I’m feeling the tension! And seeking relief.
I keep nervously checking my email. Way too often.
But I can’t help myself. I am waiting for feedback on my screenplay. Yet again.
I just spent the past two months on a new rewrite, making some adjustments requested from a group of investors who took a look at it back in February. They want more tension. My response to that was, “Yeah. No kidding.”
Continue reading “Screenwriting Secret: Don’t Relieve the Tension”
“Now who are you?” the production manager asked.
Mike Lizaraga had just joined the set of his first film where a crew of about 50 people prepared to bring the characters from one of his short stories to life.
He watched as the production manager worked her way around the room, assigning people their jobs for the day.
Then she turned to Mike. He was one of the first on the set that morning and one of the last to leave. But who was he?
“I’m the screenwriter,” he responded, unsure of his role in the process but determined to witness the magic. Continue reading “A Screenwriter’s First Time on Set”
I am meeting with Mike Lizarraga tonight for my first interview for this blog! The reason he is my first is actually a great story, so I wanted to share that with you beforehand.
I have taught college English for 20 years. But like everyone else, there is always that first semester. In fact, I just spoke with my niece Josie the other day as she is finishing her first year as a teacher (she teaches fourth grade, something I think only saints or crazy people can do!).
Talking to her reminded me of my first class. Continue reading “Preparing for My First Interview”
It’s here! Version 2.0! It may seem a bit early to be coming out with my new version, but as a writer, I am never opposed to revising.
And just like I am a beginner at screenwriter, I am actually a beginner at blogging. So this is a learn as you go project, and I decided it was time to make some changes.
The first change is to my address. My new domain is theaspiringscreenwriter.com
This will still be my journey to the red carpet, but I am going to take you along with me. I want you to finish your screenplay and to invite us all to your premiere party or your first screening or your debut film festival showing.
I will continue to take you with me as I navigate this process, but I am also going to bring in other people’s stories. If there is one thing I have learned so far, it is that there is no “right” way to make a movie, there is not just “one” way. So I want to share as many ways as possible.
In the future, in addition to my posts, look for interviews and links to helpful information. I am so excited about this new direction! And I look forward to everyone’s input.
I got some semi-professional feedback on my screenplay (in other words, not from a family member). I am working with a gentleman who showed it to a group of investors. They like it! They really really like it! Yay!
This is especially good as I jump head first into this new world of screenwriting because I periodically experience glimpses of concern that I have no idea what I am doing and have no ability to self-evaluate my writing. But luckily, they are only brief glimpses. I do not allow myself any more than a glimpse. Continue reading “Don’t Just Trust Your Instincts – Act on Them”
I am sitting at Starbucks, fearful that I have not been productive enough last week. So I am using the day to alleviate that fear and to write. When I come here, my routine is always the same, even though I need to change it. I log on to the wifi, check MSN for headlines in case anything momentous happened over night, check email, and check Facebook. The last check is the one I need to discontinue, except for today!
The first post came from a friend, an actual friend, not a virtual friend: Kelly Raymer. And it was a link to his latest blog post, I am guessing, sitting in a coffee shop on the other side of town. I was going to comment on it, but I had too much to say. Here is his post: Fear.
I am a late adopter. There. I admitted it, as embarrassing as that is sometimes. For example, I only bought a smartphone because Verizon no longer sold phones without data plans. Otherwise, I just might still be using a QWERTY keyboard. Or worse yet, one of those keyboards where you have to hit the numbers keys one, two, or three times for each letter. And even now, I am carrying around an iPhone 4. I am shopping for a 6 right now though, only because I really need a better camera on my phone.
Continue reading “How Not Knowing Twitter Makes You a Rookie. I am a Rookie.”
I spent an amazing weekend with this group! The goal? To get in touch with the genius that we all have and to use that genius for good (actually, we are all writers, so the real goal was to use that genius to write something considered, well…genius!).
The power of community is something I did not understand until much later in life. I’m not sure why. I have always been somewhat of a loner. Not necessarily socially. I love being out among people. In fact, I am at Starbucks right now simply because I like being around people. But when it comes to work, I have always been more of a “do it myself” kind of girl. And I’ve always been proud of that too. I now cringe at the thought of how many times I have bragged about not needing anyone. Not ever asking for help. Being able to figure things out myself. Installing ceiling fans and toilets – all by myself. You know the type, I am sure. We re all over the place, usually struggling and overwhelmed!
Many of you may have already seen this. It touches a chord so deep that news outlets have been covering it, and blogs have been sharing it. A man writes a goodbye letter from his dog. For those of us who have had to put pets to sleep, we know how heart wrenching it is. And if you are up for a good cry, read about the heartbreak from the dog’s perspective.
My daughter Emily and I went to Starbucks together to get some work done – I had writing to finish, and she had studying to complete. What a mistake! I always forget that I never get anything done when we go together. There’s too much watching people, sharing funny tweets, taking selfies (she is the one taking selfies, not me! Although she often gets me in the background, unbeknownst to me), noticing cute dogs outside, and doing whatever else keeps us from our tasks at hand.
Then she had to show me her favorite all-time video. She was giddy as she queued it up and untangled the ear buds. She then handed me one as she placed the other in her ear. Here it is:
The Writing Life 