Hi,
My real name is Glen.  My nickname is "Joe", and my 11 or 12 (whatever) grandkids call me... Grandpa.  Gramma & I live in Ironwood, MI (in the U.P.) where we have had 7 feet of snow since  Halloween.
I POD'd a book, The Murder of Andrew Siglera, and my intent is to write a screenplay.  I've found samples.  Looks like it might be fun to write, and a bugger to sell.  Maybe.
Anyhow, thanks for having me!
Joe

Welcome aboard Joe.

If you're going to write anything, the most important thing to realize is that there are no deadlines.  A lot of people here rush their work, thinking that they must complete a script atleast one a month.  Rushing like this can be seen in your work and, if you get the reputation of cranking out your work, no one will want to read it.  

Take your time and write a simple short script.  Shorts are read more than feature scripts and it's a good way to learn where your writing may need improvent.

Oh, and don't forget to read and review other people's work.


Phil

Thanks for the advice, Phil.  How short is "short"?  I guess you mean that I should write a script, submit it, and wait to complete it?  I have "Fargo" in front of me, and it is about 150 pages.  Looks like most everything is in te script.
(BTW, it took me more than 10 years to write the book.  I will expect it will take 3 months or more to do the script).
Joe

A short script is as long as it takes to tell the story.  No more.  No less.  I have shorts here ranging from ten pages to thirty.  And one feature that's about 120 pages.  Try something between ten and twenty pages.  You don't need to tell an epic tale here.  Read some shorts here and see if your opinions are similar to others who have posted comments.  

And don't start adapting your novel until you have scriptwriting down.  It'll just cause frustration.

Phil  

Welcome aboard Joe.

I'll echo what Phil says - start your book adaptation when you are completely ready and feel comfortable with the screenwriting process. If not, the frustration will either stop you from writing or you won't get the best results.

I'm not sure about novella writing, but screenwriting is rewriting. Rewrite, rewrite, rewrite.

I'd write a short feature, just to help develop your technique. I've read a few novel adaptations and the biggest problem I've seen has been story pacing.

Good luck!

Quoted from Grampa ...my 11 or 12 (whatever) grandkids...

Hey, that's pretty funny!  Welcome to the boards.

Three months might be rushing things for a feature, but reading the works of the Coen brothers is a great place to start.  I love their stuff.  Try "Blood Simple" (reading or watching -- or both).  That is one of my favorites.

Hi Glen,
Ironwood, huh? I have a brother who is a UP'er, and I am what they call a Troll (live in Michigan, beneath the bridge). LOL
Welcome aboard.
Cindy  

Quoted from CindyLKeller Hi Glen, Ironwood, huh? I have a brother who is a UP'er, and I am what they call a Troll (live in Michigan, beneath the bridge). LOL Welcome aboard. Cindy

Hi Cindy,
Glad to know another Michi-gander! Strange place we live in: takes us a couple days from Ironwood to visit our capital in Lansing.

Yes, it is strange.

I wrote a book about 10 years ago with my ex-husband. The title of it was "The Witchmaster." Maybe one day I'll switch it up some, change the title, and write it into screenplay format... Maybe. The story is already there.

You've got those gremlins (grandkids) too. My four year-old grandson is always doing something. Today he grabbed ahold of boyfriends braid and swung on it like Tarzan. LOL (my boyfriend has waist-length hair that I put into a long braid for him). That was all good. My boyfriend tightened up his neck muscles and let the kid play... until he wrapped his two little hands around his beard....

Kids they'll always give you something to write about, too.

Cindy

I think that michigan is by far the most oddly shaped state.  Part of it should just combine with wisconsin.

But hey, Who's to say odd is a bad thing?

Hello and welcome!!!

I'm looking forward to read your work!  I'm sure it'll be great since you wrote something about murder  .  I'm a crime fan sorry!

Again, welcome and good luck with your scripts to come!