Just when you think you are doing something write...

Ugh…

Went to the ScriptShark seminar this weekend hosted by the Northwest Screenwriters guild here in Seattle. Had a great time, learned some good stuff and met some incredible people. Lee Zahavi-Jessup was great. Straight forward, no nonsense and honest answers.

Towards the end we broke into groups and gave two minute pitches of our current stories. I stumbled horribly through mine because I have no clue how to pitch shit at this point. When I was done one of the gentlemen in the group asked a simple plot question.

Fuck.

I just completely overlooked that element. It shatters the base of the story. But it was awesome. It’s exactly what I needed. Input from others. Especially others that are not necessarily into supernatural thrillers or sci-fi.

I really wish IQCrash hadn’t bagged his online writes group. I haven’t been able to find one where I am at. I have to start getting input from other people besides my wife (who I love and adore fiercely) and friends. Hopefully some of the contacts I make at the monthly guild meetings will produce something.

So with that I am shelving my current story until a get an idea of how to fix the issue. I tend to have my best moments in the shower or right when I wake up and can still remember my fucked up dreams. Something will whisper to me sooner or later. Until then it’s on to my spaceship in the clouds adventure!

That is all.

-Jim

P.S. Yes I meant “write” in the title.

Ow my head!

“One must let go in order to be free.”

I think that you can tell and show a person every lesson in life’s handbook. But its not until that person experiences the situation that they truly understand the lesson.

This happened to me last night in an enlightening moment while I was writing. The last few nights I have not been happy with the way the story has been going. To cluttered. Story wasn’t right. I wasn’t having fun with it.

So I slashed and burned about a dozen pages taking with it two of my supporting characters that weren’t working for me. It was like a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders.

I find myself writing into these dark and dank places a lot. Last night I learned that it’s easy to back up, use the delete key and head in the right direction.

Wish I could do that with life sometimes. Maybe you can…

That is all.

-Jim

Here I go again on my own...

Time for a monthly update I suppose…

Struggling to finish my first script. I have several stories queued up to write. I need to get this one out of the way. Doing a good job of writing two hours Saturday mornings at Starbucks. I need to make sure I get a few pages done each day of the week now.

Conversations with my son…

He is reading Dr. Suess’s ABC book. I tell him that the pictures show him what words he is reading so use them. He sounds the next word out; C… a… m… e… l… He struggles a bit. I ask him what the picture is… “It’s a Llama Dad.”

As I am leaving for work one morning.. ‘Dad, don’t forget your iPot”. “Ssshh buddy not so loud”.

Movies...

"Drag Me to Hell" was awesome. I expected it to be another silly movie about weddings and marriage staring that flaming wench Katherine Heigl but I was pleasantly surprised!

“Up” was great. Saw it in Digital 3D. Blew me away. Son loved it. He wanted it on DVD before we got to the car.

That is all.

-Jim