Wow…looked like it was time to do a check in…

I’ve been slipping on keeping up with the documentation of this journey.  Wanted to make sure I took a moment out to post some thoughts as I’ve been inspired by fellow writers to try to keep up more

Life has definitely been getting in the way of a lot of things — not an excuse –just a statement of how it has been.

Even when it doesn’t seem like I’m writing, I’m writing.  I play with scenes and dialogue all the time…the voices stay with me.  If the dialogue sticks, then I know it’s a keeper and I can always write down later.  If it fades from memory – then it most likely was for the best.

I’ve been communicating with others within the writing community – sometimes out of sheer enjoyment — writers are a ball of laughs, but also to gauge how committed I am to being on this journey.

I realized in these past months, the following:

I didn’t know that as a child, the hours of reading and playing by myself, making up my own little stories would lead me to the writer I wish to be now.

I didn’t know that all the tragedy, all the passing of loved ones, that feeling of loss would lead me to the writer I wish to be now.

I didn’t know that  my love of fun, whimsy, childlike wonder and sarcasm could really be morphed into something that others may (hopefully) enjoy.

I didn’t know when I was trying to get my toe in the door of so many other things that I was running away from the only thing that in the fiber of my being that I truly know how to do — be a storyteller, be a writer.

I’m hopeful that someone out there will back up the potential that others have seen in me.  I am trying to shake the burden of letting them and myself down and just be.

I’m going to write from my belly and heart, then clean it up with my head and serve it up with a presentation of love and optimism and hope it can be consumed and enjoyed.

I’m going to finally join in with other wonderful writers in the craziness of Scriptfrenzy which kicks off April 1st and kickstart the rewrite of Slayers into existence.  They have lingered within me long enough…time to let them out.

Goal of 2011 face all fear of failure head on as the biggest failure would be not to face the fears at all.

Write On.

Halloween weekend check-in..

It’s been almost three weeks since coming back from L.A.  Going to Los Angeles was exactly what I needed.  Hearing from people doing what I want to do and absorbing the advice has made tackling the two drafts I need to complete easier.  Listening to Bill Marsilii for two hours was absolutely worth the flight to the west coast.  I also, made a new friend, who is also a character actor and I’m grateful for the newfound support from him.

I cannot wait until the rewrite and first draft of new idea are completed so I can copyright and finally talk about  them (a little bit).  It’s like hiding your babies in the house and now you’re ready to start taking them out in the stroller and show them to people so they can provide some coos and aahs.  Or, someone may think my baby is ugly.  But I need to know that. 

Getting the babies dressed to go out soon.

Should be checking in again and tracking myself post Turkey weekend.

Write on.

Characters are ready to be born…

Writing….characters are leading me…I’m not leading them and that is a good thing.  Being a writer is a funny thing…you have voices speaking to you and you’re not bi-polar (slippery slope). 

Still basking in the writergeek glow of having a messaging chat with Terry Rossio (what a sweet man), I came up with a really great scene this morning that came to me while walking home.  It was a great use of foreshadowing for the protagonist and the antagonist.  It’s such a New York moment too..brief but speaks volumes of what is to come for the lead character.

Looking forward to finally breaking out my Stuart Weitzman shoes and hanging out in L.A. next month. *stoked*

Write on.

Vegas was a great idea…

Trip to Vegas was the best thing that my writing teacher suggested…I have come up with a whole other viewpoint to write from.   It truly makes a difference to be at the place that you’re writing about. And I mean I’ve been all around the Strip in a way that I couldn’t have done with someone with me. I literally went up and touched stuff,  sat & wrote – better than just snapping pics.

I could map out scenes to write at the actual location.  I spoke to people on the street asking them if they would pay to go see some of the things I proposed.  I got ten yes responses, a maybe if he wasn’t bamboozled by the trailer and one asked for a story credit if a movie got made from the question that I asked him ;*

The newer perspective that I’m able to write from now is that – the culture that I’m referencing was that of a proud people – very much like my own culture – but now reduced to tourist attractions, trinkets and knick knacks.  I want people to realize that there is a lot of majesty around them all the time and wonder if they really do take the time to realize it.

