Wednesday, November 25, 2020
Tuesday, January 14, 2020
2020 Author Goals
Here's a recap of 2019
All authors enjoy learning, I believe. It's part of the research and storytelling processing.
We also like to know what other professionals do and recommend.
I took Dan (The DaVinci Code) Brown's Masterclass in 2019 and I have to say, for anyone who wants to write their own book, his Masterclass on Masterclass.com is the best. I enjoyed James Patterson, and Margaret Atwood too, but Dan gives solid details. Check it out
What else did I do?
I transcribed my 2x great grandmother's diary and published it. Until We Sleep Our Last Sleep is available on all major book sites. I have links on my site as well. The diary is exact and takes place from 1889 to 1930. It offers inspiration and insight for anyone who suffers from doubt, chronic illness and depression. Emily Millikan Blair ages with confidence through her daily journaling of faith. It seems that simple, but it's not. She was a wife, mother, sister, aunt -- disabled and depressed, yet discovers in her daily hand-to-brain activity of affirmation and prayer a healing exercise. I believe anyone who suffers as she did, would find comfort in her words.
Since then, I've written a feature film, outlined another film and I'm hoping to pitch at film markets this year. This is all sounds like I know a lot, but I don't. I'm learning as I go.
Which segues to my next "to do." I've been told by many people that I should create a podcast. Do you listen to podcasts? Mine would be about my personal journey writing that includes some famous and not so famous people and all the perils of daily life that go into fulfilling what I believe to be my destiny. Becoming a fulltime author/screenwriter.
So with that said, my 2020 Goals:
Learn to podcast
Keep in touch,
Em
Emily Skinner
emilyskinnerbooks.com
typos happen - I apologize for any that distracted you
:)
All authors enjoy learning, I believe. It's part of the research and storytelling processing.
We also like to know what other professionals do and recommend.
I took Dan (The DaVinci Code) Brown's Masterclass in 2019 and I have to say, for anyone who wants to write their own book, his Masterclass on Masterclass.com is the best. I enjoyed James Patterson, and Margaret Atwood too, but Dan gives solid details. Check it out
What else did I do?
I transcribed my 2x great grandmother's diary and published it. Until We Sleep Our Last Sleep is available on all major book sites. I have links on my site as well. The diary is exact and takes place from 1889 to 1930. It offers inspiration and insight for anyone who suffers from doubt, chronic illness and depression. Emily Millikan Blair ages with confidence through her daily journaling of faith. It seems that simple, but it's not. She was a wife, mother, sister, aunt -- disabled and depressed, yet discovers in her daily hand-to-brain activity of affirmation and prayer a healing exercise. I believe anyone who suffers as she did, would find comfort in her words.
__
I also worked with my daughter Marquel to market our short film Dough Nuts And More, my first short film script that my daughters Marquel and Blair made and entered into festivals. We received a nomination for Best Comedy Short from Sunscreen Film Festival in St. Petersburg, Florida. As well, we screened at Hollywood Short & Sweet in Los Angeles, Orlando Film Festival and received an Honorable Mention From Santa Monica Film Festival.Since then, I've written a feature film, outlined another film and I'm hoping to pitch at film markets this year. This is all sounds like I know a lot, but I don't. I'm learning as I go.
__
Which segues to my next "to do." I've been told by many people that I should create a podcast. Do you listen to podcasts? Mine would be about my personal journey writing that includes some famous and not so famous people and all the perils of daily life that go into fulfilling what I believe to be my destiny. Becoming a fulltime author/screenwriter.
So with that said, my 2020 Goals:
Learn to podcast
- Write a new stand-alone thriller and publish it in 2020
- Write a feature film and learn to pitch
- Grow my street team of readers and share fun goodies in appreciation
- Hold another book talk. In 2019 I held a genealogy talk around the transcribing of the diary
- Shoot Documentary footage in the High Point, N.C. area where the diary is based
- Blog as time permits.
Keep in touch,
Em
Emily Skinner
emilyskinnerbooks.com
typos happen - I apologize for any that distracted you
:)
Thursday, November 8, 2018
Enough about writing... Let's talk about Paul McCartney!
I'll get to Paul McCartney, just
hear me out.
