“WHAT DO YOU DO NEXT?” SEMINAR FOR WRITERS

“WHAT DO YOU DO NEXT?”

Michele Wallerstein’s Seminar on how to move your writing career into the world of Hollywood

Join me on May 14, 2011                                                                      3:00pm – 6:00pm              

At:               13907 Ventura Blvd., Ste. 101, Sherman Oaks, CA          (upstairs)         

Class fee:     $70 in advance---------------------$85.00 at the door

YOU WILL LEARN WHAT TO WRITE:

1.     Plot

2.    Budget

3.    Characters

4.    What does the Hollywood studio look for in a spec script?

5.    What do studio executives look for in a new writer?

6.    Q & A

YOU WILL LEARN HOW TO GET YOURSELF & YOUR MATERIAL TO THE HOLLYWOOD COMMUNITY:

1.    How to find an agent

2.    How to get an agent to want you

3.    How to network at writers events

4.    What does an agent expect from you

5.    The difference between managers and agents

6.    How to Follow-up

7.    Using and finding  “contacts”

8.    The “Hollywood” attitude and how to work it

9.    Q & A

Purchase a signed copy of Michele’s Book titled “MIND YOUR BUSINESS:  A Hollywood Literary Agent’s Guide To Your Hollywood Career” and her CD’s at a discounted prices.

This class includes a $50.00 discount on my consulting services (within one year of the course).

Mail your check payable to Michele Wallerstein at:  4314 Matilija Ave., #105, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 or use PayPal via Michele’s web site at:  www.novelconsultant.com on the bottom of the “Rates” page

WHY WE DO IT

A couple of days ago I had a meeting with a new client.  We discussed his work and chatted a bit about our lives.  Near the end of the meeting he asked me a question that has stayed with me.  He said:
  "Why do you do what you do?"  It was actually quite easy for me to respond.  I do it because I love writers.  I also loved being an agent and this work that I now perform is the perfect off-shoot.  I get to meet interesting a bright people, I get to travel to present my seminars, I get to share information about the most fascinating business in the world and I get to read. 

What about all of you?  Why do you write?  If you are doing it for a big payday, then I suggest you give it up now and get a real job.  If you do it because you think it will be glamorous and exciting in that you will get to hang out with fabulous movie stars, then forget about it.  Those aren't good reasons to go through the trials, tribulations and very hard work of writing.

Become a writer because you have to, because it is your calling.  This isn't a choice, it is something that is inside of you that prods you forward to tell your stories.  There is nothing else. 

WHAT TO DO WHEN THE NOVEL OR SCRIPT IS FINISHED

It just dawned on me that writers may not know when and why to use professional consultants.  If you want to be a professional writer and you are out there in the universe with a couple of completed screenplays or novels, you must be wondering: "What do I do now?"  The answer is actually quite simple.  Get those scripts or novels read by someone who knows the ins and outs of publishing and/or Hollywood.


Writing is not a hobby, it's a business.  It's born of a creative mind, but it lives in a world of commerce. These are the realities of your life.  You can not ignore this side of your life.  I maintain that writers are quite lucky to have so many choices of professional consultants to choose from.  We come in all sorts of price packages and backgrounds.  Just be very careful to vet these people.  There are some who will offer coverage of your project.  You do not want this!  You want a consultant who is connected in the mainstream of your chosen field.  You want someone who will find any problems you have in your work, and who will help you find a way to repair those problems.  You want someone who can guide you and advise you. 

In a way, we are the best writing teachers you will ever have.  This is a one-on-one situation for your work.  No classroom or seminar, just you and your consultant.  What could be better?

The time to hire someone is when you think your project is perfect.  When you have taken it as far as you can and now want to know if it is ready for the "real" world.

Get those projects out and take the next step toward a writing career.


Any questions??

REWRITING - UGH!

