Writing for the screen and the page requires two completely different mindsets. Although there are a few, who are capable of writing for both, generally most writers don’t have the capability of successfully translating a book into a script.
Writing fiction is a solo voice. From the thoughts, words, and deeds of the character to the plot development, the author controls every detail. She or he sets the stage from the opening to the closing sentence, making her or him the God of that universe.
Writing for the screen needs a choir, singing together on the same page of music. To mix the metaphors, producing film and television projects comparable to building a house. Like an architect, the screenwriter creates the designs. The Executive Producer acts as the contractor, who finds the resources and hired the team. As the construction manager, the director organizes the talent and crew. The crew builds the house. Like interior designs, actors make the house a home as they bring the characters to life. Without the team working together as one, the projects can’t succeed.
In fiction, describing the interaction between the characters and their environment in minute details is necessary for the reader to be able to suspend their belief. But it would hinder the production process. In fiction, the author needs to describe what she or he wants the reader to be able to see or know. No matter how elaborate or detailed, the writer can paint the word picture, it becomes real to the reader. In film and television, unless the production team builds the sets and the props from the ground up, exactly matching the author’s vision is not always possible due to cost and insufficient technical skill; however, digital advancements have opened many new possibilities. Yet, even with technology, creating sets can be cost-prohibitive. Additionally, the blocking of the actors’ actions and how they present emotions will be influenced by the actor cast in the role and the director. Their internal dialogue and life experience will determine how the emotions manifest into action.
Not all authors can separate themselves from the original vision nor do they understand the structure of scripts. The latter can be learned. Letting go can be a bridge too far for many authors, which is why most don’t write the scripts for their work.
Here is an example of the difference between fiction and script. It’s an excerpt from my novel, Dragon Domain. The first is from the novel; it’s followed by how the same scenes would be written in script form.
The shadow strolled around the fence, becoming an over-confident Dominic. She felt her stomach tighten, preparing for another confrontation. Seeing Lilith, Dominic stopped short of the porch. He stared at her.
"You needn’t try to read me." Lilith continued down the porch, squaring off with the taller man. "I’ll save you the effort. I’m your worse nightmare."
He sneered at her. "An overused cliché."
"A cliché it may be. But true." Her head bobbed slightly from side to side. Her hand flipped up, the palm pointing at him. "In the past. your darkness kept you from reaping what you sowed”, elegantly her palm flipped over in a wave motion, "but your harvest time has come. And I’m the one at the handle end of the sickle whose business end is going to cut you down."
Cheyenne ran to the door. She had to warn Lilith. She didn't know who and what she was dealing with.
“But I do.” The whisper came from nowhere and everywhere.
Startled, Cheyenne looked around. She saw no one, yet she wasn't alone.
“Child, come with me.”
Instinct told her vocalizing was unnecessary and could very well be dangerous for them both. What about Lilith?
“Do you trust me?”
She sensed rather than saw the hand that reached out to her. Fearlessly, she reached back. She felt her spirit rise and be whisked away. For an instant, she hovered over the cottage. Brilliant light surrounded and filled it. In the backyard, Mercury and Ares questioningly looked up at her. The light surrounded them. Cheyenne knew they were safe. As was Lilith in the front yard. The next instant she stood on the part of the mesa that she was only allowed to see from a distance. Not knowing what to expect, she walked around the funeral pyre. The ashes stirred, rising up to become tiny whirlwinds. The center one became a feather. The others melted into it, adding gemstones, beads, and smaller feathers. When the last whirlwind added its blessing, the feather floated upward. The sun shone through the gems and glass beads, sending rainbows and colored dots to dance around the pyre. Catching herself staring, Cheyenne stifled a giggle; No wonder the kids like chasing the red dot.
“Will you accept it?”
The feather seemed familiar, yet the harder she sought to find the memory the faster it eluded her. Its beauty radiated welcoming love and healing. It's so beautiful. Are you sure it is for me?
“Only if you accept it.”
Cheyenne held out her cupped hands. The feather floated into them. It melted into her and suddenly she was back in her cabin.
"Where’s Cheyenne!" He demanded.
"In my cradle." Lilith’s voice became stronger; her energy expanded.
Dominic stepped backward. "What are you?"
"I am, the I am. I am the seer of all things. I know who you are and what you have done."
"Shut up! Where’s Cheyenne?"
Lilith turned at the waist, extending her hand to Cheyenne. The whites of her eyes glowed.
Without hesitating, Cheyenne stepped through the doorway and out onto the porch, stopping at the top step. Reaching out, her fingertips touched Lilith’s. The power surged within her and she joined Lilith at the edge of the porch.
“Do you think the harm you have caused others has gone unnoticed?” The words came from Cheyenne's mouth, but the voice belonged to another. “The pack only protects its own.”
“I have my own pack
Cheyenne felt the presence of the other intensify within her. “Renegades become pariahs, who are unwelcome in any home.”
The color drained from Dominic’s face.
Lilith stepped forward. "There is nothing you can do that can not be undone and turned back on you."
Tossing the loose strands back over his shoulder, he balanced his weight equally on both feet and smiled. "I’m not finished yet."
"You have attacked twice. Twice it failed. Undo the damage you have done. Pay the debts you owe. You may still be redeemed." The words came from Lilith’s mouth, but the voice was from a source much older.
