What’s your vocabulary score? This is a different quiz than the last one I brought to you. If you take this one, please share your results, and also, please let me know: What is your definition of vocabulary?

I started poking around online and looking at articles about vocabulary. I discovered articles from teachers and state learning institutions that tout the importance of having a good or as some called it, a wide vocabulary. I found other sites that suggest the best way to improve your life – get a raise or even a better job – is to raise your vocabulary. I even uncovered several sites willing to relieve you of your money to provide you with a vocabulary improvement course. Spend money to make money? Maybe.

Many dictionaries define Vocabulary as “the words of a language.” The American Heritage Dictionary – the online version as well as hardback, New College Edition (a relic from my high school days) and the Fourth Edition, richly illustrated in full color – takes the definition one step further. Their definition includes “knowing.” I agree. It isn’t enough to be able to pronounce a word, or speak a word; the true test is having an understanding, a knowing, of the word.

I’ll give you a personal example. My mother is Japanese. As a child, for four years, I lived and went to school in Japan, where I studied Japanese culture, dance and language. I learned two of the three Japanese alphabets – Hiragana and Katakana. Later, in college, I took Japanese and the five-hour A helped my GPA a lot. Today, when my mother does karaoke, I can sing along because I’m able to read most of the words…but I can’t say that I “know” them. My Japanese vocabulary is limited.

My English vocabulary? I continue to strive to improve it. Thus, I found another online vocabulary game at Dynamo Dictionary. I hope you’ll take the challenge. I admit, taking these mini-tests boosts my confidence. Offers me a few giggles and that little “atta-girl” when I’m trying to push the cobwebs from my brain and write.

Happy Writing!

(image creator for photo Danilo Rizzuti)

What’s your method for selecting a title worthy of a New York Times best seller?

Mine? I’ve been struggling.

However, I hit on something that might not be the proverbial hen that lays the golden egg, but it’s mighty close. And if not close, then certainly lots of fun. In a moment, you’ll meet Lulu.

I decided there had to be a better way to attack the process of titling and lessen my ongoing angst. I don’t worry about short story or poetry titles. Book titles are what keep me up at night, or wake me up when my subconscious pounds on my brain and demands to be heard. Like at 3:00 am. Even then, I don’t usually fall in love with that title, and due to my interrupted sleep, I’m certain to be grouchy the next day. Something not conducive to searching for the perfect title during daylight hours.

Believing that need is the mother-of-invention, my struggle sent me to the internet in search of a sure-fire method for titling a novel.

Attention! Lieutenant Title reporting back on my reconnaissance:

My first try landed me at an Amazon page with Roger C. Parker who’s apparently written many books about writing, none of which I’ve ever heard of. (Mr. Parker, please do not take offense. I’ve found you now and am investigating your offerings.)

Not finding the site useful for my immediate needs, I metaphorically trudged onward and clicked to How to Pick a Book Title, a posting in a blog called Ensight-Jeremy Wright.

Jeremy’s blog elaborates about how titles can spring from:

Alliteration
Iambic Pentameter
Rhyme
Half and Half Words
Reverse clichés
Proverbs

I found the information useful to a point, but more like points to ponder, or empty-calorie food for thought, and I left not quite satisfied.

Next, I found How to Write and Publish Fiction where Jason Moser gives logical tips for how to pull words from your writing to create a great title.

It’s an easy-to-do method, one that on the surface kept me engaged and focused. I played around, creating a scramble with words. A few good ideas came from the recommended exercise, but I wasn’t quite to the finish line yet.

I continued my quest, which landed me here: meryl.net –Meryl’s Notes Blog. Things wordy, geeky and webby

Selecting the Perfect Book Title (a blog post from Tuesday, January 10th, 2006 at 11:52 AM) I pondered…this information has been out there all this time and I’m just discovering it now?

Contained within that post, one that is now over six years old, I found a gem. A tool. Something to lessen my angst. Embedded within the text of the blog post was a link to Lulu: Put Your Title to the Test. And that’s what I did.

I tried several times. Secrets and Strawberry Soda. Lemonade and Death. Friendship Foibles. And others that I won’t mention. Lulu rated each one with about a 10% chance of success. Not to be outdone, my competitive nature took over. Now, I think I have a workable title that I really like.

