Flex that Creativity Muscle

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One place I more easily tap into my creativity is at the water.

Creativity.

More and more I understand the importance of creativity for surviving (and thriving!). But I also see the failure of so many people to live creatively. Teaching someone how to tap into their creative being is the best gift we can give each other.

A few years ago, I met a gentleman who was a film producer, producing (and sometimes writing) countless movies for television, the kinds of movies I watch to escape. Much like when I read Danielle Steele as a teenager because I just needed a break from the intensity of a Tolstoy or an Orwell. And I loved her books for that. And I enjoyed his movies for the same reason.

Continue reading “Flex that Creativity Muscle”

Loving the Process

captain and the greyhounds, cute dog, terrier
My muse

I am not posting on here as much as I would  like to, but I have a good reason for that. I am in a writing frenzy as far as my screenplay goes. Every time I think I should write a post (and I have a dozen or so topics and partial posts in my queue!), I can’t tear myself away from my screenplay. But I am pretty sure that’s a good thing!

The last couple of days have been full of thinking about how to fill a couple of holes in my script. I cannot even begin to explain the satisfaction of finding solutions to those holes. In fact, I am feeling really emotional right now because I just solved a problem with the mentor character. And I felt compelled to share my feelings here.

I don’t know how many people can understand the satisfaction I feel. No, that is not the right word. The triumph. That is more accurate. It literally brings me to tears. It is that beautiful.

So I sit here at Starbucks doing my best to hold it all in, amazed at the characters I am creating, and falling in love with them over and over again. Who knew this was possible?

old greyhound
My mentor looks a bit like this guy. Doesn’t he look wise??

The is my first shot at fiction (and I chose a screenplay to experiment on!). I never considered myself creative enough to write fiction. And just to prove the saying “Whether you say you can, or whether you say you can’t, you are right,” I have never been able to create a decent story in my few feeble attempts.

But this project is different. I know I can do this. And so I am. And I am amazed at what I am capable of.

I am in love with my story, and I am in love with my characters. I can’t wait to share them! Thanks for indulging me. Now, back to work.

 

A “Tale” of Success

Shark TaleWanted to share this article that a friend recently forwarded to me. It is great, especially for me since I am writing an animated feature. But I want to include it because this is about aspiring screenwriters, and one of the writers of the animated family hit Shark Tale was once an aspiring screenwriter also. The more I learn, the more I realize that there are an infinite number of paths to writing a screenplay that is produced. And I thought this gentleman’s story of getting to that place was worth learning about!

After all, if one person has accomplished something via a particular path, that means someone else can also.

Enjoy! And while you’re reading this, I’m going to go watch Shark Tale again!

Writers on Writing: Rob Letterman on Writing Shark Tale