I simply hate rewriting.  It's the most difficult part of the job, as far as I'm concerned.  When I write I know the gist of what I want to say and put it on the computer.  It seems to me that it should be fine, just the way it is.  Unfortunately I do re-read what I've written and notice all sorts of things that must be changed.  Perhaps it's some spelling and grammar.  Sometimes I tend to ramble.  It might even dawn on me that a particular sentence, or god forbid an entire paragraph, doesn't make sense.

Whatever the problem, I just don't want to fix it.  I don't want to do the drudgery of the all-important rewrite.  That's not to say that I don't do it, because most of the time I do. A brilliant friend of mine is kind enough to read the work I'm currently doing on my memoirs.  I sit and wait for her reaction each time I send it.  When it finally arrives the notations for corrections instill a sinking feeling in my gut from realizing that I must fix it.

OK, I've spent enough time writing this blog and now I have to get back to my latest rewrite.  Maybe I could just go have something to eat instead.......

BOOKSTORES

It's so very sad that bookstores are closing around this country.  I did a couple of seminars and book signings at Borders Books in Sherman Oaks and had another two scheduled.  The events were well attended and we sold some of my books.  It was fun for me and I believe that my audiences had a great time too.

I was booked to speak again today, however, on Friday (yesterday) I received an email from the store that because they were going bankrupt and closing their store, they were told by the head office to cancel all events. Naturally I was disappointed, but more than that, it is a very telling moment in our lifetimes to see the closings of so many bookstores.  Have we lost the ability to read all those wonderful books that have been available to us?  It seems to me that because of the advent of computer bytes and television's immediacy that Americans have lost the exquisite pleasure of simply sitting quietly and turning those rustling pages of stories and characters. I mourn this loss as I'm sure you do.  It speaks to a change in our lives that will never repair itself. 

The imaginations of so many writers and their ability to inform and entertain us must not be allowed to leave without a salute and a tear.  Let us all keep trying to share the wonderful treasure of reading with those who we love and raise and continue to try and cherish the blessings of good books.

WRITING IS HARD

As a script and novel doctor and former agent I've always been very sympathetic to writers.  I understand how hard it is to write.  When I was a kid I wanted to write and as an adult spent over 20 years working with screenwriters and novelists. 

It's not just that the writing itself is difficult, it's also dealing with finding the right time and place and mood and inspiration all at the same time.  I find it difficult myself.  When I was writing my first book and now when I'm in the throes of writing two others, I find that I seem to finally get in the groove just before my husband comes home.  When he walks in the door all writing work has to cease.  We don't have a big place so there isn't a quiet, private space for me to go.  I like working in the living room.  Gregg (the husband) likes to talk after a day of teaching school.  He likes to catch the sports data on TV and he is soon hungry for dinner.  I think my timing is my own way of slightly sabotaging myself. 

I'm really going to have to work on getting started much earlier in the day.  Then maybe someday I'll manage to give up smoking.

GREAT EXPECTATIONS

OK, this is what I want to know from you:  What are your expectations for your writing career.  If you are a new writer who is just trying to break into the Biz, do you think that you can write one script and then magically sell it to a Hollywood movie studio for big bucks, within a few weeks????

I wish that could happen, but it doesn't.  It takes lots of dedication, work and some smart movies on your part.  There are quite a few decisions that you will have to make and hopefully you will make more right ones than wrong ones.  We all make poor decisions at different crossroads of our lives.  That's just the way life goes.  If we make some really good decisions along the way then we are ahead of the game.

Go to professionals, listen to panel discussions, go to seminars that are given by pros.  There are so many of them available to you all over the world.  My friend and colleague Rona Edwards is teaching writing in Singapore, my friend and colleague, Kathie Yoneda will be giving writing classes in Marseilles.  These are only a couple of great teachers who can answer your questions and give you priceless information. This year I will be speaking at The Writers Store in Burbank, at the Big Bear International Film Festival, at the Ink Tip Pitch Summit and Borders Books in Sherman Oaks.

Check my web site (www.novelconsultant.com) for dates and times and come to these events.  Ask me questions, here on my blog.  Reach out and you will get lots of help.