Writing Treatments to Sell - Kenneth Atchity

Writing treatments that sell is a first book of its kind devoted entirely to the function of treatments in film and TV and how to write and present effective ones. The book is a collaboration by Kenneth Atchity and Chi-Li Wong, partners in Atchity Entertainment International, Inc.

Kenneth and Chi – MA is sincerely honored by your willingness to share your knowledge and adventure relating to this new book. So without any further ado here are all our questions.

What made you initiate the idea of providing a guide like Writing Treatments to Sell? 

The most frequent question we were getting from clients—novelists as well as itinerant screenwriters was “what is a treatment?” We realized that book answering this question would be helpful.

Who was your target audience? 

The book’s target audience is anyone who wants to write or sell a story to the motion picture or television world.

Who ended up putting pen to paper?  

We have a process where we outline the content together, Chi-Li takes a shot at the first draft, then Kenneth does the next, etc.

Is the book specifically targeted for the film industry only? 

Although we targeted the book to the film industry, in the years since it was first published we've learned that its useful to writers of all kinds—children’s books, novels, etc.—because it helps them to “get the story straight” before launching into the actual drafting.

Why a book based specifically on treatments? 

Because a treatment is a unique creature that will never itself see publication or production, and therefore everyone wonders why it even exists.

What is a “treatment?” 

To quote directly from the book: “A treatment is a relatively brief, loosely narrative written pitch of a story intended for production as a film for theatrical exhibition or television broadcast. Written in user-friendly, dramatic, but straightforward and highly visual prose, in the present tense, the treatment highlights in broad strokes your story’s hook, primary characters, acts and action line, setting, point of view, and most dramatic scenes and turning points.” The book goes into detail about the meaning of each phrase in this definition, distinguishing the treatment from “coverage,” “synopsis,” “outlines,” among others.

The Story Merchant itself is all about content, branding and consultation in the entertainment and media arena. How does this book tie into the bigger plan of Story Merchant? 

This book, like Atchity’s How to Publish Your Novel or Write Time: A Guide to the Creative Process, from Vision through Revision is a tool by which the Story Merchant shares experience in the commercial world of stories with aspiring storytellers.

Does reading the book create a sense of more business for Story Merchant or is it more directed towards internal growth for each and every writer / screen writer? 

We can’t spend time with every storyteller out there who needs guidance, so we wrote this book to  help anyone who’s motivated enough to buy it—now available in ebook for the first time. But that’s not to say Story Merchant has found coaching clients through this and Atchity’s other books.

Being an aspiring author myself, I find that optimism and endurance are two of the main things to hold onto while craving for acknowledgement towards your own work, what is your advice towards fellow aspirers who look up to yourselves for hope? 

We’ve learned that hope is great, but determination is even better, when it comes to success. Just keep working on your career, whether you’re in a good mood or not, whether you’re hopeful or not. Work is the only sure road to success.

On your website – The Story Merchant – you have your section related to writing Treatments that sell categorized under the following subtitles:

• Reviews of Writing Treatments To Sell.
• Why a book on treatment.
• What is a treatment?
• Writing treatments that sell excerpt.
• About A Writer’s Time.
• Reviews of The Classical Greek Reader
• Reviews of The Mercury Transition.
• Reviews of The Classical Roman Reader.
• Reviews of The Renaissance Reader.
• Reviews of Cajun Household Wisdom

While the first 4 topics are clearly related to the obvious could you explain the collaboration on the balance? What defines these topics? 

Simply that they’re all books from Kenneth Atchity.

In general how has publishing and moving into the entertainment industry changed for writers. I mean – I myself sometimes wish that I had started writing ten years earlier as it seems as if the market might have been less chaotic. In today’s time it’s as if everyone can put pen to paper and call themselves an author. How do you define the word author, writer? 

A writer is someone who WRITES, and who cares enough about her writing to find an audience for it. While everything else has changed, that definition has not changed and will not change.

Last but not least, what else can people look forward to? Being in the industry you are it is important to recreate your image and stay in the zone with current trends, how do you intend on moving forward while carrying the weight of years and years’ experience in the existing field? How do you mould yourself to be eye catching and present in the future?  

