Four years ago, I began a new writing phase focused largely on literary work. The plan back in October 2015: To write four novel series and then start to release them in 2023. This was different from how I had been going about things as a writer. In the past, it was all about write and release then move on to the next one.
In those four years, good progress has been made on three of the four stories. My focus has changed a little since then. Back in 2015, I had soured a little on writing screenplays. Since then I have written two new screenplays, four new treatments, and plotted out several other stories. Ostensibly, I have shifted my focus. The Big Four are still on track, however, there has been a slight change.
Looking forward, I have rekindled my fondness for screenwriting. In some ways, that passion never left but I have definitely had two periods since 2009 where I have cooled on screenwriting: 2009 and 2015. Screenwriting was my first writing passion and I have rekindled that passion again this year. Because of this, I am seriously considering a shift in format for one of the four stories I had intended to write as a novel series.
The new pilot screenplay for a TV series my writing partner Chuck Thomas and I finished this year has made me rethink things. I really like the story and loved writing it. It has me strongly considering a shift in format for one of the novel series. It would make a fantastic TV series and allow me another chance to bounce back and forth between novel writing and screenwriting. However, I may still release a portion of the story as a novella.
At the halfway point of this eight-year writing plan, it makes sense to make an adjustment. Instead of four novel series, it will now be three. However, one of those stories will be written as a TV series. This change has been sparked in large part by the rise of streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime. Disney and Apple are also jumping into the game soon.
Streaming services have opened the floodgates for more content of all varieties. As a consumer, your viewing options can seem a bit overwhelming. But for a screenwriter, it means more opportunities.
My fondness for movie anthologies goes back to 2005 when I wrote numerous screenplay anthologies. This eventually led to my writing my debut novel series, pushed on by the movie industry's lack of interest in that type of story at the time. Because of the rise of streaming, it makes sense to shift my focus slightly.
My fondness for movie anthologies goes back to 2005 when I wrote numerous screenplay anthologies. This eventually led to my writing my debut novel series, pushed on by the movie industry's lack of interest in that type of story at the time. Because of the rise of streaming, it makes sense to shift my focus slightly.
Unless things change again, for the next four years, I will be balancing my time between the writing of the three novel series and writing screenplays for several TV series. There is a reason to be excited about screenwriting again with the rise of streaming services.
