struggling to get back on its feet, those who remained longed for the fear and chaos to end. Unfortunately this led to the rise of Tyrants. A time where they and their soldiers controlled their City-States with brutality and hate. The worst of these Warlords is Police Mayor Syron and his City-State of Sideon. With so much uncertainty and hopelessness from Syron's ironclad rule, how can the people know the revolution will happen? Because Roman, a former soldier and ex mercenary, is returning to Sideon to start it.

Thanks for the help and support!

I am a Hollywood writer-director.

Watch the trailer to my new feature film "Lack of Cockery".

http://www.vimeo.com/picknroll/cocker...

Let me know your creative thoughts.

The Dude Who Did Dictionaries

Hello everyone: I'm curious if anyone knows of a company that publishes one act plays written for a high school audience. I have a number of works that I have directed myself, and I would like to get them into print. Can anyone give me some direction?

I'm currently writing an ebook which I am also writing up in film format, two versions. Studied film scripting techniques with a former Hollywood screenwriter and read up on the books he recommended to embrace these themes. The idea of the 'power of the transactional arc'. That's the key with film scripts. On completion, I will send both out to agents. Being unable to travel, if I get the opportunity to gain contracts, it would have to be on spec, making it doubly difficult to sell my ideas..

I wrote my first short play about a year ago, and it was a finalist in the Arts Richmond New Plays Festival 2018. I've rewritten and expanded the piece with a view to a full-length festival production in 2019. It's an all-female science-fiction satirical piece called Matrexit.

I'm now mostly working on prose, but I also have a good chunk of a postmodern murder mystery that will probably end up being offered to my local am dram group (it's a huge cast, I don't see a fringe company being able to fund it).

Hello fellow screenwriters,

I was delighted to see this group on Goodreads, and even more thrilled to see this thread since my new book is for screenwriters!

Screenplay Competitions: Tools and Insights to Help You Choose the Best Screenwriting Contests for You and Your Script is published by Bluestocking Press and released in February. It’s been endorsed by Dave Trottier (The Screenwriter’s Bible, www.keepwriting.com), Professor Richard Walter (former Screenwriting Area Head, Associate and Interim Dean UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television), Matt Dy (Director of Script Competitions at Austin Film Festival) and Chapman University’s Professor Harry M. Cheney (Film and Media Arts) and Film Festival Specialist Taylor Braun.

Here’s the synopsis:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Screenplay Competitions explains the competition process (and the myriad of differences among competitions) from eligibility requirements, to how competitions advance entries, to the prizes that accompany a win. In addition, it discusses what judges look for in scripts, and reveals ways to determine a script's rank--even if it doesn't place. Equipped with this information, writers can better select the competitions that are most likely to reward their particular scripts and help advance their writing careers.

What makes Screenplay Competitions especially unique is that it is designed for all aspiring screenwriters (not just the few who will win), from high school on up, regardless of skill level. Throughout the book, Ms. Williams provides strategies to turn the competition process into an educational experience so that writers can use the competition process to help improve their scripts (and themselves as writers) no matter how far they advance in a competition.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you’re interested, you can order the book from Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Screenplay-Com...

Or, you can order direct from the publisher:
http://www.bluestockingpress.com/scre...
If you order direct from the publisher you have the option of getting starter templates (based on those presented in the book) at no additional charge. And, as an extra bonus, the publisher gave me permission to share a 20% off coupon just for Goodreads members!
The coupon code is: GR20
The coupon is valid until April 15, 2019.

Lastly (and I’m almost done with the self-promotion, I promise!) if you’re interested in checking out my website and blog, you may do so here: annmwilliams.com

Thanks for taking the time to read this post. And thanks to the moderators for this awesome group!

~Ann Marie Williams

Buenas tardes, gracias por promocionar a dramaturgos. Hasta el momento he publicado dos obras de teatro.

1. WAKE ME UP!: Musical jukebox con canciones de George Michael y Wham! de corte romántico juvenil y ambientado en los años 80: https://www.amazon.es/Wake-me-up-Iren...

2. LA DONCELLA DE ORLÉANS: Drama histórico inspirado en los momentos más destacados de la vida de Juana de Arco: https://www.amazon.es/doncella-Orléan...

Muchas gracias, saludos.

I wrote my first one-act play, Erlking. six months ago, as an experiment . It was my first solo play.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08...

The war has recently ended, leaving the surrounding land devastated. Two shadowy figures, sit under a half-ruined gate and contemplate the events that recently happened and what led to them.
Everything around them is silent, until a newcomer breaks their silent.
Far away, in a faerie kingdom ancient secrets reappeared threatening to change the previous course of events.

Vincent wrote: "This folder is for writers and readers of plays and screenplays.

For this folder, I must mention one word of precaution: this is an open forum. The moderator is not responsible or liable for post..."

Melissa wrote: "Hi, I've just joined the group and I actually have a few questions that I've been needing some help with. I spent the better part of my high school years and quite a few after writing screenplays a..."

Plays require a stage and actors. What has worked best for me where writing plays is concerned was first getting involved in a situation that provided those requirements. Some theaters, like FST in Sarasota, have an ongoing Round Table that offers that possibility. Some community theaters are happy to assist you if you are willing to create that situation for them. I have been involved in both situations and recommend doing so highly.

I have written a few plays but I didn't publish them because I play better as a novelist. But I propose for study the play of the faimous Romanian writer and dramatist Ioan Luca Caragiale https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

Glad that I found this portion of Goodreads. I have written my first screenplay, it has been published and available on Amazon.com as well as my local bookstore/publisher.
Now begs the question: how do readers find me...currently promoting via Instagram, friends...any suggestions please? all welcome. Thank you. Maria

This is a cool group to be part of. A month ago, I would have never thought of posting to it.

In March 2021, my novelette Chicken hit #1 Bestseller in Horror on Amazon. Within three weeks, it was picked up for adaptation to film. Today, I'm head and shoulders in the writing of the screenplay. As of today, CHICKEN only has 5 star reviews from around the world.

If you've got less than 60 minutes, do come in a little closer. The link above will take you straight to CHICKEN and fears like you've never known. Like one American reviewer said today, 'Is there a CHICKEN in all of us?'

A. Colin wrote: "Thank you for starting this site. I have a number of plays, but very few places to list them. You'll find extracts and details of the following on my website http://www.acolinwright.ca and (for the..." You can checkout inktip, ISA, and The Blacklist to list scripts.

Hi Vincent:

Thank you for starting this group that focuses on plays and screenplays. I have been having challenges finding the right places to share my work. I am Dyanna Morrison, author of debut book/stage play, Justice, and also, the soon to be self-published second book/stage play in the trilogy, Redemption. The Justice trilogy focuses on the ongoing challenges and triumphs of Judge Grace Porter as she presides over first and second amendment protection/abuse cases, as witnessed by our founding fathers, through a one way window in the courtroom.

Here are the links to my amazon page and website:
https://www.amazon.com/Justice-Dyanna...
https://thejusticetrilogy.com

I've generated some encouraging feedback from educators who are planning to incorporate my writing into their classroom curriculum!

I am also starting to work on a series of illustrated Children's books that are really not only for children, but for anyone who has ever loved a pet, stay tuned!

Looking forward to connecting!
Dyanna