My husband and I traveled to the
Azores, Ireland, and flew to Liverpool as part of our 35th wedding anniversary
celebration in April of this year (2018).
The Azores and Ireland were part of
our first transatlantic cruise. But why fly to Liverpool?
My father's side of the family
originate from the Merseyside area. So I wanted to connect with cousins and get
some genealogy answers for a project. Namely, I was looking for details about
my 2x great grandparents Matthew and Anne Hayden, who both came to England from
Ireland. Their daughter, my great grandmother, Esther Hayden, came to America
from the shores of Liverpool to Ellis Island aboard Cunard's Carmania in
September 19, 1906.
Funny, my grandmother cruised to
America, and my first trip to Europe is via cruise ship.
Anyway, while on our cruise an act
called: Just John & Paul were part of the entertainment.
I found myself obsessed. I can't
explain how two people can replicate the Beatles as they do, but I was
immediately transported back to my childhood. I received my first record player
and The Early Beatles album at age six.
I wore out the album.
While we loved the Azores and
Ireland, it was Liverpool that captivated me. Between the Maritime Museum and
all thing Beatles, I felt supernaturally connected. I didn't get the answers I
was looking for regarding my great grandparents, so I must return.
However, what I did find was my true
self. A part of me that has been buried since growing into a teen and then an
adult.
The Beatles brought me back to a
time of wonder. A time when my parents were still together. When our family was
happy. When anything was possible. When black and white television was cool.
When using a telephone was limited and you had to take turns to talk.
When I could just lie on my stomach and listen and sing along to Love Me Do,
Baby It's You, Do You Want To Know A Secret?
As soon as Tom and I got home from
our trip, I discovered SiriusXm's The Beatles Channel. My husband is subjected
to my renewed obsession. Thankfully he waited several weeks before he asked if
we could listen to other music. LOL
Ironically, Paul McCartney's Egypt
Station promotions and his Carpool Karaoke on James Corden followed. I am
ecstatic and jealous of those who were in Liverpool during that time! But also
thrilled that Paul is still making music, touring and I'm determined to see him
before his tour is done.
So, I challenge you to find your
true self. My inner child is happy to be back, and she still has a crush on
Paul McCartney. Shh!
 |
| Just John & Paul on the Celebrity Eclipse |
 |
| Just John & Paul on the Celebrity Eclipse |
 |
| Just John & Paul on the Celebrity Eclipse |
 |
| My husband Tom on the left in Waterford, Ireland dancing with another cruise acquaintance |
 |
| The Cavern Liverpool |
 |
| The Beatles giving us a tour of Liverpool |
Tuesday, September 18, 2018
The Marquel Series is complete!
Book 3 releases on 9.27.18
This is an ad that will be displayed in Studio Movie Grill's Seminole, Florida location on Thursday 9.20.18 at a Seminole Chamber of Commerce mixer.
A Hollywood novel promotion in a movie theater!
Brilliant?
We'll see.
Wednesday, April 18, 2018
Elements of Successful Screenwriting - Part 2
It is easier to write a screenplay than a book. Well, that's my opinion.
I've written five books, a feature film, a television pilot, a half dozen short film scripts, as well as numerous newspaper articles. Each one required a word count/page length and a set of standards in the writing process. And yes, I have one short film in post production, Dough Nuts And More.
For me writing dialogue for a script is by far the easiest.
Why?
Because each page is one minute of screen time and 120 pages of mostly dialogue is less agonizing than taking a reader through a novel with multiple settings, character descriptions and twists. Well, you still need the twists in a screenplay.
Here are two examples from the script and book Marquel.
Script example:
Novel sample:
Films and books don't match necessarily.
Most of us can write several screenplays in the time it takes to write a novel.
However, you have to complete something to know you can.
A bad 120 page script or 40,000 word novella can be reworked. My motto is finish what you start, no matter how bad you think it is.
Outlining is critical.
Whether a book or script, it is easier to put plot points on index cards and rearrange them until you feel certain your story has a beginning, middle and end.
Once you have the outline, you can begin the writing process. For me outlining is a sentence or two about a chapter or scene. In screenwriting it is called beats.
I have written with an outline and without. Even if you know the end of the story, you'll feel like you are in a maze without an outline. Trust me.
