I decided sometime early last year to keep a blog about my writing.
That makes this really pitiful as today is March 24, 2007 and this is my first entry.
I’ve been really busy though. Besides my regular j-o and my side business I’ve also been working on my writing and editing skills including a script collaboration and online lifestyle newsletter, respectively. So please, cut a brother some slack and allow him to, oh I dunno…vent about his times, both good and frustrating. Unfortunately, they’re not in that order.
I’m working on the re-write (again) of my love story script. For those not in the know, I sent the previous version out late last year and got some positive feedback on it. And although it is simply these particular insiders’ opinions, I do indeed think my script is overall better with their recommended changes. Ergo, here I am still trying to finish it up. Funny thing, when I finished the previous final version I thought it would indeed be that...the final. Never say final OUT LOUD my fellow writers. Much to my chagrin it needs that extra push.
So here I am on a lovely Springtime afternoon, just one week after I spent 1.5 hours digging out my car from the snow (damn plows!) working on my baby.
The writing is going very well. Aside from toning down one character (technically two), omitting a few others and adding emotional depth to my protagonist and her brood, I’m truly somewhat satisfied with the direction it’s taking. I think any writer saying they’re fully satisfied with their work is akin to an actor saying “Good luck!” to another.
The only negative I find when working on a love story is that it makes me think too much about my past girlfriends…especially my last one. I wasn’t in love with her or anything, and vice-versa, but still, with her being the previous one I guess she still stays on the forefront of my mind when it comes to couple-hood. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve dated since then of course, but I suppose since those were simply that – dates – the resonance isn’t there. But let me not get off topic – I was talking about thinking too much about the past.
My characters, without giving anything away, care for each other deeply and are afraid to admit it. I wonder - Does anyone out there think that way about me? I know I don’t care deeply for anyone right now. But I got to this “thinking too much about the past” stage asking myself the aforementioned question. I did care a lot about my last girl. I really dug her. I enjoyed spending time with her. Sometimes I think I was a bit too laid back with her though. And perhaps that lack of, shall we say…intensity (?) helped drive her away. I was loving, I was spontaneous. But I did perhaps take it too slow.
Is that what’s wrong with the male lead in my script? Is he too careful as well? I know why I was – the earlier part of last year was hellish for me – and I know why he is. And they’re both truly valid reasons, not excuses. But I’m now realizing that I may have taken aspects of his personality in my life. Since my story idea is three years old now I’m forced to wonder: Am I treading on Charlie Kaufman territory here?!?
