Writing a pilot episode based on my book series 🤩📺👍(Updated)

Why does your favorite book seem jumbled when it's turned into a movie or television show? Now that I'm writing a pilot episode, I'm starting to understand why things play differently on screen than on pages.

When I first started to write the pilot episode for my book series about Jorge Hernandez and his foot soldiers, I was a tad overwhelmed. I had no idea where to start. I briefly considered taking a screenwriting course, but the cost to learn this skill seemed a bit insane, so I decided instead to look online to see what was available for free or, at the very least, a more reasonable price. The first person I found was a lovely channel called Word Dancer (who I highly recommend to all writers regardless of their goals) who answered anything I could ask regarding writing a script and getting into the film business. I watched every one of her videos and soaked it all in.

The best suggestion from Word Dancer was if you want to write scripts start reading scripts. I followed this advice and quickly found the pilot episode for some of my favorite shows including, Ray Donovan, The Sopranos, Six Feet Under,  The Ozarks, Narcos, Dexter, and Sons of Anarchy. I studied them carefully, noting the formats while considering the advice in Word Dancer's videos. I made a lot of notes and then jumped in to start my script!

The first thing I noticed what that the pilot episodes require a lot of from the writer. You should immediately captivate viewers. You need to introduce your protagonist and give a strong sense of who they are, showing all dimensions. You should have a lot going on so the viewer doesn't get bored. You need to have a unique voice, so you aren't simply copying everything else out there (this includes dialogue). You have to demonstrate what kind of show it is, so the audience knows what to expect. In essence, you need to grab the viewer by the throat and make them want more.

Since the pilot would start with my book, The Devil is Smooth Like Honey, the first scene takes place in a hotel. However, this concerned me because I thought this would stick the characters in the same place too long, and I felt they needed to be in motion to keep things more lively and build up anticipation. In the book, Jorge provocatively meets Paige Noël, and the chemistry builds between them through the pages. However, I felt they needed to move around in the pilot, so I had Jorge's attempt to seduce Paige when she suddenly had to leave to carry out an assassination. In the book, I kind of feel this would've been too much too soon, considering Paige was a new character in the series, and it wouldn't give readers a proper introduction. In a television show, you would learn about her through her actions in each scene. This enabled me to demonstrate her strong, powerful side whereas, in the book, I would use Jorge's observations and conversation to do the same.

It's almost like in a television show or movie, you have to go to greater lengths to drive the point home. You can't be subtle but more like a bull in a china shop. You have to be a little louder, a little more forceful, a little more dramatic and a little more exaggerated. Why? Because it's captivating. It creates anticipation and excitement.

Of course, film and TV often cut out a lot from books they're based on, which I can already see I will be doing too. Now that I'm learning about the process, I think it's mainly because of time and budget restraints and also because certain scenes may fall flat on the screen. 

I do believe that a movie or television show based on a book should stick very closely to the novel, or it simply pisses people off. I can think of one particular movie I watched (after reading the book) that infuriated me. A major scene in the book was completely changed in the movie, causing me to throw my hands up in the air with a major 'What the fuck!' moment. I know that a lot of factors play into movies, (including who funds them) so I can imagine the script went through a lot of hands before coming to fruition.

I still have a lot to learn in this process, so this is to be continued.....

Why do you always write about criminals? 🔪(updated)

One of my most asked questions is why I write about criminals. For those not familiar with my books, this inquiry springs from the fact that most of my books are based on the criminal POV rather than the more socially acceptable, commonly used perspective of the detective, lawyer, or, in other words, the 'good guy'. Essentially, what I'm saying is that I prefer to write about the 'bad guy' or more the anti-hero type characters.

It started innocently enough. This was the series that was never meant to be a series, starting with a book called We're All Animals. In it, I explored a character named Chase Jacobs and his coming of age problems that led him down a dark path that linked up with the people he now refers to as his associates. Of course, it had to be introduced slowly, carefully, and in such a way that showed how people could find themselves in this world even if it was never their intention.

