McAnally's (The Community Pub) > Author Craft

Bread & Butter Writing

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blgarver:
I'm almost finished with my first piece that I'm considering a novel.  It's riddled with plot holes and character inconsistencies, but the first draft is almost complete.  Meanwhile, I can feel my spirit growing tired and bored because I've worked myself into this rut:  I have nothing going out to agents.  Nothing submitted to magazines or anything.  All my writing time is devoted to the WIP.  I feel like I'm in limbo while I wrestle this mangled tome to completion.  I want to work on something with more immediate potential, as the novel will require multiple rewrites that may take me another year or two.  I will go insane waiting that long to get something circulating.

So after I finish the first draft, I want to work on something different.  Something with the goal of selling so I can get out of the 9 to 5 crap and just be a writer.  I need a break from my usual description-laden character-starved fantasy/horror writing.  I want to write something character driven, something in the real world, with real people in real stories.  No sword and sorcery.  No ghosts and goblins.  Just intriguing characters and interesting situations.  I'm thinking of writing a TV series. I have an idea in mind, and it kind of goes against everything I have read, but I can't ignore my instinct.  I may elaborate on that later, but for now I want to set the concept of the series aside. I would just like to glean some general info before I really decide to pursue this project.

Anyone here ever try to tackle the writing of a pilot?  I have many questions for anyone with some knowledge of writing for TV.

Initial questions:

-How far do you plot the story for a serial?  Do you only concentrate on the pilot, or go ahead and write more episodes?

-Where does most of the work lie?  In the preparation for the writing (character development and plot weaving), or the actual writing of episodes.  My initial impression is that the most work lies in creating vibrant characters that can carry and evolve the plot on their own, with very little manipulation from the writer.

-After the pilot is written and (hopefully) picked up, does the original writer stay on or does the network hand the story over to their own writers?  Or do they put the original writer on the payroll?

That's all for now.  Any input and enlightenment is very much appreciated. 

Thank you in advance!



BLG

Uilos:
Sup man, I'm a little green to the game but let me share some info I've learned while on these boards.

1) Writing as a profession isn't as easy as it sounds--Jim Butcher, the man who has brought us all together here, is one of the lucky few who can actually make a living on the books he writes. His nickname during these times (and currently, depending where you ask) was Longshot. Also keep in mind that instead of just writing what you want, you now have to keep in mind what your audience may want/expect. If you piss off your audience, they won't buy your books, if they don't buy your books, you are out on your ears.
2) you mention getting into Television...I have a friend who is trying to get into writing for TV series. It's difficult as hell, especially in Hollywood where everyone and their grandmothers are trying to get their scripts sold.

I'm not saying these things to deter you, I'm only trying to prepare you for an uphill climb.

blgarver:
Oh I realize I have a better chance of getting hit by lightning.  But I've wanted to be an author/screenwriter my entire life.  I don't remember a time when I wanted to do anything else.  And the passion is in my veins.  The odds are stacked so high against me that I should just turn and walk away, but I can't.  Even if I never am successful at writing professionally, I will always write.  So I may as well turn it into something I can do for a living.  I am having a hard time pursuing it right now because I'm balls deep in my novel, which I'm aware outright sucks right now.  Several revisions are required before that thing sees the light of day, but I believe it has potential.

I need to try something different.  So instead of writing fantasy novels I want to try and write a show that's set in our world.  I think it will be a nice refresher to my normal stuff.  Maybe flex some writing muscle that I never use.  In any case, it won't hurt anything.  Even if I fail, I will have the experience that I never had, and I will be a better writer for it.

meg_evonne:
Go to mediabistro.com.  They have an ad running for one of their online video courses on television writing, parts I and II.  Short, sweet, some good ideas I suspect and inexpensive.  Watch at your leisure.  It will cost a little bit more if you aren't a member but it would be a great introduction to their classes.  If you want to see similar classes and don't live in a population hub like NYC or Chicago or LA there are many online classes. 

Let me know what you think after you look it over.  I printed notes for my own purposes as I thought the suggestions appropriate to novel writing as well, but it would be faster to just take the class.  :-)

As to bread and butter....

I took two classes with some pros in the mix and was amazed how they all made their money on non-fiction books.  Apparently much easier to get published and they'll look at book proposals in a much easier light than fiction.  Just an idea you might want to think about.  In addition, those who were published with novels usually had first published and gotten agent representation first through non-fiction.

blgarver:
Hmmm...nonfiction, eh?  I never really thought about that.  And I wouldn't have the faintest idea as to where to start.  My mind doesn't work that way.  But I may have to look into it.

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