So, if you want to exit the title quagmire with me, wave and say, ‘hello.’ Then, check out Lulu and let me know how it works for you. Also, if you know of great “How-To” sites that offer a method for titling manuscripts, please share.

Last Thursday, I arrived in West Palm Beach and after dumping suitcases at a hotel, I presented my ID at Good Samaritan Hospital. Between the time the security person took my photo, clicked computer keys, then provided a sticky name badge that gave me access to ICU, I observed my surroundings. The similarities between a hotel and hospital struck me as ironic. Both have fountains in their courtyard, a lobby with green plants, and both have lots rooms – for a price – with amenities like TVs and beds. From the moment of my arrival in south Florida, my world became H&H – hospital and hotel. Until now.

I won’t go into much detail except to say that Clara, my best friend since college days, died yesterday after living with a debilitating, deforming disease for many long years, surviving cancer (doctors refused to do chemo or radiation on her because of her scleroderma), and a long hospital stay after a bout with pneumonia. I am happy that she is free of pain, though sad because I miss her. I know I will see her again, but not until…

Clara Villaman is an example of someone who never gave up. Her last email instructed me to stay the course after I’d told her about a publisher’s rejection. She asked when I would query again. I said, “Not until…”

Her response was direct, short, and sweet. “Now.”

All we have is “now.” Yesterday is gone and tomorrow will never get here. Now is when we breathe and live. There is no waiting for until. So, in her passing, let Clara’s word be a beacon of light for you. Don’t wait. Whatever it is – do it.

Now.

P.S. If you check out my website, you will find my bio in English and Spanish. Clara did the translation for me, something we were proud of.

Greetings!

On October 26th 2011, I posted about Storm Country: The Anthology. My story, Arctic Arkansas, appears in the book. All sales are donated to the Joplin, Missouri school district, which was wiped out in last spring’s mega-tornado. (I saw a weather channel report and that tornado is one of the top three ever recorded in America.)

The Kansas City Star featured Storm Country: The Anthology in an article on Saturday. Here’s the link:

http://www.kansascity.com/2012/01/21/3380246/readorama-anthology-on-weather.html

I’m happy to announce that sales continue to rise. If you purchased a copy to help the schoolchildren in Joplin, thank you very much! Know that you have my heartfelt gratitude. For those who were unaware of this fund drive, there’s still time to join in and make a contribution by purchasing a book.

“Storm Country” is now available at

https://www.createspace.com/3707021
or

by sending a check for $13.95 per copy to

MWG Joplin Book Drive
1203 Spartina Drive, St. Louis, MO 63031

Happy Reading!

Leslie is the author of the critically acclaimed Chasing Evil trilogy from MIRA Books. Her third novel in the series – EDGE OF MIDNIGHT – will be released February 1.

However, while you’re waiting for the launch of her next book, you have time to read her other Romantic Suspense novels – Midnight Caller and Midnight Fear.

EDGE OF MIDNIGHT
The writer becomes the story when crime reporter Mia Hale is discovered on a Jacksonville beach – bloodied and disoriented, but alive. She remembers nothing, but her wounds bear the signature of a sadistic serial killer. After years lying dormant, The Collector has resumed his grim hobby: abducting women and taking gruesome souvenirs before dumping their bodies. But none of his victims has ever escaped – and he wants Mia back, more than he ever wanted any of the others.

FBI agent Eric Macfarlane has pursued The Collector for a long time. The case runs deep in his veins, bordering on obsession…and Mia holds the key. She’ll risk everything to recover her memory and bring the madman to justice, and Eric swears to protect this fierce, fragile survivor. But The Collector will not be denied. In his mind, he knows just how their story ends.

What RT Book Reviews Says About EDGE OF MIDNIGHT
4 ½ STARS

“A compelling plot, thick suspense, a cunning villain, a shattered cop and a victim who wants answers at any cost place Tentler in the same category as bestselling authors Lisa Jackson and Beverly Barton.”

Now, let’s talk with the woman who is bringing this exciting romantic suspense to us. I give you Leslie Tentler.

Leslie, how did you choose your pen name?
Actually, Leslie Tentler is my real name. Coincidentally, my mother-in-law and sister-in-law are named “Leslie Tentler,” too. There’s several of us!

Place of Birth?
Kingsport, Tennessee. It’s in the upper east part of the state, about forty-five minutes from Asheville, N.C., and about the same distance from Knoxville, Tenn.