I love writing from an alternate POV rather than the more common ones used in books. It's interesting to explore a character that is normally viewed from a third-person perspective, instead, showing all the dimensions and unravel their many layers. It's very easy to just throw everybody into a simplified category but it takes a little more effort to consider where that person came from, what their experiences have been, and what drives them. People are vastly more complicated than some writers would have you believe.

There's also something invigorating about sinister characters. It can be quite addictive and fascinating to write about them. It allows my imagination to go to all kinds of dark places that you simply can't explore with primarily law-abiding and 'good' characters. And if you do, it becomes the central theme of the book rather than a component. For example, if a 'good' character does something terrible, it becomes the plot, with the protagonist attempting to understand and justify their behavior. If a 'bad' guy does the same thing, it's not such a shock and just becomes another event in the book.

When you're a writer, shouldn't you be searching for different scenarios, alternate voices, and most importantly, intriguing storylines that aren't following the same, tired format?

Why is the first paragraph so important? 🤓(Updated)

They always say how important it is to make a solid first impression. When you think of today's world where everything is fast-paced, and people are much too rushed to give much of anything a second try, it's more important than ever to capture a reader quickly; but how do you do that?

The obvious answer is to have an engaging first chapter. It doesn't have to be perfect. It also doesn't mean it has to be over the top or gimmicky. It means that you want the reader to get a sense of what they're getting themselves into! What is the theme of this book? What is the genre?

As a writer, the first paragraph is like meeting someone new for the first time. If you want to make a good impression, you'll probably throw on some makeup, hopefully, some clean clothes, and put a little extra attention on your hair. With books, it's really about pulling someone in and showing them a glimpse into your character's world.

For example, in my 11th book, The Devil May Lie, I talk about the significance of power in our world. What does it mean? Why do people want it? I talk about how it starts when we're children on the playground and ends in our death. I also say we lust after it as if it were the flesh of a lover. I use specific words that are powerful like, bold, passionate, addictive, crave, roaring. These words give readers a sense of what is to come. If I were writing something with a romantic theme, I would probably choose powerful words associated with passion. If my book had more of a family theme, I might use gentle words that give the impression of a soft place to fall, such as comfort and warmth.

Another thing I want to note is that I often connect the first paragraph in chapter one with the first paragraph in the final chapter (in my case, chapter 50). So once again, in The Devil May Lie, I talk about power in the last chapter. This is important because we're revisiting the place we started to see where we are on the same topic. In this last paragraph, I ask the question; When do we have enough power? When do we cross the line? Who wins when there's nothing left to take? I hope that after having read the entire book, this gives you something to ponder.

 

The first paragraph should give readers an impression of what they can expect. Of course, you have to remember that just as with a relationship, you must work hard to keep the reader interested throughout the book and to live up to that first impression.

Why my characters aren't shooting as many people 😱(Updated)

Here's a spoiler alert 🚨- if you haven't already read my books, you should know that there's usually a body count. 😲I'm attempting to get away from having my characters using guns, but does that mean my books are becoming less violent, and why am I making these changes?

First of all, I'm tired of guns. Between mass shootings, the vast amount of television shows using them (more shows than not, I'm guessing), and of course video games, I thought maybe we could use a bit of a break from guns.

Does that mean my books are less violent? No. I'm trying to find more creative ways for my characters to either get revenge, attack or hurt their adversaries without using a revolver. This isn't to say the gang in my series has tossed their guns aside, quite the contrary. I feel that they're used so often in movies, television, and books that perhaps it's time to find more interesting methods rather than relying on the easiest, most thoughtless, and overused options in fiction.

In many ways, we're desensitized by guns. When a character pulls out a gun in your favorite piece of fiction or Netflix show, we hardly blink an eye because it's the norm. Sadly, it doesn't pack the same punch as it should, and in turn, this doesn't keep readers or viewers on high alert. You know what keeps viewers on high alert? A machete. An ax. A chainsaw. One must be creative.

I also believe there is a certain amount of passion when a character attacks his or her victims with a more barbaric weapon. In reality, guns are somewhat lazy, when you think about it.

If you're one of my readers, don't expect things to calm down and you won't suddenly find my books in a Christian book store but you might find a few other surprises. 😏

Let's talk about the conspiracy theories in my books 😱(Updated)

My readers know to expect a few conspiracy theories in my books, but how did it get started, and why do I do it?