More books are in the works, focused on marketing your writing and on selling your writing, as well as a just-completed book of quotes for writers. We move forward by changing because we respond to a changing world.

As always, thanks a lot for your presence and willingness to Share.  

Thanks for providing this wonderful forum.

As part of this interview, the Story Merchant is announcing a giveaway: For twenty-four hours starting with this MA post you can download Writing Treatments to Sell FREE from amazon.com

Kenneth Atchity is known as the Story Merchant. Why has he been defined accordingly? 

The M.A Tips on Writing Fantasy.

If you type Fantasy Writing into any search engine these days you’re met with a gazillion links leading to every possible tip and trick to succeed at writing. It can be a little overwhelming so, since I’ve started writing my set of novels, I thought I’d let all the other first timers out there know what I’ve learned on my adventure. Please note, though, this is my opinion only.

I write fantasy, but I wanted to start out by giving more general tips that should apply to any genre. First off, let’s look at some of the things I wish I’d known before I started writing.

1. If you’re a first timer with no background in writing I suggest reading everything you can lay your hands on when it comes to writing. 

2. Assess what you want from writing. Do you want to get published more than anything in the entire world or are you really just writing for your own pleasure? If it’s the latter and you’re not honest with yourself upfront it could end up costing you a crap load of money and only giving you a very low morale in return. 

3. Know from the word go that in order to succeed you will need to put a lot into it. Writing can be fairly expensive—especially these days, when an author is expected to market themselves for the most part—and it’s never easy. It’s an art, and in order to succeed you will need determination, patience and, for some, money.  

4. Write an outline, create your characters and decide what you want to achieve in your stories. Now, I know this doesn’t work for everyone, but it does help me. By doing this I know exactly what to expect from my characters and I stay focused on where I want the plot to go. 

5. Buy yourself some big girl panties (or suitable gender-specific underwear.) You need to know from the word go that not everyone will like your ideas, your style, your characters or your plot. Thick skin is a necessity.

6. Get an editor. Not everyone needs one, not everyone can afford one, but if you’re like me it’s a necessity. Also, to fit my sparkling personality, I didn’t require just anyone. I had to look for someone who is experienced in my genre, liked my idea and was willing to invest time and energy to help me polish my story. 

7. Network. Networking is more important than ever in today’s market. I’d say even if you can’t meet with people face-to-face it’s important to get active on social networking. That way you build up a relationship with fellow authors, publishers, agents and potential readers. 

Finally, since fantasy is my passion, as I feel it’s one of the most creative genres where you get to create new worlds, I wanted to end off by talking about what works for me, writing in that genre specifically.

1. Setting, in terms of time, needs to be appropriate and convincing when it comes to technology. 

2. Don’t expect readers, agents or publishers to visualize something that’s unconvincing. What publishers will look for is specific—a good story, a clear plot structure, well-developed characters and dialogue. 

3. Start off with your world. This world needs to be pretty fleshed out before you can move onto the next step. 

4. Create maps—you don’t need to get it all coloured up for publishing but by creating this you have a general concept of where stuff takes place. 

5. Magic—if your world involves magic, you will need to create—and stick to—rules for it before you start writing. 

6. Try to avoid clichés. Parameters have pretty much been set when it comes to dwarves and fairies etc. Focus on developing something new yet realistic. 

7. Characterization in fantasy is very important. Unless your world is specifically built to accommodate it, you can’t take a sailor from the 1400s and put him into a 21st century space shuttle. 

Remember to write what you love. Know that your first draft will never be your best draft, writing will take time no matter what genre you focus on and, if you take these points into consideration and are prepared to put in the time and effort, I’d like to believe you, and I, will succeed! 

Bon Jovi – Concert - Johannesburg South Africa – Saturday 11 May 2013

REVIEW: Bon Jovi – Concert – Saturday 11 May 2013

Bon Jovi came into my life at the age of 15. They chiseled their music into parts of my soul – as I’m sure they have for many. While, I could never understand why the young girls would faint and cry over Justin Bieber I can now say in honesty - I do, get it.  

                On the 11 of May 2013, Bon Jovi came back, re-captured my every existence for an entire spree of 3 hours. While they haven’t been as much part of my life as they were in my teens they definitely  dragged me back to the days when life held little responsibility. When just being in love, having love or being loved meant everything.