Where do you reside now?
I grew up in Kingsport but have lived in metro Atlanta for the past 20 years.

Where would you like to live?
Anywhere with water. I’ve always dreamed of living at the beach or on the lake. There’s not a lot of water in Atlanta.

Dream vacation?

No phones or laptops, no deadlines, on a beach somewhere with lots of great, local seafood restaurants. And I’d be staying at a really nice, dog-friendly bungalow with a private pool.

Favorite Quote
“The rain on my car is a baptism. The new me, Ice Man, Power Lloyd – my assault on the world begins now.”
- Lloyd Dobler
From the movie “Say Anything”

When did you first want to write?
When I was in elementary school, I wrote a story about a real-life singer who gets kidnapped, with the abduction staged by his jealous older brother who wants to replace him in the spotlight. My mother kept that story in a drawer for a long time, and enjoyed bringing it out on occasion to torture me with it.

When did you consider yourself a writer?
I’ve felt like one pretty much right out of college, when I began working as a staff writer for an Atlanta PR firm. I took the job because it was right around the corner from the Margaret Mitchell house, which to me was really exciting.

One or two writing tips that provided an “ah-ha” moment for you?
Stick with the story you’re writing. If you abandon ship every time the storytelling gets rough, you’ll never get anything completed. I used to write a few chapters of a story idea, then would set it aside and move on to something new the first time I ran into a roadblock. Becoming a writer means powering through the obstacles and finding a way to tell your characters’ story.

Your tips about a writer’s life?
Writing is lonely, hard work. Find a network of friends who understand and support what you do. Also, don’t be too hard on yourself. Being your own worst critic is self-defeating behavior that can keep you from writing at all.

Lie(s) writers are told:
The next book will come faster and easier!

Favorite Writer:
Anne Rivers Siddons or Pat Conroy

Favorite Fiction Book:
Do I have to choose one?

“Heartsick” by Chelsea Cain
“Nora, Nora” by Anne Rivers Siddons
“The Prince of Tides” by Pat Conroy
“Big Stone Gap” by Adriana Trigiani

I’m also adding “Island of the Blue Dolphins” by Scott O’Dell because as a child, I used to check it out repeatedly from the library. It really captured my imagination.

Favorite Non-fiction Book
“Dress Your Family in Corduroy & Denim” by David Sedaris

Favorite Poem
“Antagonish” by Hughes Mearns. I think it’s so creepy. It always gives me goosebumps.

Yesterday, upon the stair,
I met a man who wasn’t there
He wasn’t there again today
I wish, I wish he’d go away…

Please let us know one special thing you’d like us to know about you.
I’ve had several readers who have contacted me and thanked me for writing my books, as they kept them entertained while going through a rough spot in life, such as a long hospital stay. The fact that something I wrote provided them with a temporary diversion from their problems means a lot to me.

Ways to connect with Leslie Tentler:

Website: http://www.LeslieTentler.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/leslietentler
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/leslie_tentler

Midnight Caller at Amazon
Midnight Fear at Amazon
Edge of Midnight at Amazon

I like being first. I have several awards in my office to validate my desire for that spot. For me it began when Return of the Jedi came out. I camped out with a group of my friends to be first to buy tickets, and then run into the empty theater to grab my seat. I graduated to camping for concert seats, but haven’t regarded Walmart on Thanksgiving as a “must” do. However, tomorrow, January 20, 2012, is the book launch for Redneck Ex by Claire Croxton. AND you, like me, can get it today from Amazon. It’s already loaded on my Kindle Fire.

The 5-star reviews sing praises for Redneck Ex.

And, I want to know what You think about the story. So, save this spot and return to pen your review after you’ve read it. We’ll compare notes!

In the meantime, while you finish downloading the book (because you want it today rather than waiting for tomorrow, the official launch day) I’ll share with you when I met Claire.

Norman, Oklahoma may be sunny and warm one day in May, then rainy and cold the next. Such as it was the during the OWFI conference in 2009. Claire sat minding her own business in a hotel restaurant while waiting for her dinner to arrive, when the effervescent group from Kansas City that I was with cajoled her to join us. We’ve been friends ever since.