One of my strongest motivations as a writer has always been to make people think. I know other authors are content to entertain, warm hearts, and create hope with their readers. So in many ways, I guess I do the complete opposite. Where other books might be a soft place to fall at the end of the day, I prefer to introduce topics that make my readers think, wonder, and consider.

This is not to say that any conspiracy theories brought up in my books are right or wrong. In most cases, they work well with the story and cause a little more intrigue, leaving the reader some food for thought. I think it adds an element of excitement to the book. Also, it gets the reader more involved in the story. And if a reader feels more involved in the story, it helps to make them feel more connected with the characters, and really, isn't this what it's all about?

In the end, I'm not trying to change anyone's mind. But in a world where we're conditioned to feel certain ways about specific topics, I think it's kind of neat to shake things up.

Moment of pause (Updated)

I often talk about what inspires my writing, but what does it mean when something or someone gives me a moment of pause? 

In life, we sometimes are grabbed by a moment. It could be a conversation we have, something we notice, or maybe even an image we see online. It's that moment that we find ourselves replaying in our minds later because there's something powerful that has connected with us. There's a reason.

I find it's the moments I notice in television, movies, the news, in music, books, or just everyday life that cause me to pause, that often come powerfully creeping into my writing. There's a reason why that one specific moment or even split-second has grabbed me, and it's important to investigate. It also reminds me that art is a collection of powerful moments that should stick with the reader.

One example I often give is the television show, Ray Donovan. I had a 'moment of pause' with this specific show when I first watched Ray Donovan, dressed in a designer suit, go to his expensive car and take out a baseball bat which he, in turn, used to beat the piss out of someone. I was captivated by this scene more than if he had just punched the guy or taken out a gun and shot him because it was completely unexpected (unpredictable) and not something I thought I'd see from a man in an Armani suit. The bottom line is that my moment of pause that drew me in also made the show more memorable. When I took a deeper look, I realized that I was captivated by the contradiction and unpredictability. 

There are various scenes in both movies and television that stuck with me. This is often because they were so powerful, unique, or unexpected. For this reason, I've made it my goal to create those same kinds of scenes in my books. I think something is amazing about having a comment, a visual, or even a character themselves that captivates an audience that sticks in their head or their heart. And at the end of the day, isn't that every artist's goal?

Plant the seed 🌱(Updated)

It's vital that you 'plant the seed' early in a book to capture a reader. But what does that mean?

Planting a seed means creating situations, obstacles, and to a certain degree, some clues about what to expect in the upcoming chapters of the book. It could be in the form of foreshadowing or simply letting the reader know who your protagonist is, what they stand for, and what kind of craziness the reader can expect.

Here's a couple of quick examples of 'planting the seed' I've done in previous books:

We're All Animals

We're All Animals is the premier book in my current series where we meet Chase Jacobs. The young protagonist is very much the boy-next-door and in the early chapters. We learn that he recently was dumped by his high school sweetheart and reluctantly goes to a party to soothe his pain. While there, he is given a drug to 'mellow' him out and hooks up with a woman he isn't particularly attracted to, only to later learn she's pregnant. Forced by his mother to marry this mere stranger, Chase sees all his hopes and dreams go down the drain. All this while he lusts after his new BFF, who tells him she's a lesbian even though he's getting some strong signals suggesting the opposite. Add in his complicated relationship with his family, growing resentment about having no control in his own life, and you got one complicated seed about to burst through the ground. 

The Devil May Lie

Jorge Hernandez comes out with both barrels blazing in the 6th book of the series. Here, we learn that Jorge discovered an ultra-conservative movement within Canada that could affect his personal and professional life. He not only sees proof when his daughter has a confrontation with another child at school but learns it may be creeping into the general beliefs of Canadians, which could, in turn, affect his (legalized) pot business. What if laws are changed to make it illegal again? After working to get where he's at, Jorge has no intention of backing down. This seed is so powerful. The earth is shaking.

How important is it to plant a seed? Unless the reader has something to grab on, they have no reason to continue reading. Plant the seeds to make readers intrigued enough to keep reading.