Marilyn's Musings

Saturday, June 17, at 11 a.m., I'll be visiting the Gillis Library, 629 W. Dakota, Fresno CA. This is the first of a series of library visits. If you come--and hope some of your will--this is what some of what might happen. I'll introduce myself--hopefully I'll make some people laugh. Next, I'll want to learn how many in the audience are writers, and who are strictly readers. I'll tell about my two series--including about some of the books I brought with me. And I'll answer any questions anyone has about me, my books, or writing. The books I'll bring, will be the latest in both series, though I'll bring more of the Tempe books than the Rocky Bluff P.D. books. No, I won't be doing a reading as I don't really like to do those--or listen to them either. One exception, I probably will read the best first line in any of my books. If you are in the area, do come and visit me. This month, I'll also be going ov...

The Ultimate Writers Workbook For Books And Scripts (Motivational Press.) There is a myth that screenplays are easier to write than books.  That is false.  Another myth says that writers of books are (will be) paid handsomely for their rights and that Hollywood is just waiting for your book. Don’t forget they have to hire a screenwriter to rework the book (often on spec or for very little pay) and take all the risks while trying to sell the book/script to the larger producer or studios.  (Seldom will the studios pick up the book on their own. They usually wait for the smaller producers to bring it to them.) Sometimes producers will take your book just because they have fallen in love with your title (which in truth cannot be copy written) and other times they will take your story and change it around so drastically that not only won’t you, the writer, be able to recognize your own story, but you might even want to hide in the closet when the movie ...