Last week, I was working on deadline to finish a screenplay in time for a regularly scheduled group who had very generously agreed to read and review it. I was working on a tight schedule, trying to get a workable draft done when -- the Flu hit.
So, for three days, I sat on the couch with my eyes closed (because every time I opened them, the room spun, and that wasn't as much fun as it might sound). It was awful. In addition to the pressure in my head from the Ick Bug, I could hear the ticking of the clock as time ebbed away and the deadline loomed closer... and closer...
It's not like I was lacking inspiration. I had all the beats of the story worked out. I knew exactly what happened next. I just had to write it. And I sat with my laptop on my knees, feeling exceedingly sorry for myself.
In the midst of the Ick Bug's visit, I had a speaking engagement last Monday night that -- somehow -- I got through. I think it went well. I was prepared for it, but I'm not delusional. I know that I wasn't on top of my game. The flu does that to you.
The upshot is: the flu symptoms subsided, the room stopped spinning, I opened my eyes again, and got back to work. I finished the screenplay on time and it's GOOD. I'm extremely happy with it. So happy, in fact, that I'm going to stick with the story for awhile and work it into a book. I sent it off on Friday for the readers to rend to shreds.
A few comments on readers' groups... Every writer's dream is that readers will tell you how brilliant your work is, how fascinated they were with the story and the characters, and how they wouldn't change a thing. This dream, of course, never becomes reality.
The trick is to know you've done everything you possibly can to be true to your original vision, and to be open to any comments that may come along that would make that vision stronger or help you better execute it. It's also important to remember that writers feel honor-bound to make changes to other people's work. It's like the unwritten Writer's Creed: Read. Critique. Alter.
It was a welcome rush to finish the project on Friday. All weekend, I rode high on the excitement that always accompanies completing a major undertaking.
And now that the flu has fled and "The End" has been written, we return to our normally scheduled program: watching kids and working on Other People's Projects.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Thursday, February 07, 2008
And God Said "HA!"
In Next , Nic Cage plays Cris Johnson, a man gifted with precognitive abilities to see a few minutes into his own future. However, he warns us, simply looking at the future is enough to change it.
I can go him one better. Sometimes simply stating the present is enough to alter it.
In my February Already?! post, I discussed the current situation at the Hendrickson house. It was nearly idyllic: Robert was happy to watch our 5 year old daughter and the 2 year old son of a friend of ours in order to provide me with lengthy, uninterrupted daily writing time to work on my current screenplay project.
Robert has been doing so well. February 2 marked the 12 year anniversary of his surgery to remove a brain tumor. As of January 31, he had gone three full years without seizing.
But if you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans. A breakthrough seizure inflicted itself on our happy family on Tuesday night during supper. While we're not exactly back to Square One, we are certainly forced to regroup and come up with Plan B.
My writing time is now much more hard-won. And my worry about my husband's well-being has returned. But it just goes to show that the only thing constant is change. And it makes me appreciate my Happy Place all the more -- if I could just get there more often.
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
February Already?!
The year is not going according to my original plan, but in some ways its progressing far ahead of schedule.
Though I "got" the big writing gig last fall for my Important Client, in December and January, it became increasingly clear to us all that they lacked the same clarity of vision for Phases II and III of their project that they had for Phase I.
So, while I had intended to be working like crazy, day and night, from now through the end of April, it now appears that I will be waiting until the end of April for them to agree on their goals and the content they want covered. Where there is no vision, the people perish.
Which leaves me in a writing Limbo. The client wants to retain my services to finish the project once their sub-committee can reach an agreement on things like required content and approved resources. And they have not yet changed their planned roll-out date of the project from January of 2009. So, at some point this year, I will be doing the aforementioned working-like-crazy. Just not now.
I'm using my unexpected time off to work on a new screenplay. It's almost like being on a glorious extended vacation.
I actually do feel a bit guilty for being able to sequester myself away in my studio and just write all day. I haven't been able to indulge my creative side like this in years. And the new script has developed into a wonderfully inspiring obsession. I can't stop talking about, researching, or working on it. Nor do I want to. It's the most fun I've had writing in a long, long time.
