So how’s 2014 been going for you so far, writing-wise?
Even if you’re not the type who makes New Year’s resolutions, you probably promised yourself this would be the year you were going to definitely…
-Write every day!
-Read more scripts!
-Connect with more writers!
-Have the script ready for the Nicholl days, even weeks before the deadline!
-Not surf the internets when you’re supposed to be writing! (tough, but not impossible)
Have you done any of this? If so, good for you! It doesn’t matter how much you accomplished; the important thing is you still did it.
Feels awesome, doesn’t it? Keep at it!
If not, why not?
Sure, it’s easier to procrastinate than to do the actual work, but if you want to call yourself a writer, then you kind of have to, you know, write. Even if it’s just a page a day.
So consider this the digital equivalent of a motivational, well-intentioned kick in the pants to get yourself going.
There’s still time to start the year right, so as soon as you’re done reading this (which should include hitting the ‘like’ button and leaving a comment of praise/gratitude), go and do any or all of those things listed above.
Like the saying goes, this thing ain’t gonna write itself.
When was the last time you looked through your idea file?
You know the one. That desktop folder or flashdrive where you keep all those random thoughts and story ideas you’ve jotted down over the years.
You do have one, right? If not, you really should start one. It’s easy. Just write stuff down, hold on to it and never get rid of it. Never.
Chances are a majority of these ideas probably won’t make it past the logline/story concept stage, and it’s even more likely you’ll have forgotten about them after a relatively short time. But don’t let that stop you from constantly adding to the file.
Each idea is a good reminder of the potential you saw within that story. Why else would you have written it down?
It’s also a nice little ego boost/confidence-builder to be reminded of your own creativeness. “I don’t remember coming up with that.”
I’ve mentioned many times about being ready when someone asks you “What else have you got?”. This guarantees you’ll have something ready to go, even if it’s just a couple of sentences that take all of ten to fifteen seconds to pitch.
You never know what’s going to work. That throwaway concept you came up with years ago could end up being your next project.
So the next time you take a break from whatever it is you’re working on right now, open up that file and see what’s in there. You might be surprised, intrigued, pleased or even thrilled.
How often have you read a scene with several characters in it, but the focus is only on two of them? Makes you wonder why exactly those others are there, doesn’t it?
The last thing you want is to have characters just standing around. Give them something to do!
Each scene has to move the plot forward, and every character, no matter how big or small their role, plays an important part in making that happen. If there’s no purpose for them to be there, then they don’t need to be there.
Countless opportunities abound for what characters can be doing in addition to exchanging dialogue, thereby avoid the dreaded “talking heads” scenario. The important thing is to keep it relevant to the scene, and not just something random.
Maybe it’s providing (or at least contributing to) the conflict for that scene, or showing the latest development of the main character’s arc.
If you’re not sure what the characters should be doing, try to come up with several alternative versions that reach the same conclusion.
You know what the point of the scene is and what kind characters they are, so take the time to figure out the best way all of you can work together to get the best possible result.
When exactly are the days of auld lang syne again?
Things definitely changed for me during 2013, happily for the better.
-My script DREAMSHIP got me a manager, was a semifinalist in a high-profile contest and placed in the top 15 percent of the Nicholl. While I hope more things happen with it this year, I’m also pretty excited about the potential of the western spec and the two still in the rewrite/development stages.
Most importantly, I’d say I finally realized the true meaning of “write what you know”. A lot of what I write could fall squarely into the category of pulp material. A high-flying adventure guaranteed to buckle anyone’s swash. A western where you can practically breathe in the dry and dusty air and hear the thundering hoofbeats. A noir-style mystery that makes you want to hang on to your fedora as you toss back a shot of cheap rotgut.
I live for this kind of stuff, and strive to convey the same kinds of sensations and experiences in my work. It took a while to really understand this, but it’s made a significant difference for me and how I approach writing.
-Through this blog, assorted networking websites and writing forums, I’ve connected with a lot of extremely talented people from all over the world. Pleasantries, experiences and script advice have been exchanged, and I’m looking forward to continuing all of them (when possible, regarding the latter).
-Absolutely nothing happened with relaunching the podcast, mostly because I never found the time. Will do my best to change that.
-I ran 5 half-marathons, including two where I finally managed to break the 1:55 mark and set a new personal best – 1:51:10. I don’t know if I’ll do as many this year, but would like to try and at least hit 1:50.
-The running and bike riding definitely helped me stay in shape, and I attempted to maintain a semi-regular regiment of upper body work. Not as fit and toned as I’d like to be, but it’s helped a little. This will continue.
-The great baklava experiment was a smashing success. It’s been requested I make it again, this time with pistachios instead of walnuts. No reason that can’t happen. Still undecided about what new concoction to attempt this year, but baked alaska currently holds the frontrunner position.
As always, I’d like to thank you for coming along with me on this thrill ride of an experience, and hope you stick around because 2014 holds bigger and better things.
The end of the latest polish of the western spec is at hand, with just the last few pages needing some work.
Various subplots are being wrapped up, and I know what happens with the characters involved, but all of my attention now is focused on what may be the most important scene in the whole story: the main character makes a literal life-changing decision.
Notes from a few trusted colleagues indicated the decision as it stands now seems out of character. I’d known since starting this project that this was how I wanted this storyline to end. Changing it was out of the question.
Bonus points for those who’ve probably already figured out what happened next.
Their suggestion kept making more and more sense. My main character would not choose this, despite me wanting her to. But the story’s not about what I want. This change had to be made.
Now that I’ve opted to take things in this new direction, I’m working out a real heart-wrenching scene that depicts the character in the process of making this decision and the toll it takes on her. Conflict, character development, moving the story forward – all based on her.
It’s often been said that your characters will let you know how things are supposed to go.
It’s too easy to have a character do something because that’s what you would do. The challenge is to have them do something you wouldn’t, but you have them do it because that’s the kind of character they are.
Maximum Z 