Knowing Your Subject

                                                  
Hey Everyone!! If you don't know or haven't been paying attention to my blog's i'm in school for my master's degree in Creative Writing. Aside from being an author, I think that it's important to learn a different style of writing. At first i was very hesitate to the idea but I must say that now that I am in this school, I'm liking the fact that I am learning about new styles of writing. In this moment I'm taking a class called Visual Storytelling. In my own novels that I have written, character development was always a struggle for me. Being in this class is teaching me ALL about that. If you are my Facebook friend or you are following me in Twitter, I have often complained about how I hate reading this book for school. The book is called The Foundations of Screenwriting!! Prior to starting the class, I thought, " Wow, screenwriting, me?" The thought never came across to me but I must say, things aren't always what they seem. At first I kept saying,": this book is boring, or I can't get into it." I have learned that I had to get that negative thought process out of my head. I got on my comfy bed opened the book, and as I was reading it out loud, and not to myself like i normally do, this book is great! It talking about things that I never knew existed in the screenwriting world, and it's actually similar to learning character development when writing a novel. So far I have learned so much about writing a screen play that I look forward to doing one myself. It's funny how things go because I was asked to write a screenplay, yesterday!! Talk about God working in mysterious ways. Not to mention, I have to write a screen play as my thesis for school. I thought to myself," This is a win-win!" 
Here are a few pointers that I have learned that I am willing to pass on: 
                                                 


                                       Writing A ScreenPlay

                                                   
1. Who is it about?
2. What is it about?
3. Do you know the subject of your screenplay?
4. Can you express the subject of your screenplay in a few sentences?
 Take for example, A crime spree with two women involved
   1. Who are they?
   2. Where did they come from?
   3. What is their background?
   4. What crimes did they commit?
   5. Why did they commit these crimes?
Knowing your subject is the focal or starting point of writing a screen play. Remember just like with novels every story must have a beginning, middle, and an end. The writer must exercise choice and responsibility when determining the dramatic execution of the story. With me and what Syd Field says, is that " The hardest part of writing is knowing what to write."  
If you don't understand that, I don't know any other way to explain that further in detail. There are always times when I don't know what to write and i'm just sitting there looking stuck. But then as my grandmother used to say," Krystol one day that light bulb will come on and you will say, " BAM, I got it!" 
Just like any writing one must always do your RESEARCH!!!  It wasn't until a little later into my writing career that I understood that this tool was very important to do. According to Syd Field there are TWO kinds of research, Text research and Live research. Text research is going to the library and pulling books, magazine, newspaper, articles, etc. This kind of research works best if someone is writing a piece on historical, or some sort of mystery piece that requires more information. Live research is when one goes straight to the source by doing interviews, etc. I have done a lot of live research but I am just getting into text research. Whether you are learning to write a screenplays like I am, or writing a novel always remember " KNOW YOUR SUBJECT"!!!  Field states, " When looking for a subject to write about, the subject is actually looking for you." 
                                       RULE OF STORYTELLING: 
" THE MORE YOU KNOW, THE MORE YOU CAN COMMUNICATE" 

                                     

What's New With Krystol

Hey everyone! Well today has been a great day thus far! I have all of my homework done for the week for my school. Yes, I'm getting my master's degree in Creative Writing! I must say that even though I own my own company, I still think that education is very important and there is never enough learning one can do. Being an author/writer, you always have to stay on your art or craft. I also attend different workshops as well. I'm happy to announce that Krystol Diggs Publishing is now accepting submissions! That's right! All genre's are welcome!! And you get to keep 100% of your royalties! I know your thinking," What's the catch?" There isn't any!! Check out my different packages at www.writingbykrystol.com and have a look for yourself. I have new package that is an ebook package that hasn't been posted on my website yet :
                                                                   EBook Package

($299)

. Ebook Cover Custom Made

. Typeset for ebook

. Distributed on Amazon and Barnes and Noble Sites

.Smashwords

Also check out my books on Amazon.com, Nook, Paperback, and Kindle. 

