Write, write, write

There's more to life than writing screenplays ... hard to believe, right?! But face it, that little thing called "life", and actually living it (as opposed to writing about it), is what it's all about. 

The beauty is, when we do the "living it" bit our writing improves as our stories are powered not just by our imagination, but also very much by our life experiences - the more you live, the better you write! Despite all of that living stuff, I did manage to get a bit of writing done - here's a quick glance at my writorial 2011:

I was hired to write another screenplay adaptation, based on the fabulously dark and bloody novel "Blood Eagle" by the most excellent Craig Russell. This was already the second time I was allowed to help bring his iconic Hamburg cop Jan Fabel to screen life. The first time was "Brother Grimm" (aka "Wolfsfährte"). Had a great time writing this film from beginning to end - from meeting with Craig and the producers, through the collaboration stages all the way into the final shooting script with director Nils Willbrandt. This gig was engaged and focused from the get-go and it's already been filmed! Now that's what I call an outstandingly well performing outfit. The film will premiere in 2012, prime time on the main German broadcasting network and you bet it'll scare more than a few people out of their seats.

In late October I was once again invited to participate in the London Screenwriters' Festival – a three day extravaganza with four hundred participants and tons of lectures, panels and workshops on everything a screenwriter could possibly be interested in. I was on three panels to share my experiences and had a great fun with that (pic is - left to right - Danny Stack, Steven Russell, Evan Leighton-Davis, lil ole me and finally Paul Andrew Williams). Particularly enjoyed meeting up with lots of old friends and making new ones. To any writer in Europe - if you don't attend this event, you're seriously messing with your career. There are so many opportunities there, it's staggering. See ya there in 2012!

There are several fresh screenwriting projects floating around me, and - as ever - through my scattered brain. But I took the rest of the year to focus on two novels I had finally wanted to get out of my system. After the London Screenwriters' Festival I journeyed on to Oxfordshire, to the location of my still-not-finished novel "Tales of Wychwood". It's a fantastical tale about three kids who discover that the forest behind their house is packed with mystery, danger and deadly creatures. I met with good friends up there, I roamed the woods, I breathed the air and I came back thoroughly juiced - ready to complete it ... alas, still not done.

Last of this year's projects was/is my novel "The Champ". I've decided to launch it on Amazon's Kindle. It is the story of 115 year old Wilber Patorkin, the oldest man alive in the USA. He's a frail old fart ... and he just may be the most powerful person on the planet. The tale is highly unusual - time to let Wilber out of the box. By now Wilber has already launched a Facebook page and a Twitter account - and UK graphic artist Paul Green is currently working on a cover for the novel. When the cover's done, the novel will be published and available for anyone interested in reading about the incredible life of Wilber Patorkin. If anyone does - cool. And if no one does - I'll still be happy - just as content as Wilber is.

As mentioned, there's new screenplay stuff in the works. There's much I'm excited about, much I want to do - and probably only some of that I actually will do. After all, must remember to keep living life! I shall do my best to keep enough of my time reserved to enjoy life with my wife, with my kids and with my friends ... see you in 2012!

The post’s title is the upside down version of William Goldman’s famous quote about Hollywood, “Nobody knows anything”. As a screenwriting newbie, take it to heart. Believe in yourself and realize that you have all it takes. You, my friend, have as much of a chance of making it in this crazy business as everybody else out there.

I’ll let you in on a little secret – writing a screenplay is easy. As you start out on your screenwriter journey you’ll want to learn, of course. You’ll read the many how-to books, you’ll attend the workshops, the seminars and the conferences (like the amazing London Screenwriters' Festival I wrote this post for in late October) - and you’ll follow websites, forums and blogs. All of the above is useful as this business is incredibly multi-faceted. But all of the above is also dangerous. It can keep you from writing, it can stop you in your tracks. It can serve as indefinite excuse, as there’s always something more for you to learn before you actually begin with your brilliant story. In addition, all of that knowledge offered out there can seriously drag you down to the point where you think you’ll never be able to get it right.

I’m neither wizard nor guru – I’m just an average screenwriter schmo. I’ve been at it for twenty years now and I have the good fortune of getting hired for doing what I love doing. About a year ago I started a screenwriting blog and guess what – most of the posts are not about the actual craft – but instead about everything else – about passion, discipline, stamina, meetings, collaborating – about all the stuff I’ve picked up along the way. Basically, it’s about living life, attitude, guts – it’s about believing in yourself when everybody tells you to give up and go home.

Which brings me back to the beginning – writing is easy. Learn from others, but don’t depend on them. Trust your instincts and stay true to yourself. YOU – CAN – WRITE. And write you must – if you don’t, you’re not a writer, simple as that. And no, you’re not going to be Aaron Sorkin right away – but once you start writing, you’re off on your journey.

That’s it, there’s no great magic – it’s just words, it’s just life – now go write!