First Word

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE             January 1, 2018                                                                         Contact: Michelle Gamble                                                                         Mobile: 916-300-8012   ...

Available for Sale on Amazon in print ( click here ) 2.99 in Kindle ( click here ) 9 A few days later, I received a strange “summons” – and when I say summons I mean command – from Curtis. He asked me to meet him at the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf the next morning. It was how he said it on my voice mail: “Meet me at nine.” No “please” or “would you” just a demand to meet him. I assumed it was business, and from the tone of his voice, it was serious business. It made me nervous, and my overly active mind went crazy with thoughts. Were they going to fire me? Replace me with another writer? Was Kale too chicken to do it himself? No, Kale was, if nothing else, respectful and decent. He wouldn’t fire me that way. He would do it himself. But wait! Kale had said numerous times how I was talented and all. Why would he fire me? Maybe it was more script notes and production would be delayed. Maybe they were canceling the entire film? “Ah stop!” I said aloud to my...

Purchase a copy on Amazon ( click here )   8 I walked into the production offices. No one had arrived yet – it was 6:00 a.m. Most people in this industry didn’t get up this early unless they were working on set. Kale’s office door was wide open; I assumed to let me know to come in. I walked up and knocked on the open door. Kale was nowhere in sight. I felt a presence come up behind me. I turned around to find Kale smiling at me, and I watched his eyes scan me up and down in my white organdy sundress and flat white sandals. He handed me a latte in a Peet’s cup. “Good morning, sweetheart,” he said and took a sip. “I see you got my message.” I sipped and tasted the latte – my favorite. I was touched that he remembered. “Thanks for the coffee,” I said and nodded in appreciation. “I was surprised you wanted me to scout locations with you.” He looked very relaxed in khaki cargo shorts, a slate-blue T-shirt and brown leather sandals. Kale walke...

Location: Red Lion Inn, Sacramento Address: 500 Leisure Lane Date: August 20, 2015 Time: 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Want to write a marketable screenplay? Have you already written a screenplay but can’t seem to sell it? Join Scott D. Roberts as he teaches the Insider Secrets to Successfully Writing a Sales-Worthy Screenplay. In this 3-hour workshop you’ll learn 10 Key Tips to Screenwriting: ·  How to write an enticing log line ·  What is the “acceptable” structure to Act 1, Act 2/second part of Act 2, and Act 3? ·  Why does exciting “pacing” make or break a script? ·  What is the value of storyboarding? ·  The importance of writing scenes on 40 index cards ·  How to use the “Pacing Breakdown” as your pitch guide ·  How to utilize your storyboard to write your script ·  Do’s and Don't’s and bad habits to avoid ·  Why you’re not finished when you think you’re finished ·  How to get your script read with the rig...

My name is Brea Harper, and I am the quintessential California girl. I am blond, fabulously tall, pretty and smart. I’m a screenwriter, but often get mistaken for an actress since I live in Los Angeles among the other pretty people. My desire to write screenplays has nothing to do with fame or glamor. I love to write. Period. It’s how I express my creativity and fulfill my artistic impulses. I live in a small apartment near Hollywood with my best friend Denise, who as you might know already, is quite a live wire and loads of fun. Last I told you, she was having an affair with her boss at the software company where she works. They’re still screwing all over the building, but they see other people. Another dear and new friend is Maya, my feisty and fierce Latina friend, who works for my former lover Kale. Ah, Kale – now you are probably wondering what happened after I betrayed my blond Adonis producer-boyfriend Kale with that loser Drew. Well, the night in quest...

So, in this recent small spat of mean-spirited critiques on my book from people who are such pussies they can't leave a legit name on these attacks, I decided to take a closer look at California Girl Chronicles . First, I am almost out of the first print run, and I thought this would be a very good time to assess it. I received some valued comments from some readers I respect. I decided I agreed with these educated and respectful opinions that were not delivered to me in a thinly veiled hate message. I actually got very excited to make these revisions. I love the fact that this information came to me right as I was preparing to do the print run to provide the books for the Oscar parties. As a writer, I also encourage my authors to do focus groups. I also think you have to open your heart to make changes that would improve your work. I don't think I am the last word on what makes a great story or even a great book. I'm fishing through creativity like the most of you. One l...

I love both movies and books no doubt. Fans of books, though, tend to get all riled up when the movie doesn't precisely follow the book. Although the difference between novel and screen writing is tremendous. Now that I've officially done both, I have a much better understanding as to why it's not easy to keep the film version married to the book. As a novel writer, I have a much greater canvas to paint. I can take my time (to a point, of course, lest we bore the reader) developing my story and characters. I'm not constrained necessarily by parameters of length. A feature film, though, cannot be more than 120 pages. Now that's not to say that some screenwriters can't write a mini-series or even a series. But if you're a new writer and you break from tradition you greatly increase your chances of being largely ignored by the Hollywood community that does stick to protocol. Even within that community, different studios have different requirements. I've hea...