UNDERSTANDING CREATIVE FREEDOM

Hi all,

Creative freedom is the goal of all artists. Or is it? I think it depends on the project. At least for me. I have big action adventure scripts that require large scale budgets. On these projects, I am one hundred percent open to going in different directions with the material, as long as it still gets me excited about the project. Then, I have very small indie style screenplays that I plan to direct. I'm fiercely loyal to seeing those executed exactly as written.

On my very first script sale, I had a disasterous situation. I had written a "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" style script (years before CTHD) called "A BRIDGE OF DRAGONS." The actor who agreed to star in it, 'got' my script (Dolph Lundgren). Unfortunately the company who bought the script didn't. They just wanted to make a movie with DL. They were famous for shoot 'em up action films with helicopters and machine guns. Needless to say, I was unhappy with the result even though it became an HBO World Premiere movie and made lots of money. The company knew their niche.

I just finished a rewrite of the pilot for my TV series "DEATH DEFYER" that is now being well received. I took the storyline away from the movie industry and played up the humor, action, and crime element. Depending on what directors, company, and actors come into the project, I am open to changes. It could be more serious, or more humorous. I do believe it is a cable show because of the the R-rated content. I also see it as a serialized ongoing storyline, rather than an episodic series. 

However, when it comes to my novels, I am very particular about the vision of the projects. My editor makes suggestions and I am free to accept or reject them. I don't understand how a novelist could write by committee. 

To me it seems a very personal thing.

If you're going to put your thoughts and feelings into a world you create, you damn well better have some passion about it. 

There has been the temptation to submit "SPOOK" to agents and publishers, because I believe it is the best thing I've ever written. But I just couldn't imagine compromising, changing one single word unless I absolutely thought that word needed changing. "SPOOK" is my vision. I love it. If everyone in the world hated it, I would still love it. 

My company, BROOKLYN APACHE PRESS, is my universe. And I'll keep writing novels for it until the day I die. 

If they are hits, so be it.

If they languish in obscurity, so be it. 

SIN-cerely yours,

Carlton Kenneth Holder

The Demon Jeremy rising.

Images courtesy of "The Black Album"