Words Fly Up

Books and writing are the core of my life. I edit books, write books, and teach writing. I love this work, and will be happy to provide any editorial or writing service you need.
  • What I Do
  • Services
  • Writing Classes
  • Rates
  • Clients’ Publications
  • Resources
    • Books On Writing
    • Inspiration & Prompts
    • Blog Articles
    • Writing Links
    • Independent Publishing
  • Blog
  • Contact

June 4, 2015 By Elizabeth Leave a Comment

From Short Story to Screenplay

from short story to screenplay
Pam, Mark, and the Screenplay

I got an email from one of my students last week. A short story she brought to class earlier this year is now a screenplay. Not only that, it is going to become a film. There’s a director, a cast, props, probably even coffee and doughnuts.

A little backstory, though, to explain how Pam went from short story to screenplay.

Last year Pam brought to class a short story about a suicidal man named Joe and the woman, Zee, that he meets the night he tries to kill himself. To call Zee a free spirit is an understatement. The story and the characters were intriguing and led to a good discussion in class.

Pam then brought a different short story back to class this year—still about suicidal Joe and zany Zee, but they meet under completely different circumstances. That is, at a Suicide Anonymous meeting. This story was more polished, with a strong set of minor characters that added color and depth and were a good backdrop to Joe’s and Zee’s stories. After we were done discussing the story, Pam explained that she and a filmmaker friend of hers, Mark Battle, had been working on these characters and story idea together. She was starting with the short story format, since that was what she knew, and together they’d go from short story to screenplay.

And now that has happened. Mark and Pam are coauthors of the screenplay and are indeed making a short movie of it. Joe and Zee and the other characters from Suicide Anonymous have been cast, and as Pam said to me, “I can’t wait to meet Joe and Zee in person!”

I am delighted for Pam and enormously pleased that one of my students is having such a success and an adventure, and is having so much fun.

Now my pitch for Pam. You can to their fundraising site here and chip in to help make Joe and Zee’s story step off the page.

And then go see the film!

Filed Under: What the Teacher Learned in Class

My Writing Classes Connections over Conflicts

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Follow Me

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS

Subscribe




Blog Categories

  • Beginnings & Endings
  • Characters
  • Revising
  • Writing Tips
  • What the Teacher Learned in Class

Resources

  • Books On Writing
  • Writing Inspiration & Prompts
  • Blog Articles
  • Writing Links
  • Independent Publishing

Professional Associations

  • New Hampshire Writers’ Project
  • Sister in Crime

Copyright © 2023 Elizabeth Barrett, All Rights Reserved :: Developed by: Middle Child Media, LLC