I’m pleased to introduce you to this debut author. (And when you get to the end, check ot the book trailer!) Please meet Claire Croxton:

How did you choose your pen name? I had picked out a name to use as my pseudonym—a combination of my grandmother’s names. When I did a Google search, I discovered there was a porn star by that name. At first, I thought, oh cool, maybe that will attract readers. Then, I saw the lady’s work and decided I’d be better off not using that name. Claire Croxton was the original name of the main character in Santorini Sunset (out May 18, 2012 by The Wild Rose Press.) Croxton is a family name, so I decided to rename my character Caroline Clayton and assumed Claire’s name.

Place of Birth? Springdale, Arkansas

Resides where now? I now live on a farm in Madison County, Arkansas in the Ozark Hills.

Where would you like to live? I’d like to split my time between my farm and my house in Alaska. I don’t get back to Alaska as much as I would like because of farm related issues. So, ideally, I’d be able to split the time more evenly.

Dream vacation? That’s a tough one. There are so many things I’d like to do and see. Plus, there are those places you visit that you could go over and over. How does one decide? I love beaches. I lived in the Arctic for so long that my body craves the sun. I also enjoy history and learning new things so I’d love to travel throughout Europe—Scotland in particular. I want to go to Peru—Machu Picchu and the Galapagos Islands. I’ve always wanted to visit China and Thailand. So, a dream vacation is pretty easy for me. Anywhere works!

Favorite Quote It’s not a quote, but a saying that I live by: If it is to be, it is up to me.

When did you first want to write? I wrote stories in spiral-bound notebooks as a kid—I’d say 3rd grade. I always kept a journal through high school. I dabbled in writing articles for area newspapers and what have you, even wrote a story of a trip, printed and bound it and presented it to my family. In Alaska, I worked as a technical writer. When I moved back to Arkansas, I started writing fiction full-time. That was 3 years ago.

When did you consider yourself a writer? When a short story I wrote was accepted for an anthology. I was beside myself with pride. As soon as I got the news, I ran out on the deck and screamed the news to my family who was outside. We danced around the yard a few times. It was so exciting. You should have seen the reaction when I got a publishing contract. Wine with lunch! Woohoo!!

One or two writing tips that provided an “ah-ha” moment for you I’m kind of dense so my “ah-ha” moments are usually “duh” moments to other writers. The two most important lessons I’ve learned have come from the greats—Dusty Richards and Jodi Thomas. Dusty Richards told me that the only way to get a book finished is to “write the damn story” then go back and edit it. Editing requires a different mindset. So, write the story, then put on your editor hat and go to work. Jodi Thomas advocates that if you write four hours a day, you’ll make your living as a writer. It’s amazing how quickly those four hours pass.

One or two tips about a writer’s life Write every stinking day. Period! Get your butt in the chair, your hands on the keyboard and write. I’ve set aside certain times and have informed everyone I know that if they disturb me during those times, they risk death.

I think the BIGGEST tip. The most important thing a writer needs to learn is to stay off the internet! It’s so easy to do a quick check on Facebook or check your e-mail. The next thing you know, your four hours are gone and you haven’t written a word.

Lie(s) writers are told I wouldn’t call them “lies” but there’s a lot of information out there being taught by the old-school authors. What worked for them twenty or thirty years ago isn’t necessarily how it works now. Three years ago, I kept hearing that self-publishing was the kiss of death. The only way to make it in the literary world was to get an agent and get a contract with a major publisher. With the e-book explosion, that’s not the case anymore. Don’t even get me started on the gazillion different ways to write a query letter and/or synopses. There’s no standard way anymore and there are folks out there still speaking at conferences who swear their way is the only way to do it.

Favorite Writer That’s another tough question. I like a lot of different authors, but if I were forced to live on a deserted island with the books of only one author it would be Elizabeth George. Her plots are so complex and her characters interact with each other so well, I could read the stories over and over and still learn something new. I truly admire her style.

Favorite Fiction Book Surprisingly, this is an easy one for me. Sure I love lots of books and will read them over and over, but I’d say hands down my favorite fiction book is To Kill a Mockingbird.

Favorite Non-fiction Book I like a wide range of topics and have been known to go on information binges. I wanted to learn everything I could about geishas, the Balkans, historic vampires—not the modern day stuff. There are 2 books that I recommend to friends. The first is Bury Me Standing: The Gypsies and Their Journey by Isabel Fonseca. The second is Talk of the Devil: Encounters with Seven Dictators by Riccardo Orizio. Both of these books were thought-provoking and moving.

