This book changed my screenwriting life...

I struggled mightily over the last several years trying to come up with a process of writing that a) worked for me, and b) worked for my family , and c) worked around my day job.

During a Northwest Screenwriters Guild meeting with Greg Poirier (Rosewood), who by the way is a very cool person, he mentioned that his process was taught to him at UCLA by Hal Ackerman. He didn't have time to go into it but he thought that Ackerman had written a book so go check it out.

I did and I put it on my Amazon wish list. Writing Screenplays That Sell

My lovely wife got it for me as a Christmas present. I read it. Used the processes described inside and I completed my first screenplay three months later.

I'm not saying this is going to work for everyone. But it sure helped me get my shit together and put a story down on paper.

-Jim

Breaking a new story...

There are no such things and UFO's... they've all been identified.

Snowplowing my new story. My goal is to at least have 7-10 plows done before the weekend (on #3) so I can begin rewriting "Air Bears".

The wife is almost done with her read. Getting some good feedback from her. It was neat for me to learn that she picked up on stuff and even came to the correct conclusions about some story points even though I thought I hadn't explained the parts well enough. That made me smile.

Things are good.

-Jim

Air Bears Complete!

After all the books, a couple of seminars, several stops and starts, and years of trying to find myself as a writer, I finally completed a script.

I discovered a process that worked for me. I followed it faithfully. I set a schedule that worked for me. I followed it faithfully.

Now I have a 106 page first page of Air Bears in my hands. What a feeling it is.

My plans are to let is simmer in the drawer for two weeks (ending this Sunday). In the mean time I am breaking my next story. Once I get the next story ready to go I will hit Air Bears for a rewrite that I feel comfortable having people read.

I feel like I have finally stopped stumbling around in the dark. I see the light coming from underneath the door. I am walking towards it. Hopefully I can find the handle and open that door...

-Jim

Converstations with my son...

Wrestling with my son on the floor one day after work..

Son: The floor might feel a bit weird Dad, Mom vacuumed today.


My wife doesn’t wear heals a lot. She has a pair on for parents night out. She and my son are walking down a hallway.

Son: Oh Mommy, you’re a real woman now.
Mom: Why is that?
Son: Your shoes are making noise.


I am cooking breakfast Sunday morning. My son is chatting me up in the kitchen.

Son: Dad, where do eggs come from?
Me: Chickens.
Son: Where do Chickens come from?
Me: Eggs.
Son: If Chickens come from eggs and eggs come from Chickens--
Me: Go ask your mother.

Writing

Going well. Sci-Fi adventure is really clipping along. I have the story played out in my head for the most part. Last week I got my gang in a tough spot that I am trying to get them out of.

Football is around the corner! Go ‘Hawks.

That is all.

-Jim

Sigh-Phi

Busted out 40 pages on the new sci-fi adventure. The wife read the first 27 pages and didn’t vomit so that’s good news I guess.

Got a wild hair up my ass and wrote the opening scene to my Sci-Fi mystery during my lunch hour. The scene kept playing over and over in my head so I had to get it down on paper. I don’t know if I am capable or even mature enough to convey the story that I want it to be but I am going to give it a try.

I arrived at a title for the Sci-Fi Adventure finally. Took awhile but I think it’s compelling. Everyone I’ve pitched the idea to seems to be interested.

What the fuck is up with Sc-Fi channel going all retarded and renaming itself SyFy? What, is that easier to text or some shit?

Played Munchkin the other night. Fun game. It’s like Magic meets a college drinking game.

Hot as shit here in Seattle. I finally passed out from heat exhaustion around 2am last night.

I finally picked up the last Potter book. Almost done with it. Mixed emotions right now but will wait and see how it ends.

That is all.

-Jim