spilling ink

Make Sure Your Characters have Flaws

2010-10-29T14:45:00.000-07:00

I just read the start of a script. It had promise — lots of cool scenes, great writing, fast action — but it was missing one critical thing. The main character was perfect. He was bullet proof. I call it the "I'm cool and chicks dig me" syndrome.

James Bond could get away with it in the 1960 and 70s. The women practically jumped into Sean Connery's lap. The gad guys were caught with ease. And I don't even think he got some of his suits dirty dirty a fight.

Even Super Heros has Flaws
But you can't get away with that if you want to sell your spec script. Your characters need to have dimension and that means they have to have flaws. Even Indiana Jones, who was practically a super hero without the powers, had has flaws. He couldn't stop following his artifacts, even at the cost of life and limb. He had to learn that maybe some people (namely Marion) were more important artifacts.

So while you're creating your characters, don't forget the main ingredient — flaws. They need them.

Celebrate After Each Draft

2010-09-17T11:02:00.000-07:00

I just finished the third draft of my script last night. It's ready to be sent out to have some professional eyes look at it (readers) and tell me where the holes are.

Writing a book or a script is a marathon. Even if it isn't the final draft, you deserve to take some time out and pat yourself on the back. I always think of Romancing the Stone, when Joan Wilder selects one of those miniature liquor bottle to celebrate.

I like some Mexican food and a glass of wine. Last night my husband and I headed for the local Mexican place (we live in a 1,400 person town, so it's the only Mexican place). I ordered Chardonnay and it came hot and in a hot glass. I reordered it and it came this time in a not-so-hot glass. I hate to waste 6 bucks, so I drank it, but not with much gusto.

I hope this doesn't reflect the quality of my script.

Diane

45 Master Characters

2010-09-15T11:14:00.000-07:00

Hi,

I just got turned onto this book, 45 Master Characters, mythic Models for creating Original Characters, by Victoria Lynn Schmidt.

I'm only half way through it, but had to recommend it already. I've read other books about the different archetypes, but the reason this one stands out is because the author not only describes the traits, but points to the TV shows, movies, books and plays you will find that archetype and the other archetypes that are best paired with them.

For example, take Apollo, "the businessman" and his dark side, "the traitor". On TV you'll better recognize him as Spock or Fraser. In the movies it would be Jerry Maguire or Richard Gere in Pretty Woman. In literature you'd find Mr. Darcy or Sherlock Holmes filling those shoes.

It's a great read and at the very least gets you thinking more deeply about your characters.

Screenwriting Class Next Week

2010-09-14T14:53:00.000-07:00

Hi,

If you're interesting in an 8-week course on screenwriting, I'll be teaching one at Pierce College in Puyallup, starting Monday, September 20. We'll go through the basics of writing and rewriting a feature script, as well as marketing your script after it's complete.

If you're interested, you can sign up online at their website. And if you have any question about the class, just contact me at diane@spilledinkstudio.com.

I really enjoy this class. We spend a lot of time not just writing, but looking at movies and see how screenwriters create those fabulous scenes.

Hope you can make it.

Diane

Screenwriting at the University of Washingotn

2010-08-30T16:17:00.000-07:00

Hi,

Finally getting back to the blog. Sorry for the long delay, but among other things, I had eye surgery that got me off course, but now I'm happy to be back and writing (and teaching) like crazy.

Have some exciting news. I'm going to be one of the two individuals teaching the University of Washington certification course on screenwriting. The first teacher will cover story and help you develop a treatment, and then I teach the 17-week course on screenwriting, where we will cover writing, rewriting and polishing your script.

In the 17 weeks with me you will write a full script (12 pages a day), and that will give us time to do a full rewrite and polish, and also allow some time for developing a marketing plan for after the course is finished.

The first class starts in October. So if you're interested in an intensive 8-month program, sign up now. Or, if you're just interested in taking my course, you can do that too.

If you have any questions about the class, you can email me at diane@spilledinkmarketing.com.

Have fun writing!!

