
Reading so many scripts over the past few weeks has motivated me to consider sending some of my older work to TriggerStreet and ScriptShadow to see what kind of response I might get. I like to think my writing has improved since I first started out, but it would be interesting to see what others think of some earlier efforts.
I have two scripts I’d be willing to put on display, but first I had to find them from within my scattered files and flashdrives. I managed to dig up my zombie western from just over 8 years ago. I skimmed through the first act, and it wasn’t as bad as I thought. The writing’s a little weak, but it moves along nicely. I had completely forgotten just about everything apart from the main story. I think a lot of it still works, including some of the jokes. Some of those still hold up too.
This isn’t my best work. Far from it. I had to stop myself from rewriting certain lines because I wanted to leave it untouched. I like the idea of sending it out as is to see what kind of reaction the me of 8 years ago would get.
A writer should occasionally go back and look over their early stuff to gauge how their skills have developed and (hopefully) improved. You may be pleasantly surprised by a scene or snippet of dialogue you don’t remember whatsoever, then be even more surprised when you realize “Hey, I did write that, didn’t I?”
Movie of the Moment: THE RED SHOES (1948). I’d been led to believe this was a classic. Apparently it’s one of Scorsese’s favorites, but I was bored, and subsequently disappointed. I don’t mind ballet, but this just didn’t do anything for me.