A Scripting Fool

Well, only two days into Script Frenzy and I find myself in the very pleasant position of being 16 pages into my script -- and liking it, too! It's called Timer and can best be described as a Family/Youth/Action/SciFi/Comedy. Yeah, that's what I'd call it. I think it might make a great middle grade novel so don't be surprised if that title shows up on my NaNo page in the fall. As I've mentioned before, I find that screenplays make great expanded outlines for novels as you've been able to work out a lot of the kinks already.

Script Frenzy

Brought to you by the same fine folks who run the NaNoWriMo event each November, Script Frenzy is the "Screenplays, stage plays, TV shows, short films, and graphic novels" version of that challenge. It starts at midnight on April 1st and ends at midnight on April 30th. To put it simply, your task is to produce "100 pages of original scripted material in 30 days." Quite a reasonable goal, in my opinion.

Their website is full of helpful info on formatting, outlining, and a lot of other things relating to scripts so go over and check it out.

As I've mentioned before about NaNoWriMo, deadlines are a great personal motivator so I decided to give it a shot this year. Care to join me?

Bartimaeus Trilogy - Mini Review

In an effort to provide more frequent updates for my loyal readers (my humble thanks to all three of you), I've decided to do the occasional review on books that I've been reading. They'll be short and to the point -- mostly about sf and fantasy because those are the types of books I like to read.

I'm kicking things off with a fun and breezy read, "The Bartimaeus Trilogy" (Book One: "The Amulet of Samarkand", Book Two: "The Golem's Eye", Book Three: "Ptolemy's Gate").

One of the best fantasy series I've read in a long time. The titular character is an "always too smart for the room" djinni in service to (he would say "enslaved"by ) ambitious magical prodigy, John Mandrake. Crisply written and laugh out loud funny in many places, these books explore a bizarre yet familiar world full of intrigue, powerful spirits, and exciting action.
Highly recommended.

Hey, Why Not?

Submitted Leonard for the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award. It's an annual contest sponsored by CreateSpace, Penguin Group, Publisher's Weekly, and of course, Amazon.com.

The Grand Prize is a publishing contract with Penguin that includes a $25k advance. Not too shabby!

They're only accepting a maximum of 10k manuscripts so the way I look at it, my odds of being chosen are much better than winning the lottery!

3/17 Update: Didn't make it past the first round. Rats!

In Play

Quick update. A submission-worthy draft of "Leonard" was placed in Agent S' hands shortly before Christmas meaning that the game is afoot. I think the manuscript's pretty darned tight and a good read. Hopefully publishers will agree. Finger crossings, prayers, and happy vibe thoughts are all welcome and appreciated.

Note to People Who Read Books

Please buy some! Publishing is yet another industry that is really hurting and could use your help. People are being laid off, imprints are getting the ax, and book lists are sure to be pruned with even more vigor than usual. It's not a pretty picture.

As an aspiring novelist, I fully admit this post is self-serving. But here's the deal: When times are hard, publishers get cautious and cut way back on bringing along new talent, tending to go with their tried and true authors instead of those of us with question marks over our heads. That certainly makes sense from a business perspective, but totally sucks from the "trying to get a foot in the door" side of things. Speaking as my alter ego, Commander Obvious, the low sales trend needs to be reversed in order for them to feel comfortable again about taking on us new guys.

So this holiday season, if you're trying to choose between purchasing a Wisconsin Cheeseman Gift Tower and a good novel or a Kung Fu Panda plushy and a quality picture book, all I'm asking is that you help a novelista in need by dropping your dime on the books. Thanks!

I'm a Weiner!

Well, I did it. Went over the 50k mark at around 3:00 this afternoon. Go me.

Going to continue adding to the word count over the two remaining days in the challenge. Then I'll let it sit (probably until early next year) before I start what I know is going to be a rough and tumble edit.

In general, I'm pleased with what I've got, but there are some interesting logic flaws in the story's time line that should be quite a challenge to solve. I also I have a sneaking suspicion that I may have one or two more main characters than I need. Anyway, I'll deal with all after I've had a chance to rest my critical eye.