Three Reasons We Stall Out on Our Stories

2010-07-12T07:35:00.000-07:00

I just read an article by writer and creativity coach Eric Maisel. In the article he says there are three ways we stall out on our stories.

1. We don't show up.
2. The story isn't there — you don't know what comes next.
3. The story doesn't work — the story is going nowhere.

I'm whole heartedly agree with him. These are three biggies.

Sitting Down
The first just takes some discipline. Sit down, pick up your pen or turn on your computer and write. It doesn't have to be great, but you don't get anywhere if you don't show up.

It helps it you make the experience something you look forward to. Maybe writing a coffee shop, in the park or out on your deck. I love writing my first drafts in a bathtub.

What Comes Next
This one is harder. You show up, pen in hand and try to write, but get stuck. What comes next? Stephen King once said that writer's block is . . . not knowing your main character well enough. (I'm paraphrasing by the way.) If you know your main character, he says, you'll know what he'll do next.

So, if you're stuck, you might try some writing exercising that help you uncover more about your main character. I.e. Put him or her in scenes that are unrelated to the story, or write about happened earlier in their life. Write a scene about the scariest moment in their life, or funniest, or most embarrassing. Or, you could just do an interview. Pretend you are in a room with them and start asking them questions.

At the very least, these exercises (for me anyway) get me thinking about new scenes and how to come at the story differently.

Story Doesn't Work
If you're story's not working it's hard to tell sometimes whether (a) there really isn't enough meat there for a story or (b) you need to dig in there and uncover more of the story.

I've had stories that fizzled after 30 pages. I had a great opening and first act, but that's all there was. There are a number of reasons, but usually (for me anyway) it's because the main character's goal wasn't enough to sustain an entire story.

For example, my character might need that PERFECT hair cut. They run into all kinds of obstacles in getting the hair cut, but there isn't meat there for a full length novel or script. It's a better short story.

Or sometimes, 30 pages in, I discover, is really about someone else. It was never about the person getting their hair cut, but about the world behind the beauty parlor.

Eric's ideas
I could go on and on about the stalling stalling story, and finding ways to restart it. In short, you need to objectively look at your stories to find the issues. And if that doesn't work you can hit up your writer friends to help you noodle your way though.

Or, you can read Eric's newsletters coming up that will be addressing issues 2 and 3. I know I'm going to be reading them to see if they help shed new light!

Di

Meet to Peter Chiarelli, Writer of The Proposal

2010-06-25T09:31:00.000-07:00

Tonight the NWSG is hosting Peter Chiarelli, the writer of The Proposal with Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds.

He'll talk about navigating the studio system and also take some Q&A. It's a great opportunity to get insight into writing, marketing and selling your script.

Doors open at 6:30 and he'll be speaking and talking to attendees from 7 to 9 pm. If you're a NWSG member the event is free, otherwise it's $15.00.

It's held at Seattle Pacific University at Demaray Hall (the building with the clock tower on campus), 3307 Third Ave., Seattle, WA.

Spilled Ink Marketing

2010-04-14T10:07:00.000-07:00

Hi,

Chris and I have been working on a new website and it's finally up. www.spilledinkmarketing.com

Thought since it just went live, I might selfishly use this blog to promote ourselves.

Spilled Ink Marketing

We LOVE providing creative marketing solutions, and they comes in many forms:

• websites

• branding

• marketing materials

• social media

• education

We've worked with both individuals and companies for over two decades and still get a charge out of helping people get noticed.

We especially enjoy working with the creative community. Besides being fun to work with, we understand it takes a little creativity to help them stand out in a world of WalMarts.

Classes

I'm a big believe education. I have started offering online classes to help you promote yourself. Coming up are classes on social media . . . as well as screenwriting.

Both are subjects I'm passionate about am excited about teaching. If anyone has any questions about the classes, please ask. My email is diane@spilledinkstudio.com

Check it Out

Since a picture is worth 1,000 words, I'll stop blithering and just invite you to check out our website instead. And make sure to click on some of the samples under marketing tools. I think they will speak for themselves.

Thank you for letting me go on! Have a wonderful day.

