A Note From Tananarive
Hello from Tananarive! I’m thrilled to be spending a few days with my 90-year-old father, John Dorsey Due, Jr. in Atlanta — and we’re going to see SINNERS tomorrow! (Most of the seats are empty for such an early show, but maybe that means I’ll be able to get up and dance!)
Here we are on Mother’s Day:
I’ve definitely been having withdrawals after finishing the delivery draft of my next novel, BEAR CREEK LODGE, which is a contemporary creature story in the snowy woods with a back story in Old Hollywood. I’ve lived in this world a long time, between the two previous short stories (“Incident at Bear Creek Lodge” and “Return to Bear Creek Lodge”), a spec script I developed with Steve and writing the novel.
But luckily, I have a MAJOR project on my plate to distract me from the separation pains: Steve and I are directing a short film adaptation of our graphic novel, THE KEEPER. And although the shoot isn’t until June 20th, we’re location scouting, casting, and hiring key crew positions — including special FX! — to make this the best film we can possibly make.
Speaking of which…
Steve and I still have spots left in our live Screenwriting Masterclass Saturday May 17th (5–8p ET / 2–5p PT), so I wanted to share a few thoughts about why I feel so passionately that all writers should take a screenwriting course at least once.
Register here while spots are left: www.writerwebinar.com
Quick backstory: I decided to learn screenwriting after years of watching producers try to adapt my books, and it always fell apart at the script stage. I thought, “Well, I’ll learn how to write screenplays so I can help move the needle.” It wasn’t a short road, by any means: by now, I’ve been writing scripts for more than 20 years.
But the difference is that now more studios and networks are MUCH more open to purchasing scripts adapted by the authors. Even if they immediately hire a new screenwriter, they often will purchase your existing script as a part of the option process.
With that in mind, here are three things I’ve gained from writing screenplays:
1.) A seat at the table. I definitely would not be directing a film for a major producer with Steve if I had not learned screenwriting. Instead of being shut out after having my books optioned, I’ve had opportunities to sign contracts as a showrunner and executive producer. Steve and I have also sold several pilots of our adaptations in addition to our produced episodes of “The Twilight Zone” and “Horror Noire” produced.
2.) Outlining and story structure. Sure, sometimes my characters still “do their own thing,” but writing screenplays has demystified the outlining process, even with a simple “beat sheet,” to help me get a birds’ eye view of a story idea without writing myself into a corner. As a former MFA instructor in prose, I can tell you there is a big difference between how prose teachers and screenwriting teachers approach plotting.
3.) Writing with more powerful visual symbols. One axiom in filmmaking is that you should be able to follow the plot without any sound — and while that isn’t always true, screenwriting definitely relies much more heavily on what is SEEN in every scene. Writing more visually means having an understanding of WHY objects/settings appear in your scenes.
Register for our only Screenwriting course in 2025, either on Zoom or in our Southern California classroom with room for 20. If you have to miss the class, or a portion, a replay will be available.
And the first 30 people to register get two months free in our new workshopping program, Lifewriting Premium! (I can also attest as a former MFA instructor that getting your stories read by informed readers is the key to more rapid growth as a writer.)
REGISTER HERE: www.writerwebinar.com
Hope to see you there! Write on!
Tananarive
