Screenwriter Interviews
MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Diane Meyer
An interview with screenwriter Diane Meyer regarding the Writers Place Writing Competition.
Q: What's the title of the script you entered in this contest, and what's it about?A: Traded for Lies
A blacklisted journalist sets out to redeem herself and gets in the way of a notorious trafficker.
Journalist Lexi Cahill discovers her friend Anaya Kuiper is a victim of human trafficking. Realizing that writing Anaya's story could redeem her from her own reprehensible mistake, Lexi agrees to help Anaya return home.
But Zambia holds more danger and deception than Lexi could have expected. In the search for Anaya's family, Lexi must escape a slave trader hell bent on possessing her, determine which man to trust and rescue Anaya from yet another kidnapping. What would have been an exotic trip for Lexi's redemption, turns into a nightmare she might not return from.
Traded for Lies is about empowering women to take back control of their lives and finding the strength to forgive.
A: I decided to enter several contests. The Writer's Place seemed like a good one and offered exposure for the winner.
I did enter other contests, but didn't place.
A: Yes, they were professional and have followed through with the prizes.
Q: How long did it take you to write the script? Did you write an outline beforehand? How many drafts did you write?A: It took me about four months. I've written about eight drafts and continue to make improvements as I go back and look it over.
This screenplay is based on my first novel also called Traded for Lies that I'm finishing up.
I didn't write an outline.
A: I use Movie Magic and Final Draft.
Q: Do you write every day? How many hours per day?A: I write 4-8 hours per day, six days a week.
Q: Do you ever get writer's block? If so, how do you deal with that?A: I occassionally get writer's block when it comes to the middle. I deal with it by heading over to Starbucks, grabbing a cup of hot chocolate and taking a walk around the lake.
Seems to clear my head.
A: I'm a multi-published editorial writer and professional photographer. Traded for Lies is my first script.
Q: Do you live in Los Angeles? If not, do you have any plans to move there?A: I live in Colorado and have no plans to move to LA. Colorado affords me a great lifestyle. And you can write from anywhere.
Q: What's next? Are you working on a new script?A: Yes. I have five more scripts in the works along with two novels and I continue to write nonfiction.
Posted Wednesday, February 24, 2010