How to adapt a novel into a screenplay in four steps!

The first part of my career was writing screenplays and teleplays! I’ve had to adapt a few books in my past and in the last decade I adapted some of my own novels as well. I hope some of these techniques work for you!!

Here are some of the contests I’ve placed in with my screenplays and teleplays:

Nicholl Fellowship: semi-finalist.
Austin Film Festival: five-time quarter-finalist.
Slamdance Film Festival: two-time finalist.
Screenwriting Expo: semi-finalist.

Book mentioned: Screenplay: the foundations of screenwriting by Syd Field.

Dream Diaries is now available on Audiobook! You can download it on Amazon, iTunes and Audible! If you want to try Audible for a 30 day free trial to listen to Dream Diaries click on this link:

Also a digital copy of my first book (Teen/Sci-fi/Horror) "Riser," is permanently free on both Amazon and iTunes:

Also, Join me on my channel with Kate Cavanaugh for a Live Write-in! Tuesday February 12th 6PM CST/4PM PST

Becca:

2NerdGirls:

Cameras used:

[Belushi]

when i come up with a story, i always see it as a movie playing in my head. it’s easier for me to visualize what’s going on.

[mojisolashabi]

Where have you been all my life!
I paid for a workshop and yet I got what I needed in under 10 minutes from your video,
I adore you!

[denisemeredith]

I have just discovered your channel and I am thinking about writing a screenplay from a book that I have read so this has given me some insights on how to do it. I have never written a screenplay in my life.

[LionSwart]

I'm currently writing a book but I always visualize my book as a movie, so this was extremely helpful. Thank you

[christopherdrost]

That's so cool. I never did any screenwriting but looking at this video I think I might be better at a screenplay than books. XD

[djfridaylove]

Great job thank you!!! MORE SCREENPLAYS and BOOKS into movies please

[dennisknafler]

Thank you so much. I'm actually an aspiring screen writer and thought an explanation like this video could twist my mind enough and enable me to gain insight on things that I can't see yet with regard to formatting. I'm watching this video a second time with morning coffee because it's always good to start the day with two refreshing things combined. Thanks Becca 😊

[rowanstree]

This is great, Becca. I'm doing this for the first time and it is really useful to think about your ideas. Also, a lot of what you say (showing over telling, excising what doesn't contribute to the development of plot and character, etc) can be usefully deployed when editing novels too. Definitely interested to hear more on this subject.

[LillybethLilyLeah]

This was so helpful, I just wrote my first novel 'Wanders Pass' on Amazon and I'm planning on making it into a film:) I'm going to take your steps and begin writing, scary but mostly exciting endeavor:)

[PYSWL]

Here is a lot of quality information and the video has only 9 minutes. Thanks!

[Pete-hmgw]

Excellent video! I'm beginning to adapt a novella and this was a great place to start. I love your brevity and charm. I could listen to a how-to video from you about combing my hair. Thanks! : )

[unknownaster]

I’m doing a screen writing course and we have to adapt a pre-existing IP into a screenplay, this video has helped a ton. Thank you!

[Bagelsandcreamcheese]

Watching this in 2020. Love it! Thank you!

[m.t.shiphopblogandmore...]

Super helpful. I've written for eons. Somehow, I always imagine my books in a movie form. I'm working on a screenplay and this is my first stop on the road there. I will return for more of your tips. Thanks.

[letmechil]

Thank you for this video. Very helpful

[EmilyBourne]

Wow this was so informative. Not that I’m going to write a screenplay, but I would definitely watch more videos on the topic.

[skatrash]

I found this incredibly helpful, especially as someone whose first love was film, but found myself writing novels in the hopes I can meander my way into filmmaking. thank you so much for this video!

[KateCavanaugh]

Ahhhh, this video was SO helpful and SO information-packed. I'm going to return to this video sometime in the (near?) future because I've always wanted to give screenwriting a go, especially since, as you point out, you're not included description, you're trying to find clever ways to show and not tell and YES that is what I like hahaha. (But I have 0 experience so it'll be a process to learn.)

The side-by-side of your novel and the screenplay is SO COOL. I love hearing what you keep/get rid of (especially as a dialogue fan haha) when adapting! Your three-day madness story still astounds me haha. I love the tip about splitting the Acts into separate files and editing them down that way. That's genius. And something I might want to consider for my novels since I tend to rush the endings, I feel like. It could be a good experiment to see if that's true.

[khadijahsams]

I'm writing my first screen play thank you for simplifying this

[bradcouch]

Can you do a video on how to adapt a non-fiction book into a screenplay such as biographies and history books?