I've come up for air again. A fresh avalanche of freelance writing work has arrived and leaves me half thinking to be careful what I wish for! Of course, I'm happy to have people calling and offering me assignments. Before the day gets too far gone, here are a few thoughts I have about getting to those non-commissioned stories.
You know the stories I'm talking about. The ones taking shape in your richest imagination, the purely imaginary and unique that only you can write. The ones that can only come into existence if you give them your time and attention and which might just decide to pop into someone else's consciousness and manifest that way.
At this particular juncture, I've got seven original short stories in various stages of development. These are "in-work" projects that somehow manage to fall into the orphan category when paying jobs show up or life otherwise commands my immediate attention. I long to get to them with an almost romantic passion and yet...there they sit neglected and unfinished much of the time.
I have come to think of these works in progress as canvasses in my studio. Each represents a window on the world. One or two of them are near completion and a couple more are in that most delicate "inspirational" stage. In my mind's eye, those beginning pieces are covered in a sheet to help them further incubate.
What I've decided to do is make it a daily requirement to visit this imaginary studio every day to review these development projects and make some sort of progress on one or more - even it's only adding some shading, sketching in new character or a more defined subplot.
Over the years two ways of tracking progress on stories in development has emerged.
- A running list of stories I want to write.
- Each story has an inspirational "working title"
- Each title has a brief summary of what the story is about
- Each of these stories also has its own Manila envelope
The reason for the envelope system is that creative ideas often come at the weirdest times. Sometimes in the middle of the night, in the car or even while talking to someone about something else. So I'm compelled to write them down on whatever scrap of paper happens to be at hand and that paper is filed in the appropriate envelope.
Many of these ideas are in my journals so I've also developed a system whereby when a juicy storyline, tidbit or character pops up and lands in the journal, I flag that section with a bold note for later reference and collection.
The deadline, as I've so often said, is a great friend because it provides the boundaries that focus any creative effort. Adhering to the deadline, however, is challenging when there is no outside person or company enforcing it. This is where I see that I need more discipline. Maybe if I imagine that a producer or publishing house wants to see these stories by March 1...It could work! In fact, it could manifest the producer or publishing house!
Friday, January 27, 2012
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
New Year Book Giveaway
I was thinking of ways I might give something of myself to my readers and then it hit me, how about giving away a few copies of your book? This seems like a fine idea so I'm hereby offering the first 10 people who contact me, a free copy of my book, SCRIPT: A WRITER'S GUIDE TO THE HOLLYWOOD JUNGLE.
May it guide you as you find your way to writing and selling your screenplays.
To learn more about it, click on the link or the book cover located on the sidebar. It will take you to Amazon.com. All I ask is the first ten is that you send me $5 to cover the cost of shipping (within the U.S.). I'm in the process of writing a collection of children's stories, a project which keeps getting sidelined for other writing jobs.
May it guide you as you find your way to writing and selling your screenplays.
To learn more about it, click on the link or the book cover located on the sidebar. It will take you to Amazon.com. All I ask is the first ten is that you send me $5 to cover the cost of shipping (within the U.S.). I'm in the process of writing a collection of children's stories, a project which keeps getting sidelined for other writing jobs.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Favorite Holiday Movies
Yes, it's January. I've been recovering from a severe infection and have been laying around in bed a lot - thinking about my top pics (among other things:)) So here they are, my favorite holiday movies as of 2012. Better late than never.
Ernest Saves Christmas - Starring Jim Varney - This was the first script I brought to Disney when I was working in story for the Animated Features division. It was called "Twas' the Night Before Christmas" before the live-action execs got hold of it. Bringing this in, is what cemented my career.
Tenth Avenue Angel Margaret O'Brien is a child star many of us didn't hear about growing up. She's wonderful in this timeless story of the transformative power of honesty and unconditional love.
And because the holidays are really about rebirth and second chances...there are quite a few on my list that don't necessarily take place in December or revolve around the holidays...although some of them do.
Angel A - French director Luc Besson's latest triumph (2005) is about a down-on-his-luck petty thief who gets in over his head and is about to commit suicide by jumping into the Seine. Shot entirely in Paris in black & white. This is one of my favorite sequences from the film.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens has, of course, seen hundreds of screen adaptations. Here's the one from 1935.