I wrote two books in a TOTAL of 82 days with outlines, and three books that took several years without outlines. I had to try it both ways. I actually did outline later in the process of the three non-outlined books to keep my sanity.
The outline for Marquel's Dilemma (the 2nd book in the Marquel series), is now going to be the 3rd book Marquel's Redemption, because my characters were not cooperating during the book 2 writing process. The upside is I now have a 3 book series.
Know you are doing well when the characters take over the writing. They have a way of steering the story in directions you've not thought of.
With a script, it is okay if your characters don't go where you want them to, as long as they hit the beats and get to the plotted ending. Your characters always have better ideas than you do.
I can write a 1/2 hour pilot in 10 days. A short film in one day -- a working draft that is, not the finished product.
Once you have your screenplay complete, you'll want to put it away for a week or so before you begin editing and rewriting. You need fresh eyes.
Warning: you'll be amazed at parts and totally erase parts.
Next - Elements of Successful Screenwriting - Part 3
To learn more about my books visit www.emilyskinnerbooks.com
I've written five books, a feature film, a television pilot, a half dozen short film scripts, as well as numerous newspaper articles. Each one required a word count/page length and a set of standards in the writing process. And yes, I have one short film in post production, Dough Nuts And More.
For me writing dialogue for a script is by far the easiest.
Why?
Because each page is one minute of screen time and 120 pages of mostly dialogue is less agonizing than taking a reader through a novel with multiple settings, character descriptions and twists. Well, you still need the twists in a screenplay.
Here are two examples from the script and book Marquel.
Script example:
Films and books don't match necessarily.
Most of us can write several screenplays in the time it takes to write a novel.
However, you have to complete something to know you can.
A bad 120 page script or 40,000 word novella can be reworked. My motto is finish what you start, no matter how bad you think it is.
Outlining is critical.
Whether a book or script, it is easier to put plot points on index cards and rearrange them until you feel certain your story has a beginning, middle and end.
Once you have the outline, you can begin the writing process. For me outlining is a sentence or two about a chapter or scene. In screenwriting it is called beats.
I have written with an outline and without. Even if you know the end of the story, you'll feel like you are in a maze without an outline. Trust me.
I wrote two books in a TOTAL of 82 days with outlines, and three books that took several years without outlines. I had to try it both ways. I actually did outline later in the process of the three non-outlined books to keep my sanity.
The outline for Marquel's Dilemma (the 2nd book in the Marquel series), is now going to be the 3rd book Marquel's Redemption, because my characters were not cooperating during the book 2 writing process. The upside is I now have a 3 book series.
Know you are doing well when the characters take over the writing. They have a way of steering the story in directions you've not thought of.
With a script, it is okay if your characters don't go where you want them to, as long as they hit the beats and get to the plotted ending. Your characters always have better ideas than you do.
I can write a 1/2 hour pilot in 10 days. A short film in one day -- a working draft that is, not the finished product.
Once you have your screenplay complete, you'll want to put it away for a week or so before you begin editing and rewriting. You need fresh eyes.
Warning: you'll be amazed at parts and totally erase parts.
Next - Elements of Successful Screenwriting - Part 3
To learn more about my books visit www.emilyskinnerbooks.com
Saturday, April 14, 2018
Elements of Successful Screenwriting - Part 3
There are a lot of good books about writing screenplays.
I think Aaron Sorkin's recommendation to read William Goldman's "Adventures of the Screen Trade" is a good place to start. Goldman gives real examples of the industry, funny tales from his work life in Hollywood and at the end, he gives an example of the process of converting a short story to a script. The example answers a lot questions beginners need and veterans likely want to remember.
Current screenplays will reveal style changes from William Goldman's heyday. Read your favorites or the genre you want to master. Many can be downloaded free. Just do a Google search and take a look.
Get index cards and as you read a page of script, write a sentence about what you read.
Example: Page 1 - Introduction of main character xxxx. Action sequence xxx.
If you do this, you'll have a blue print for that film or show in an outline format.
Once you have the outline, you can pace a film of your own in a similar fashion. There is a definite order that script consultants look for. You are modeling, not copying another person's work.
The first few pages are the set up of what the end should fulfill.
Example: If your character says they never get the girl or respect in the opening. Guess what has to happen in the end? The character has to get the girl and respect.
