Out of my comfort zone

I finally did it. I wrote one of those defining screenplays. The kind of screenplay that takes an emotional toll on you to write. That takes everything you have to write. So much of that screenplay pushed me so far out of my comfort zone, ittook me longer than usual to write. And I don't mean just the extensive research, but the emotional weight of it. As I typed fade out on the final page yesterday, I knew. This screenplay would be my calling card to Hollywood. The screenplay is an inspirational drama about a family going through something no family wants to deal with, and it centers around the sixteen year old daughter and her father. I know, you want details. I'm leaving the details to the pitch I'm writing for it. The script is not ready to hand to someone and say "here, read this." It's my first draft. But I'm putting myself on a "working writer" deadline. Because if I was writing this for a studio, I would be on a deadline. Not just to finish it. But to deliver a perfectly polished script. My goal is to have a perfectly polished script in six weeks. That means before and after my day job, I'll be working on this script. Diving deep. Making sure my conflict happens at the right moment, and that my characters act and speak authentically. Making sure I have high stakes and escalations (screenwriter talk). Not just the larger than an elephant in a shoe box conflict and high stakes, but that the stakes keep getting higher during the screenplay. And that they are the right stakes and escalations. That the emotional impact it there. That the meaning/theme is woven throughout. That it honors what God wants me to say. I've prayed about this screenplay the entire time I worked on it and will continue to do so while editing it.

Catching up

Sitting in a Dunkin Donuts. Not my usual one. Had to travel out of town. Man they know how to make a good cup of coffee. Nothing against Starbucks-which has my favorite-cinnamon dolce latte, or Gloria Jeans with their caramel latte, or Tom Tom with their caramel latte. Almost completed revisions on my first novel. As in, I stripped it down to mere chapters and paragraphs and edited it with a fine-tooth comb. I can truly sit back and say wow! It's a novel that hooks you and keeps you turning pages. Plus it's nice that I'm not the only one that thinks so. Published authors agree. It's going to be a busy summer, and gladly so, in my writing world. I'll be finished revising the first novel by the end of this month. July will see work on revising my second novel-stripping it down like I did the first one, and since I've got my summer off, I'll be working on finishing another science fiction screenplay, and starting a new sci fi screenplay. Science fiction is raking it in at the box office, but I'm not writing to the market. Science fiction is my niche. It's present in my other screenplays, novels, short stories, skits, books on my bookshelves, movies I own, subject I teach (science). I am quite the expert at it. Do I write in other genres? Yes. I'm quit adept at drama, fantasy, and horror. People really like my horror. Tell me it scares them, in a good way. Not a your weird and should seek professional help way. Time to go. We'll chat again soon.

So I bought an IPad

Yes, the title is correct. I bought an iPad. It was for my nine day trip to Los Angeles last month. I had a choice: lug six pound Frankenstein laptop around on the subway and for dozens of city blocks, or switch to an iPad. And no it's not the iPad 3. I waited until Apple announced the new iPad and bought the iPad 2 for $100.00 less. Then used the $100.00 to buy a keyboard case. Because when you type 85 or so words per minute, it's much faster on a real keyboard rather than a touch screen. I'm at about 50 wpm now as I type this on the touchscreen.

My thoughts about my iPad? His name is Herman. Yes, I named my iPad. I love him. I can't understand why I didn't get one sooner?
In LA I finished the last 65 pages of a screenplay on it via a great program called Celtx. I also worked on my Mfa papers. I wrote a critical paper, and did novel revisions via Apples's Pages product. I watched ABC TV on the plane to catch up on Once Upon A Time, and I listened to hours of music. And less I forgot to mention, submitted two of my screenplays to a manager, and a few queries to lit, and screenplay agents. All on the iPad.

Imagine going from carrying at least ten pounds of laptop, cord, mouse, flashdrive, notebook-to one iPad, and case that may have weighed four pounds total.

The only thing I didn't count on was my iPhone 3G being jealous. I used to write alot of my blogs on him. Plus I never gave him a real name. Shame on me. While I was in Hollywood one day my phone battery died. I plugged him in and in the morning he would not turn on. Yep he was mad at me. I prayed and then I remembered the trick-push the home and on button at the same time. Lesson learned.

Since I've been back home, I still use my iPad for writing. I haven't uploaded all my writing to my iPad yet, I still us Frankenstein laptop. I think he enjoyed the break from me.

Jet Lag

Back from my trip to LA. God really blessed me on that trip. Came back renewed, and on fire to sell my screenplays.
Jet lag is a horrible beast. It will be a few days before I'm back on my time schedule. But my screenplay can't wait till then. So I'm pressing on, enjoying every minute of it. It's a great Sci Fi script and I'm on track to be done Thursday night. That gives me Friday to let it sit (think I'll go watch The Hunger Games), and edit it over the weekend.
When a writer finishes a screenplay, meaning it's edited and ready to go, then it's time to start on another script.
I actually got the idea while sitting in union station. Its a good one, and it hasn't been done before. Since you can't copyright script ideas, I can't share what it is, but trust me it's good.