Home Alone is Christopher Columbus' bow to the holidays but most of us love it because it's about a child empowering himself and getting the best of a pair of bad guys with an ingenious string of traps.
Miracle on 34th Street - A department store Santa teaches us the real meaning of Santa Claus.
The Bishop's Wife - Carey Grant plays a handsome but slightly wayward angel who is seriously tempted to turn in his wings for David Niven's sweet wife. Remade as "The Preacher's Wife".
Wings of Desire by Wim Wenders is one of my all time favorite angel movies. It's set in post-war Berlin and for that reason alone is worth viewing. Most people recognize the story by it's American adaptation City of Angels
It's a Wonderful Life - Jimmy Stewart in director Frank Capra's 1946 Christmas classic is one of the best ever made and his angel sidekick, Clarence, is pretty wonderful too. So good no-one has tried to remake it. George Bailey's speech is remarkably relevant, even today.
Michael - Not strictly a holiday movie, although it does close on Christmas, this one, starring archangel Michael (played by a cigarette smoking, ladies man John Travolta)was written and directed by Nora Ephron who has gone on to write many more of my favorites.
Happy New Year!
Ernest Saves Christmas - Starring Jim Varney - This was the first script I brought to Disney when I was working in story for the Animated Features division. It was called "Twas' the Night Before Christmas" before the live-action execs got hold of it. Bringing this in, is what cemented my career.
Tenth Avenue Angel Margaret O'Brien is a child star many of us didn't hear about growing up. She's wonderful in this timeless story of the transformative power of honesty and unconditional love.
And because the holidays are really about rebirth and second chances...there are quite a few on my list that don't necessarily take place in December or revolve around the holidays...although some of them do.
Angel A - French director Luc Besson's latest triumph (2005) is about a down-on-his-luck petty thief who gets in over his head and is about to commit suicide by jumping into the Seine. Shot entirely in Paris in black & white. This is one of my favorite sequences from the film.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens has, of course, seen hundreds of screen adaptations. Here's the one from 1935.
Home Alone is Christopher Columbus' bow to the holidays but most of us love it because it's about a child empowering himself and getting the best of a pair of bad guys with an ingenious string of traps.
Miracle on 34th Street - A department store Santa teaches us the real meaning of Santa Claus.
The Bishop's Wife - Carey Grant plays a handsome but slightly wayward angel who is seriously tempted to turn in his wings for David Niven's sweet wife. Remade as "The Preacher's Wife".
Wings of Desire by Wim Wenders is one of my all time favorite angel movies. It's set in post-war Berlin and for that reason alone is worth viewing. Most people recognize the story by it's American adaptation City of Angels
It's a Wonderful Life - Jimmy Stewart in director Frank Capra's 1946 Christmas classic is one of the best ever made and his angel sidekick, Clarence, is pretty wonderful too. So good no-one has tried to remake it. George Bailey's speech is remarkably relevant, even today.
Michael - Not strictly a holiday movie, although it does close on Christmas, this one, starring archangel Michael (played by a cigarette smoking, ladies man John Travolta)was written and directed by Nora Ephron who has gone on to write many more of my favorites.
Happy New Year!
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Structuring Your Time
There is endless discussion among writers and teachers of screenwriting about structure and the vital role it plays in making your work a success. But almost nobody talks about structure in the workaday world of the writer. So that's my topic of the day.
When you make the decision to be a writer, you are also stepping into the shoes of an entrepreneur. Congratulations on the courage to go there. This also means the rules that make the business person thrive apply.
So if you're looking for ways to maximize on the 24 hours each new sunrise brings, books like Stephen R. Covey's Seven Habits of Highly Effective People are essential.
One of the most important aspects of living the life of an entrepreneur is time management. Kenneth Blanchard's classic, One Minute Manager, is brilliant on this theme, short and easy reading. I'm not here to preach, only to share what is working for me on the front-line of making a living as a writer.
Today, while do my morning journaling I realized what a hugely significant thing respecting the value of time is to making it. It's been less than a year now that I've been earning my living solely from writing (I earned my living helping evaluate and develop stories for 20 years but I'm not counting that in this context)so what I'm about to share with you is raw data, lifted right out of today's diary. Here's my recipe for successful time management as a writer:
- Get plenty of rest and rise reasonably early. I have years as a story analyst to thank for this habit. You can't miss deadlines or have a foggy brain and keep that gig for long. So I am usually awake and making my morning tea by 6:30 or 7:00 a.m.