Five Ways to Keep Your Butt in the Chair

2010-04-09T07:15:00.000-07:00

I'm reading a book called The Happiness Project. (Great book by the way if you're looking at examining the level of happiness in your life and adding more.)

Anyway, the author, Gretchen Rubin is a writer by trade and talks a bit about writing in the book. One of the things she mentions is that most writers don't like to write. They may like the research, or editing, finishing project, putting ideas together, etc. but the actual act of writing can be a chore.

What a relief! I thought I was weird. I hear people say, "I LOVE writing," and I'm thinking, "Seriously? You have no problem keeping your butt in the chair?"

Writing is About More than the Keyboard

Writing is about more than sitting at your laptop and banging out words. I write a lot of articles, and besides writing, you research, interview, type up notes, gather photos, check facts, edit, as well and spend time trying to play well with others (editors, proofers, publishers).

Of all the pieces, writing is by far the hardest for me. In fact, despite what anyone says, it can be down right grueling at times. The final product no matter how fabulous, is never as cool as I imaged it would be. And although it's gratifying to have the completed article and a paycheck (and I truly enjoy being a writer, don't get me wrong) I thank god for deadlines, or I'd probably never finish a piece.

Your Own Stories

It's even harder though to keep my butt in the chair when it's a script or story. There are no deadlines to push me forward, just passion for my story.

I can have piles of notes, all kinds of cool scenes I've been working for weeks, or even months, and when I sit down to write them up, suddenly a run to the store for groceries or weeding will take precedence.

The hard truth is that writing takes discipline. And sometimes that discipline is hard to come by. So what can you do?

5 Ways to Keep you Butt in the Chair

So here are a few techniques I use. If you have some, please feel free to let us know.

• Join a writers group that requires you bring pages to each group session.

• Hire a writing coach

• Go somewhere fun to write — like a coffee shop, or your favorite sofa

• Treat yourself when you're done

• Make it a habit. Even if it's just 5 minutes, challenge yourself to sit down at 7 a.m. and write. After a few weeks it will feel weird if you're not writing at that time.

These are few that have worked (at times) for me. Mostly though, you've just got to bite the bullet and as Nike says, "just do it". You'll be happy you did though. I've never once regretted I spent time writing, and I'm guessing neither have you.

Happy writing!

Major Legal Issues for Writers & Screenwriting Workshop

2010-04-06T19:45:00.000-07:00

Hi,

I got a couple emails today with events that seem worth sharing. this email today I thought I would share.

Major Legal Issues for Writers

The first is an event put on by the Washington Lawyers of the Arts. They are holding a series at the Richard Hugo House in Seattle, call Major Legal Issues for Writers.

Here's the schedule:

April 29: Writers & Free Speech: Important First Amendment Considerations

May 27: Should I Sign? What to Know About Publishing Contracts

June 24: Get Answers to Your Copyright Questions

The cost is $40.00 and probably well worth the information that's presented. Hopefully I'm free to catch the May and June seminars.

To register or get more information, here's the info: Click on to register or call 800-838-3006. To pay at the door, RSVP to Washington Lawyers for the Arts at 206-328-7053. Visit thewla.org or call 206-328-7053 for more information.

Blue Cat Workshop

If you're interested in honing your script, you might be interested in The First 10 Pages Workshop.

Here's the information I got on it. Following this description are the class schedules:

This workshop will consist of twelve writers each submitting the first ten pages of a screenplay to each member in advance of the workshop day. This screenplay can be incomplete, a first draft, or a rewrite. We will go over each work individually, discussing the specific, unique and common challenges each writer faces. This discussion will include the technical aspects of description and dialogue, the depth and reality of the characters, and how the first ten pages reflect where the entire story begins.
We will read each writer's pages in the workshop, allowing the screenwriter to hear their screenplay aloud. Each writer will be asked to read the material in advance of the workshop to maximize the constructive input each participant receives.
The intimate, focused interaction with fellow writers in the workshop will provide all with a greater understanding of the work that lies ahead on their screenplay, and more importantly, a detailed sense of how they might develop as writers themselves.

