Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Script Writing

April fast approaches and for some people that means only one thing: Script Frenzy. I am not much of a script writer. I've tried the challenge of script frenzy on a couple of different occasions and don't think I've made it past page 10, but I tried. It's funny cause I can write a 90k novel that is heavy in dialogue but I can't seem to get the hang of writing a script. One day I will get it.


The site:
http://www.scriptfrenzy.org/


Script Frenzy in a Nutshell

The Challenge  -  Write 100 pages of original scripted material in the 30 days of April. (Screenplays, stage plays, web series, TV shows, short films, and graphic novels are all welcome.)

When  -  April 1-30

Cost  -  Free. We run on donations.

Who  -  Everyone (worldwide) is welcome. No experience required.

Prizes  -  Happiness. Creative juices. Pride. Laughter. Bragging rights. A brand-new script.

How  -  Sign up! Tell everyone that you are in the Frenzy. Get ready to start writing.



Script writing is a different challenge than novel writing, and one that many people are about to start. I have a few friends on Writing.Com that take part in Script Frenzy every year, much like I do with nanowrimo. There is a style and format that the script requires, learning that will help those that take up this challenge.


Link with other links:
http://www.scriptfrenzy.org/howtoguides



What about you?
Taking part in Script Frenzy this year?
Ever finish 100 pages in April before?

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Editing

Also known as that thing that makes me look like this =  X_X


Now, in the past I'd heard people talk (okay seen since it was online) about editing. Some super love it while many others find it tedious and soon discover themselves missing the magical feeling of first draft writing. I haven't figured out quite yet where I stand on that spectrum. It is definitely not a simple, quick process (not in the beginning at least).

While many people focus on the big changes, character, plot, etc. I am doing a big focus on the technical issues of the novel because there are no major plot or character issues that I would change at this point. A friend of mine on Writing.Com showed me a web site that has started this attempt at editing.

The Web site is editminion.com

It points out some of the technical issues like passive voice, adverbs and such. While it doesn't catch them all and sometimes it highlights something that isn't actually a saidism, but it's a program and so understandable. But what it provides is a starting point, at least for me. I take their highlights, then add more of what I notice in the chapter. The end result is colorful but very time consuming. I also leave notes on other things that need fixing, like character names and such that a program wouldn't know.

This process is taking much longer than I first expected. To highlight one chapter takes me from 1 to 2.5 hours, depending on the chapter. I've made it up to chapter 10 and the novel has 35 chapters. X.X

Once I get done with the coloring, then the real work will start, changing it all. Okay, not it all because some of it is just notes and will be able to stay. But definitely the writing will get better as I work through making most of the changes needed. Then I might have a draft reader for a beta reader.



Anyone else editing?
What is your editing process?