The show itself was a roller-coaster  I cried when they started singing bed of roses, I screamed when they did bad medicine and so did 70 000 fans around me.  At first I thought 3 hours - he’s joking, I was worried that I would walk out there and feel that at R 950.00 a ticket ( and yes I bought 2) I might walk out there feeling as if it wasn't enough, it wasn't worth the cash spent, the bonus money I just gave away. But boy was I in for a surprise.

                70 000 people’s voices trailed out of that arena. 70 000 people’s soles where cast back to a time, a memory, a moment that would be part of them forever.

So, this weekend I finally got it. 
I got how people would stand in queues for days before a concert. I understood the sleepless nights, the addicted spirit, the craving for more. This was my first ever big concert – I mean really Adam Lambert still has a lot to learn in comparison – yes my first ever big concert and  I saw men crumble under this bands power, woman scream in excitement, kids dance on rock. And i have to say: thank fuck it was this awesome.

Admittedly, there were a few times, at least 3 where Jon himself seemed surprised, maybe even in awe of how JHB wouldn't let him go, it was like an addiction, something we couldn't get rid of, something we craved with every fiber because we knew while we had it, we were free.

               Now, it’s Monday – two days later and still, I get tears in my eyes when I replay the cell-phone clips, when I hear the roaring crowd and I actually know, for one day I had something in common with 70 000 other people around me. 

Bon Jovi – Rocked.

Review - Interrogator's Notebook by Martin Ott

The Interrogator’s Notebook -the title in itself drew me from the letter T.  As many people, I too am just human and fickle when it comes to matters that rise suspicion and clarity. I mean what human out there would deny their eagerness to know things? Who out there wouldn't want to know how to pull information from others, who wouldn't want to know how to react or avoid when in question? Suffice it to say it just the title, The Interrogator’s Notebook, that chained me from the word go.

Martin Ott starts his novel off with a lesson, “Mapping the Body.”  From a bird’s eye view one’s first impression is that the novel will be some kind of an autobiography or maybe even a documentary on the way the body and mind works. Sitting here, maybe, that’s exactly why I was intrigued in the first instance.

Surprisingly, Martin’s first words instantly change your perception. He starts it with, “In the beginning, there was not god. There were men who questioned the nature of the universe,” And there it was:  I was intrigued. 

Aren’t you?

The Interrogator’s Notebook’s is a psychological thriller based on the life of Norman Kross – a career interrogator who works in some of the most dangerous locations throughout the world. What makes the thriller all the more appealing is the fact that Martin hasn’t branched on about his protagonist’s worldly adventures, which in itself could be as adventurous. Instead he created an exciting thriller that points back to Norman himself, his struggles within his own marriage, his family.

I had the honour of interviewing Martin a while back and wanted to know how close he was to this main character Norman Kross. I questioned how interlinked his own story was with that of his protagonist. His answer seemed diplomatic yet insightful when he noted that he feels all authors dip into their own well of experience; he confirmed that he did use some detail from his own life but that Norman’s life was vastly different from his own.

What I liked:

Martin Ott has a way with words. I loved the way he describes things from every day locations to tables and chairs, boots and paper. He has this novel way of depicting things that puts you right there at the edge, in the story with his character.

I am intrigued by the way he allows his readers to experience the deterioration of his protagonist.  We see so many stories about hero’s that are unaltered, unaffected - un-deranged. Martin allowed his character to have flaws, which is risky but it made the storyline that much more gripping. His family life was to say the least really chaotic, far from normal, -colourful.

I found Martin’s descriptions on his characters, especially his villain and his surroundings, masterful. In fact all I wanted to know was what George Stark was up to next, which character he was going to express, how close Norman will get to resolving the murder.

Having said this, this specific point also created a small dislike.

The name Stark constantly pulled me out of the story to compare George Stark back to the familiar figure of Robert Downy Jr. Even though I thought the character lay out to be masterful, I did constantly compare this particular villain to Stark meets Sherlock Holmes both done brilliantly by Robert D. I don’t know whether this was intentional or deliberate but yes-- If this novel had to go to film I would struggle to see any other character other than Robert portraying the role successfully.

