Hi everyone:
Hope you are having a wonderful and peaceful HOLIDAY SEASON!
Please note that my NEW EMAIL ADDRESS is: writerconsultant67@gmail.com
This is the correct email for me.
Send any questions you may have about your writing and I'll be happy to answer them asap.
Keep Writing!!
Michele
Monday, December 16, 2013
Saturday, December 7, 2013
THE NEW WEB SITE BLUES
Hi everyone:
Well, I had that terrible experience of checking out my website and finding that it was missing!! OMG, that's my work, that's my lifeline to
clients. Where the hell did it go??? Now there's a picture of some guy talking about consulting. What a mess.
Naturally I had an anxiety attack and wailed aloud for a bit. Couldn't do that for very long because I knew that I had to fix this mess. What to do? What to do? I called and emailed my carrier. I spoke to a very nice young lady who, after I waited forever, told me that my site could be fixed, but I had to phone someone else in the morning. At 5AM I phoned the new place and they pleasantly told me that my site was sold and gone for good. I thought about having another anxiety attack and fainting, but I didn't have time.
"Onward", I told myself. Well I spoke to a couple of friends and they suggested I rush to buy another web site and get it up there in the universe.
OMG, the person that did my first one was in Singapore. I suddenly felt very alone. Well I'd just have to roll up my sleeves and do it myself.
That's exactly what I did. I began at 6AM and had my new website up and running by 6PM. So......if you want more info about me and my
work, go to:
www.writersconsultant.net
I have to admit that I am exhausted, but very, very proud of myself. I managed to get lots of the important info on the site and will continue
to add to it. It works now and I'm happy.
Keep writing my friends. Heaven knows it ain't easy.
Well, I had that terrible experience of checking out my website and finding that it was missing!! OMG, that's my work, that's my lifeline to
clients. Where the hell did it go??? Now there's a picture of some guy talking about consulting. What a mess.
Naturally I had an anxiety attack and wailed aloud for a bit. Couldn't do that for very long because I knew that I had to fix this mess. What to do? What to do? I called and emailed my carrier. I spoke to a very nice young lady who, after I waited forever, told me that my site could be fixed, but I had to phone someone else in the morning. At 5AM I phoned the new place and they pleasantly told me that my site was sold and gone for good. I thought about having another anxiety attack and fainting, but I didn't have time.
"Onward", I told myself. Well I spoke to a couple of friends and they suggested I rush to buy another web site and get it up there in the universe.
OMG, the person that did my first one was in Singapore. I suddenly felt very alone. Well I'd just have to roll up my sleeves and do it myself.
That's exactly what I did. I began at 6AM and had my new website up and running by 6PM. So......if you want more info about me and my
work, go to:
www.writersconsultant.net
I have to admit that I am exhausted, but very, very proud of myself. I managed to get lots of the important info on the site and will continue
to add to it. It works now and I'm happy.
Keep writing my friends. Heaven knows it ain't easy.
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Learn How To Have a Writing Career
MICHELE WALLERSTEIN
“MIND YOUR BUSINESS: A HOLLYWOOD LITERARY AGENT’S GUIDE
TO YOUR
WRITING CAREER” written by Michele Wallerstein
If you want a career in Screenwriting, read this review then read this BOOK! Let me help you move your career forward.
(www.Amazon.com)
Saturday, October 26, 2013
HOW TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN HOLLYWOOD
Here is an outline of some basic information for new writers.
DO YOUR HOMEWORK & SPEND THE MONEY:
1. SCRIPT MAGAZINE –
2. REFERENCE BOOKS OF PRODUCERS AND AGENTS
3. WRITING CLASSES –
4. BOOKS: SEGER, HAUGE, CHITLIK, WALLERSTEIN, BLAKE SNYDER
5. CONSULTANTS – CHECK THEM OUT!!
6. NETWORKING
7. FOLLOW UP
8. WRITERS CONFERENCES, PITCH FESTS,
PANELS and
SEMINARS.
10. LOW LEVEL EXECS i.e.: DEVELOPMENT EXECS
GETTING AN AGENT
A. IF YOU HAVE A DEAL (BIG OR SMALL)
Entice an agent to make your deal for you.