My debut novel Through Her Eyes is going to be an independent film! I'm so glad to have the opportunity to make one of my dreams manifest! I will be blogging about casting calls  and auditions soon. The movie will be filmed and taken here in Charlotte, NC. If you haven't read the book, I suggest you read it. But, I know the movie will be great!! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3W2DJH2vZ0&feature=youtube_gdata

Hey Readers. My mood is kind of moderate today. There is so much going on in my personal life that I'm starting to feel unbalanced. Sure, business is growing and school is going great but I still feel that something is missing. I think that my heart has a slight void somewhere. After a LONG reevaluation of myself, I think I have a wanting of children and marriage. Okay, I know that this is a normal feeling for women who are single, but when does thinking about marriage and children slightly become obsessive thinking about that topic? Don't get me wrong I know that I am not ready for children finically yet in my opinion, but those babies are just so cute!!!  I see babies everywhere and i always think, Will that ever be me? Of course some people say I live in a fantasy world by wanting my red door with white picket fence 2.2 kids and career. What's wrong with that? I think that people or some people rather are fixated on what they don't and what they always wanted to have that they tear my little fantasy apart. Well, you know what? Screw that...I have the right to dream and make my dreams come true. So if it's planning for the perfect like in my mind, then that's what I am going to do. I've learned now that in life, you can't allow any negativity get in the way of what YOU want to accomplish. It could even be the little things like buying a car, or redecorating a house. There will always be someone that will try and steal and your joy, DONT LET THEM! Take it from me, it will keep you down. When i first started my business i know that there were some people who expected me to fail and under handedly they still do, but you know what, someone wise once said to me, " What you do, is your Karma, how they react is theirs." We all life's lessons to learn from and grow from. But, if your not growing, how are you learning?  In closing just remember that " Proper Planning Prevent Poor Performance"
Sincerely yours,
CEO

Hey Readers

I know that it has been a while since I blogged, but Im going to do this thing everyday from now on. A lot has changed since. I started my own publishing company, and two more books of mine came out. I thank God for the blessings that he has been showing me. I also previously moved to another area of town too. Let me tell you, that was hard work. Packing all over again and having to find someone move me. What a job! But, i am loving my new place, even though it only has ONE closet.What kind of one bedroom apt only has one closet. It's almost impossible to unpack, lol. Im grateful for the new beginnings  that I am experiencing. Having my own publishing company is one of them. I started Krystol Diggs Publishing, some time ago and I must say that I am glad that things are starting to pick up. Don't get me wrong it will be hard, but LOVE to help others who want to help themselves. When i tell people that I am a publisher they always say, " Man I've always wanted to write a book!" My response, " What's stopping you?" Then here comes the excuses one after another, "Oh well I work too much, or i have a family, or money is tight." Here is my answer to all of that, people will do what they want to do. An alcoholic  or drug addict will always make a way out of no way to get their fix, right? If someone really wants to write a book they will get the money that is needed to make that dream happen. It kills me when people say they don't have the money, but yet they will buy a car, or get a $200 hair style and still claim that they are broke. I just say that priorities need to be key and in the right place.  Sure, money is tight for some people, but we all, including me need to learn to save money for a rainy day or for the things the we really want.

Being an publisher can't be tough but being an author is even harder! We have to go out on the street to complete strangers and convince them to buy our books. This takes sales to a whole new level. When i have to do this, my palms get sweaty, throat starts to get dry and everything! When i approach someone I try to be positive, always smile, and deliver. I remember one day, I just had books in my hand, no table, or nothing. I did have my book marks and post cards. I was in the city of Charlotte, NC in the uptown area. I saw a girl sitting on the bench reading her book. I took a deep a breath, and this is how it played out:
" Hello, how are you?" I said.
" I'm doing fine." The lady responded.
Mind you she's already looking at me with my books in my hand and rolling her eyes.
Her body language is clearly saying," I'm not buying anything, so leave."
" Can i ask what book are you reading?"
She responded with her answer.
" Yes, i read that book, it's definitely a page turner. My name is Krystol and i'm an author. Here is one of my titles. Now, at this point her eyes are lighting up because she's captivated by the cover. I showed her, Sweet Innocence.
" This book looks good." She says.
" Thank you, it's a page turner like the one your reading." I said with a smile.
" How much?"
" $15 but for you $10."
I smile as i think she's about to purchase my book.
" Oh, I don't have any money right now."
In my mind i'm a little annoyed, the fact that she asked the price knowing she wasn't going to purchase the book.
" Oh okay, well here, take one of my book marks and post cards which gives you information to my website, mailing list, and places where you can purchase the book, once you have the money."
" Okay, thank you."
I walk off as she continues to read her book on the bench.
By this time i have given up and is heading home. It seems for some reason people I approach say the same thing and i'm not successful with paperback sales.
Readers what are your thoughts? What would you have done differently?
Now when I'm at a event and I have a table sales go well....