I'm sure I recall this is what happened with Michael Blake trying to sell Dances With Wolves. It was a script that couldn't get financing, Kevin Costner recommended the writer turn their script into a novel with the aim of using that clout to sell the script. The script then sold, they made the movie, and then it won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay which is funny to think about.
I say you do you. Unless you’re contracted to deliver a script, why do you have to limit yourself to only screenwriting? I can think of some professional screenwriters who also write novels or novelists who have written/adapted screenplays. I do think a novel would be easier to sell and people would be more likely to read it. In my experience, it seems like most people are more willing to read a 500 page novel than a 120 page screenplay. Plus, as a novel, you’ll own your characters. If you sell your screenplay, you won’t own any of it. I say write in whichever format feels most appropriate to you and the material.
My thought exactly....writing a book comes to me more natural, and the flow inside my mind keeps going and going...i have start a book, I will make a new post, to share the prologue and your opinion is always precious!
Long way around but if it works for you. Just know if you turn pro this will likely hamper your career and you likely won’t have time to write everything twice.
Are you saying you knock out a first draft and then start on the script, or that you actually create a finished, publisher-ready book? As an experienced novelist, it’s the rewrites, grammar checking and editor notes that are the bulk of the effort. Even if it’s novella-length, that’s a lot of effort just to prep for a screenplay.
Rian Johnson did this with Brick. The novella was available online some years. Great read. Don't know if he still does it but I could see that being the process being the Knives Out movies.
Spielberg et al. wrote a 90 page treatment for the fablemans, so you’re in good company
I’ve started working this way, too.
I'm sure I recall this is what happened with Michael Blake trying to sell Dances With Wolves. It was a script that couldn't get financing, Kevin Costner recommended the writer turn their script into a novel with the aim of using that clout to sell the script. The script then sold, they made the movie, and then it won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay which is funny to think about.
I often do this too - it’s a massive help with writing in general and definitely assists me with coming up with all the context for the story!
I say you do you. Unless you’re contracted to deliver a script, why do you have to limit yourself to only screenwriting? I can think of some professional screenwriters who also write novels or novelists who have written/adapted screenplays. I do think a novel would be easier to sell and people would be more likely to read it. In my experience, it seems like most people are more willing to read a 500 page novel than a 120 page screenplay. Plus, as a novel, you’ll own your characters. If you sell your screenplay, you won’t own any of it. I say write in whichever format feels most appropriate to you and the material.
My thought exactly....writing a book comes to me more natural, and the flow inside my mind keeps going and going...i have start a book, I will make a new post, to share the prologue and your opinion is always precious!
just made a post "Book or script?" , but I cant make copy paste. Why's that?
Long way around but if it works for you. Just know if you turn pro this will likely hamper your career and you likely won’t have time to write everything twice.
Easier to sell a book then a screenplay. If novels are more your bread and butter, try to sell them then pitch an adaption. Voila!
100% correct. Plus you have an established IP if you do it that way
Are you saying you knock out a first draft and then start on the script, or that you actually create a finished, publisher-ready book? As an experienced novelist, it’s the rewrites, grammar checking and editor notes that are the bulk of the effort. Even if it’s novella-length, that’s a lot of effort just to prep for a screenplay.
Rian Johnson did this with Brick. The novella was available online some years. Great read. Don't know if he still does it but I could see that being the process being the Knives Out movies.