• E books,  Filmmaking

    If U can write a book, U can write a screenplay

    I’ll say that again. If you’re an author and you’ve written a book, you can write a screenplay, or a script.

    The skill set isn’t completely the same, but if you’re willing to put in the work and learn what it takes, then there’s no reason that one or more of your novels can’t be turned into a script.

    Instead of setting up a whole new site I’m going to split this one into two. One will be for the books I write, the other will be a page that branches off with copies of popular screenplays to give budding screenwriters examples to draw from (the scripts will not be housed on my site. For instance, the screenplay for Beasts of the Southern Wild can be found here:

    Direct link to PDF: http://screenplayexplorer.com/wp-content/scripts/BOTSW.pdf

     

    Screen Shot 2015-07-18 at 1.50.54 PM
    2013 Best Picture nominee Beasts of the Southern Wild featuring the youngest nominee for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role, Quvenzhané Wallis

     

    In addition, I’ll put up movie stills and film excerpts from my journey into independent filmmaking. It’s important that readers understand that I was already into filmmaking before I started writing and releasing books.

    But my ebooks were/are instrumental in acquiring the funds I needed for digital film equipment.

    I’ll also share my research on outlets to show independent productions. It’s best to start small and build an audience, and my first post will be on the variety of outlets now available to submit your work.

    Congrats to Taraji P. Henson and Director/producer Lee Daniels for Taraji’s Emmy nomination in the role of  Cookie Lyon:

     

    EMPIRE promo
    Taraji P. Henson, looking fierce and fabulous in a promo pic for the upcoming season of EMPIRE

     

  • E books

    One author’s journey

    This is a two post day.

    I love to write about love. I also write in different genres, like middle grade, YA, NA and IR (interracial romance), in addition, scifi/fantasy, paranormal romance, crime fiction, contemporary fiction and non-fiction.

    But self publishing also affords me the opportunity to use the proceeds of my books in the manner I see fit, which, in my case is to fund my other endeavor, film making.

    I say all this in an effort to introduce readers who may not be aware of the unique struggle authors of color have, to a fascinating article by Zetta Elliot regarding her indie publishing journey. Ms Elliott brings up a number of issues that don’t just apply to African American authors, but many authors of color.  Lack of representation and exclusion within the publishing industry, with a focus on children’s publishing:

     

    Black Authors and Self-Publishing

    “Despite the fact that the majority of primary school children in the U.S. are now kids of color, the publishing industry continues to produce books that overwhelmingly feature white children only. The message is clear: the lives of kids of color don’t matter.”

    Read the full article here:

    http://www.slj.com/2015/03/diversity/black-authors-and-self-publishing/

     

    I have to thank the site Dear Author for making me aware of this riveting post by Ms. Elliott.

     

    Author Zetta Elliott
    One of many childrens books by author Zetta Elliott. Ms Elliott also writes YA novels. Her website is http://www.zettaelliott.com/
  • Blog,  E books

    Paying it Forward

    So, I tried to think of what I could do to help out other new authors, and I’ve decided to pay it forward with a review, because that’s something most authors want. Feedback from readers. I’ve already picked out the first book, and I’m reading it now. But not just one book, I’ve decided to concentrate on indie authors from a variety of genres. I may (or may not) list the reviews here, but in any event, I hope to help someone else’s career get running 🙂

    Next week I’m going to put up more excerpts!