All in all, I can say that this was one of the best novels’ I have read this year. 

INNOCENCE LOST - BOOK BLURB - HELEN JOHNSTON

Get sucked into the Journey that is Innocence Lost. Impossibilities and heartaches, wonder if love prevails all. Join us as we follow the story of Siobhan and Blake as they battle through the trials and tribulations of two very different worlds.

Blake is an Elder Vampire, over four hundred years old, dark, mysterious, bold, tall, and extremely gorgeous, as only a vampire as he could be. Centuries of feeling incomplete, knowing there’s a part of him that is missing, a part he yearns to be complete. Never knowing he would find this in the oddest way. A chance meeting with a gypsy fortune teller has him intrigued when she foretold of when and where he could find his Queen.

But he is warned there would be many brutal obstacles to be overcome before any kind of happy ever after could be accomplished, before his Queen, the missing link to his soul, the woman whom would complete him, would be safe in his arms.

Siobhan, pronounced (Ser-bi-on) is a beautiful young woman, an innocent, on holiday with her friends when she unexpectedly meets a tall charismatic man who completely and utterly sweeps her off her feet. She is drawn to him like a moth to a flame. He's so sexually dominant, taking his time to initiate her, step by slow step, patiently and completely too all the carnal pleasures, her body could endure. What he made her feel... 

But unbeknown to either of them, a dark and evil presence from Blake’s past has been observing them, planning to shred their worlds apart, and sooner rather than later. Siobhan is cruelly ripped from his embrace and is thrust into a world beyond anything she has ever dreamt of or could ever have imagined existed. 

Follow us as Blake has to battle with forces he’s not sure he can defeat all to bring home the one and only woman he would ever have, love and desire with all that he is.

Links: 

Blog ; Twitter; LinkedIn; Pinetrest; Amazon.com ; Amazon.uk

THE INTERROGATORS NOTEBOOK WRITTEN BY MARTIN OTT

Martin Ott is a former US Army interrogator who wrote the The Interrogators Notebook. M.A is extremely honoured to have this interview with someone of such calibre. Even though I reside in South Africa I have always felt great honour towards the people that would do anything for the sake of their country.

The Interrogator’s Notebook is based around a character Norman Kross whose story reflects on real-world experiences and meticulous research. Norman Kross is a master interrogator skilled at deciphering secrets. He is however totally blind to the truths within his own life.

Martin, we are very honoured to have you here today. Tell us a bit more about yourself and your journey towards writing The Interrogator’s Notebook.

I wrote and published a short story The Interrogator’s Last Question about a former interrogator with a troubled family life, and this provided the genesis for The Interrogator’s Notebook. During the course of writing the novel I changed the setting – from DC to Los Angeles – as well as the structure. At one point, Saddam Hussein was even a character.

I kept my eyes on the news and researched interrogation throughout the process to make sure that I was accurate in my portrayal of Norman’s career. I was fortunate enough to have manager/producer/writer Ken Atchity read my novel, and he convinced me to publish it on Story Merchant Books.

Doing some research on the novel I noticed that some readers where fairly critical – in your case they are luckily view and far in-between. As an author I know that we need to know that not everyone would love what we write even though we put everything we have into it, how do you deal with the criticism?

I received feedback from fellow writers, editors, agents, and readers that I integrated into multiple drafts of the novel. I think you have to be open to feedback to become a better writer. The Interrogator’s Notebook has received a couple of negative reviews, and I only wish the feedback was more specific.

How long have you been an author, when did you know that writing was what you wanted in life?

I have always been an avid reader and began writing seriously, at first in a journal, when I was in the Army. I studied English and Creative Writing at the University of Michigan, and in the Masters of Professional Writing Program at the University of Southern California to help hone my craft. I have always been interested in working in different genres, and I have also published 3 books of poetry and optioned several screenplays.

You have published dozens of short stories in publications such as Connecticut Review, The Literary Review, The Los Angeles Review, Nimrod, Praire Schooner and Quality Paperback Literary Review – were all your stories based on interrogation?

Only a couple of my short stories focus on the character of an interrogator. I have written stories from the point of view of small boy, a 70-year-old woman, and everything in between, including stories that test conventional form.