B. FOLLOW UP ON PEOPLE FROM CONFERENCES. Send Thank You letters.
C. QUERY LETTERS WITH PERSONALITY
D. SMALL AGENCIES, NEW AGENTS
WRITING SPECS
1. THREE (3) IS NOT ENOUGH
2. REWRITE, REWRITE, REWRITE
3. YOUR 5TH REWRITE IS YOUR
FIRST DRAFT
4. SAME GENRE
5. KEEP IT SIMPLE
6. GREAT CHARACTERS
7. INTERESTING PERSONALITIES – DIALOGUE
SELLS
8. PAYING YOUR DUES
THE STUDIOS VS. THE INDEPENDENTS
STUDIOS:
1. DEEPER POCKETS – MORE MONEY
2. MONEY FOR DEVELOPMENT OF PITCHED
IDEAS
3. REWRITE MONEY
4. THEY HAVE DISTRIBUTION
5. THEY HAVE PROMOTION
6. MAY NOT GET MADE
7. THEY WILL OWN THE SCRIPT FOR A LONG
TIME
8. REGIME CHANGES
9. PRODUCERS LOSE THEIR DEALS
INDEPENDENTS:
1. MORE PASSION FOR YOUR PROJECT
2. MIGHT GET MADE
3. MIGHT MAKE IT TO FILM FESTIVALS
GENERAL INFORMATION:
AGENTS: LISTEN TO THEM
TRY
SMALL AGENCIES
TRY
NEW AGENTS
MEETINGS: Show Confidence. DRESS
NICELY. Clothes tell others that you know what you are talking about. THINK ON YOUR FEET
DEALS: DO
NOT PUSH FOR BIGGER MONEY – TRUST YOUR AGENT
WITH
OR WITHOUT AN AGENT CONTINUE TO SELL YOURSELF
AND
YOUR MATERIAL.
MAKE CONTACTS:
GATHER
INFORMATION:
A. CREATIVE DIRECTORIES,
B. BASELINE FIRST LOOK ON THE INTERNET
C. JEFF GUND’S INFO LIST
Quote from MIND YOUR
BUSINESS:
“You are an artist with a
gift. Be proud of that gift and keep
moving toward your goal. Tell your
stories. Someday you may entertain and
enlighten millions. You may bring joy,
laughter, tears and excitement into the lives of people all over the world.”
If you have any questions, please email me at: novelconsult@yahoo.com
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
DAYDREAMS FOR WRITERS
What do you really want? As writers you must have something in particular in mind. Do you simply want to write one script and sell it for $1million? Do you want to have a career as a motion picture or television or novel writer? Once you know what you want you will need to figure out how to get there.
A doctor once said to me: "You are the kind of person who makes their dreams into reality". I had thought that everyone did that. To escape a rather unpleasant childhood, I had become a great daydreamer. I would spend many hours either reading or daydreaming. As I grew up I did start to turn those dreams into real life events.
It ain't easy, but it is possible. I've always found that the dreaming part was easy......it was making them happen that was hard. First you need a plan. To get into any business you must learn all you can about that business. You must know what you can bring to the table. You have to find a way to make the big guys in that business want you. If you have to come in through the basement, you need to be willing to do that. Working your way up is most often the way to go. That's exactly how I did it.
You absolutely cannot depend on luck or the heavens. Advancement is up to you. Whenever I hear someone say "I'm just unlucky", I have a fit. Remember the old adage: "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again"? I believe in that. Keep going, keep writing, keep learning your craft and by all means find out how you can get in and stay in. That means doing your homework, networking, studying, and practicing your chosen craft.
No one writes a great first novel, or script. Please believe me, your second and third and fourth will be better and better. When I was an agent the two best clients I ever signed were new to the business and young. The first one was referred to me by another client. They had grown up together. This new writer has written eleven (11) scripts and a novel. The second was a 23 year old from Alaska who had written eighteen (18) scripts and three (3) novels. They each made a zillion dollars after I signed them. I loved working for both of these guys. They weren't afraid of hard work. They were gamblers and willing to take chances. They believed in me as I believed in them.
