Check Out These Reviews
Reviewed by Amelia Roberson- Master of Arts in Teaching/MFA Screenwriting Hollins
English Instructor
Geoffrey Zimmerman’s fanciful and grim imagination makes his newest collection of short stories and poetry a delightful read. From menacing girl scouts, haunted ex-wives, and lost love, the author surprises on each page.
“Great American Short Stories and Poetry” is both honest and cynical- an internal investigation and spoof. Zimmerman’s story telling is concise and original with definite consideration of the feminine perspective and its ability to challenge the male ego. “Jane Stalks Dick” and “Lorraine,” the story of a trapped house girl and her escape portray this sensitivity. Dialogue is crisp, true to each character, and his stories as quick yet poignant reads that reminds us of the creative value of short story and why they have become popular once again.
Acclaimed Film Director, Lucinda McNary commented on my book.
“Lucinda, is it ok for me to tell people what you think of my book?”
“You sure can. Now darn it, I liked it so much that the next book I started reading seemed boring. That tells you how good it is.”
“The next book is coming out soon”
“Well I can’t wait These stories were spellbinding and I am still thinking about them. Just beautiful.”
My Book Is Now On Bookbuzzr
Another Interactive Book!
And Now For Something Totally Different
My Challenge to You With Jane Stalks Dick
I BEAT THE 5000 READER MARK! CHECK THIS OUT
99 cents online price! This book is extremely interactive. 26 of the 106 pages are free to read.
Writing A Screenplay Is Like Flying An Airplane
Photograph By SwEeTcHy
By Geoffrey Zimmerman
That concept struck me the other night while I was working on my new screenplay. I have adapted it from a novel that is about ½ to 1/3 done. I am currently on page 11 of that script, which totals 60 pages, so I know I need to add scenes. I had written into a fine scene where my protagonist is beginning to discover that she has powers; powers that she had wanted to have – and had practiced hard to gain – but now she is terrified. She realizes she can do it, and tells a friend. This is where I stopped writing, and decided to sit back and daydream. I said to myself, “You know what? This is just like flying – here’s how.
In this script, I know my direction. I know MOST OF what will happen along the way – and I know where I want the story to end. When I fly, I have a direction – I BELIEVE I know what will happen (and try to prepare for anything that does happen) along the way – and I know where I want to finish – my destination airport.
While writing a screenplay, I am performing several functions at once. In present time, I am writingdescriptions, dialogue, deciding on transitions, and looking ahead to where I want to be with regard to plot.
While flying, I am controlling my heading, altitude, airspeed, groundspeed, and looking ahead for weather and traffic.
While writing a screenplay, what I am doing now is going to (hopefully) create a smooth transition to where I next want to be – where I want to be further along on my flight. I have to plan ahead.
In my current scene, where the protagonist is talking to her friend about her powers, I want the scene to end in less than two pages, into which I will set up for the opening for another scene, where I will introduce another character who has ties to the protagonist.
Now, in this screenplay, I have planned a romance, so I must let the reader (audience) know ahead of time that this is one of the things desired by my protagonist. Planning ahead. Thinking it through. I have tools I can use (skillfully I hope) to create the effect I desire.
When flying, as I near the airfield, I must know beforehand the direction I will be landing. I must know the landing pattern altitude, so I must reduce the throttle so I can descend smoothly, and be where I want to be at the right time and point in space.
In an airplane, I have the dashboard instruments that show me what is currently happening with the airplane and where I am. I have tools like the throttle, ailerons, rudder and elevator to make the plane do what I want it to do.
In my screenplay, I have cuts, dissolves, fades, flashbacks, internal monologue, sound, dialogue, my imagination and memory to make the story do what I want it to do.
Happy writing, and I’ll see you in the air.
My New Short Story And Poetry Book Is Now For Sale
https://www.createspace.com/3433795
Why You Should Use a Treatment to Pitch Your Book or Screenplay Idea
There are many devices and documents a writer can use to catch people’s attention and demonstrate their ability. One of these devices is a treatment.
This document is usually about ten to twenty pages long. The treatment I wrote for my feature film screenplay “Love Never Dies” is 17 pages long. The document describes only the major characters, (protagonist and antagonist) and perhaps a few secondary characters. It describes the major plot points, events in the story that force the protagonist and antagonist to act or react while pursuing his/her main goal. Some dialogue can be included as well.