Seattle
First Ten Pages Workshop (limit 12 writers)
Saturday, August 14th, 9:00am - 6:00pm
Freehold Theatre
2222 Second Avenue, Suite 200
Seattle, WA 98121
Fee $95
Audit $45

Portland
Full Script Workshop (limit 6 writers)
Sunday, August 15th, 9:00am - 6:00pm
ThinkTANK
Jupiter Hotel
800 E. Burnside
Portland, Oregon 97214
Fee $225
Audit $45

Blog as a Platform to a Book

2010-04-01T20:12:00.000-07:00

Hi,

I'm probably nuts, but I've started another blog, www.dianemettler.com.

I've always been a multi-tasker, and this new blog about taking our six acres from raw land to landscaped and revenue generating fits the bill.

I plan to blog daily for two years (heck, if I can stair machine daily for 20 years, this should be a piece of cake). It will, hopefully, in the end:

• be a record of our progress

• hone my writing skills

• elicit much-needed gardening advice and

• work as a outline for a book, and

• if popular, work as a platform for the book.

Start to Finish

I enjoy gardening and I enjoy writing, and I've been trying to figure out how to put the two together. It seemed like every garden book I could think of already exists. Or, if I came up with a new one publishers would like me to be an expert in that particular field with a well-developed platform.

Who am I to argue with a publisher? I'm going to become an expert of sorts over the next 2 years — at least at creating a yard from scratch — and develop a platform.

I'm already jazzed about it. Curious to hear what you think.

Getting Back to Writing

2010-03-31T17:15:00.000-07:00

I'm back, after a wild week. Didn't get much writing done, but did manage to experience a lot of stuff to write about — like finishing a house without my husband and I killing each other. In fact, there's probably a whole book in there somewhere.

Bad Water

The biggest event though happened in the bathroom. I finally got a few minutes to run a long-awaited bath. It's where I do all my first drafts and I had some serious writing to catch up on. I put in some bubble bath, started the water, and came back a few minutes later with my pad of paper and pen to get down to business.

When I walked into the bathroom I was assaulted by the smell of rotten eggs and a bathtub full of brown water. We'd smelled the sulphur in the water before, but nothing like this.

I'd like say that I immediately emptied the tub, but I wanted that bath so bad I just threw more bubble bath to cover the brown water and cover some of the stink, and jumped in.

Good Water

The next day I made a call to the water guys, who immediately came out a did a test. They told us what I'd already assumed from my bath — we had EXTREMELY hard water. The levels were off the charts. I was told we could keep the water the way it was, but my hair would eventually turn orange, among other things.

This morning we had a $4,700 filtration system put in. I wonder what the IRS would say if I took it off as a writing expense?

Oh well, the good news, I'm looking forward to my bath tonight and writing without holding my nose.

A Shout Out to a Great Blog

2010-03-19T09:32:00.000-07:00

I follow lots of blogs and I'm guessing you do to. I'm curious to hear what some of your favorites are.

One I enjoy is Go Into the Story, by Scott Myers. You can view his entire profile on the blog, but the condensed version is Scott's been screenwriting since 1987, and also teaches and produces.

He's got about 40 amazing scripts posted on his blog if you're looking for something to read. I'm thrilled to see he has The Usual Suspects and Little Miss Sunshine — two scripts I've been wanting to read. (They are downloading as I write.)

But this blog is more than about scripts, it's full of great information about writing. And you don't have to been a screenwriter to enjoy it.

Other Blogs

Anyway, that's my pick for the day. If you've got other blogs you'd recommend . . . I loved to know. :-)

Have a wonderful weekend.

Diane

Dissect Great Stories to Better Your Own

2010-03-15T09:19:00.000-07:00

I just watched the movie, Amelia, based on a couple books about Amelia Earhart's life. It was beautiful, but boring. I was stunned. How could you make one of the most dynamic female characters in recent history boring.

Answer: every time there was conflict in her life, the moviemakers/storytellers didn't get into it. They quickly wrapped it up and walked on to the next event in her life.

