182: Adapting a Book to the Screen - Interview with Howard Kaplan

Hey there word nerds! Today I am delighted to have author Howard Kaplan on the show! Howard is a native of Los Angeles, but he has lived in Israel and traveled to numerous places across the world, including Lebanon, Syria, and Egypt. He also has had some incredible adventures in the former Soviet Union which, along with his time in Syria, inspired bestselling thriller The Damascus Cover. Published forty years ago to rave reviews, The Damascus Cover is finally coming to the big screen. The movie debuted in September 2017 at the Boston Film Festival, and is scheduled for release everywhere this spring. Listen in as we talk about this bestseller, the art of film, and how to take a story from page to screen. In this episode Howard and I discuss: The importance of endings, and how to do them right. How to use film to elevate your story. Kill your darlings, knowing what to cut on the page vs. the screen. When your characters come to life, what to expect when working with actors. Setting the right tone in scene one for a book and a movie. Plus, Howard's #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/182