How close is your character Norman Kross to yourself? How close are his experiences to your own?

I think all authors dip into the well of their life experiences. I used the familiar locales of my hometown in Michigan and Los Angeles neighborhoods, but the details of Norman’s family are not very close to my own. I did, however, use a few details from my own experiences as an interrogator throughout the book.

Can you tell our readers a bit more about the book? What can they expect, what would draw them in?

There was a central theme that drove me to write the book: to explore what happens when a master interrogator is blind to the truth of his own family, friends, and relationships. I also wanted to explore what happens when someone who is used to being in control gets the tables turned on him.

How do you write? Do you set out a timeline and write accordingly, do you do graphs? A lot of people don’t do either what works for you?

I write because I don’t know how to not write. I set weekly and monthly goals for myself, and never seem to hit them! However, barely a day goes by where I do not write or edit creative work.

How do you feel writing and publishing has grown over the past ten years? Did you know from the word go what you were letting yourself in for or has publishing been a long hard journey?

I believe that electronic publishing and ebooks are creating a shift in publishing, and providing opportunities for dedicated authors to find audiences for themselves. For me, it has taken longer than some to get books published, but I never thought that it was a long journey or a hard one.

As an author, what satisfies you in your writing? Some people do it for money, some write for a hobby – me time. What makes it worth it for you?

I love the process of writing in a way that makes it more than a hobby. I don’t write for the purpose of making money, but I am very aware that the more I make directly from my writing the less time I have to spend on a dual career as a marketing professional.

Any plans on going to film?

Several readers in the entertainment industry have thought that The Interrogator’s Notebook might translate to film or television. I’m open to the possibility.

As a final question, where can readers and fans follow your work?

The best way would be to visit my writing website www.martinottwriter.com or follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ottpops. If there are any people interested in the craft of writing, I recommend my blog: http://writeliving.wordpress.com/.

Martin Thanks so much for your input, it’s been great chatting with you. MA wishes you well in all your future endeavours. 

The 2nd installment of the Eternal series is about 2 be released! - Kristie Haigwood & Ella Medler

Pack your bags! We're going on a trip. 

The second installment of the Eternal series is about to be released! 

Like Witches? Love Vampires? 


What about a mysterious and magical island that can only be seen with a magic password? You can go there. I can take you. C'mon! *waves arm* I'll help you pack!

About the Authors: Kristie Haigwood (a.k.a. K.S. Haigwood) is currently writing her 8th novel. She lives in Arkansas, US. She is the mother of 2 awesome kids and 2 great dogs. She is happily married to her soulmate who thinks reading is a solid waste of time. Opposites attract. Kristie’s works include 'Save My Soul', 'Forbidden Touch', 'Eternal Island' and 'Hell's Gift' (available on Amazon in ebook and print). 'Eternal Immortality', 'Eternal Inception', 'The Last Assignment' and 'Good Side of Sin' are all releasing soon. Ella Medler is an author and playwright who lives in Cornwall, UK. She likes to experiment with different genres and is passionate about the human nature. Her works include the satire Martin Little, Resurrected, and the action thriller Blood is Heavier, both part of a series. Blood is Power is due for release in May 2013, and Martin Little Takes Epic Action, in summer 2013.

www.amazon.com/author/kshaigwoodwww.amazon.com/author/ellamedler

ETERNAL ISLAND

ABOUT THE ISLANDA place where vampires rule, witches play, danger lurks and dreams really do come true. Eternal Island is a paranormal suspense novel, deeply rooted into myth. Vampires and magic form a unique backdrop to a love story with long reaching consequences. Human girl Ariana Lochalan finds herself transported from the relative calm of her ‘Nowhere, Arkansas’ life into a diametrically opposite existence when she discovers she is a powerful witch and meant to wed High Vampire of Eternal Island, Abe Cambridge. Despite first-sight magnetism, the two protagonists are being pushed apart, obstacles tripping them at every step, outside forces interfering and threatening their peace, and ultimately their lives. A world rich in magic and intrigue, Eternal Island is the first instalment of a saga which has love at its core and delves through the mire that is human nature in a turmoil of feeling and emotion. Would courage, resilience and love be enough to bring together two soul mates? How much would you sacrifice to save the one who owns your heart?