Uber-husband Robert is extremely supportive. He watches Cassandra during the day so I can be alone to work. He says he considers me his lottery ticket. Ha! And he enjoys the time he's spending with our daughter.
So -- though things may not always go according to plan, sometimes they go far, far better...
Though I "got" the big writing gig last fall for my Important Client, in December and January, it became increasingly clear to us all that they lacked the same clarity of vision for Phases II and III of their project that they had for Phase I.
So, while I had intended to be working like crazy, day and night, from now through the end of April, it now appears that I will be waiting until the end of April for them to agree on their goals and the content they want covered. Where there is no vision, the people perish.
Which leaves me in a writing Limbo. The client wants to retain my services to finish the project once their sub-committee can reach an agreement on things like required content and approved resources. And they have not yet changed their planned roll-out date of the project from January of 2009. So, at some point this year, I will be doing the aforementioned working-like-crazy. Just not now.
I'm using my unexpected time off to work on a new screenplay. It's almost like being on a glorious extended vacation.
I actually do feel a bit guilty for being able to sequester myself away in my studio and just write all day. I haven't been able to indulge my creative side like this in years. And the new script has developed into a wonderfully inspiring obsession. I can't stop talking about, researching, or working on it. Nor do I want to. It's the most fun I've had writing in a long, long time.
Uber-husband Robert is extremely supportive. He watches Cassandra during the day so I can be alone to work. He says he considers me his lottery ticket. Ha! And he enjoys the time he's spending with our daughter.
So -- though things may not always go according to plan, sometimes they go far, far better...
Friday, December 14, 2007
Finding the Foreword in the Past
Yesterday, I received the following plea-for-help e-mail:
Hello Ami,
I was looking for information on how to write a foreward for a book and found your article on "Foreword Thinking -- An Introduction to the Introduction". The last paragraph in your blog article stated, "Tomorrow, I'll discuss how to write one." (a foreward)....
I cannot find your example, and would like to read it, as a friend has asked me to write a foreward for her book. I have never done this before, and I want to to her justice. I thought I could find an outline to follow, but am having no luck. Can you help me? Thank you.
When I responded, I explained I was sorry she couldn't find the related blog article. The original post on foreword writing even had "Foreword" in the title, but it doesn't appear when one tries to "Search this Blog." I don't profess to understand such things.
Since I wrote the original post, Blogger was acquired by Google. For reasons that escape me, nothing in the blog that was written prior to the acquisition is searchable.
In 2005, when I wrote them, the posts on writing forewords received significant response. Quite a few people found themselves in the position yesterday's e-mail writer is now in -- pleased to be asked to write a foreword, wanting to do it justice, and unsure of how to proceed... Writing a Foreword for a book is even a topic on 43 Things. The prevailing theme, however, tends to be "I want to do this, but have no idea how to begin..."
For ease of reference to anyone interested, I reworked the related blog posts into a free article on Foreword Writing. I offer it to all future Foreword writers with my compliments and congratulations. Happy writing!
Hello Ami,
I was looking for information on how to write a foreward for a book and found your article on "Foreword Thinking -- An Introduction to the Introduction". The last paragraph in your blog article stated, "Tomorrow, I'll discuss how to write one." (a foreward)....
I cannot find your example, and would like to read it, as a friend has asked me to write a foreward for her book. I have never done this before, and I want to to her justice. I thought I could find an outline to follow, but am having no luck. Can you help me? Thank you.
When I responded, I explained I was sorry she couldn't find the related blog article. The original post on foreword writing even had "Foreword" in the title, but it doesn't appear when one tries to "Search this Blog." I don't profess to understand such things.
Since I wrote the original post, Blogger was acquired by Google. For reasons that escape me, nothing in the blog that was written prior to the acquisition is searchable.
In 2005, when I wrote them, the posts on writing forewords received significant response. Quite a few people found themselves in the position yesterday's e-mail writer is now in -- pleased to be asked to write a foreword, wanting to do it justice, and unsure of how to proceed... Writing a Foreword for a book is even a topic on 43 Things. The prevailing theme, however, tends to be "I want to do this, but have no idea how to begin..."
For ease of reference to anyone interested, I reworked the related blog posts into a free article on Foreword Writing. I offer it to all future Foreword writers with my compliments and congratulations. Happy writing!