If you're a night owl, then the morning regime won't work for you but the rest still will. One of the great things about working as a writer is that you can work whenever you want. Some of my friends, and even myself sometimes, find the wee hours of the morning one of the best times to write or compose.
- Journal before the day gets going. I learned this habit from Julia Cameron's awesome book, The Artist's Way. She calls it "brain drain" and it can be that but I use this time to record my dreams, plan my day, make notes on long and short term projects and work through conflicts.
- Daily toilette (e.g., showering, dressing and doing the odd house chore). Even when I'm not compelled to go out of the house, I always take care of this step. Some people I know actually dress and leave the house only to come back to it in "work-mode." Whatever it takes to take your time seriously.
- Touch the world. For me this means making prospecting calls, going online, writing a blog post, pitching a story, meeting a friend, going to a film or just hitting the library or local cafe.
There is something about a cafe environment that supports writers. Many of the most cutting edge 20th century writers and artists gathered on the left bank but this is a habit that has produced some of the world's greatest literature for hundreds and probably thousands of years.
There is some evidence coffee stimulates the brain but I'm into herbal tea these days and still find the cafe an almost unmatchable support to my writing.
- Expand your world. Meet or talk with someone new, watch an inspiring video, make progress on long-term projects. This is a somewhat ethereal step but it pays huge dividends. Julia Cameron calls it "The Artist Date" and recommends one a week but I have adapted this habit to a daily form that enriches my creative imagination. Sometimes just having the intention brings about a fortunate meeting.
Yesterday was a perfect example. I had a spontaneous brunch with a friend. We ended up talking for several hours about our goals and creative ambitions and how best to realize them. I was just beginning to feel like I needed to stop talking and start "doing something" in the direction of making progress on a certain long-term project when he revealed one of his recent illustrations. It floored me.
I've been searching for an illustrator partner for my current book project and there he was, sitting right in front of me. It doesn't get much better than that. I'm very excited about this collaboration and was so inspired I spent the next several hours working through a difficult passage that had me "blocked" for months.
- Devote time to long-term projects. Long-term projects are things like books you plan to write and publish and conceptualizing a new script. For me, the long-term project is in constant danger of being overlooked - dreamed about but perpetually in "the future."
This can be tricky because spending time in productive imagination workshops (whether you attend someone else's or structure your own) is very much a part of the process. This is incredibly fruitful time but just be sure that it translates to words on the page at some point; an outline, a new scene/sequence, fleshing out the dynamics of a character.
Well, that's all for now. Hope this helps.
When you make the decision to be a writer, you are also stepping into the shoes of an entrepreneur. Congratulations on the courage to go there. This also means the rules that make the business person thrive apply.
So if you're looking for ways to maximize on the 24 hours each new sunrise brings, books like Stephen R. Covey's Seven Habits of Highly Effective People are essential.
One of the most important aspects of living the life of an entrepreneur is time management. Kenneth Blanchard's classic, One Minute Manager, is brilliant on this theme, short and easy reading. I'm not here to preach, only to share what is working for me on the front-line of making a living as a writer.
Today, while do my morning journaling I realized what a hugely significant thing respecting the value of time is to making it. It's been less than a year now that I've been earning my living solely from writing (I earned my living helping evaluate and develop stories for 20 years but I'm not counting that in this context)so what I'm about to share with you is raw data, lifted right out of today's diary. Here's my recipe for successful time management as a writer:
- Get plenty of rest and rise reasonably early. I have years as a story analyst to thank for this habit. You can't miss deadlines or have a foggy brain and keep that gig for long. So I am usually awake and making my morning tea by 6:30 or 7:00 a.m.
If you're a night owl, then the morning regime won't work for you but the rest still will. One of the great things about working as a writer is that you can work whenever you want. Some of my friends, and even myself sometimes, find the wee hours of the morning one of the best times to write or compose.
- Journal before the day gets going. I learned this habit from Julia Cameron's awesome book, The Artist's Way. She calls it "brain drain" and it can be that but I use this time to record my dreams, plan my day, make notes on long and short term projects and work through conflicts.