His fists clenched. Setting his jaw, he recollected himself. "You can’t frighten me. I know." He pointed at Cheyenne. "I know how to hurt you!" His anger flared. "You and all those others who forsake the male energy of the Gods." He stepped forward at an angle, putting himself in a direct line of vision with Cheyenne. "She can’t always be with you. One time when you take flight..." The threat remained unfinished.
"I’m everywhere." Lilith waved her hand. A gust of wind blew dirt into his face. "Unhampered by time or space.”
A hawk dived from nowhere; its extended talons scraping his forehead and scalp. He screamed in pain, beating the vacant air trying to ward off an attacker who had already disappeared.
Furious, he rushed her. Energy forcefully shot out of Lilith, knocking him backward. He hit the ground with a grunt; immediately he rolled into a crouch. Growling, he revealed his growing canine teeth.
Immediately Aries and Mercury leaped at their side of the fence, growling, and barking. Leaves rained down on him from the squirrels dashing and jumping between branches. From the left, the bushes rustled. A black and white body scurried from it. Its long-striped tail erect. As quickly as its little legs could move, it crossed the distance, spun around, and squirted a cloud of protective scent. Dominic didn’t have the opportunity to dodge. The direct stream soaked his face; the cloud enveloped him.
EXT. CABIN BACK PORCH: DAY
Dominic struts toward the back door of an isolated country cabin. Lilith walks out the back door closing it. Dominic stops.
LILITH
"You needn’t try to read me. I’ll save you the effort. I’m your worst nightmare.
DOMINIC
An overused cliché."
LILITH
A cliché it may be. In the past. your darkness kept you from reaping what you sowed but your harvest time has come. And I’m the one at the handle end of the sickle whose business end is going to cut you down.
INT. CABIN: DAY
Cheyenne listens at the back door. Frightened, she tries to open it.
MOTHER
(whisper around her)
She’s safe.
CHEYENNE
She doesn’t know.
MOTHER
But I do. Child, come with me.
Cheyenne nods and reaches for the unseen hand.
EXT. FRONT YARD OF CABIN: DAYS
Cheyenne’s spirit appears above. Brilliant white light surrounds the cabin and the surrounding area. Mercury and Aries look up at her.
EXT. MESA: DAY
Cheyenne’s spirit appears at the head of a Native American funeral pyre. Confused, she looks around. The ashes stirred, rising up to become tiny whirlwinds. The center one became a feather. The others melted into it, adding gemstones, beads, and smaller feathers until they become one.
MOTHER.
Will you accept it?
CHEYENNE
It's so beautiful. Are you sure it is for me?
MOTHER
Only if you accept it.
Holding out her hands, the feather floats into them and melts into her.
EXT. CABIN. DAY
Dominic aggressively approaches Lilith's posture changes as she absorbs the white light emanating from the ground. Her eyes glow. Her voice becomes otherworldly
DOMINIC
Where’s Cheyenne!
.
LILITH
In my cradle.
DOMINIC
What are you?
LILITH
I am, the I am. I am the seer of all things. I know who you are and what you have done.
DOMINIC
Witch tricks! Where’s Cheyenne?
Lilith extends her hand to Cheyenne. Cheyenne walks out onto the porch and joins Lilith. The white light fills Cheyenne.
CHEYENNE
(otherworldly voice)
Do you think the harm you have caused others has gone unnoticed? The pack only protects its own.”
DOMINIC
I have my own pack.
CHEYENNE
Renegades become pariahs, who are unwelcome in any home.
Stunned, Dominic backs away.
LILITH
There is nothing you can do that can not be undone and turned back on you.
DOMINIC
(regaining arrogance)
. I’m not finished yet.
LILITH
You have attacked twice. Twice it failed. Undo the damage you have done. Pay the debts you owe. You may still be redeemed.
DOMINIC
You can’t frighten me. I know.
(pointing at Cheyenne)
I know how to hurt you! You and all those others who forsake the male energy of the Gods. She can’t always be with you. One time when you take flight...
LILITH
I’m everywhere.
A gust of wind blew dirt into his face.
LILITH (CONT.)
Unhampered by time or space--
A hawk attacks Dominic and flies away. Energy shoots out of Lilith, knocking him backward. He rolls into a crouch. Growling, he reveals his growing canine teeth. A skunk scurries from the bushes and sprays Dominic, hitting him in the face.
Although the story and actions are essentially the same, many details had been changed. How Cheyenne felt and thought was replaced by generic physical actions. The squirrels raining down leaves and the barking dogs were unnecessary and therefore removed. The verb usage was changed from the past tense in the novel to the present tense in the script. Scripts are written in the present tense.
Film and television are visual. Never ever, use the phrase “we see”. First, who the hell are we? Secondly, show don’t tell.
The scene heading sets the location and time of day.
EXT. CABIN BACK PORCH: DAY
Dominic struts toward the back door of an isolated country cabin. The first line sets the first impression of the location and the scene
. This is an exterior scene that happens during the day around a cottage surrounded by forests
EXT. MESA: DAY
Cheyenne’s spirit appears at the head of a Native American funeral pyre
This scene also takes place during the day. Mesa sets the image of a flat desert area. Describing the funeral pyre as Native American removes the need for more details.
In scripts, less is more. Except when creating important plot-related details, as with special effects, descriptions should be limited to four lines.
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