So dream it up, figure it out then DO IT!
Keep writing.
A doctor once said to me: "You are the kind of person who makes their dreams into reality". I had thought that everyone did that. To escape a rather unpleasant childhood, I had become a great daydreamer. I would spend many hours either reading or daydreaming. As I grew up I did start to turn those dreams into real life events.
It ain't easy, but it is possible. I've always found that the dreaming part was easy......it was making them happen that was hard. First you need a plan. To get into any business you must learn all you can about that business. You must know what you can bring to the table. You have to find a way to make the big guys in that business want you. If you have to come in through the basement, you need to be willing to do that. Working your way up is most often the way to go. That's exactly how I did it.
You absolutely cannot depend on luck or the heavens. Advancement is up to you. Whenever I hear someone say "I'm just unlucky", I have a fit. Remember the old adage: "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again"? I believe in that. Keep going, keep writing, keep learning your craft and by all means find out how you can get in and stay in. That means doing your homework, networking, studying, and practicing your chosen craft.
No one writes a great first novel, or script. Please believe me, your second and third and fourth will be better and better. When I was an agent the two best clients I ever signed were new to the business and young. The first one was referred to me by another client. They had grown up together. This new writer has written eleven (11) scripts and a novel. The second was a 23 year old from Alaska who had written eighteen (18) scripts and three (3) novels. They each made a zillion dollars after I signed them. I loved working for both of these guys. They weren't afraid of hard work. They were gamblers and willing to take chances. They believed in me as I believed in them.
So dream it up, figure it out then DO IT!
Keep writing.
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Keep on Truckin'
How the hell did it get to be September already??? Remember how the school year dragged in High School, but the summer flew by? Now everyday flies by too fast. There's so much to do.
A number of years ago I quit agenting and just took time off to smell the roses and rest. I'd been feeling an inner exhaustion from sooooo many years of intense work. Even though I loved the job, I was in the eye of the storm that is Hollywood for a very long time. After about a year off, I realized that I was bored to death. My work had been my love. My work had been my hobby. My clients felt like my kids and making deals for them would leave me high as a kite. The bigger the deals the higher I flew.
It took me a couple of years to look into and then become a writers consultant. I rolled up my sleeves and dove in head first. I was back doing most of the things I'd loved as an agent. I was working with wonderful writers to bring out their best creative work. This is a calling. It's a great feeling to work with a writer who listens and responds and improves their work. I couldn't be happier.
Now I speak to writers groups, work creatively with screenplays and novels, will be teaching my first online class in October, write a monthly column for writers for Script Magazine and meet with writers one-on-one for private consultations.
What I'm saying is that we make many, many choices in our lives. Some good and some not so good. The point is to take a chance in life. There is a Zen saying that I have always loved;
"Leap, and the net will appear".
So my dear friends, give it a shot, whatever it is. Jump in and test the waters. If your first script isn't great, keep going and find out if your third script is fabulous. Tenacity.
Keep Writing.
A number of years ago I quit agenting and just took time off to smell the roses and rest. I'd been feeling an inner exhaustion from sooooo many years of intense work. Even though I loved the job, I was in the eye of the storm that is Hollywood for a very long time. After about a year off, I realized that I was bored to death. My work had been my love. My work had been my hobby. My clients felt like my kids and making deals for them would leave me high as a kite. The bigger the deals the higher I flew.
It took me a couple of years to look into and then become a writers consultant. I rolled up my sleeves and dove in head first. I was back doing most of the things I'd loved as an agent. I was working with wonderful writers to bring out their best creative work. This is a calling. It's a great feeling to work with a writer who listens and responds and improves their work. I couldn't be happier.
Now I speak to writers groups, work creatively with screenplays and novels, will be teaching my first online class in October, write a monthly column for writers for Script Magazine and meet with writers one-on-one for private consultations.
What I'm saying is that we make many, many choices in our lives. Some good and some not so good. The point is to take a chance in life. There is a Zen saying that I have always loved;
"Leap, and the net will appear".
So my dear friends, give it a shot, whatever it is. Jump in and test the waters. If your first script isn't great, keep going and find out if your third script is fabulous. Tenacity.
