From Novelist to Script Writer: Guest Post by Julie Chapko

Today, Write Me Happy (which means me, but it sounds all fancy saying it the other way) is honored to have Guest Blogger, Julie Chapko stop by and talk about her recent transition from novelist to script writer. Julie can be found blogging about life as a mother, at her site Mommy Coach. Take it away Julie!

Photo by Julie

For as long as I can remember I've always had the ambition to write novels. Mainly because I'm not poetic therefore poetry is out of the question and short stories are not fulfilling enough for me. So far I've managed to complete two novels and start a handful of others. They are still being edited and constantly redrafted but they have a beginning and an end which is the most important thing. Like all writers I've dreamed of being published and sharing my written talent with the world. Yet I'm not any closer to that dream then I was seven years ago when I first started.

I have not lost hope but life has come into play and put a bit of a delay on my writing career. Alas! two weeks ago the unthinkable happened: I sat on my mac and considered converting one of my novels into a script. Why? You may ask. I cannot say. It simply felt right. The few people that have read this book thought it was a marvelous idea, since it's very plot driven. One of my friends once told me she saw it as a play which means that it's a very visual piece. This work had all the characteristics of a movie, so why not give it a try?

This change has taken over my creative core and I think of nothing else. I feel lost and overwhelmed but I'm also confident. I know it's a good story with a great plot and strong characters. The challenge lies in the structure of a script. A script has it's own vocabulary and it's very to the point. Something that you avoid when writing a novel. My entire way of writing needs to be revamped and that causes a little frustration. When life allows me the time (I have a toddler and newborn at home) I attempt to write, even if I get a paragraph in I'm happy. I'm also searching for a workshop or class that I might take to help me understand the how-to's of writing a screenplay. And perhaps help me in the direction of what to do with it once I'm done.

Without much urgency and with lots of passion I plan to see this new venture through. I'm not sure what will come of it, I honestly don't want to think that far ahead. I must live in the moment.