Write on.

A quick check in…

I need to keep doing this to keep myself on track…

I’m still writing scenes/dialogue as it comes to me…if the emotion stays with me then I will use it – if it doesn’t, it gets trashed.

I have been doing more reading than writing (reading list consisting of Lajos Egri, Volger, Campbell and just ordered Eugene Vale’s Technique of Screenwriting), but the reading/studying/absorbing is making me better — if that makes sense.   

I’m trying to keep the slow, steady and prepared wins the race.   I want to so badly just churn something out and I will, but it’s going to be a quality draft, not just some random writing.  I’m adamant about that because I know that the ideas that I have deserve that.   I can’t be distracted by other writers methodology.

I can only do me.

Write on.

Wow…it’s been over a month since Vegas..

Time flies…realized I needed to jot down a post to keep me on track in this journey.  Vegas didn’t turn out how I thought…I wound up doing the most wonderful research and coming up with ideas that I hadn’t anticipated that will add a little extra punch to script.  Just pages of writing and climbing and walking all over town taking it all in.  Everyone was great and offered all types of assistance and encouragement.

I was advised to go to Vegas..and the advisement was dead on.  My script will be richer for the experience.

Right now, just a lot of studying..reading.  I know the motto is just write…and it’s true…I write something pretty much everyday..but I’m wierd..I don’t have to write everything down.  If the dialogue is good enough..it sticks…and I can bounce dialogue back and forth off of the characters in my head.  If the flow works..it sticks.  If it was really sucky..I really can’t remember it.  So my methodology of going about drafts may differ from many, but it works for me.

Once it’s flowing in my head…it will flow to outline form, making it easier to construct scenes and shift around if needed.

I also decided that I’m gonna go for it and enter the Nicholl Fellowship competition at the top of 2011.   Worse that can happen is that I don’t make the QFinals..and I will try again.  But if I didn’t..I would think maybe I need to focus on another type of writing because I plan on going in hard the first time out.

A lot of reading this upcoming holiday weekend including some spec scripts to reference structure.

That’s all for now…

Write on..

One week until Vegas research/trip…

Will be heading to Vegas in a week to do research for Slayers…and enjoy a nice block of writer hibernation time – just me, the sun, my pad and paper.   Will be good for me to be able to block out the world and just focus on the ones that I’m trying to create.

I will be coming back home with at lease one full draft – no excuses.  No sweat…no reward…

Write on.

A new month…new steps…

New month is upon us.  Just booked flights to Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

I will hit up Vegas at the end of the month for some writing/research time.  Just me, my pen and paper and some sun.  I can let my creative beast do its thing with no interruptions.

Five months until L.A. and the Screenwriting Expo.

Write on.

Reflective Birthday…

Having a reflective moment on birthday…

Thinking about all I need to accomplish but I feel I can get it all done if I plan and execute well.  Still working on characterization and outlining for drafts. 

I’ve learned a lot in the past month and I plan on applying what I have learned in the next couple of weeks.  I can’t wait to hit Vegas to work on rewriting other spec script – I really feel like I have something special and very commercial and I can only pray that it works out how I hope it will.

If I don’t believe in me hard-core – I can’t expect anyone else to.

Write on.

I think I have something…

I spent some time in Manhattan yesterday afternoon.  While jotting down ideas for the second script of a tentpole concept, I decided to do a little grassroots market research for what I wanted to write about. 

Sure, I would love to see the idea come to life, but would other people?   The first man I went to said he fell outside of my targeted demographic – but when I asked a group of 25 that ranged from five years old to forty-five years old - I got yes replies across the board!  A light started to shine from within me and I had that feeling like…wow..the Lord has blessed me with something here…..I really think I have something.  Creativity and imagination are truly blessings.

I’m going to rewrite both concept idea and register them with the WGA before I pitch them.  It was a very good day creatively.    Write on.