frustration

So many plates!

Maximum Z adventure, burnout, community, disappointment, frustration, organization, progress, rewriting, science fiction, screenplay, screenwriting, script, time management, writing , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The past few months have not been as productive as I’d hoped, writing-wise.

My initial intent for this year was to complete the rewrite of the sci-fi adventure. January started out strong, but more and more other projects needing attention kept shoving it to the side to the point where it’s practically invisible.

I’m hoping to get back to it soon.

In the meantime, there’s been an inordinate amount of other stuff going on. It’s getting to the point where I worry about burnout and spreading myself too thin, which could result in nothing getting done.

And that’s definitely the last thing I want to happen.

I’m trying to focus on one thing at a time, and also not stress about what I’m not focusing on. It can be challenging, but I’m working my way through it.

Another interesting aspect of this is seeing a lot of other writers touting their latest progress. Scripts completed, deals signed, etc. I’m happy for them, but can’t help but feel like I can’t get out of first gear.

I wouldn’t call it writer’s block; more like an inadvertent short attention span. I work on something, then remember I need to also work on this other thing, so I work on that, and so on and so on.

Sometimes it feels overwhelming, but doing what I can to keep things under control and manageable.

Granted, there are also times when things go smoothly and get completed. Those victories, no matter their size, are always savored, as well as act as a reminder that yes, I can do this.

I’m sure more pieces will begin to fall into place and that most of this will eventually get back on track.

Until then, one plate at a time.

As determined as ever

Maximum Z ambition, blog, books, career, determination, disappointment, discipline, encouragement, frustration, goals, motivation, perseverance, persistence, podcasts, San Francisco, screenplay, screenwriting, script, short films, writing , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

This is the 1200th post of this blog, so a little reflection is in order.

I started this endeavor in 2009 with the intention of chronicling my journey towards becoming a professional screenwriter. As you can probably tell from the lack of industry announcements that include my name or a script of mine, it hasn’t happened.

Yet.

Has it been frustrating? Most definitely. I’ve come close a few times, including having two managers and some of my scripts being considered at a few production companies. Daydreams of signed contracts and checks clearing were inevitable, but as often the case, things fell apart along the way.

I allowed myself a moment or two of “woe is me”, then got back to working on my scripts.

Like I recently wrote about, they’re significantly better than my earlier ones, and I’ll do what I can to make the next ones even better.

But for as many negative things that have happened, there’ve also been a decent number of positive developments along the way.

-publishing three books collecting a lot of the interviews I did on this blog

-being a guest on a friend’s podcast about writing, which led to co-hosting the next iteration of said podcast, and now being the sole host

-being invited to be a panelist talking about screenwriting at the San Francisco Writers Conference, then a panel moderator, to coordinating the whole Writing For Hollywood track

-writing a short script with the intention of actually filming it, with the wheels now in motion to see that come to fruition. Watch this site for the forthcoming announcement of the crowdfunding campaign.

It really has been a rollercoaster ride navigating my way through trying to make things happen. There’s been a lot of disappointment and frustration along the way, but I’m fully committed to seeing this through. It might not happen as fast or as soon as I want, but I’ve no intention of giving up.

Support from the screenwriting community has made quite a difference in helping sustain that. From giving and receiving notes to words of support and encouragement, they’ve all played a role in helping keep me going.

And while I’ll admit to feeling those tinges of jealousy when somebody else publicizes their writing-related wins and successes, I’m also extremely happy for them because I know they’ve worked hard to get there, and hope they’ll do the same for me when it’s my turn.

And I do plan on my turn happening.

Someday. Hopefully soon.

Looking back, looking forward

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Since this is the last post of 2023, it’s only fitting – and probably expected – to review the events of the past 12 months, as well as lay out the plans and hopes for the next 12.

This was a pretty good year for me on a few fronts.

After a significant amount of rewrites, my animated fantasy-comedy did okay with contests. It placed 3rd in Family/Teen/Animation for StoryPros, made quarterfinals in PAGE (first time breaking that barrier) and was a 2-time Second Rounder at Austin (first time for that one as well, and 2 times because I entered 2 drafts and each made it).

Because of the strike, and then being hit with consecutive bouts of Covid, I wasn’t able to do much with putting the script out there – something I’m hoping to fix come January.

I also finally made it to Austin and had a phenomenal time. I got to meet a lot of the amazing people I’m connected with on various social media platforms, as well as a few established pros.

As for 2024…

Currently working on the rewrite of the sci-fi adventure, and have been laying the groundwork for a new one – an action-comedy. Hoping to have both done by this time next year.

Since there’ll be more focus on the writing, I’m taking the year off from contests. Just seems like the right thing to do – and will save a decent chunk of change. No plans to go to Austin either. Maybe in ’25.