COVER REVEAL OF ETERNAL IMMORTALITY

Kristie and Ella's Gift to you!
In celebration of Eternal Immortality's cover release, Kristie and Ella are making Eternal Island FREE April 4th-5th! Grab it up and tell your friends, so they can too!

www.amazon.com/author/kshaigwoodwww.amazon.com/author/ellamedler

WHERE TO FIND THE AUTHORS

KRISTIE
www.amazon.com/author/kshaigwood
www.facebook.com/kshaigwood
http://kshaigwood.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/Kshaigwood
ELLA
www.amazon.com/author/ellamedler
www.facebook.com/ella.medler
http://ellamedler.wordpress.com/
http://twitter.com/EllaMedler

Author Interview – Donna Williams on Nobody Nowhere.

Three weeks ago we did a huge interview with Beverly Nero and Dan Ireland on your autobiography Nobody Nowhere going to film. It’s therefore a great honour to do a formal interview with yourself. Donna thanks so much for granting MA this interview.

No problem. Nice to meet you

Donna, from the discussions I had with Beverly a view week’s back, you have fought through various difficulties in life. People thought you to be deaf, psychotic, disturbed even retarded. You fought through cancer, endured a double mastectomy and still managed to bring a message across to others. How do you manage all of this?

I was diagnosed as psychotic at the age of 2, had primary immune deficiencies since infancy, later came the usual that goes with that, allergies, autoimmune disorders, and, yes, cancer, the diagnosis of a connective tissue disorder, dysautonomia, central apnea... I call it 'fall apart syndrome'. It’s all clay, shit if you like, but to a sculptor of life it’s like clay... take shit, make sculptures. So it doesn't defy life, derail life, it IS part of the fabric of life. It shapes me, but I also learn who I am in defying all of it, I reinforce the sovreignity of my personhood. It gives me enough crap to experience my hero moment, to become the person I'd most want to take to the battle front, the person who would have earned my respect, trust, belief in. Sharing that with the world is part of awareness that life is short, humanising the tough stuff for others, awareness that we are all star stuff, being a citizen of the community.

As a child you obviously went through a lot considering people never understood autism at that time, how did you manage? When did you get to the point of understanding that this was in fact autism and not some kind of psychotic disease?

I didn't have functional speech until I was around 9-11 years old and even then was so dominated by Exposure Anxiety that I couldn't ask anything complex or personal until my late teens and twenties. Something happens to you when you grow up like that, especially if there's nobody to wipe your butt for you. I had one parent probably on the autism spectrum, the other parent I experienced as psychopathic. It was like growing up in a sideshow, a dangerous, wild, colorful sideshow. There was so much survival to deal with. So although I had the need to understand, it wasn't until my 20s that I had enough speech, enough conversational skills and enough capacity to ask personal, emotional questions and that's when I learned that I was diagnosed as psychotic at age 2 and that people had thought I was autistic (which was then an adjective used to describe psychotic children). But learning I was intelligent, I realised that at age 11, that I wasn't disturbed or crazy, that took longer... especially because I WAS traumatised, dissociated, had anxiety and compulsive disorders but was not actually psychotic. That's a hard one to fathom.

And at first, when my autism was finally compassionately explained to me in my 20s, I accepted it as a condition, a developmental disability. But progressively I thought, no, this condition is actually a whole bunch of different things, a 'fruit salad', a 'jumbled jigsaw', which when mixed up enough and overwhelming enough derails usual development and presents as what we know as autistic. Sure, I could be autistic and have curly hair, shortness and be my own flavour of crazy too.

I also realised that everyone has some 'fruit salad' and that I didn't have to be 'normal' to be equal, nor could I presume the world would naturally acknowledge my equality. I realised I would have to advocate for my own version of 'normal', and equality in difference.

How would people know that they are in fact dealing with a child that suffers from autism?

