As I stated in the last blog, I needed an ending to Angel Falls. While I was writing, I didn't realize that I had gotten caught up in that old trap most writers eventually fall into....finishing your novel too quickly. I had turned a great story with several twists into a "Diehard" action novel. It was only for the last several pages or so, but it was still too "Diehard". I read and reread the ending and once I eliminated the explosive ending, I wound up adding four chapters. I was pleased with the ending. (Sorry, I will not give away the ending because there could actually be people out there that want to read it.)
Since Angel Falls has been out of print, it's taken on a life of it's own. I had turned it into a play and I created the screenplay, which ended up being long enough for a mini-series. I promised myself that I would not write the screenplay unless I had a really good opening scene.
In the novel, the first two chapters or so consisted of the narrator describing how Angel Falls got along being up so high in the mountains. This was the biggest discrepancy with my readers and even myself. I knew that if I wanted to see Angel Falls on the big (or little) screen, I would need a great opening scene. So needless to say, I didn't write the screenplay for a while. Then it hit me.
It hit me just like the inspiration of the entire idea itself. I saw a storm. I saw just the feet of a man running through what appears to be a desert. We soon learn that he is running up a path that is on a mountain. He has no idea how he got there and there may be something...chasing him. Thus is my opening to Alan Riehl's Angel Falls. I finished the screenplay in about 3 months. I even have a wonderful actor, Brian St. August interested in playing one of the lead characters.
I am disappointed to find out that a Christian themed movie is not something that everyone is ready to jump on board for, despite the fact that this story has never been done quite like this before. I am still pushing for it to be made and it will be. There are no walls, only speed bumps.
A writer should never wait for anything to be produced. You should always be writing. I am turning my screenplay into a revised novel and I will publish with a major publisher this time. I am also producing my screenplay: Online the Motion Picture on a shoestring budget with a talented but unknown cast.
I'll tell you more about that soon. Feel free to ask questions, or comment. I will always make myself available.
Alan
PS I don't edit the grammar in my blogs, so I already know that there may be some mistakes. :)
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