Novel or screenplay? Which would you be better at?

Since probably junior high, I've dreamed of writing the Great American Novel. And I've tried my hand at fiction. I've probably written the first 1,500 words of a novel 10 times, at least.

Now I'm wondering if I might be better at trying to write a screenplay instead. Hell, even try to get it made some day independently. It just feels like I would have a knack for the mechanics of it more than I would a novel.

 

I don't have quite the hand for dialogue that you'd have to have with a screenplay ... of course, that doesn't mean the five in-some-sort-of-draft-form novels are going to be written anytime soon, unless something comes up and kicks me in the ass for motivation.

 

That's 15,000 words. What's that, like 30 pages?
Wrap that puppy up, Mr. Verbosity.

 

10 different novels, though

 

I think I could write a screenplay about Jeannie Zelasko's tits.

It could be set in Sandals where Kevin Kennedy's acne and Eric Karros' 5-head battle to get the attention of Jeannie's tits only to be rebuffed as Jeannie's ass convinces her to spend time with a giant cheese cake instead.

Kevin Kennedy's acne and Eric Karros' 5-head then oil each other up and have passionate sex - both screaming "Oh Piazza!" at the moment of climax.

- fade to purple -

 

Chris was good at the beginning, but then he went too far.

 

I think I'd do decently at writing a novel. The online RPG I just returned to consists of a LOT of writing similar to what you'd find in novels.

I've been told I have a knack for creating realistic characters. I even did a roleplay of a nation going through an economic crisis two years ago that looked eerily similar to the current panic.

 

I just barfed in my mouth a little. Thanks, Chris_L.

 

Neither. ADHD.

 

Maybe you could write really short, disjointed novellas.

 

Short stories

 

I'm not sure there is anything harder, as a writer, than penning the Great American Novel.

We're lucky if, every three years, we get one that is acclaimed critically and commercially.

Almost every year, we get at least one movie that meets those standards.

Two different disciplines, both extremely difficult, but I believe in my heart of hearts that writing a successful novel is a much steeper mountain to climb. Let's call it the difference between Everest (screenplay) and K2 (novel).

Both are for experts only, but amateurs manage to climb Everest every year with help.

Try to climb K2, and there is a good chance you die a horrific literary death.