Taking a Look at Adapting Your Novel for Film

I think we all dream of making it big, in publishing and then in film, but the odds of having your books adapted to film and then made into a major motion picture are beyond my math skills to calculate.

That said, there are independent film routes into movie production. When you look at the success of indie films such as The Blair Witch Project and My Big, Fat Greek Wedding, then it makes sense to target your efforts at more than just the big movie studios.

And if you are going to work with an indie, then it's a good idea to learn how to adapt your own work. Many of the small indies don't have the budgets to hire scriptwriters to adapt books, though it does happen. It's just a good strategy to know how to do your own adaptation. And it doesn't hurt to learn to talk the talk, even if you don't do your own adaptation.

There are some excellent books out there on adapting novels for film, but they are targeted at scriptwriters who will be adapting other people's work. They focus a lot on theory and storytelling--something I assume you already know if you've written your own novel. My booklet is just about adapting your work for film. It's short and to the point.

And in other news.....

I’m participating in an event to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Please join me and help raise funds for investment in vital CF programs to support research, care and education. During the month of September, I commit to writing 15,000 words and I'm hoping to raise at least $150 for CFF. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a devastating genetic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system. More than ten million Americans are symptomless carriers of the defective CF gene. Advances continue to be made in finding a cure, but your help is needed now-more than ever-to help keep up the momentum of this life-saving research. To learn more about CF and the CF Foundation, visit www.cff.org. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those with cystic fibrosis. Thank you for supporting the mission of the CF Foundation!

Thanks to everyone for your support!

Click Here to donate. Perilously yours, Pauline