Online guides for writing the next big-screen hit: this is the first of a three-part series on Websites and technology for writers - book bytes

Black Issues Book Review, July-August, 2003 by Sheryl Estrada

This time of year, every Hollywood studio is hoping to be the home of the next summer blockbuster movie. Have you ever dreamed of being the author of that moneymaking script? Now's the time to make your dream a reality. With the help of these Websites and Internet-based organizations dedicated to the art of screenwriting, you'll learn how to format and write a script, and even find an agent. Who knows, by this time next year, you could be the apple of some Hollywood producer's eye.

* From Plot to Film www.blackscreenplays.com

This site was created by Ted Rudolph, Robert Cunningham and Stephen Leonard after many unsuccessful Web searches for material on writing screenplays about the African American community. "We have always had an interest in Black movies, and screenwriting," reads the site's About Us section. "We are not professional screenwriters (which means we do have day jobs), but over the years have taken screenwriting courses from the UCLA Extension, and our local colleges. The information on this site was collected from various written and Web sources. Most of it was collected when we were writing our screenplay 'It's Not A Game.'"

The Website uses "It's Not A Game" as a Screenplay Example. A step-by-step structural form is included in the Screenplay Plot section. Need to become familiar with the writing lingo? Check out the Screenplay Glossary, where you'll learn how to add a "slug line" to your "spec script." Other categories include Screenplay Characters and Screenplay to Movie. To expand your knowledge, click on Online Courses, Copyright Information, and Screenwriting Books.

* Free Software to Move the Action Along www.scriptbuddy.com

For the writer who wants to focus solely on the story line and characters, ScriptBuddy provides free software to handle the screenplay formatting. "In a step-by-step fashion, you add stage direction and dialog to your scenes, and ScriptBuddy does the rest,' the site reads. All you have to do is register by creating a screen name and password of at least six characters, and you'll be able to create various screenplays and access them for printing and editing from the main account screen. The Resource section also provides useful information when it's time to print out the finished product.

* Networking With Other Black Writers www.obswriter.com

Founded in 1988, the Organization of Black Screenwriters (OBS) is an international, nonprofit organization for writers. "Our primary function is to assist screenwriters in the creation of works for film and television and to help them present their work to the industry." An associate membership includes access to the Script Development Agent Outreach Program, a copy of and listing in the OBS Member Directory and a subscription to Scene by Scene, the official OBS newsletter. If you live in southern California or are willing to travel there, full OBS membership includes free admission to meetings and selected OBS seminars, voting privileges and the OBS Book and Script Library. You can also exchange dialogue with other writers, for free, using the OBS. screenwriting forum on the organization's site.

* A Labor Union for Writers www.wga.org

The Writers Guild of America, West (WGA) mainly functions as a labor union that represents writers employed by major television and film production companies. Its Web site is very informative. Victoria Riskin, WGA's president, says on the site: "The Writers Guild Web site is your direct connection to the world of the professional writer. Whether you are a Guild member, an aspiring writer, a producer, member of the media, student or just someone interested in getting a glimpse into the business and creative world of entertainment, we hope you will find our Web site a valuable resource." The Writer's Training Program, created for members of racial and ethnic minorities, including women, people with disabilities, gay and lesbian writers, and those 40 years of age or older, is also described on the site.

More links to try For more information on screenwriting, try these sites:

Inside Film Magazine Online www.insidefilm.com/screenwriting.html

HollywoodNet www.hollywoodnet.com/indexmain.html

Done Deal www.scriptsales.com

ABC Networks Writing Fellowship Program www.abcnewtalent.disney.com

The Writers Guild of America's Writers Training Program www.wga.org/forwriters_index.html (under the diversity section)

Story Mind http://storymind.com Dependent Film http://dependentfilm.net/files.html

Part 2: The next installment of our series will provide online resources on the ABCs of novel and nonfiction writing. If there are sites you've used and would like to see mentioned, drop me a line at sjebibookreview@hotmail.com.

--Sheryl Estrada is a contributing editor at BIBR.