Well it is Mother's Day, so I guess I should write a screenwriting blog about my mom, right? My mom wasn't a writer, and she didn't follow her passion to be an artist. She did have talent, but she didn't believe in herself. So what exactly can I say about my mom that's encouraging when it comes to writing? Well, I hated seeing her not follow her passion and what she was talented in. But she grew up in a different time where women were homemakers no matter what. Sure some women broke that mold, but not many. So maybe I owe her that for encouraging me to fight to follow my passion.
And I will say she loved movies, she still does. She loved TV, she still does. She sees the world in movies and TV truthfully. Whenever she talks about life it's always another TV show or another movie she brings up. How much she loved it, or what message she got out of it. If it wasn't for her love of TV and movies maybe I wouldn't be interested in writing movies and TV in the first place. Her love of watching these stories turned into my love of creating them.
So although we approached our passions for things in life and creativity in different ways, we're not that different really. And what I can say about my mom, is she's always proud of me. Proud that I'm following my dreams and not letting anything get in my way of going after what brings me joy. So I am thankful for that. I owe her thanks. Some writers wait till they win the Oscar to thank their moms. Maybe Mother's Day is all we ever really need.
Sunday, May 11, 2014
It's in the light
So there's an experiment in quantum physics called the double-slit experiment. What does that have to do with screenwriting you ask? Well I'm going to tell you. See, this experiment had scientists send electrons through a wall slit and depending on the observers thoughts and how they predicted what they'd see, the light afterwards was either seen in waves or lines. So what that means in layman's terms or as I like to say, people who don't really care about quantum physics, is that even scientists have proved our thoughts create what we're going to see as the outcome.
So if we relate this to our success as a writer. Basically it means if we believe in our success, then it will happen. If we don't believe in it, then we won't see it happen! Unfortunately there are so many layers to success and what can get in the way of it. For instance, we might believe we are talented enough to be successful, but we might have a block when it comes to making lots of money. Or we might believe hard work is when success happens. So instead of it coming quickly or easily, we don't allow it to come till years and years of hard work.
So think through all your road blocks. When you come up with another thought that might get in the way or your writing career really soaring, just remember what the quantum physics scientist proved, our thoughts affect the outcome. So which outcome do you want to see? I know I'm planning on success. Hope you are too.
So if we relate this to our success as a writer. Basically it means if we believe in our success, then it will happen. If we don't believe in it, then we won't see it happen! Unfortunately there are so many layers to success and what can get in the way of it. For instance, we might believe we are talented enough to be successful, but we might have a block when it comes to making lots of money. Or we might believe hard work is when success happens. So instead of it coming quickly or easily, we don't allow it to come till years and years of hard work.
So think through all your road blocks. When you come up with another thought that might get in the way or your writing career really soaring, just remember what the quantum physics scientist proved, our thoughts affect the outcome. So which outcome do you want to see? I know I'm planning on success. Hope you are too.
Friday, May 9, 2014
Not writing is writing
I don't know about you but when it comes to writing all I want to do is write the scenes and the dialogue. But there's so much more to writing than just writing. There's outlines. Which are so important. Sure some people think they can write without them. But once I finally realized how important they were, I think I shaved off about ten rewrites per script. My first drafts are now more like 5th drafts.
There's entering contests. For new writers, how else are you going to get noticed? And you can tell where you fit in amongst your peers when you end up a finalist. But keeping up on all the due dates, fellowships that need cover letters. It's a lot to keep track of.
Then of course there's queries for new writers. Which producers to contact, which managers, which directors. Then once you have, do you need to follow up? Should there be a schedule to it? It's a full time job! But it must be done.
Then of course there's a ton of writing events to go to. I don't even go to them any more because I felt like I was spending too much time going to events. But sometimes there's networking events. And I'm horrible about attending them. But really, you never know if you could meet someone that could further your career. Maybe if I went to more I'd be farther along in my career.
But none of this includes the actual writing of the scripts. Which to me is why we writers love writing. I don't know any writers who got into writing because of the love of entering contests though or the love of writing a great synopsis. But it's all part of it. It's the business side. And it must be done if you ever want a career. And I'm pretty sure that's what we're all hoping for.
So the fact is we must find the time for this stuff too. Too bad we can't hire an intern who wants to work with a someday future screenwriting star! Hmmm....perhaps a Craigslist job post is in order for that! Okay not really. But sure would be nice to have some help with that stuff. Oh well, till then, I guess it's up to us to further our own careers. Onward and upward!
There's entering contests. For new writers, how else are you going to get noticed? And you can tell where you fit in amongst your peers when you end up a finalist. But keeping up on all the due dates, fellowships that need cover letters. It's a lot to keep track of.
Then of course there's queries for new writers. Which producers to contact, which managers, which directors. Then once you have, do you need to follow up? Should there be a schedule to it? It's a full time job! But it must be done.
Then of course there's a ton of writing events to go to. I don't even go to them any more because I felt like I was spending too much time going to events. But sometimes there's networking events. And I'm horrible about attending them. But really, you never know if you could meet someone that could further your career. Maybe if I went to more I'd be farther along in my career.