Have to wrap this up and head to work for an early meeting.
But I'd like to give a shout out to Tom n Tom's coffee. My daily writing spot while in LA. Great coffee and Hawaiian pretzels. Quiet atmosphere. Got so much work done there.
It was exactly what I needed.

My Voice is Gone

Don't be alarmed. It's not my writing voice that's gone, but my actual physical voice. Don't you just love spring-the birds are chirping, the trees are budding (mmmn smell those buds on my lemon tree), and the OAK POLLEN is out for blood. Yep, I am a seasonal allergy suffer. My sinuses are at war and my tonsils are the first casualty. I'm home today on bed rest per doctor's orders. Antibiotics and sleepy allergy meds kicking in.

Although my voice is gone and I feel yucky I cannot pass up this time to work on my writing. Now granted it's 1pm and I've only been awake a total of three hours so far today but I can make use of the non-sleepy, non-drowsy hours in between my allergy meds (4 hour pills), and my sleep time.

I was reading on SCRIPT SHARK'S facebook page, the comments posted to this question- "how long does it take for you to write a rough draft?"

I was surprised by how many people responded that it takes them years to write a rough draft of a script. Bearing in mind a script for a feature film is 90-120 pages.
Now I am not here to judge them. I'm happy they are writing. But I do want to address the notion of a rough draft. Because two to twelve years (yes 12), is too long to spend on a ROUGH DRAFT.

Rough Draft (my definition) something that is done with the understanding that changes will be made upon completion.

When I first started writing (many moons ago) I would use a spiral notebook or loose leaf paper in a binder. I still start all my writing projects in either a spiral notebook or a binder. I NEVER start a project looking at the blank computer screen.
Why?
To me if I start my project on the computer I feel like it has to be perfect the first time, and I find myself going back and editing, and re-editing, and it stalls out.

Writing on paper first (with my wonderful gel pens), gives me the freedom to write anything I want. I also write notes to myself in the margins, circle items, and will put mini sticky notes in key places. Now I know some of you will tell me, "but Desiree, you can do all that with Microsoft word, or the latest technology program for writers." True, and I am happy for those of you who chose to go that route. But I think of my writing like an artist.

And because I am a watercolor painter, I do like the feel of the ink flowing on the paper. I like to see the different colored gel pens crying out their symphony of shades.
Once I feel comfortable with what I write I will do one of two things: I will continue to hand write it and type it in later, or I will switch completely over to the computer. It depends on what kind of deadline I've given myself.

And that is another area some people don't get. You have to give yourself a deadline. Especially if you are like me and you don't have a publisher (yet) expecting a product at a certain time.
I think the best thing for those people who take so long to write a ROUGH DRAFT of a 90 page screenplay to do is:

1. Don't over think it. A rough draft is simply that-something to go back and refine, like clay from the potter's wheel. It may look like a water pitcher, but you know at the table you are going to take your knife and whittle away this section, or that piece; stain it and bake it.
2. Give yourself a deadline.
3. Get organized. If you are writing and you're not sure about something-flag it, sticky note it (yes I have sticky notes on my laptop), and keep moving. You can research and put it in during your edit.
4. Set for yourself a minimum page or word count and don't go to bed or do anything else until that is accomplished (within reason).
5. Don't compare yourself to other writers. Do what you feel is appropriate for you. When it's no longer fun it's called work. I like my writing to stay fun. You may not be a 10 page a day writer in the beginning, or ever. As long as you can turn off the laptop, or close your notebook with a smile and feeling of accomplishment-it's all good.
6. Is this a career or a hobby to you? Be honest. That admission alone will affect all that you do.

So let me give you an example.
If you are an aspiring screenwriter (please pick up Movie Magic or Final Draft), you can start by writing two pages per day. In 45 days you will have a rough draft of a feature film completed.
If you are an aspiring novelist, you can start by writing two hundred fifty words a day. In 280 days, or less than a year, you will have a completed rough draft of a novel.

When I'm writing I will do ten pages a day minimum on a screenplay, and 500-1200 words a day on a novel. I silence my inner critic, and remind myself it's just a rough draft.
REMEMBER-you are not me. You do what is comfortable for you.
I like deadlines, they drive my inner being. That's the reason for the high word and page count for me. Find your comfort, or groove zone and just go with it.

Don't look back, (don't pause and edit what you just wrote/typed) that way leads to a madness you will not escape and you will never finish.

Does that mean anyone can write? God created us to love Him and His creations. Artists just express their love of His creation and the Creator in their painting, music, dance, and yes-writing.

My opinion-you won't know until you try.

Underway

FADE IN:
Started my sci fi thriller screenplay this morning. Wrote the synopsis yesterday. And now I must head into work-my day job.