The long, slow march of progress

Scene cards for the horror script I’m working on are done, and I’ve typed each scene into the computer with a description of what is done and said. I used this process with the based-on-a-true-story screenplay, my most recently completed script, and it seemed to work fairly well. It helps me to think through the story without a waste of time on crafted dialogue and action descriptions that change when I alter the story as the process of writing reveals insights. Writing basic descriptions also helps me to explore motivation and theme. I’m looking forward to getting some feedback on the story, especially its viability as ultra-low-budget horror. I’ve been operating under the advice that writers should ignore the budget and write what they want, then try to sell it, so I haven’t developed a good sense of what is possible in relation to the budget.

I think it’s important to try different writing techniques and discover what is both efficient and supportive of creativity. I’ve read debates, such as the effectiveness of freewriting vs. detailed outlining, and I think each writer should explore what methods produce the best results. Since I view writing as a long-term pursuit, I feel comfortable that I have the time to develop my craft so that it suits my own personality and style. I’m discovering strengths and weaknesses as I go along. For example, having to prepare this horror story on a timeline, for production, has shown me that I need to do more script writing to deadline. It’s easy to linger over spec scripts because I‘m not facing a pressing demand, but I think that doesn’t teach the ability to quickly develop characters and solve problems. It’s sort of like practicing math problems, only more fun.

I finally have my car back, with a new tie rod and various other parts, and a lighter wallet thanks to the driver’s lack of insurance. My mouth is healing nicely, too. I got “The Little Shop of Horrors” in honor of it. I haven’t yet found a way to make my recent experiences serve my writing, but I’m sure I will. I can feel them simmering in my subconscious.

I got cool news today. “Sixes and the One Eyed King,” won the Audience Appreciation Award at the Bluegrass Independent Film Festival. This is our second festival, and I’m pretty pleased that we were able to win an audience, especially when I compare the experience of our cast and crew to those on some of the other films. It makes me even more excited to work on other projects. Success is a wonderful motivator.

Thought of the day

"Gradually by writing you will learn more and more to be free, to say all you think; and at the same time you will learn never to lie to yourself, never to pretend and attitudinize. But only by writing and by long, patient, serious work will you find your true self. And why find it? Because it is, I think, your immortal soul and the life of the Spirit, and if we can only free it and respect it and not run it down, and let it move and work, it is the way to be happier and greater."

-- Brenda Ueland, "If You Want to Write"

Ouch.

Having a wisdom tooth extracted isn't nearly as much fun as it sounds. Especially when the tooth has a little hook thingy at the end of the root that expresses its dedication to staying in your mouth. Also new on my list of unfun experiences is having your parked car hit by an uninsured driver whose license was already suspended. It's been a rough week. There's some "storytelling using life experience" in there somewhere, but it will take some time and some more painkillers before I find it.

Thought of the day

"It was only when I began to discover the treats and tricks that came with word assocation that I began to find some true way through the minefields of imitation. I finally figured out that if you are going to step on a live mine, make it your own. Be blown up, as it were, by your own delights and despairs." -- Ray Bradbury

A review of “Sixes and the One Eyed King,” and the trailer, is up on the Movie Sharke Deblore Web site. It’s pretty cool to read nice comments. I hope this film will appeal to “Twilight Zone” fans. I loved that show.

Hounded by horror

One technique I’ve used in writing is to think about a story prior to going to sleep. I find that my sleeping mind develops very creative solutions. However, now that I’m writing horror, I’ve found that I can’t do that. I creep myself out and give myself nightmares. It’s silly for a woman my age to hide under the covers, wondering what “that noise” was, but that’s the curse of living with a vivid imagination. I’m excited about writing in the horror genre. I never really considered it “my” genre, especially because of the whole getting-scared-easily issue. However, I’m drawing on my own experiences to see what is frightening and why, and I’m learning a lot as I study other work in the genre.

I hope to finish scene cards this week. I used to really resist the idea of writing scenes on 3X5 cards and then plotting out the story. I thought it made me more creative to just sit down and start writing. Once I gave scene cards a serious try, I saw how valuable they are to help craft the story and not waste time meandering through it. It’s kind of like a cell phone. I resisted getting one for a long time because I didn’t want to be “chained to technology.” Now, I appreciate having it as a tool to keep in touch when I want. If I don’t want to be reachable, I can simply turn it off. It has taken me some time to see these things as tools rather than as burdens. Learning to employ scene cards simply added to my options as a writer. I still freewrite at times, but it, too, is a tool for the process than a mandate for creativity.

Another advantage to scene cards is that they're highly portable. I worked on them while waiting for a Chicago concert this week. It was a great concert, and with amazing guitarist Preston Reed as an opener. Live music provides refreshment to the soul. I’m headed out this afternoon to hear some local performers as well as to hopefully find some new fall clothing. Provided the stores aren’t to crazy with back-to-school shoppers. I might fight my way through them for some cool pens or spiffy notebooks. I still love buying school supplies.

The Bluegrass Independent Film Festival schedule is up. “Sixes and the One Eyed King” will play this coming Saturday in Kentucky. Ray and Scott Ford are headed back for it; I wish I could be there. Who are Ray and Scott Ford? We’re still waiting to hear from other film festivals, but we have distributors showing at least some interest.