But none of this includes the actual writing of the scripts. Which to me is why we writers love writing. I don't know any writers who got into writing because of the love of entering contests though or the love of writing a great synopsis. But it's all part of it. It's the business side. And it must be done if you ever want a career. And I'm pretty sure that's what we're all hoping for.
So the fact is we must find the time for this stuff too. Too bad we can't hire an intern who wants to work with a someday future screenwriting star! Hmmm....perhaps a Craigslist job post is in order for that! Okay not really. But sure would be nice to have some help with that stuff. Oh well, till then, I guess it's up to us to further our own careers. Onward and upward!
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Squirrel!
There's a joke amongst some of the writers and creative types I work with that we are all ADHD and if one thing distracts us we're like a dog on a walk who is happily about to piss on a tree, when we see a "Squirrel!" and completely forget what we were about to do. The fact is I think most creative types have some form of ADHD. I think it's what makes us talented creatives. And writers are no exception. We're constantly coming up with new ideas, new stories, new things we want to write and create. So what's a writer to do when they actually want to finish something we've started? I'm not exactly sure sometimes.
But I think the best plan of action is to make a plan. For instance, I'm contacting new producers and querying about some of my new pieces I've written, which is like a full time job. I just got notes on my latest comedy script that I need to implement. Plus I have two show bibles due to a manager so she can pitch my shows. Plus I found some really great ways to fix some past scripts. Plus I'm working on a new script with one of my writing partners. Plus I have a new idea I want to write. And of course, more ideas I want to write. Plus I actually want to enter some contests this year, which I never do. So keeping up on what's due and when it's due is enough to drive a writer batty. Argh! It's enough to make my mind spin! I almost feel like I could have a panic attack thinking about it all. So, here's how I handle it and hopefully it can help you too.
1. What's the most important thing on the list that has to get done. Do that first. If it's a contest with a due date, then send that in. Gather all the pieces you need and enter.
2. Which script really needs to be written first. Yes as writers we always want to be writing new pieces. But we're only one person. So don't write too many at a time. Otherwise you just might not end up with anything!
3. For me, I never send out queries. I must admit it's my downfall as a writer. But if I don't do that, then no one's going to know I even exist. So that's a huge must on my priority list. It might not be on yours. But I'm trying to put that before writing scripts right now.
4. Is there anything that's more pressing than others? Like for instance, the piece I'm writing with the partner, she's super excited we're working on this so that makes that something I need to work on. It forces me to put some time in it every week. Sure there are other pieces I could write too, but this one is calling her name, so it's calling mine.
5. Don't get distracted by things that don't matter! Clean laundry on the couch? It's clean, does it have to get put away instead of writing those pages? Not really. Do you really need to update your Facebook every time you go somewhere instead of writing a query? Not really, people don't have to know you got a cappuccino today. The more you lessen non-important distractions the less they become distractions. Only you have the power of what to focus on. Make your writing career your priority and the universe will join you.
So those are my tips. I hope they help. Now I need to go send out some queries and maybe take a walk to fend off my panicking! Oh yeah, which is my next tip, go for a walk when you need to destress!
But I think the best plan of action is to make a plan. For instance, I'm contacting new producers and querying about some of my new pieces I've written, which is like a full time job. I just got notes on my latest comedy script that I need to implement. Plus I have two show bibles due to a manager so she can pitch my shows. Plus I found some really great ways to fix some past scripts. Plus I'm working on a new script with one of my writing partners. Plus I have a new idea I want to write. And of course, more ideas I want to write. Plus I actually want to enter some contests this year, which I never do. So keeping up on what's due and when it's due is enough to drive a writer batty. Argh! It's enough to make my mind spin! I almost feel like I could have a panic attack thinking about it all. So, here's how I handle it and hopefully it can help you too.
1. What's the most important thing on the list that has to get done. Do that first. If it's a contest with a due date, then send that in. Gather all the pieces you need and enter.
2. Which script really needs to be written first. Yes as writers we always want to be writing new pieces. But we're only one person. So don't write too many at a time. Otherwise you just might not end up with anything!
3. For me, I never send out queries. I must admit it's my downfall as a writer. But if I don't do that, then no one's going to know I even exist. So that's a huge must on my priority list. It might not be on yours. But I'm trying to put that before writing scripts right now.
4. Is there anything that's more pressing than others? Like for instance, the piece I'm writing with the partner, she's super excited we're working on this so that makes that something I need to work on. It forces me to put some time in it every week. Sure there are other pieces I could write too, but this one is calling her name, so it's calling mine.
5. Don't get distracted by things that don't matter! Clean laundry on the couch? It's clean, does it have to get put away instead of writing those pages? Not really. Do you really need to update your Facebook every time you go somewhere instead of writing a query? Not really, people don't have to know you got a cappuccino today. The more you lessen non-important distractions the less they become distractions. Only you have the power of what to focus on. Make your writing career your priority and the universe will join you.
So those are my tips. I hope they help. Now I need to go send out some queries and maybe take a walk to fend off my panicking! Oh yeah, which is my next tip, go for a walk when you need to destress!
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