Each child with autism has their own collection of fruit salad... I was faceblind, meaning deaf, saw my world in bits, had a lot of jumbled sensory messages, was echolalic and had involuntary avoidance, diversion and retaliation responses – quite 'feral', 'bizarre', 'odd' – and the health issues made me rather out of it. The inability to cope meant I spent a lot of time in self-directed chatter, caught up with my reflection, sensory 'buzzing', dissociated from body, mind, emotions. But another autistic child may have obsessional interests, be unable to read facial expression, body language, intonation and come across more as literal, obsessive, a little professor. Another may give up all their skills and development out of fear of losing a monopoly over the carer and fight to stay at the developmental level of a toddler. Another may be capable but reclusive, silent and struggle to emotionally connect to others. Another may have little control over their speech or behaviour but through typed communication demonstrate a high level of ability, intelligence and empathy. As an adult I became an autism consultant and worked with over a 1000 kids with autism so I can tell you the reality is they are very different fruit salads and very different personalities and for every stereotype they fit there will be a stereotype they shatter.

Where could people reach out for assistance when they think they or their children suffer from autism?

The question of whether kids with autism suffer is worth addressing... sometimes its the family that suffers more than the child with autism, or the siblings, sometimes the child with autism is the least challenging child in the family! Some kids with autism will have overwhelming 'fruit salad' that makes up their autism and they will suffer from some parts of that but indulge, enjoy, even thrive because of other parts of their autism. So it’s very diverse which is one of the things I hope people get from the different characters in the film. As for where can families get help... well that would be from their local autism chapter, from online groups, from talking to a range of adults on the spectrum who may have experienced some of what their children are dealing with.

Your autobiography Nobody Nowhere has been getting great reviews, it’s said by many to be an eye opener, was this always the intention? To write about it, get the word out there or was it something you did for yourself? A way you managed to deal with your own problem?

It was an international bestseller and 15 weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List when it came out, so it was a ground-breaking, evocative and shocking book. I wrote it as a means of giving myself permission to jump in front of a train on the London Underground. An inner voice said I didn't have a right to throw my life away until I let at least one human being really know me. It was like I couldn't leave this world until I ticked that last box. I had such a degree of involuntary avoidance, diversion, retaliation responses that I couldn't dare let anyone know me with any depth in any on-going way... I felt invaded if the external world got entangled with my own world it triggered rampant fight-flight responses... so the only way I could do it was to purge my life on paper. I wrote the book in 3 weeks, typing night and day, barely eating, washing, and sleeping. Then I thrust it at a child psychiatrist to have them tell me 'what kind of mad I am'. My belief was he would tell me I was mad, hopelessly so, and then I could shred the manuscript, burn it and rather smugly go ahead and do what I wanted to do which was to exit the body I felt entrapped me, made me vulnerable by virtue of its very existence, I wanted to erase it, to steal my spirit away from the body through killing the body, to set it free, become a ghost and leave it discarded. But the reaction of that psychiatrist utterly floored me. He read it and told me there was nothing like it in the world, that it would change the way autism was seen for all others with autism. I felt, well, I was about to thrown my life away, how dare I steal from others this opened door, this chance at their own autism being understood. I decided to 'sacrifice' the manuscript, I left it behind in the UK and went back to Australia. The psychiatrist passed it on in my absence and several passes later I was shocked to get a fax from a UK literary agent who now had it, had four publishers bidding for it, and was desperate for me to agree to its publication. I was talked into conceding to that. Progressively it took a lot of work to come to terms with going from someone so afraid of being known I was ready to give up on life to someone who became a public speaker, autism consultant and author, in the end, of 9 books in the field of autism.

Your helpfulness towards others led you to Beverly Nero, what was your first impression when you decided to put your book onto film?

The book was near impossible for another writer to put into film because the language, the way of thinking, of perceiving was so utterly foreign to non-autistic reality. It really needed an autistic writer, but more than autism it needed Donnaism... I am strikingly idiosyncratic, what people refer to as 'what a character'... and ultimately it really takes that same person to write the script in that same voice. I had written a few scenes some time before so I knew I could write powerful scenes... I just didn't know I could write a powerful script or that the script could be as gobsmacking, as magical as the book. I think what was so wonderful was that being echolalic and echopractic (mirroring voice and actions of others) ironically made me an ideal script writer... I could easily convey the characters from the book as they were... even when I took characters and merged them into one, they were taken as being 'real people' which I think is when I knew I really could write film.

Beverly mentioned that you write your own screenplay for the film. Was it something you had to do some research on or did it come naturally – writing the screenplay?