Keep Writing.
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
SPEAKING, TEACHING AND CONSULTING
www.novelconsultant.comThis past Saturday I was delighted to be the guest speaker for the Alameda Writers Group in Glendale. What a nice, warm and enthusiastic crowd. There were somewhere between 70 and 80 people who write everything from poetry to novels to screenplays. They were very responsive to what I had to say and I loved them for it. Getting up in front of large groups and telling them about the business you adore is one of my favorite things. They always love the stories of my experiences as an agent.
After the seminar I sold and signed books. This is also heartwarming because folks come up to say nice things and are happy to get a signed book. "MIND YOUR BUSINESS: A Hollywood Literary Agent's Guide to Your Writing Career" has opened so many doors for me. I get to hear the responses from the readers and the book keeps selling and selling all over the world. Isn't that an amazing thing?
Well.....I'm happy to announce that I've finished writing up the Syllabus and all 6 Lectures for my online class titled "MOVING YOUR WRITING CAREER FORWARD". I'll be doing the course for ESE Film Workshops in October. There are so many people that learn the craft of writing and then don't know what to do to get into Hollywood or the Independent markets. I tell how to do that in my course.
Yes, I'm still a creative consultant for screenplays and novels. This is a real calling for me. It's great to see writers improve their work and move forward while working with me. Check out my web site for all the info at: www.novelconsultant.com
Keep writing.
After the seminar I sold and signed books. This is also heartwarming because folks come up to say nice things and are happy to get a signed book. "MIND YOUR BUSINESS: A Hollywood Literary Agent's Guide to Your Writing Career" has opened so many doors for me. I get to hear the responses from the readers and the book keeps selling and selling all over the world. Isn't that an amazing thing?
Well.....I'm happy to announce that I've finished writing up the Syllabus and all 6 Lectures for my online class titled "MOVING YOUR WRITING CAREER FORWARD". I'll be doing the course for ESE Film Workshops in October. There are so many people that learn the craft of writing and then don't know what to do to get into Hollywood or the Independent markets. I tell how to do that in my course.
Yes, I'm still a creative consultant for screenplays and novels. This is a real calling for me. It's great to see writers improve their work and move forward while working with me. Check out my web site for all the info at: www.novelconsultant.com
Keep writing.
Sunday, July 21, 2013
BIG NEWS: WRITING CLASS
Hello: Sorry I haven't written for awhile. Been busy with the Script Magazine column that I do each month. It's a great experience and I love doing it. All those years that I spent as a literary agent are so helpful when sharing information about the business of film writing. So far the responses have been great. I actually wish even more people would write in with questions and/or comments. I like to know what people are thinking and what else they need to know about.
Also........Big News: Recently started to work with old friends and business acquaintances, Rona Edwards and Monika Skrebelis, who own ESE Filmworks and ESE Film Workshops. I am writing a 6 lecture online class for them on "Moving Your Writing Career Forward". Talk about sharing information! Lots of goodies in my lectures. So many new writers complete a couple of screenplays through hard work and diligence, but they don't know what to do next. I tell them what they need to do and how they need to do it. Please let me know if you want more information.
The class will air in September or October of this year.
Lastly, I had a wonderful experience teaching an all day class for the UCLA Writers Extension Program. Whew! 8 hours of teaching is a long day and a bit arduous, but the class was so enthusiastic that I loved it.
Take a look at my Script Magazine articles at: www.scriptmag.com
Also........Big News: Recently started to work with old friends and business acquaintances, Rona Edwards and Monika Skrebelis, who own ESE Filmworks and ESE Film Workshops. I am writing a 6 lecture online class for them on "Moving Your Writing Career Forward". Talk about sharing information! Lots of goodies in my lectures. So many new writers complete a couple of screenplays through hard work and diligence, but they don't know what to do next. I tell them what they need to do and how they need to do it. Please let me know if you want more information.
The class will air in September or October of this year.
Lastly, I had a wonderful experience teaching an all day class for the UCLA Writers Extension Program. Whew! 8 hours of teaching is a long day and a bit arduous, but the class was so enthusiastic that I loved it.