This woman had a complicated life — a marriage to a giant publisher, an affair, having to sell products she disliked to finance her flying, fighting to get recognized in a male world, the competition from other females, not to mention her own obsession with flying that ultimately killed her. Instead of living any of those events with her, I felt those those moments were presented as a stunning laundry list. Unfortunately, that's a history lesson, not great story telling.

A Time to Kill

Then, last night, I'm watching a rerun on TV last night of A Time To Kill, a 1996 movie based on the John Grisham book. Immediately, I thought, the Amelia folks should have had Grisham give them a few story pointers. Say what you will about the man, but this guy can pour on the conflict. Within less than an hour:

• a child is raped and left for dead

• the father murders the guys who did and is on trial.

• a young attorney who takes on the case partly due to guilt (he suspected the murder)

• an experienced attorney is ready to blow our young attorney out of the water for his career

• the KKK jump in, which causes some marital struggles for our young attorney when they start trying to blow up his house with wife and child inside

• we find out young attorney has no money and trying to case with no resources

• we find out experienced attorney has lots of resources

• the NAACP is trying to replace our young attorney too

• beautiful research attorney steps in who is brilliant by a temptation for our young attorney

. . . And this is all within an hour! Holy smokes!

Looking for Tension

I'm always looking for ways to increase the conflict and suspense in my stories. I'll be honest, I'm not mean enough to my characters and don't put them the tough scenes. Maybe that's because I like my characters and it's hard to beat up on them.

But after watching Amelia Earhart and a Time to Kill back to back, it's time to start getting tougher, because the alternative is to put the audience to sleep.

Capturing a Details

2010-03-09T16:21:00.000-08:00

Because I want my scenes to be more detail rich, I'm trying to stop on occasion and take in what's around me. (I probably should have already been doing this for my mental health, but what can I say?)

Hardware Store

Today I was waiting to pick up some paint and looked around the hardware store. It was amazing — how could I have missed all this?

It's a tiny hardware store, the type you used to go to before the Home Depots and Lowes. The employees are friendly and know your name, and there's a popcorn machine next to the checkout counter where you can always get a free bag. Not to mention it makes the place smell great!

Piano Player

Today was the day the little old lady comes in and play piano for three hours. Don't ask me what this has to do with hardware, but the lady was pounding out the tunes. She has a bit of the palsy, so the songs have an interesting rhythm, but that just adds to overall effect.

There were people there buying shovels and picking up cement that I went to school with, all while the lady played You are My Sunshine, swaying back and forth. There was a tip jar by the piano and I noticed she'd only gotten a couple bucks, so I threw another one in.

Over the piano I saw these old pictures of the town — the first tree cut, the old mill, and some guys standing on an enormous tree, which I believe they cut down with a hand saw. People were obviously made of stronger stuff back then.

Pictures and Popcorn

The pictures were hard to make out, not because they were old, but because someone had put their kid's football trophy up there.

There was a new bench sent out by the counter. It says it was made with lumber donated by the store and it's going to be auctioned off for the senior surprise this June. It also has the dates you're supposed to show up and bid.

This stopping and looking is pretty cool. I did it all while eating popcorn. I'm going to have to do it more often.

Who is Your Oscar Favorite?

2010-03-05T18:01:00.001-08:00

Sunday is the Oscars and I can hardly wait. We're building a new home and I'm hoping to have the TV room done by Sunday so we can sit, watch and root on our favorites. (The perfect christening.)

Who are you hoping will win, and why?

I have two categories — the movies I hope will win, and the ones I think will win. For Best Picture, I think The Hurt Locker has a good shot at it. Personally, I'd like to see Up receive it. I'll be REALLY disappointed though if Avatar gets it. Technically amazing, but the story was serviceable.

Best Original Script. I'm rooting for UP or Inglorious Bastards. I think The Hurt Locker's going to get it. But they are all great.

Best Adapted Script. Rooting for Up In the Air, but again everyone is deserving.

So, what do you think?