Just as I wrote the book in 3 weeks, I wrote the first draft of the screenplay in around 4 weeks. At that time I had no idea other people have to think and write... for me it was more like... dissociate, stare into space and let the writing write itself out from your fingers. That's the way I sculpt, paint, write... its more like a dream state... like I'm typing directly out of a dream state, hypnogogic really. So, naturally? Sure, my version of natural.

How involved are you in casting the actors for the film? Beverly did mention that your character in itself was a difficult and they require an actress with authenticity

Bev and I have spent years talking casting. I navigate by sensing... I map people like a cat does. Maybe because I grew up meaning deaf, face blind, seeing my world in bits. But it means I can encounter an actor or actress for 30 seconds and I've mapped them... their tone, their 'music of beingness'... it’s like a 'tune', a 'signature' unique to each person, but people's 'music' can resonate, be harmonious, or be dissonant. So I have a good sense of who fits, their range, their patterns, their feel. Of course I also look at them logically, their range, their achievements, and their level of life experience too. I returned to school in my 20s and became a sociologist, later a teacher. I think I bring those skills to casting input too.

Dan Ireland is a well-known director, how was it to work so close with him?

Dan is gorgeous... we hit it off like old time pals... he's fun and funny but he knuckles down, he dares to challenge, but he's an open channel too, he listens, he's timely, a doer. I think 'Donna time' blew him away a bit... I don't think he's ever worked with anyone who turns a script around as quickly as me. It was a great synergy working with Dan. He really got not just Donna but the plethora of characters in the film. He savoured them like sweets in a candy store. Our enthusiasm bounced off each each other and a lot of the time we were on fire!

Upon me asking Dan what he would take away from turning your autobiography to film he gave us the great reply of:

“If I could take anything with me on working on “Nobody Nowhere,” it would be the bravery, the fearlessness, the joy, the selflessness, and the innocence that got Donna Williams through her incredible journey. This is the story of an unsung heroine, and even though I can’t sing, I sure as hell am going to give it everything I’ve got.”

This is quite an emotional statement, something that shows he looks up at you in many ways. What do you take away from all of this? From getting published, going over to film, working with people like Beverly, Ken Atchity and Dan Ireland?

Oh dear, I'm so simple really on that level... I just liked these folks, Beverly Nero, Norman Stephens, Ken Atchity, Dan Ireland... I found them to be like new flavours in one of life's ice cream stores and I was passing through and enjoying the flavours and out of it formed these creative partnerships, each of them challenging me in new ways, new adventures in the world of film. I think my father, the character 'Jackie Paper' in the film, is quite 'Willie Wonker'... he was in real life... and as his daughter I'm rather 'Willie Wonker' too... so I guess all things are 'normal' in my world, or maybe there is no 'normal' so all things just 'are'... and my life took me into the film world and I took it in my stride and enjoyed the adventure. I'm just glad these folks were autie friendly, diversity friendly, Donnaism friendly. I'm glad they've enjoyed the experience too :-)

Where to from here?

Hmm... well in addition to all I mentioned I also became a singer songwriter with several albums, two songs in an international TV series, have sold my artwork around the world, had two books of poetry published, celebrated 10 years of a great marriage to a wonderful partner, got a great chatty cat we adore, live in a simple house in the hills among parrots and gumtrees on the outskirts of Melbourne and I enjoy the Taoist perspective that sustains me and shapes all I experience. But where to from here is presently dealing with autoimmune disease and knowing what all that means. My health disorders may not allow me to make it to 65, perhaps not even 55, so I've retired at 49 and am presently teaching art. Like the woman who died the same day I was born – Edith Piaf – Je n'regrette rien - I have no regrets about my lot. What more can one want from this life, this world, than that?

Last but not least where can people stay in contact with you or follow your work?

They can come visit Donnaville at my website www.donnawilliams.net where they'll also find links to my blog, my Facebook pages, my Twitter.

Thank you for the interview Nadine and all the best in your own life and future.

Donna, Thanks so much for granting us this opportunity to know more of yourself and your journey. M.A is grateful for everything you have done towards society and the courage you show in everything life throws your way. We can but only hope that more people will be inspired by what you do and who you are.