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I was wondering if someone who is writing a screenplay writes it in a way that is different from writing a story or novel. Are there any major differences?
Many thanks to all in advance.

A screenplay is always written in present tense, while most books are written in past tense. Also a screenwriter is writing something for the screen, which might be difficult for a book as that's usually in the author's viewpoint, your take could be different.

hello. Often, the 'screerwriter' revisions a novel for a screen 'production'. often the 'novel' is "repackaged" for the producers "choice" or vision or want. I refer to a story from my earlier years, "The Sand Pebbles". It was rewritten for the producer's vision. It was photographed in Taiwan, a very distant place then. good luck with your understanding.

Yes, of course. A screenplay is both a script and a visual description of something intended to be filmed and viewed.

Novels and short stories are intended to be read only, with the visuals, however well described and narrated, imagined by the reader.

Screenplays are written according to specific formulae that must be learned, even if they are based on books. You really need to take courses to learn how to do this, so see below.

The basic mechanics of novel and short-story writing can also be taught, but they don't necessarily involve formulae -- these genres are far more flexible.

In the end, though, you can't succeed in any of these fields if you don't possess real talent.

Yes, there is a specific format that screenplays must be written in.

You have much more freedom in writing short stories, novellas and novels. With these you can do pretty much anything as long as it's with good spelling and grammar.

All established rules of writing screenplays, however, MUST be followed or it will be tossed aside by the person to whom you submitted it. There are some wonderful software programs which do all the formatting for you. I use Final Draft. These can be great ways of focusing more on your story and less on the potential (probable) frustration of double-checking and second-guessing your obeyance of format rules.

One thing that some forget with screenplays is that you cannot describe thoughts and feelings, unless they can be conveyed through a gesture or mannerism or facial expression.

The other answerers covered the differences very well.

Good luck to you. Screenplay writing can be loads of fun (even if frustrated fun).
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