One Writer Gets a SIGN

2010-03-04T15:06:00.000-08:00

Maybe we writers are an insecure lot — or maybe it's just me — but as I write, I'm wondering if this manuscript is even worth the time. I like the story, but will thousands of others like it too?

Maybe my time would be better spent learning to knit or working at a food bank.

Looking for the SIGN

I'm continually looking for that SIGN — the SIGN from the universe that I'm on the right track. Let me put this another way, I'm not looking for signs, I'm desperately searching for signs. I'm so desperate, I'll make them out of thin air if I have to.

Here are few of my recent SIGNS:

• My computer was open to my story when I sat down (of course, I was working on it when I left, so chances of this sign were pretty good).

• I'll be working on a working on a story and talk to someone who has the same name as one of my characters (I helps that I always have a character named Mike.)

• My favorite song comes on while I'm writing. (Helps to have LOTS of favorite songs.)

• At least one line comes easily that day.

• Lucky pennies. (Of course, I leave them so I can find them again and again.)

The Real SIGN

I realize that I fabricate most of my signs. But what can I do, I'm a SIGN junky.

That's why today is a big day. I had one — a SIGN! Not one I made up, but an honest-to-god SIGN. I was writing a scene in the story where a woman talks to a little spider and the spider leads her to a chamber. As I'm writing this, the tiniest spider you've ever seen slides down on his web and lands on my computer.

Is that a sign or what?!!

I picked him up and set him out of harms way, then wrote like crazy. This next manuscript is going to be great, I can feel it now.

Also, I might leave the window open (accidently, of course) to let a few more spiders in.

The Create a Character Challenge

2010-03-01T14:55:00.000-08:00

Just got back from a conference in Oregon. It wasn't writing related, but fun.

I found myself jotting down different characters or pieces of characters I could use for stories. Like . . .

• the cute Canadian guy from Quebec, who had a German wife. What language they spoke I wasn't sure, but he enjoyed fishing for Pike and and hockey.

• There was the guy who had completed a industry documentary, but he was also a former baseball player and was pitching reality TV ideas in LA. He was also a big fan of romantic comedies.

• There was the professional chainsaw carver that looked like a young surfer, with his sun glasses fluid movements. He'd actually trained as a carver and was doing spectacular carvings, like sea turtles swimming in coral.

Character Journal

I've always jotted these types of things down in my journal, but now I'm thinking of starting just a "character" journal. I'm challenging myself to a character a day for a year. Not a lot of work, just quick, minor character sketches, some cool details, or whatever makes sense.

The Challenge

Want to take it with me? I know, you're saying, "But I won't meet 365 this year."

Don't worry. On those days you don't have a new person, you can use a past friend or relative. That's just a good, because I think we forget how colorful some of our friends are.

Are you with me? Hope so. And also hoping you'll share some of the extra special characters you come across.

Happy writing!

Legally Blonde from film to stage

2010-02-24T06:51:00.000-08:00

Saw Legally Blonde last night at the 5th Avenue Theater ins Seattle. I enjoyed it, although I was little distracted as I watched humorous scenes from the movie turned into big, flashy show tunes. It was a little like watching a movie made from one of your favorite books. You're extremely conscious of the adaptation.

But it was fun and I'd recommend it — especially if you're a fan of musicals and Legally Blonde.

This is the second time this season that a musical was adapted from a movie — the other being Catch Me if You Can. Not one I would have ever even thought to adapt into a musical, but it worked.

Be a Little Creative

As much as I liked both of those movies and musicals, I have to admit, I'm a little disappointed by the lack of creativity out there. It's bad enough to watch all the sequels at the movie theater. But now we get to watch remakes at the theater?

As writers we need to show them how it's done. Grab your pen, pencil or keyboard and knock out those novels, musicals and scripts. Lets show them how to be creative.

I definitely don't want to see Avatar the Musical.

How to Get Inexpensive and Professional Feedback on your Script

2010-02-20T07:26:00.000-08:00

Hi,

Went to hear Tom Malloy speak last night. Wow! The guy is seriously high energy. I'm ready to write 1, 2, maybe 3 scripts . . . this morning.

