Everyone who knows me, or who reads this blog, knows I'm the poster child for National Novel Writing Month. I evangelize for NaNoWriMo in the off-season and am a bundle of nervous energy in the months leading up to the big November event. What many people don't know is that NaNoWriMo has a little sister, Script Frenzy. Realizing that there is a lot more to writing than fiction prose, the NaNo folks launched Script Frenzy in 2007, and over 3,000 writers have won the challenge since then. Unlike Nano, where the goal is words, Script Frenzy focuses on pages. Participants must create 100 pages of original Screenplay, stage play, TV show, short film, or graphic novel during the month of April. Frenziers are also allowed to have a partner-in-crime, and the page count goal is the same whether you're writing alone or with a partner.

Despite being an avid comic and graphic novel reader, and regular consumer of TV and movie media, I've always avoided script writing like the plague. I consider dialogue one of my writing strengths, but the thought of producing only dialogue, and having to mention everything of significance via dialogue, gives me the willies. So, of course, it's time I faced my demons and tossed my hat in the Script Frenzy ring. That's right. For the month of April, I will be almost entirely out of my comfort zone. After eight years of NaNo novels, I'm a seasoned veteran and can almost coast through November, but when I turn my thoughts to scripting, my mind goes blank. Still, the only way to grow as a writer is to push boundaries and attempt feats outside the comfort zone, right?

I have absolutely no clue where to begin with screenwriting. I don't know how to format a script or how wordy or terse to be with descriptions and stage directions. I think my last experience with a script involved reading Shakespeare in college. Luckily, the Script Frenzy folks know there are hundreds of clueless, aspiring screenwriters like myself. They have set up a Writer's Resource page that covers all the major types of scripts. There are how-to guides, formatting guides, and several worksheets to help writers brainstorm plots and flesh out characters before April First. I have a feeling I'm going to be spending a lot of time on that page. (I'll also be leaning heavily on the folks in our Screenplay Services division!) Like NaNoWriMo, there is also an active community message board and an archive of pep talks from accomplished screenwriters.

I'm "midwinter" on the Script Frenzy site if you feel like pointing and laughing following my progress, or friending up for some moral support. I'm going to adapt my 2002 NaNo novel, Explorations, into a TV pilot, or maybe a made-for-TV movie (with series potential, of course). Anyone else in for the challenge?