Also hoping to get things moving on the representation front. Since I’ll be skipping contests, I’m looking into some of the programs offered by Roadmap Writers. Heard lots of good things.

And I know I’ve mentioned this before, but I’m really hoping to get the ball rolling on filming the short script I wrote a few years ago. I’ve been really fortunate to have lots of offers of help and guidance to assist me in reaching that finish line.

There were a good deal of moments this past year involving self-doubt, uncertainty and just feeling not good enough. It’s been a long arduous journey just to get to this point, and there’s still a long distance to go. It can be frustrating, but I know I can keep finding the strength and determination to keep going. It helps to have so many people in my corner, metaphorically cheering me on.

At the end of each year, I usually say something like “Here’s hoping the new year brings bigger and better things on the screenwriting career front.” This is year is no different. There will no doubt be more heartbreak and feelings of inadequacy, but I like doing this too much to even consider the idea of giving up. Yes, I hope things work out or at least advance to some next levels, but if they don’t, I’ll still be plugging away and enjoying the journey.

Can’t close things out without saying thanks for coming along with me on this ongoing rollercoaster ride, and I wish you nothing but the best for all your projects in the coming year, and hope it’s truly phenomenal for you.

-Also wanted to thank everybody who sent in for last week’s Script Showcase. Hope you got some read requests!

Just a little escapist fun

Maximum Z adventure, burnout, characters, concept, deadline, frustration, midpoint, momentum, outlines, perseverance, persistence, plot, productivity, progress, reading, relatability, rewrite, scenes, science fiction, screenplay, screenwriting, script, sequence, situations, spec, story, storytelling, writing, writing process , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Despite the recent frustration of figuring out how a sequence should play out, I’ve been having a good time with the rewrite of the sci-fi adventure spec outline.

I’ve been working on this off and on for a while – this is probably the sixth or seventh draft of it. While some of the details have changed, a lot of it remains the same. The core concept of it all was what appealed to me from the start.

I get a certain charge out of coming up with these crazy scenarios and high-octane action sequences, not to mention coordinating and laying out all the pieces of the puzzle that is the plot. I always tell writers to “write something you would want to watch”, and this one definitely falls into that category.

Although my stories tend to lean more towards the fantastical, I try to make sure the characters and situations feel real and relatable – or at least as much as they can within the world of the story. Despite the extraordinary goings-on, it’s still about how somebody reacts to what’s going on around them.

I’m currently at the midpoint, so there’s still a ways to go, but like I said, I’ve got a lot of previous drafts from which I can cherry-pick material. There’ll probably be a few more rounds of rewriting, revising, and reorganizing, but I’m still enjoying it.

It’s quite easy to get burned out from working on a story by working longer than you expected to, but I’m fortunate not to have hit that point yet. If anything, I’m more jazzed about it probably because it really feels like it’s finally all coming together.

Not setting up a definitive deadline for having a completed draft, but if I can maintain this pace and output, there’s a strong possibility it could be by the end of the calendar year. Hoping so.

In the meantime, still having a grand old time with it.

Hope your writing this weekend is chock-full of the same sensation.

The other three little words

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My, what a rough week this was.

PAGE semifinalists and Nicholl quarterfinalists were announced. My script was not on either list.

Disappointing, especially since I think it’s a pretty solid script.

At least that’s what my readers say.

But like you always hear: it’s all subjective.

Your first thought when you get that notification that includes “Unfortunately,…” is probably “I must be a really shitty writer”.

Not so. I’ve read a lot of scripts of exceptional quality that also didn’t advance, including one by a previous Nicholl top 10 finalist.

There is absolutely no way to tell how a script is going to do in a contest. You send it, hope for the best, then move on to whatever the next thing is.

After I’d posted about not advancing, more than a few writers responded in kind.

“Me too.”

“Another swing and a miss.”

“Whoo! My eighth consecutive year of not advancing.”

It’s taken me a lot of time to accept that while it’s great to see your script do well in a contest, when it doesn’t do well is no absolute reflection on you as a writer.

Again: it’s all subjective.

One writer I know was frustrated after years and years of their script never doing well in a contest. That script then went on to place in the top 50 for the Nicholl.

This isn’t to say that your script couldn’t do with a little more work. That’s really up to you.

If you’re among the horde of writers whose contest journey has come to an end, give yourself a minute to vent and air those grievances, then decide what you’re going to do about it.

Is your script as solid as it can be, or would it be worth your while to give it another read to see if anything could use some tweaking?

Something to also keep in mind: winning a contest can be a stepping stone to a career as a writer, but it’s not the only way. A script can not do well in a contest but still attract the attention of somebody interested in making it.

As another writer put it: “I’d rather write a script that would be a good movie, than one that wins contests.”

At this point I don’t know what my plan is for next year’s contests. I’m too busy working on scripts to worry about it.

Which reminds me of another three important little words:

Don’t. Stop. Trying.