Stuart’s Comments (group member since Mar 31, 2012)

Stuart’s comments from the Q&A with Stuart Land group.

Hey, Matt. Actually, though I did some prosthetics, mostly I sculpted people, creatures, props, and sets. Check out my Web site for some fun pictures.

For every movie I had to work on, we were required to read the scripts. Often, this included a lot of different drafts as the movie progressed. Reading a script and watching how the director interpreted it was two different things. Many times I thought to myself, Gee, I can do better than that. So one day I tried it. It wasn't as easy as I thought. My first script was unreadable, even by me! But I'm a stubborn guy, so began asking questions of the writers, directors, and actors. I drove them all crazy.

Then I took writing workshops with writing gurus, directors, and producers of the day. I mentored under a well-known producer, then made four short films and a spec TV series. I spent all my free time writing screenplays until I could read my own work without cringing.

I took advantage of my position in the film business and the access I had with filmmakers to advance my knowledge. What screenwriting taught me was how to structure and plot stories. How to use dialogue correctly, and how to develop believable characters. I took all that and more, and applied it to narrative prose. It also taught me to get things right before I showed it around. I never wanted to be just good enough.

Because I've read so many different kinds of scripts and books, and seen so many movies, I'm aware of how similar stories can be. I've pitch dozens of stories to TV and movie producers over the years, and learned how my original ideas weren't always so original.

Now I make sure all my stories have something different in them that separates them from all the rest out there. I experiment with different ways to tell a story, sometimes going against the grain of "so called" official sanctions. Anytime art advances, it's because someone has gone against the grain. But you can't do it just to be contrary. You need to be sensible and the work has to be good.

Thank you for joining my group, guys. And for this initial question, Alex.

Well put, Grammy. It's all in how you say things. I didn't mean that I classify my books as controversial, but that some readers do. Like you, I like to think of them as thought provoking. I guess I should reword that a little. :-)

When people have widely disagreeing views on something, that is controversy. I've found that some of the elements and themes in my books bring out the testiness in some people. Since we, as authors, are not allowed to comment of anything a reader has to say in their reviews, I thought this might be a way for a reader to ask about those things that upset them, or that they just didn't like. Or anything at all, really. Hopefully, both of us will learn something in the process. I strive to better myself and my writing with every new story I write.