Monday, December 10, 2007
Taking the Reins
This past week, Newsday magazine published an article on riding that included an interview with Dr. Warson, and included a mention of "The Rider's Pain-Free Back."
Written by Caryn Eve Murray, the article discusses some of the challenges that face people who start riding when they are more "mature." What I especially liked, however, was how often those she interviewed mentioned that riding was a great way for their families to spend quality time together.
I have a dear friend who regularly bemoans the fact that her husband would rather sit and watch TV than do something -- anything -- with his family. He'll watch programs featuring sports he doesn't even like rather than get off the couch and experience his own life.
We've all heard that "no one ever laid on their death bed and said 'I wish I'd spent more time at the office'" spoken as a cautionary tale against workaholics. In the same vein, I believe that no one ever laid on their death bed and wished they'd watched more television or played more video games.
When I'm feeling the final minutes of my life ebb away, some regrets I may experience include:
I wish I'd spent more time learning to play the guitar...
I wish I'd learned to speak French fluently...
I wish I'd read all the books I wanted to read...
I wish I'd written all the screenplays I have in my head...
I wish I'd spent less money on things and spent more on travel...
I wish I'd worked more diligently to get my movies made...
I wish I'd spent more time riding...
I wish I'd played more with my child...
It seems to me that all regrets -- past, present, or future -- stem from choosing inaction over action. Sitting on the sidelines may seem like the easy road. But each life only has a finite supply of moments alloted. And inactivity, laziness, and sloth just leach those moments away.
I am grateful to Ms. Murray for favorably mentioning the book. And I am even more grateful to her for the reminder that every day is an opportunity for me to "Take the Reins" and fill my moments to minimize any regrets that might arise when those moments come to an end.
Written by Caryn Eve Murray, the article discusses some of the challenges that face people who start riding when they are more "mature." What I especially liked, however, was how often those she interviewed mentioned that riding was a great way for their families to spend quality time together.
I have a dear friend who regularly bemoans the fact that her husband would rather sit and watch TV than do something -- anything -- with his family. He'll watch programs featuring sports he doesn't even like rather than get off the couch and experience his own life.
We've all heard that "no one ever laid on their death bed and said 'I wish I'd spent more time at the office'" spoken as a cautionary tale against workaholics. In the same vein, I believe that no one ever laid on their death bed and wished they'd watched more television or played more video games.
When I'm feeling the final minutes of my life ebb away, some regrets I may experience include:
I wish I'd spent more time learning to play the guitar...
I wish I'd learned to speak French fluently...
I wish I'd read all the books I wanted to read...
I wish I'd written all the screenplays I have in my head...
I wish I'd spent less money on things and spent more on travel...
I wish I'd worked more diligently to get my movies made...
I wish I'd spent more time riding...
I wish I'd played more with my child...
It seems to me that all regrets -- past, present, or future -- stem from choosing inaction over action. Sitting on the sidelines may seem like the easy road. But each life only has a finite supply of moments alloted. And inactivity, laziness, and sloth just leach those moments away.
I am grateful to Ms. Murray for favorably mentioning the book. And I am even more grateful to her for the reminder that every day is an opportunity for me to "Take the Reins" and fill my moments to minimize any regrets that might arise when those moments come to an end.
Friday, November 30, 2007
A Beacon of Bungled Privacy and Boiled Frogs
How do you boil a frog?
According to the old object lesson, you do not get the water bubbling and then drop the unfortunate amphibian into the pot. He will react to the unfavorable conditions, jump out, and save his life.
If, however, you put Froggy into the pot and then gradually increase the temperature of the water, he'll adjust, stay put -- and eventually croak.
Today, the Washington Post ran an article about Facebook's Beacon which posts user's online activities for others to see, share, and enjoy.
Touted as a means of using word-of-mouth to give "personal recommendations" to purchases, services, and entertainment choices, Beacon allows participating advertisers detailed information into the buying choices and browsing habits of Facebook users -- without their explicit consent. Often, without their knowledge.
There have been several instances, for example, of people who did their Christmas shopping online, only to have all of their purchases (including markdowns in price) show up for their friends' and families' perusal.
One man bought his wife a diamond ring for Christmas only to have her ask him "who the ring was for!?"