After you have read and outlined a film, watch the movie or episode and see how it was translated to the screen by the director, the cinematographer, wardrobe, set designer, lighting, sound and acting talent. Each department has a vision of the script the director is trying to convey. Everyone on the film has a stake in telling your story.
The cast and crew share your vision.
I hear stories from my producer daughter Blair. Everyone wants to be a part of a quality project. The crew enjoys the challenge of making the best show possible. So give your script your best.
Another tip I learned from actors (my daughter Marquel). Give your small roles a name vs. Girl #2
Why?
Actors work long and hard to get even the smallest role. They deserve to a role they can be proud of. No matter how small. Make sure your script is considerate of all the characters. Don't take any for granted.
Also, as a newbie, avoid writing a big budget film that has loads of explosions and special effects. Tell a story with a reasonable budget and limited locations/cast.
I took a producing workshop from Chris Wyatt, the producer of Napoleon Dynamite.
Wyatt explained how they shopped the film to investors until they found a private individual who ultimately made their script a film reality. It was easier to pitch a comedy rich in quirky characters and limited locations.
Napoleon Dynamite is either a film you love or not. --I love it. It's offbeat, and made a huge splash at Sundance Film Festival. The rest is history.
In conclusion, get screenwriting software like Final Draft, read scripts in your genre, outline a few and watch the film(s). Outline your script in a similar fashion to what you have read, without infringing on another's work and then send it for script coverage and see what the experts say.
Good luck!
Watch for our short film Dough Nuts And More - coming to a film festival near you in 2018/2019.
My book links are at www.emilyskinnerbooks.com
I think Aaron Sorkin's recommendation to read William Goldman's "Adventures of the Screen Trade" is a good place to start. Goldman gives real examples of the industry, funny tales from his work life in Hollywood and at the end, he gives an example of the process of converting a short story to a script. The example answers a lot questions beginners need and veterans likely want to remember.
 |
| Yours truly, writing this blog post. |
Current screenplays will reveal style changes from William Goldman's heyday. Read your favorites or the genre you want to master. Many can be downloaded free. Just do a Google search and take a look.
Get index cards and as you read a page of script, write a sentence about what you read.
Example: Page 1 - Introduction of main character xxxx. Action sequence xxx.
If you do this, you'll have a blue print for that film or show in an outline format.
Once you have the outline, you can pace a film of your own in a similar fashion. There is a definite order that script consultants look for. You are modeling, not copying another person's work.
The first few pages are the set up of what the end should fulfill.
Example: If your character says they never get the girl or respect in the opening. Guess what has to happen in the end? The character has to get the girl and respect.
After you have read and outlined a film, watch the movie or episode and see how it was translated to the screen by the director, the cinematographer, wardrobe, set designer, lighting, sound and acting talent. Each department has a vision of the script the director is trying to convey. Everyone on the film has a stake in telling your story.
The cast and crew share your vision.
I hear stories from my producer daughter Blair. Everyone wants to be a part of a quality project. The crew enjoys the challenge of making the best show possible. So give your script your best.
Another tip I learned from actors (my daughter Marquel). Give your small roles a name vs. Girl #2
Why?
Actors work long and hard to get even the smallest role. They deserve to a role they can be proud of. No matter how small. Make sure your script is considerate of all the characters. Don't take any for granted.
Also, as a newbie, avoid writing a big budget film that has loads of explosions and special effects. Tell a story with a reasonable budget and limited locations/cast.
I took a producing workshop from Chris Wyatt, the producer of Napoleon Dynamite.
Wyatt explained how they shopped the film to investors until they found a private individual who ultimately made their script a film reality. It was easier to pitch a comedy rich in quirky characters and limited locations.
Napoleon Dynamite is either a film you love or not. --I love it. It's offbeat, and made a huge splash at Sundance Film Festival. The rest is history.
In conclusion, get screenwriting software like Final Draft, read scripts in your genre, outline a few and watch the film(s). Outline your script in a similar fashion to what you have read, without infringing on another's work and then send it for script coverage and see what the experts say.
Good luck!
Watch for our short film Dough Nuts And More - coming to a film festival near you in 2018/2019.
My book links are at www.emilyskinnerbooks.com
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