WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW

OK, here's the thing:  I'm writing a follow-up book to "MIND YOUR BUSINESS: A Hollywood Literary Agent's Guide To Your Writing Career".  Why would this be of interest to you?  Well, you must want to know something about working in Hollywood.  Go ahead, ask me anything.  I need your input to know what concerns you, puzzles you, frustrates you, infuriates you, etc.

The new book is tentatively titled:  "SHOW BUSINESS FOR FUN AND PROFIT".  It will be another step in helping newbies crash headlong into the Hollywood community.  I want to help people cross that threshold without too much head banging and gross errors.  For example;  did you know that if you are late to a meeting you won't ever meet with that executive again?  Did you know that you can make an independent film that you are so proud of but it can destroy any chances you have of a mainstream career?  Did you know that there are a multitude of unwritten rules in Tinseltown that can sideline you forever?
 
My new book will explain all of that plus much more, but I need your help.  Let me know what you don't know.  Write to me at novelconsult@yahoo.com or here. 

Be specific.  Make it a simple question.  I'll try to answer you and perhaps use it in the new book.

Thanks all.

REINVENTING OURSELVES

Looking back on my life I realize that I have reinvented myself many, many times.  I started my life thinking that I would become a housewife and mother.  Neither of these things ever occurred.  Because I needed to support myself from the time I was 19 years old, I worked as a messenger, receptionist, secretary, office manager, rental agent and a myriad of other jobs.  Luckily found a career in the entertainment field as a literary agent.  When I began this work there were very few women in the business.  I guess I am considered one of the pioneer women.  It's a nice title but what it means is that becoming an agent and staying in business was fraught with difficulties, trial and tribulations.  I never faltered.  It was the career of a lifetime and I loved it.

When the time came for me to end that part of my life I took some time off and re-evaluated.  What I discovered was that I still loved being a part of the creative world.  That's why I became a screenplay and novel coach.  It's really a natural progression from agenting.

After a couple of years as a consultant I realized that there were so many writers who didn't have a clue about the inner-machinations of Hollywood.   I needed to share my years of experience and accrued knowledge.  My book:  "MIND YOUR BUSINESS: A Hollywood Literary Agent's Guide To Your Writing Career" was my effort to teach writers what to expect and how to get into the business of entertainment.

Many people look toward having a writing career at various points in their lives.  It's never too early and it's never too late.  









 

The Importance of Being A Writer

Just heard that the Mayor of Boston is banning the sale of sugary drinks.  On the face of it that may sound reasonable and/or sensible since Boston reports that 23% of their citizens are in the obese category. 

Now wait just a minute.  They are banning cokes but not booze.  Hummm, that's a bit odd.  Sodas can make you gain weight but alcohol can kill you.  Don't misunderstand me, I'm certainly not in favor of outlawing liquor (again).  I am against any government office that tries to limit my freedom of choice.
If someone wants to have a cola, that should be their decision, not that of the government.

Have people forgotten what civil liberties mean to us?  Has the Mayor of Boston forgotten that this government was founded upon the notion that the people must have personal freedoms?  This is about a much larger issue than ordering a Pepsi with lunch.  This is the slow but insidious erosion of America's raison d'etre.

The responsibility of writers is to be aware of this and all other important issues that face us all today.  Writers need to read and study and learn about what is happening it the world.  They have the unique ability to bring those issues to the public in their books, movies, poetry and missives of all kinds.
You are the voice and heart and mind of the people.  Pay attention.  Use this in your writing. 
Don't allow the fascistic minded noisemakers to get the only words out in the universe.  Your writing is your voice and it is an important one.

“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.......