When re-writing is real writing

Two more all-nighters and I've rewritten my third script just in time to enter it in the Page International Contest.  So, its one a.m. and feels like noon.  Well, it is dark outside ...

Gotta find another way to get my writing done, because my biological clock is now very confused.  But, the script, the script's the thing! (to paraphrase Shakespeare, my favorite writer of all time).  What's a little bit of daylight/nighttime confusion, if a script reaches another level, and has a better chance of being born (produced), and seeing the light of day, itself.

I guess its time to eat some chocolate ...

The Script Is Done - Long Live the Script!

After four all-nighters in a row, my new script is finally done.  I like it, which in my philosophy is what really counts.  The Ghost is the character that would not let me stop writing.  Thank you Harvey!  I also think Harvey (the ghost) turned out to be the main character, even though I hadn't planned it that way.  That's what I love about writing, if you give it enough energy, it comes alive, often in very surprising ways.

So, three scripts entered in the Nicholl, three in the Page International.  And, I now feel very much like I've just given birth, only there is no cute little baby to cuddle.  But then, I also don't have to worry about a babysitter.

Writing a new Script

After having killed a t.v. pilot whose plot would have haunted me if any station had picked it up, and brought it to life fully, I've started work on a script that's been a twinkle in my eye since 2000.  Am using my screenwriter tools (from a class I took) on it, which is helping the amorphous tale take a more stable shape.

There's a Ghost!  Three productions of that Scottish Play.  And a pair of mixed up lovers, one of whom gets time snatched by an old enemy and ricochetted into his future life where he meets the future incarnation of his love "back home".  I described the whole thing to my daughter (also a writer) - and she said, "Uh, Mom ... that's awful complex!"

I said "Yeah  .... but imagine it like a wonderous antique pocket watch, you know, one made of gold with jewels inside, that opens so you can see its inner workings ... if I can just get the workings right ... just how wonderful it would be!"

She basically implied, as much as you can in a nonverbal way over the phone ... "Then, get to work!"

So, I am.

A Tired Pitcher rests on the Mound

Actually, the pitch fest felt more like swinging wildly at a ball for the first two days, followed by four consecutive home runs on the last evening.  All told, I pitched to ten producers and or managers, and received four requests for a script, and one request for a one-sheet.  Not bad odds, 50 %, and better than the last time I did this.

So, yes, Hollywood IS hungry for good stories!  Hopefully they will like what I have written.  I have been told that I'm "Good in the room", probably because I'm a chatty sort, and also have theatrical training.  My challenge is to get my writing up to the level of what those I have pitched it to expect it to be.  Fantasy v.s. reality here.  Sometimes when pitching to buyers I feel like magician (when its going well), and/or a door to door saleswoman (when its not).

Well, back to the trenches.  I've got to finish that Detective show pilot before I lose my inspiration.

First Blog

Ahh, talking to myself.  That really is what all writer's do.  That's why I write.  I don't want to drive my family mad with my observations, so I write them down.

Question:  Will I write more or less, if I also blog.  I have no idea.

The internet has become too much of time waste for me, while it also gives me many ideas for stories, fables, themes with which to write.   Like all good things, you can "eat" too much of it.

Tomorrow I get to pitch my four screenplays, and half born t.v. pilot through Skype.  STAGE FRIGHT already, and this is from someone who has done many plays, and sung Mabel in the Pirates of Penzance.  I dunno, writing is so much more personal than singing/saying someone else's words.

I was hoping to get more of the pilot written, but that was not to be.  Perhaps someone will love the idea and I will HAVE to finish it, because of their interest.

Wish me luck.