- Daily toilette (e.g., showering, dressing and doing the odd house chore). Even when I'm not compelled to go out of the house, I always take care of this step. Some people I know actually dress and leave the house only to come back to it in "work-mode." Whatever it takes to take your time seriously.
- Touch the world. For me this means making prospecting calls, going online, writing a blog post, pitching a story, meeting a friend, going to a film or just hitting the library or local cafe.
There is something about a cafe environment that supports writers. Many of the most cutting edge 20th century writers and artists gathered on the left bank but this is a habit that has produced some of the world's greatest literature for hundreds and probably thousands of years.
There is some evidence coffee stimulates the brain but I'm into herbal tea these days and still find the cafe an almost unmatchable support to my writing.
- Expand your world. Meet or talk with someone new, watch an inspiring video, make progress on long-term projects. This is a somewhat ethereal step but it pays huge dividends. Julia Cameron calls it "The Artist Date" and recommends one a week but I have adapted this habit to a daily form that enriches my creative imagination. Sometimes just having the intention brings about a fortunate meeting.
Yesterday was a perfect example. I had a spontaneous brunch with a friend. We ended up talking for several hours about our goals and creative ambitions and how best to realize them. I was just beginning to feel like I needed to stop talking and start "doing something" in the direction of making progress on a certain long-term project when he revealed one of his recent illustrations. It floored me.
I've been searching for an illustrator partner for my current book project and there he was, sitting right in front of me. It doesn't get much better than that. I'm very excited about this collaboration and was so inspired I spent the next several hours working through a difficult passage that had me "blocked" for months.
- Devote time to long-term projects. Long-term projects are things like books you plan to write and publish and conceptualizing a new script. For me, the long-term project is in constant danger of being overlooked - dreamed about but perpetually in "the future."
This can be tricky because spending time in productive imagination workshops (whether you attend someone else's or structure your own) is very much a part of the process. This is incredibly fruitful time but just be sure that it translates to words on the page at some point; an outline, a new scene/sequence, fleshing out the dynamics of a character.
Well, that's all for now. Hope this helps.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Inspirational Thoughts
The other day I was over at a girlfriend's house, exchanging gifts and catching up and she gave me a lovely recipe for peace and focusing thought in a positive direction. It's simple but powerful - a gentle reminder we always have a choice.
Choose
by Anonymous
Every moment of everyday, choose.
Choose to fear less and love more.
Choose to shout less and listen more.
Choose to eat less and taste more.
Choose to regret less and hope more.
Choose to do less and be more.
Choose to live every day of your life.
Choose to respond with what you really think
and how you really feel instead of
how you think you should respond.
Choose the water over the wine.
Choose the fresh, seasonal fruit over the chocolate
Choose conversation over Facebook or I-pods.
Choose silence, if you want to be heard.
Choose to look at each other longer without
filling the space with unnecessary words.
Choose to accept other people's choices as their own.
Choose forgiveness - especially with yourself.
Choose
by Anonymous
Every moment of everyday, choose.
Choose to fear less and love more.
Choose to shout less and listen more.
Choose to eat less and taste more.
Choose to regret less and hope more.
Choose to do less and be more.
Choose to live every day of your life.
Choose to respond with what you really think
and how you really feel instead of
how you think you should respond.
Choose the water over the wine.
Choose the fresh, seasonal fruit over the chocolate
Choose conversation over Facebook or I-pods.
Choose silence, if you want to be heard.
Choose to look at each other longer without
filling the space with unnecessary words.
Choose to accept other people's choices as their own.
Choose forgiveness - especially with yourself.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Shorts for the Holidays
Reindeer Wrangling on Nowness.com.
If you've been following the blog, then you've already seen this one but it's so perfect for Christmas, I've brought it back for an encore.
The lonely life of a Christmas ornament - a bit dark but imaginative.
The Life of a Bauble on Nowness.com.
Last but not least, Neil Gaiman redo of Pygmalion.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Dear Santa...
I was watching TV the other day and noticed you have a new 4G smart phone. This got me to thinking that the best way to reach you is through cyberspace. Instead of asking you for a bunch of stuff though, I wanted to congratulate you on all the incredible joy you bring us every Christmas.