Favorite Poem There are poems that move me and have special meaning for me. I always admire those folks who can quote poetry. For some reason, I’ve never acquired that skill. Can’t remember the words to songs either. I enjoy Edna St. Vincent Millay and Pablo Neruda. I’ve written two poems in my life. One as a joke (absolutely hilarious, let me just tell you) that almost led to my boyfriend breaking up with me. The only phrase I can remember from it was “cornucopia of love.” Come on, could you take that seriously? The other was a melodramatic piece I wrote for a creative writing class about an ovarian cyst. Needless to say, I’ve stayed away from poetry since.

Please let us know one special thing you’d like us to know about you. If I could do anything in the world, I’d be a lounge singer. You know the sultry woman with the husky voice who wears satin gowns and drapes herself over the piano as she gazes into the pianist’s eyes and sings the blues? That’s what I want to do. Oh problem? I’m tone deaf.

Here’s the book trailer for Redneck Ex:

In the following few days, I received emails from several friends sharing with me the Hopi Elders Message from The Elders, Oraibi, Arizona Hopi Nation. (If you haven’t read it all, let me know and I’ll pass it along.) I read the whole piece several times. One part really resonated with me, striking deep in my heart:

The time of the lonely wolf is over.
Gather yourselves!
Banish the word struggle from your attitude and vocabulary.
All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.
We are the ones we have been waiting for.

In the ‘gathering of yourselves’, new people are arriving in my life and old friends are reconnecting in new ways. I celebrate each of them. Friends are like sparklers, lighting up, burning bright – oh, so visible – when I need them most in my life.

Paul Goldman is one such friend. A man I’ve known a long time, since my earliest Kansas City days. With permission, I offer to you a poem Paul wrote that has great meaning for me.

Death & Rebirth

(c)Paul Goldman January 6, 2012 All Rights Reserved

Paul Goldman is an Ecstatic Poet. His passion is fostering awakening in others.

Paul is celebrating the international release of his book, Journey Into Oneness by O- Books, United Kingdom, November 2011.

Please feel free to visit Paul at his Stone Spirit Lodge website, which contains a poetry blog. Or on facebook at: Wild Joy: The Ecstatic Poetry of Paul Goldman.

Please let me know if you were touched by Paul’s poem.

An Arctic blast is covering most of the U.S. today with the strongest hit of cold this winter, even down here in the south, making this the perfect day to curl up with a hot Southern Seduction. I’m fanning myself already!

Please meet Luna Zega debuting her first sensual romance. It’s available at Wild Rose Press for the gifting price of $1.25.

A friend of mine, when I was writing my website bio, said she liked knowing about my dogs and the RV rather than all the corporate and educational stuff. She enjoys truly getting to know people, including authors. Thus, in honor of Tammy R., I bring you my style of interview with author, Luna Zega.

*If you could’ve been born at any time in history, when would it be and why?

That’s a tough one because I’m very interested in history. So much so, I was a high school history teacher for years. I know this sounds crazy, but I would’ve liked to have been part of the back-to-land movement in the 1960s and 70s. I realize one can live that lifestyle today, but the thought of hanging out with the likes of Bob Dylan, Joan Baez and Jimi Hendrix has appeal. Love ins, Woodstock, Haight Asbury. That being said, I would have hated that time period because of the racism, riots and the Vietnam war. So, I’m only going back for the cool sex and commune parts.

I’ve always been fascinated by pioneer women. Those women who packed everything they owned in a covered wagon and ventured forth across the Great Plains. Can you imagine the majesty of the prairie and the untouched wilderness of the Rockies and the Tetons?

And of course, who doesn’t want to travel back to the Stone Age and “invent” fire and the wheel? Can you imagine?

*What do you believe is the most important life advice for your fans?

Be true to yourself. Never, ever, I mean never, do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable. Your gut is screaming at you for a reason. Listen. To. It!

*Do you have any Fetishes? Obsessions?
Oh, Miss Linda, you ask the best questions! Garter belts, corsets, lingerie of all sorts. I like the secret thrill of knowing I’m sporting thigh highs and a hot-red garter under my business suit. Shoes! OMG. Stilettos. And don’t get me started on al fresco sex. And waterfalls. Lordy mercy.

