The box has arrived in its familiar Amazon packaging. Note: I usually buy books at the New England Mobile Bookfair, walking distance from home. Purchasing from Amazon makes me feel guilty (see previous post). But this time, it couldn't be helped.
I grab a knife and pry open the box. More prying to cut through the packaging of the item itself. And here it is...my next mountain scaled, or my next tumble into the abyss. My screenplay-writing software is in my hands.
I'm still awaiting Amy's (hired editor) verdict on my novel. How many diplomatic ways are there to say "this is an unpublishable piece of crap?"
The conventional wisdom says that a real writer should always be writing. Except for this blog, I haven't written anything since my last revision of the novel, a couple of months ago. So here goes. The story that's calling to me seems to lend itself more to a screenplay than a book. So I've ordered the "Final Draft" software, and gotten as far as opening the package. As soon as I (fill in some blanks that will take about an hour), I swear on my Bat Mitzvah Bible that I will install the program and Start My Screenplay. Wish me luck.
Final Draft is a fine piece of software, Andi. I used it to write a couple of screenplays and it allows you to focus on the content instead of the layout. The index card feature can be useful in novel-writing too. Bought it for my g.f. last year but she still hasn't committed the time to learn it. Just be prepared to hunker down for a day or two and you'll be a pro. Best way to learn is by creating a project on it. (Maybe not the big book but a small project you can dabble with...)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!
Also, waiting to hear your book doctor's diagnosis/prognosis. Good luck!
Jeff, it is so daunting. I practically wept as I tried to get started. But little by little, I shall persevere and, I hope. master the damn thing.
ReplyDeleteI tried using Final Draft a few times, but the formatting stuff kept distracting me from the content. So I did something I do well; I complained. My brother (a professional movie-guy) suggested I do my first few drafts in MS Word, then dump the file into Final Draft for later edits. It worked well. If the software distracts, then I recommend this method. Left-justifying everything in MS Word works; Final Draft knows what to do with it. Best of luck with the screenwriting!
ReplyDeleteBear, thank you so much! I'll confess I haven't touched the screenplay, other than jotting down a few notes, since I received the software. This is very helpful, and your suggestion offers a great way to get acquainted with Final Draft.
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