Day: May 9, 2018

Special Announcement: Gangs of Stockholm by Luke G. Dahl

I have some exciting news about an author whose work I have reviewed on this blog before, Luke G. Dahl. Dahl has just recently released a new book called Gangs of Stockholm, a true psychological thriller about a teenaged boy who becomes a member of one of Stockholm’s infamous gangs. In an exciting twist, Gangs of Stockholm has even been dubbed the #1 New Release in Amazon’s Teen & Young Adult Literary Biography eBooks category!


Check out Gangs of Stockholm on Amazon.

Eric is an ordinary boy with an ordinary life in Stockholm, Sweden. Then one day, a well-intended act of bravery leads him down a one-way road straight into Stockholm’s underworld. Seduced by the adrenaline and secrecy of gang life, it doesn’t take long for gang activity to become the driving force of Eric’s life. But what causes great excitement can also cause great pain–how will he survive it? Will he be able to keep his secret double-life from his family? And will Eric ever have to face the consequences of his choices?

Like Daddy’s Curse, this book is both heart-wrenching and compelling, most especially as it is based on real events. Eric is a very relatable character, and it’s hard to not feel for him when things begin to fall apart. Of course, I feel that there could be more to the story than what is told in this novel, but I suppose there’s only so much that can be done when a book is based on a true story.

Also, if you don’t like violence or can’t stomach it, you probably won’t want to read this. After all, it’s about gangs; there’s bound to be violence, and a lot of it. And if you don’t like emotional reads, this book isn’t for you, either. Eric is not only part of a gang but is also on the verge of adulthood; emotions run rampant, and there isn’t exactly such a thing as a “happy ending” in this world.

Regardless, if you like crime stories and coming-of-age novels, you’ll find Gangs of Stockholm to be very engaging and captivating.

You may have noticed another name on the Amazon page. Yes, I worked as editor for this novel and other works by Luke G. Dahl over the past few months. After I reviewed Daddy’s Curse, Dahl offered me some editing work in the revision of Daddy’s Curse and a couple of his other works. I am very grateful for this work, especially since I really enjoyed these stories and am glad to have been able to make them the best they could be.

In addition to the new book, one of Dahl’s other books, Daddy’s Curse, has just been named an Amazon bestseller in the Teen & Young Adult Literary Biography eBooks category.


Check out Daddy’s Curse on Amazon.

Please join me in congratulating Luke G. Dahl in the comments below.

Do you have a new book coming out? Know of another small-print or indie author releasing some new work? Drop a line in the comments or e-mail me at thewritersscrapbin@gmail.com and I might announce it in a future post.

 


Designed by Stephanie Hoogstad circa 2011

Writing Tools for the Modern Age: Final Draft

Happy Hump Day, my loyal followers! You’ve probably noticed that I haven’t posted in a few days once again. Well, this time I was helping one of my clients rewrite a script of theirs; I’m sure you can imagine how much time and energy that takes. (I like a good challenge.) It’s worth noting that this experience did introduce me to software which the screenwriters in the audience might want to know about: Final Draft.

Final Draft is the bestselling screenwriting software in the world. It’s used by studios such as BBC, Paramount, ABC, Disney, and Warner Bros. Testimonials for it come from writers of such movies and shows as Black Swan, Lost, Mad Men, and The Social Network. Needless to say, this software is popular. But what exactly is Final Draft?

Here are some basics about the software:

  • It provides over 100 templates for screenplays, teleplay, and stage plays;
  • Final Draft works on Windows, Macintosh, or on the Final Draft app for iPhone or iPad;
  • You can plan out acts, scenes, and sequences using Story Map;
  • You can collaborate with a writing partner in real-time;
  • The software formats your script to meet entertainment industry standards;
  • The software for the computer costs (Final Draft 10) costs $249.99, and the app (sold separately) costs $19.99.

You can learn more about the software and its costs on the company’s website.


Image retrieved from Writer’s Store

Now, if you aren’t seriously considering getting into screenwriting, I do not recommend this software. Why? The cost. For screenwriters who also work in other genres, this software can be a regular all-in-one package. It’s great for screenwriting and even has some options for books and other forms of writing. However, if you aren’t interested in writing scripts, teleplays, or stage plays, there are many other, more affordable, programs and websites available for the rest. There’s also the snag that you can only open Final Draft files in Final Draft, i.e. you cannot convert it to Word doc or PDF, so it’s rather inconvenient for those outside of scripts and screenplays.

That being said, the software was very helpful in the process of rewriting this script. Also, it’s rather fun to toy around with if you already needed it for another project. There are many options for formatting, dialogue, page and scene numbering, notes and revisions for scripts, etc., more than I could list here. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve discovered even half of what the software has to offer, and I will be sure to keep you updated if I find out anything noteworthy in the future. (I will also let you know if I discover any glitches or other issues.)

I should also mention that this software could come in handy for those looking to turn a novel into a screenplay or vice versa. With templates available for both formats and the ability to have multiple files open at once, it would be relatively easy to switch between the two formats while working on the adaptation.

Like I said before, if you’re not into screenwriting, Final Draft isn’t for you, especially not at this price. However, if you are serious about screenwriting, you should give it some consideration. In the long run, it could save you time, keep you organized, and make your work look more professional.

To the screenwriters out there: have you used Final Draft? What has been your experience with it? Do you know of any other programs–for screenwriters or writers overall–that can help writers organize and compose their works? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!

 


Designed by Stephanie Hoogstad circa 2011