*What 1 or 2 things are aphrodisiacs for you?

For me the most powerful aphrodisiac in the world is a man who gets my jokes. Make me laugh, I lose my panties. I like a man with a brain. I need to have an intellectual connection with a guy before he arouses me. Then, of course, there are those times with the other aphrodisiac comes into play and no talking is needed. You know the song Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off? It was my theme song for many years. It’s amazing how hot some men get after I’ve had 3 shots of tequila.

*What is the greatest city for love and why?

This question really stumped me and I had to keep coming back to it. There are so many romantic places in the world: San Francisco, the North Shore of Oahu, Madrid, Kamakura, Japan, Eureka Springs, Arkansas, New York, Paris, anywhere in Greece. After careful consideration, I’m going to say New Orleans. I’m a wee bit biased since my husband and I got engaged there, but I think it’s just amazing. You can get lost in the French Quarter for days and never see the same thing. The buildings, the people, the atmosphere, not to mention the sex shops every 20 feet, just vibrate (bad pun intended, sorry!) with an otherworldly, magical energy. Beignets and coffee on the bougainvillea-covered lanai, wine and cheese on the wisteria covered gazebo. Jazz floating on warm breezes. Magical.

*What is the perfect man?

Smart, funny, compassionate, generous, thoughtful, kind, treats his mama with respect, opens the door for ladies, says “bless you” when you sneeze, and openly shows his love and respect for you.

The perfect man is a man who’ll allow you to be vulnerable and when you are he cradles and protects you. He never uses your fears or weaknesses against you. The perfect man allows you to be you and loves you wholeheartedly warts and all. Of course, all the above wrapped in a luscious, dark chocolate coating with thick, wavy black hair, abs that make washboards envious, bulging forearms and delicious mocha eyes would be an added bonus.

Here’s a preview of Southern Seduction: Ramona Squires fell in the love with Ross Spears the first day she saw him in the second grade. Twenty-two years later when his truck breaks down in front of her house, she discovers that her crush wasn’t unrequited. Neither had the guts to reveal their true feelings when they were teenagers. After years of wild, erotic wet dreams, will reality live up to the fantasy? Or will it be better?

Like a Tango dancer, I’m working to polish my craft. I’m told that Tango, a basic eight-step dance, requires passion and seduction. I like one-word keys to prompt me when things aren’t going exactly as planned, thus Tango. With burgeoning writing passion barely contained, I have discovered I needed to dig deeper to harness the seduction part in order to produce a successful Tango.

The American Heritage dictionary defines seduction as: to entice or beguile into a desired state or position.

So, how will it entice me into the desired state? By revising my goals.

I wrote them down on New Year’s Day, even told a few folks about them, enlisting my over-developed sense of accountability to keep my goals front and center. After all, when you tell someone you’re going to do something, you must do what you say you will in order to maintain your integrity. I included specific tasks and exact completion dates, some for the first half of the year and two longer goals for writing new novels. Yet, a week into the year and I’m madly revising – how’s that like a writer?

My goals were not inclusive enough and the rewards too wimpy. I started with a slingshot launch, fast and forceful into 2012. However, on day three, my slingshot broke and I disappeared into a shell of quiet solitude, yet the internal voices kept shouting so loud that silence turned out only a dream.

What I did learn? I require a balanced approach to my goals, incorporating my writing ones with the ones for everyday living. Sounds simple enough, right? Maybe a brain cramp produced by too many fireworks on New Year’s Eve prevented me from seeing the obvious.

Therefore, I’m making lists of things I want to for this year: writing, home, garden, and travel. I’m going to color code the specifics goals completion dates into my calendar. I’ll let you know mid-year how it’s going.

How’s your Tango going?

I love writers.

I had the honor of meeting a gifted, dare I say brilliant – though I don’t want it to go to his head – screenwriter who agreed to be a guest blogger. So, I’m pleased to present *drum roll* the produced, working, Atlanta-based award-winning screenwriter Michael H. Harper and his insights on how to How To Get In The Room
P.S. At the very end, after his bio, watch the clip- then, let me know what you think!

Here’s Michael!

