Noticing Newbies

Noticing Newbies Newsletter is geared to help new members get acquainted with Writing.com -- there is so much do and all the features can be overwhelming! Our goal is to help new members make their time here more fun and manageable. Each week we will showcase new authors items (poetry, short story, polls, etc.). Exposure for each member's writing will help bring more rates and reviews for their work, and by bringing more member interaction to the member, that will give them the opportunity to build friendships with other members, as long as they reciprocate reviews and conversation -- remember, it is a two way street.


"There's someone that you haven't already met, go introduce yourself to him or her. Walls and labels can't keep you from the people who are so similar to you in spirit. There's a friendly face behind every door if you pick the right moment to knock. Once you start your wave of creative outreach, it turns into a contagious force. People are waking up and smiling at each other, sharing their dreams without hesitation. This community is worth something."

-- Author Unknown




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Hi!

This morning (Monday) a new member was asking another moderator advice on how to go about writing a screenplay, so I thought, since I do not know a lot about screenplay writing, why not do some research and talk about it.

The advice I have read for writing a good screenplay basically gives you the same advice for writing a good book.

The following are important tips to remember when writing a screenplay:

 Outline your story -- it is much easier to know what direction you're going to go ahead time, instead of just sitting down to write a story and then in the middle of it have no direction. Writer's block can come upon you that way.
 Make your scenes flow -- a scene must flow from one to the other in a progressive matter; there must be three elements worked into the story, which are logical, surprising, and climatic.
 Characterization -- creating characters the audience/readers wants to come back and see again and again -- remember to give your characters the same troubles the rest of us have...realistic qualities.
 Conflict! -- not all people get along all the time -- show emotion, good or bad.
 Description -- describe everything fully unless it's an obvious standing set. The writer is the choreographer. Show what happens, don't just tell about it. We need to understand what motivates the character. The only way to truly understand something is to participate in it, like you are actually in the show or in the story yourself.
 Good dialogue -- dialogue should seem realistic. Take your time and create exciting new turns of phrase, express things in a way you've never heard them expressed before.
 Become well-read. -- read screenplays -- it's difficult to become a successful screenwriter if you're not familiar with the range of what is out there.
 See a play! The more plays you see the easier it is to visualize and use imaginative thinking in your writing.
 Meet or talk with other screenwriters.
 Get feedback on your writing.


The following links I thought were some of the best resources I could find on screenwriting.


http://institute.sundance.org/jsps/site.jsp?resource=pag_ex_programs&sk=VRBi4Tvd...
(Screenwriters Lab - GREAT OPPORTUNITY!)

http://www.paradiselost.org/psycho.html
(Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho - screenplay to study)

http://www.screenplayadvisor.com/
(Screenplay advisor)

http://www.slamdance.com/screencomp/
(Screenplay Competition)

http://projectgreenlight.liveplanet.com/index.jsp?nav=home
(Screenplay Contest)

http://www.screenplay.com/
(Resources)

http://www.creative-writing-secrets.com/screenplay-writing.htm
(Info. Guide)

http://www.hollywoodlitsales.com/
(Panel Discussion, tips, etc.)

http://www.craftyscreenwriting.com/
(Tips)

http://www.thewritersmentor.com/
(Free newsletter)

http://www.triggerstreet.com/gbase/Trigger/Homepage
(Screenplay writing community with constructive criticism)

http://www.scriptsales.com/
(Resources)

http://www.finaldraft.com/resources/researchtools.php
(Research Tools)

http://www.geocities.com/cdeemer/format.htm
(Screenplay format)

http://www.pubinfo.vcu.edu/artweb/playwriting/screenformat.html
(Screenplay format)


Until next time...
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Monthly featured newbies I have personally chosen for your enjoyment:

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The Runaway Stray  (13+) A golden retriever runs away after being neglected and abused from a terrible owner. #894723 by Robert Watson

Invalid Item  This item number is not valid. #876171 by Not Available.

Invalid Item  This item number is not valid. #896993 by Not Available.

This American Girl  (13+) a summer's day of childhood bravory and broken innocence... #895468 by Miss Marie

Invalid Item  This item number is not valid. #897064 by Not Available.

Mists of Samhain  (18+) Winner of the October 2004 Round of the "By The Light of The Moon" contest. #895772 by Mystic Moon

Invalid Item  This item number is not valid. #896864 by Not Available.

Invalid Item  This item number is not valid. #896727 by Not Available.

Invalid Item  This item number is not valid. #896819 by Not Available.

 



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terrilee
I really enjoyed this weeks newsletter Laurencia, and especially your picks, all were great choices. And thanks for the information and links about contests too. I love hosting, and entering, them too, and find they're a great way to discover new, and excellent, writers here.

Thank you Angelterra for your nice comments.

Please e-mail any questions or comments directly to the newsletter, attention to any of the editors:

Puditat
Cubby
esprit
laurencia

Next week's editor is: Puditat

I'll see you on November 8th! Take care! laurencia
 



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