Take a look at my Script Magazine articles at: www.scriptmag.com
Friday, May 17, 2013
IF I CAN DO IT, YOU CAN DO IT
In Los Angeles when you ask people how they are, inevitably they say: "Fine". If you ask about their kids they tell you that they are: "Great". When you ask how their business is doing, they tell you: It's going great". "There's no question about it", you tell yourself, "I'm the biggest loser in town. My knees hurt when I play basketball or go to the gym. My kid is getting a "D" in math and my business is in the toilet". In Hollywood there is a tremendous amount of lying, the most prevalent is how wonderful you are.
Let's not forget that everyone is human. We all get bellyaches and headaches, our kids screw up, our spouses get boring and our screenplays and novels just seem to lie there. I get 4 different types of headaches and have suffered bouts of depression all of my life. I had a rough childhood and I don't produce enough serotonin. Those things amount to depression. Thank goodness someone invented Prozac. None of the myriad of doctors that I've seen can tell me why I get some of my headaches. They are profoundly painful and the pain medications don't always work. It's a nightmare.
With all of that said, I managed to have a 25 year career as a Literary Agent. I booked millions of dollars worth of television and motion pictures. After finally giving that up, I became a consultant, began giving seminars, wrote a book and had it published and married a wonderful guy.
The reason I am sharing all of this with you is that I managed to overcome some serious odds to become successful, fulfilled and proud of my accomplishments. You can do it too. Writing and becoming a professional writer are two very difficult things.
Learn to forgive yourself your setbacks. All the cliches are true: "Get back on the horse". "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead". "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again".
It ain't easy, but the rewards are great.
I've just come through about three months of extreme headaches. I saw my doctor and have been rewarded with a new prescription and two shots in my head to prevent further headaches. This should last for awhile. Now I am back to work. Pressing on and moving forward. I love being a script and novel consultant. I love all of my work and best of all I love my clients.
Once more into the breach, dear friends.
Let's not forget that everyone is human. We all get bellyaches and headaches, our kids screw up, our spouses get boring and our screenplays and novels just seem to lie there. I get 4 different types of headaches and have suffered bouts of depression all of my life. I had a rough childhood and I don't produce enough serotonin. Those things amount to depression. Thank goodness someone invented Prozac. None of the myriad of doctors that I've seen can tell me why I get some of my headaches. They are profoundly painful and the pain medications don't always work. It's a nightmare.
With all of that said, I managed to have a 25 year career as a Literary Agent. I booked millions of dollars worth of television and motion pictures. After finally giving that up, I became a consultant, began giving seminars, wrote a book and had it published and married a wonderful guy.
The reason I am sharing all of this with you is that I managed to overcome some serious odds to become successful, fulfilled and proud of my accomplishments. You can do it too. Writing and becoming a professional writer are two very difficult things.
Learn to forgive yourself your setbacks. All the cliches are true: "Get back on the horse". "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead". "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again".
It ain't easy, but the rewards are great.
I've just come through about three months of extreme headaches. I saw my doctor and have been rewarded with a new prescription and two shots in my head to prevent further headaches. This should last for awhile. Now I am back to work. Pressing on and moving forward. I love being a script and novel consultant. I love all of my work and best of all I love my clients.
Once more into the breach, dear friends.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
NEWS AND INFORMATION
Please note that I will be teaching a one-day course at UCLA extension on February 23, 2013 titled:
"THE BUSINESS OF YOUR WRITING CAREER". Please take a peak at the class information via:
www.uclaextenstion.edu. It's going to be chock full of insider info on getting in and staying in the world of film as well as how to write the important knockout half-page treatment. Join me....it will be lots of fun. I love telling stories of my years as a literary agent. http:/wwwuclaextension.edu
Also, take a look at my new monthly column for SCRIPT MAGAZINE at: www.scriptmag.com.
This month's column is titled: "STUDIOS vs. INDEPENDENTS". http:/scriptmag.com
Don't forget that my book: "MIND YOUR BUSINESS: A Hollywood Literary Agent's Guide to Your Writing Career" is now available on Kindle as well as paperback at: http:/www.Amazon.com.
Have a great, prosperous and positive NEW YEAR!!!
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