In November, Linda posted a well-considered and helpful “how-to” on what to do when pitching a new manuscript to a potential publisher, literary agent, or manager entitled “You, too, can have Pitch. Pitch On!” In the comments section, I added my two cents’ worth, based on my own pitch experiences in the film business. Shortly thereafter, Linda asked me to write about pitching for film, specifically a few ways a screenwriter might land the ever-elusive meeting with a producer. What follows is a short list of tactics I’ve used to get in the room; I hope it helps…

How To Get In The Room

Aim for the right door. Most screenwriters will never get the chance to pitch to Steven Spielberg, Joel Silver, or Brian Grazer; they’re some of the biggest producers in Hollywood. So don’t hang your hopes on landing a pitch meeting with them … yet. There are tons of lesser-known, but reputable, producers out there; set your sights on them. Find a film on IMDb similar in tone to your screenplay, and contact the producers listed lowest in the credits; they’re the most likely to respond. But for best results, look outside Hollywood: go smaller, local, and more independent; just get produced. Successful experiences with smaller producers lead to future opportunities with bigger producers.

Knock. Put yourself out there. Writing is a somewhat antisocial undertaking. We lock ourselves away, alone in our offices, and create fictional worlds full of imaginary people. But filmmaking is a collaborative effort and a “who you know” industry. You have to meet people. Almost every town has some sort of film community. If yours doesn’t, consider moving to one that does. I’m not kidding; to be “in” the industry, you first need to be near it. (I’m not just talking about Hollywood. The Atlanta film scene has grown by leaps and bounds the past few years, and there are thriving film communities in Austin, Chicago, and many other cities across the country and around the world.) Industry events; film festivals; premiere screenings; they’re full of producers looking for new projects. Be there. Meeting potential producers in a social setting reduces stress, and leads to better networking opportunities … including pitch meetings. And many films have been greenlit from “off-the-cuff” pitches at these types of gatherings.

Climb in the window. Work on other people’s projects. Making a movie is like going to war. A big part of a producer’s job is pulling together the team needed to fight that war, and producers want to surround themselves with people they know they can trust to do good work. Get your name on that list; take smaller jobs on smaller crews, and do those jobs well. The next time that producer is looking for a crew, she’ll remember you’re a team player. Building a relationship through work is a great excuse for you to mention your script. “You know, I’m a writer, and having watched you on set, I can’t imagine anyone else producing my screenplay. I’d love to schedule a pitch meeting…” A lot of today’s Hollywood royalty started out as Production Assistants on other people’s sets.

Build your own door. Do it yourself. Produce a film from a screenplay you’ve written, and travel with it to film festivals. Now you’re a writer-producer. This opens doors to other, more experienced producers; some are more inclined to take a meeting with someone who has an idea of what it takes to produce a film. At film festivals, I’ve watched scores of writers speak with other writers, directors hang out with other directors, and producers rub elbows with other producers. If you’re a multi-hyphenate, you can move in all circles, expand your contacts list, forge relationships, and make scheduling those pitch meeting appointments a bit easier.

Go big; then go home. Travel to Hollywood. If you think you’ve got the next summer blockbuster or mumblecore darling in your desk drawer right now, head out to the left coast and attend a pitch summit. Inktip.com is hosting their third annual pitch summit at the end of March; I’ll be there this year, pitching two feature screenplays and a television series I’ve co-developed. But be warned: pitch summits are controlled chaos; 300 producers sitting in a ballroom as writers “speed date” their way through five minute pitches. Timekeepers, bells at the ready, keep the lines moving. It’s also an expensive undertaking; with airfare, hotel, registration, food and miscellaneous expenses adding to the tally, I’m spending well over a thousand dollars for the chance to pitch to as many producers as I can in one afternoon. (Some local film communities also hold pitch summits, if the trip to Hollywood is too big a leap.)

As stated above, this is but a short list of some of the ways a screenwriter can meet potential producers. I’ve heard all sorts of wild stories about how this producer found that project, and I bet a lot of them are true. There’s no “one, right” way to get in the room; there’s not even “one, right” room. There are thousands of producers looking for their next project right now; it might as well be yours, right?

–Michael H. Harper is a produced, working, Atlanta-based screenwriter who’s been pitching projects to producers for almost five years. He currently has three films in various stages of development; two in Atlanta, and one in L.A. In 2010, he produced and directed the award-winning short film Take Me Out, based on his original screenplay. Now a sometime-producer, he’s been on the receiving end of several pitches; he heartily prefers the writer’s side of the table.