This clip, captured by Norad Santa in 2008, is one of my favorites:
The Lapland sleigh is wonderfully whimsical and that fur-lined red pantsuit is a hoot. Just the sight of it makes me smile. I've seen some gorgeous "Santa" dolls all made up in white and gold but they just don't carry the same happy message.
The beard and belly really do make you look jolly too. People are way too obsessed with being thin these days. I saw you in the grocery store without the suit the other day and you definitely had a twinkle in your eye.
Mrs. Claus must've given you a honey do-list and somehow, even with all the other things you're doing, you took care of it personally. That is awesome. You are a shining example of a good man. The fact that the kids love you is a major tell.
Since you're clearly able to access other dimensions, you've probably memorized the wormhole network on the earth plane. Is that how you manage to zip in and out of everybody's house on the same night, all over the world? With that kind of map it's no wonder getting around to billions isn't a problem. Somebody caught you on video - and yet there are still skeptics. Some people won't believe no matter what you do!
A word of warning though. There's a screen over the top of the chimney to keep the critters out so please use the front door this year. You're going to love the treats on the mantle. Williams-Sonoma had some killer sweets on sale. Even the cocoa rocks, with handmade vanilla marshmallows.
So here's what I wanted to ask about. Since you're like the reindeer whisperer, I wonder if you would take a moment to have a word with my Himalayan kitty, Kira. She's been munching down on the Poinsettias and clawing the couch. A couple of words from you should straighten the little stinker right out.
Last, but not least,, since you are so well established in the realms of myth and magic, I'd be grateful if you would say hi to my parents, who have both crossed over. You'll probably find dad busy tidying up the accounting department somewhere behind the pearly gates. Tell him I wish he would give himself permission to paint. He's got real talent. You'll probably find my mom playing a round of golf in Elysian Fields. She always did prefer a private club.
Now I know I've done some naughty things over the years so when you're making your list and checking it twice, keep in mind that I'm really working on being extra nice to everybody these days - even the ones who aren't so nice back. It seems to me that we're all just doing the best we can.
Anyway, thanks for everything Santa. I love your spirit and am grateful for all the happiness you bring to us every single year.
This clip, captured by Norad Santa in 2008, is one of my favorites:
The Lapland sleigh is wonderfully whimsical and that fur-lined red pantsuit is a hoot. Just the sight of it makes me smile. I've seen some gorgeous "Santa" dolls all made up in white and gold but they just don't carry the same happy message.
The beard and belly really do make you look jolly too. People are way too obsessed with being thin these days. I saw you in the grocery store without the suit the other day and you definitely had a twinkle in your eye.
Mrs. Claus must've given you a honey do-list and somehow, even with all the other things you're doing, you took care of it personally. That is awesome. You are a shining example of a good man. The fact that the kids love you is a major tell.
Since you're clearly able to access other dimensions, you've probably memorized the wormhole network on the earth plane. Is that how you manage to zip in and out of everybody's house on the same night, all over the world? With that kind of map it's no wonder getting around to billions isn't a problem. Somebody caught you on video - and yet there are still skeptics. Some people won't believe no matter what you do!
A word of warning though. There's a screen over the top of the chimney to keep the critters out so please use the front door this year. You're going to love the treats on the mantle. Williams-Sonoma had some killer sweets on sale. Even the cocoa rocks, with handmade vanilla marshmallows.
So here's what I wanted to ask about. Since you're like the reindeer whisperer, I wonder if you would take a moment to have a word with my Himalayan kitty, Kira. She's been munching down on the Poinsettias and clawing the couch. A couple of words from you should straighten the little stinker right out.
Last, but not least,, since you are so well established in the realms of myth and magic, I'd be grateful if you would say hi to my parents, who have both crossed over. You'll probably find dad busy tidying up the accounting department somewhere behind the pearly gates. Tell him I wish he would give himself permission to paint. He's got real talent. You'll probably find my mom playing a round of golf in Elysian Fields. She always did prefer a private club.
Now I know I've done some naughty things over the years so when you're making your list and checking it twice, keep in mind that I'm really working on being extra nice to everybody these days - even the ones who aren't so nice back. It seems to me that we're all just doing the best we can.
Anyway, thanks for everything Santa. I love your spirit and am grateful for all the happiness you bring to us every single year.
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