November Is National Novel Writing Month - Will You Join Me In Bashing Out 50,000 Words Over 30 Days?

If you're a writer of fiction you will no doubt have heard of National Novel Writing Month (aka NaNoWriMo), which runs from 1-30 November 2009. Participants are required to write a 50,000 word first draft of a new novel (from scratch) and this year, for the first time, Yours Truly will be taking part. Yes, I'll be aiming to write 1700 words per day, over each of the 30 days and I'd be thrilled to have your company, writing alongside me.

On this occasion we are aiming for quantity, rather than quality, (you have my official permission to write utter crap), because if, at the end of November, we find we've fallen in love with our storyline, we may just decide to take things further. Many writers have gained their first publishing deal through taking part in this annual worldwide event, so why not get yourself over to http://www.nanowrimo.org/ and sign up now.

Who knows, it could be the start of something BIG and rather wonderful.

On The Hunt For The Lesser-Spotted Agent

I realise I've been neglecting my readership - (that's you guys!) - in pursuit of my '60-day Write And Sell A Screenplay' challenge. One week to go and I'm almost there. What I mean is, I've finished the first draft of my masterpiece. I now realise it was an unrealistic goal to include the "selling" bit as well. Sixty days is plenty of time for working out your premise, cast of characters and motivations . . . and I'm really pleased with the story and much of the writing, only, it's not what I think that counts. I'm going to do some revisions next week and then send the manuscript to the Writers' Workshop to get some feedback.

I was intending sending it to the BBC Writersroom (they spell it like that), but I feel it's important to get some professional input at this stage and see if I'm on the right track. The closest I've come to scriptwriting superstardom, was to get shortlisted in a BBC Radio new talent comp a few years back. Let's see if we can do better this time.

And what about an agent? Is it possible to get an agent without having something optioned? is it possible to get your screenplay optioned without having an agent? Watch this space . . .


Best, Kaz

PS Something entirely unrelated: just headed off to Yahoo! Groups to see if there was one dedicated to Lesbian Crime Authors. There wasn't. (Maybe I should start one?) Closest match came back as: 'I Was A Teenage Jehovah's Witness.' Huh? Am I missing something?

Say "hi" to Corrie's newest scriptwriter!

I am indebted to Joanne Salt at How To Books for sending me the latest edition of William Smethurst's "How To Write For Television." I confess I've had my head stuck in it all weekend - only coming up for air, food and Match Of The Day.

And this book is proving a big hit with me for several reasons. For starters, it's written it a witty, engaging style that is easy to follow. As well as leading you step-by-step through the process of writing your first script: story; style; plotting; dialogue; characterization and so on, the author introduces us to the various genres: Sitcoms; Drama and of course, Soap Operas. Did you know, for example, Hollyoaks currently pays £6300 for a single script (including omnibus repeat fee)? I didn't. There's serious money to be made in this industry that's for sure.

But what I'm really interested in, is where to send my "Calling Card" script. Again, Mr Smethurst provides plenty of sound advice, as well as a wealth of industry resources and contacts including writing courses, grants, agents and the Internet, naturally.

A really impressive calling card script can open doors, you know - even for the likes of newbies like me it seems. You can even use it by way of an introduction to your favourite Soap's script editor. So watch out Jonathan Harvey, cos I've always fancied writing for Corrie. My storyline of Gail falling for Eileen is bound to be such a big hit with the viewers . . .

Pleased to note that Katie "Jordan" Price has issued boyfriend Alex Reid with an ultimatum. Either he quits making violent porn films, or she will dump him. Disappointed to note that it's for entirely the wrong reasons.


Not because Reid's films abuse and degrade women - oh no. But because when he's acting out his rape scenes, as per the latest sleazebag production, he's cheating on her! Huh? Talk about skewed mentality. I don't know which of them is more warped.

40-Day Breakthrough Challenge starts here!

I’m not going to lie to you.

I had a fleeting thought about coming on here and telling you how extraordinarily well my 60-day ‘Write And Sell A Screenplay’, Challenge was panning out. But the truth is, come Day 21, and I’ve barely made a start. You see, I've allowed myself to become distracted by another entirely unrelated project. Something that wouldn’t have happened if I’d been one of Jurgen’s students I’m quite sure.

And it’s nothing to do with the fact I’m not committed to my screenplay idea, because I’m crazy about it – particularly my lead character, Meredith, who I’ve got great plans for. My distraction was simply to with business – something I couldn’t turn down, but . . . I fully intend to make up for lost time, starting today – this second.

My 40-Day Breakthrough Challenge starts here, guys . . .


Best, Kaz


PS If you’d like to read Rainbow Reviews’ write-up of my latest novel, here's the link:
A Warped Sense of Uma by Kaz Jordyn

Day 7 Of 60 (already!)

Hmmm, well . . .

how quickly a couple of hours can turn into a whole week of brainstorming . . . particularly when one has been up to one's gob in Lemsip the past few days.

Following our weekend BBQ in Surrey, which left everyone sozzled and soggy, not to mention bloody bad tempered (frankly, there were more screaming hissy fits amongst couples, than a whole class of toddlers on their first day at nursery), Yours Truly developed something of a nasty head cold (I'm not a bloke, so I'm refusing to call it Swine Flu). Hence I haven't got nearly as much done on my screenplay as I had hoped for.

However . . .

My premise is sorted (well and truly) and I've got a pretty neat cast of characters who are becoming more real to me by the day. I'm really looking forward to getting to grips with my main character, Meredith, who is out to settle old scores.

I've had Julian Friedmann's acclaimed tome, 'How To Make Money Scriptwriting,' in my collection for around four years now and I'm hanging my head appropriately, because previously I'd not ventured past the introduction. So this weekend I'm really going to get stuck in, except, as I've just been reminded by The Girlfriend, Chelsea are on the box on Sunday afternoon and we're having people round tomorrow night. As I reminded TG, every artist has to make sacrifices for her craft. "Fine," she said. "Just popping out to buy the wine for tomorrow night and the beers for the match."

That's settled then. Good. Meantime, Mr Friedmann's wisdom awaits . . .

Day 1 of 60

Well here we are. Day 1 of my 60-day Challenge to write and sell a screenplay. Having just this second peeled the wrapper off my first pack of 'cue cards', I'm raring to go. But there's the small matter of planning to be tackled first.

To those of you - in particular - contributors to the Writers' News Talkback forum, who have been wishing me good luck with the venture, my grateful thanks, as always for the support.

And to Mel G, who thought I was attempting a 60-a-day challenge, as a lifelong anti-smoker, let me assure you, taking up a fag habit is nothing whatsoever to aspire to. Still it gave me laugh anyway.

So here goes. I intend spending the next couple of hours brainstorming ideas for my plot theme and character motivations. And along the way, I'll be getting some input from writers and producers who know precisely what it takes to achieve my goal.

I hope over the next 60 days, you'll be attempting your own challenges. Do please let me know how it's going.

Best, Kaz