This treatment has been read by some agents and producers in La., but just because they read it doesn’t mean they’ll request my screenplay or decide to invest in me. The desired reaction after someone with decision-making power reads the treatment is a request for the screenplay. In my case, the subject matter of my story did not fit the current needs of the industry.
I’m curious to find out how many of my readers would like a look at this treatment and then my first screenplay in a trilogy. I hope to hear from you.
-Geoff-
PS: Because of the value and power of this document, I am asking those who wish to read it to register. Just a simple matter that shows me you are interested in taking a look at my writing and story telling abilities. I’ll email you the password to read the entire treatment.
Murder Mystery Screenplay I’m Pitching to Agents in New York
Having worked in the film industry, I have no problem talking with agents, directors or actors. I’ve recently been pitching my murder mystery idea to some New York publishers and some agents in New York and Hollywood. My first few chapters have been received with surprising enthusiasm, and the agents in Los Angeles know this story will be adapted to a screenplay, and then a TV show.
Coming Back
“I don’t know why you would want to leave this place,” her friend, Babu said with finality. “Silly Scilla, silly Scilla,” he taunted as he left her room and went outside to greet the guests that had already arrived. She plopped down on the small velvet chair and gazed at her 24 year-old image in the wavering mirror.
“I will so leave this place,” she said turning to throw the words over her shoulder. She sniffled and lifted her head and gazed into the misty reflection of her uncertain eyes.
“Do you have it in you? Do you really have it in you?” she asked her beseeching face.
A brisk knock on the door pulled her from her reverie, and she knew she had just seconds to answer her own question.
“Yes,” she said to the mirror, pushed back her chair, and dashed around the room, searching for any tool or amulet that would help in the contest.
“Come in,” she said after concealing her finds among the folds of her dress. The door was slowly and deliberately pushed open. “It is time,” Mamm said, filling the doorway with her commanding figure and flowing dress.
Walking through the cavernous granite hall, she passed by the two lines of smiling faces and well wishers. “Good luck,” one said. “I know you will succeed,” another said. She smiled at these wonderful souls, but had to force back tears, for she knew she might have to wait a long time to see them again.
Then she and ten others were released into the garden. She watched as some sang, danced or stood still and chanted. Then she remembered the seeds she’d taken from her room. The mustard seed she said to herself. All of life’s answers can be found within that tiny seed. She let each seed fall onto the earth, blessing each one with a heart-felt prayer. She plucked a few violets and placed them in her hair. My own reward, come what may, she said to herself. She absentmindedly poked the ground with her toes as she strolled the garden and watched the others.
Then she felt it. Something hard in the dirt. She knelt and scooped aside the dirt. A small purse, she whispered, her eyes widening.
Mamm walked around the garden, enjoying the contest, then glanced over at Scilla. “It is time,” she said.
Scilla rose, walked to the revered hall and joined the line of ten that stood before the Grand Seven. The well wishers, thousands of them, sat around the hall. Each of the contestants in their turn now had the coveted opportunity to present their find to the grand seven.
Why am I doing this? Scilla asked herself. But, she knew the answer. It was her destiny. She knew the purpose of the contest. And she knew her reward was one of the most coveted in the universe. She also knew that among the innumerable rewards, the challenges would sometimes appear impossible to confront.
Am I really going back? Will I really have to forget all this, except for just a few fleeting moments?How could I ever forget this?
“Next,” said the Grand Seven in unison. She stepped forward.
“Little Scilla, you understand what you have chosen?” they asked. She nodded.
“Then show us all what you have found in the garden,” they requested.
She pulled the tiny purse from the folds in her dress. It shimmered as if alive. The whole crowd gasped.
“Open it,” the Grand Seven requested.
With trembling fingers, she undid the clasp. She peered in, but as she did, a rainbow of colors and gold light flew from the purse, throwing her hair back and nearly blinding her. The crowd gasped again, as the brilliant light swirled and coalesced, becoming an all encompassing vision.
It was a life. A little girl’s life. They all watched as the girl was born, grew, became old and wise, then lay down to pass over – and return.
“We’ll see you in eighty seven years, Scilla,” they all said.
And she was gone, like the memory of a kiss in the wind.
THE END