Not wanting to spoil the surprise, he asked, "What ring?"
Ooooooo, he had some 'splainin' to do!
It's Christmas, for crying out loud. Who wants their gift purchases broadcast to the general public? It's ridiculous.
But not half as ridiculous as this comment on the whole bad-idea Beacon spotlight into the soft underbelly of users' lives:
“We know we don’t have a right to privacy...” says 25-year old Facebook user Tricia Bushnell. “Just because I belong to Facebook, do I now have to be careful about everything else I do on the Internet?”
I'm not sure what I find most unsettling -- the disturbing thought that a young person in America doesn't believe she has a right to privacy, or the unstated assumption that until this Beacon Bungle, Ms. Bushnell and others like her didn't think they had to be careful about what they did online.
Bushnell is quoted in a New York Times story on the matter . According to the article, in the past 10 days, over 50,000 people have signed a petition protesting the online tracking.
Facebook brushes aside the protests and complaints. "You hate it now," they say, "but in time, you'll learn to like it." They have no intention of doing away with Beacon. All they have to do is wait for the younger users to grow up with the idea of a Beacon shining in the private places of their lives.
-- Is it warm in here, or is it just me?
According to the old object lesson, you do not get the water bubbling and then drop the unfortunate amphibian into the pot. He will react to the unfavorable conditions, jump out, and save his life.
If, however, you put Froggy into the pot and then gradually increase the temperature of the water, he'll adjust, stay put -- and eventually croak.
Today, the Washington Post ran an article about Facebook's Beacon which posts user's online activities for others to see, share, and enjoy.
Touted as a means of using word-of-mouth to give "personal recommendations" to purchases, services, and entertainment choices, Beacon allows participating advertisers detailed information into the buying choices and browsing habits of Facebook users -- without their explicit consent. Often, without their knowledge.
There have been several instances, for example, of people who did their Christmas shopping online, only to have all of their purchases (including markdowns in price) show up for their friends' and families' perusal.
One man bought his wife a diamond ring for Christmas only to have her ask him "who the ring was for!?"
Not wanting to spoil the surprise, he asked, "What ring?"
Ooooooo, he had some 'splainin' to do!
It's Christmas, for crying out loud. Who wants their gift purchases broadcast to the general public? It's ridiculous.
But not half as ridiculous as this comment on the whole bad-idea Beacon spotlight into the soft underbelly of users' lives:
“We know we don’t have a right to privacy...” says 25-year old Facebook user Tricia Bushnell. “Just because I belong to Facebook, do I now have to be careful about everything else I do on the Internet?”
I'm not sure what I find most unsettling -- the disturbing thought that a young person in America doesn't believe she has a right to privacy, or the unstated assumption that until this Beacon Bungle, Ms. Bushnell and others like her didn't think they had to be careful about what they did online.
Bushnell is quoted in a New York Times story on the matter . According to the article, in the past 10 days, over 50,000 people have signed a petition protesting the online tracking.
Facebook brushes aside the protests and complaints. "You hate it now," they say, "but in time, you'll learn to like it." They have no intention of doing away with Beacon. All they have to do is wait for the younger users to grow up with the idea of a Beacon shining in the private places of their lives.
-- Is it warm in here, or is it just me?
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Great Expectations
A few weeks agom a reporter from Newsday magazine interviewed Dr. Warson regarding older riders. As Dr. Jim said, "it seems the baby boomers are starting to retire and want to ride before it's too late."
According to Dr. Jim, the interview went really well. The writer, Caryn Eve Murray, is a lady who just got into dressage after a 20 year layoff from riding. He said she was really good at asking the kinds of questions that people often have. He talked about ways for people to get in shape and build strength and flexibility.
As of right, the article on older equestrians is slated to run on Saturday, Dec. 8 - in the "ACT II section." We're looking forward to seeing it!
According to Dr. Jim, the interview went really well. The writer, Caryn Eve Murray, is a lady who just got into dressage after a 20 year layoff from riding. He said she was really good at asking the kinds of questions that people often have. He talked about ways for people to get in shape and build strength and flexibility.
As of right, the article on older equestrians is slated to run on Saturday, Dec. 8 - in the "ACT II section." We're looking forward to seeing it!
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