I know he doesn't look high energy here in this photo, but that's because he was jumping around so much, this is the only picture that is relatively in focus.

Feedback On Your Script

Tom had some great advice for writers, but the piece I'm going to put to good use right away is how to get inexpensive and great feedback from professional readers on your script -- before you send it out there.

He said to go to Craiglist in LA and say you're looking for a reader to give you feedback on your script. You'll find plenty of folks who have read for studios and they will give you coverage inexpensively — like from $50 to $250.

Next, you send your script off to three different readers and see what you get back. The idea is to look for "trends". If they all tell you that your script needs stronger characters — your script needs stronger characters.

Reader Different From Writer

He has had great results with this process and it's helped him really hone his scripts. He's got the stats to prove it — he's sold or produced 5 of his last 9 scripts. (I think that's the stat, I don't have my notes in front of me right now. But it's something completely insane like that.)

He believes you should get feedback from readers versus writers. Readers know what studios are looking for. Plus, if the writer is your friend, you might be getting biased feedback.

I don't know if I'm explaining this well. But in short, if you find 3 readers at $50 a piece — for $150 you could get quality studio coverage and feedback to help you rewrite your script before sending out there for the world to read.

Sounds like a deal to me. :-) Can hardly wait to give it a try.

Plumbers are Keeping Me from Writing

2010-02-17T06:58:00.000-08:00

We're are finishing up a new house and the last piece is the plumbing. Most of the sinks have been installed, toilets, and even the dishwasher. But what hasn't been installed is my BATHTUB!

I do most of my creative writing (well, the first draft) in the bathtub. For three weeks I've been walking past the beautiful bathtub, still wrapped in plastic, cursing the plumbers — who by the way are now missing in action.

Hijacking a Bathtub

Without access to my tub and Mr. Bubble, I'm going through a type of withdrawal. Last week I put together an emergency writing bag — towel, soap, bubble bath, pen and paper — and headed off to my mom and dad's. As soon as I hit the soapy water, I was writing like crazy, trying to catch up.

I'm sure our plumbers have no idea they are standing in the way of some great fiction. Maybe if I called and said, "Get over here! It's bad enough our washer machine and sinks aren't installed yet, but the bathtub is high priority. I've got script I want to get a producer."

At the very least, I might get their attention.

Tom Malloy speaks in Seattle February 19

2010-02-16T11:07:00.001-08:00

If you're a screenwriter and looking for new ways to get your script(s) into the hands of the right people, you may want to come hear Tom Malloy speak this Friday.

Or if you've always wanted to produce your movie, but wondering how you go about finding the dollars, you'll also want to hear Tom speak.

The NWSG is hosting Mr. Malloy this Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Clear Channel Building in Seattle. Doors open at 6:45.

Tom recently published a book entitled Bankroll: A New Approach to Financing Feature Films. He's raised over $15 million in four years to finance his films and his book covers how he did it — and how you can too. So you can expect he'll be talking about that on Friday.

Personally, I'm headed to hear him talk because if he has insight into any new avenue for getting your script produced, I'd love to hear it. It only takes one person to say "yes"!

Also, there's going to be some Q&A time with Tom and I'm putting together my list of questions. If you have some you want to ask while I'm there, just let me know.

Back to the keyboard

OK, it's back to the keyboard. I'm in the middle of a rewrite and found out I need to know a lot more about the prohibition era. THANK GOD for the internet. Or maybe not. I just typed "Prohibition" into Google and it came back with 22 million pages.

Have a GREAT day!

The Glamorous Life of Writing

2010-02-11T14:09:00.001-08:00

When I was younger, I had this image of writers. It was a glamorous life. They wrote amazing things when they were inspired, made loads of dough and hung out with cool people.

Well, I do hang with cool people, but at the moment that's the only thing glamorous about my life.

The unglamorous side of writing

I'll give you the highlights of the week so far:

• Moved into my office before the plumber finished —NEVER do this. Now the plumber is missing in action and I'm running back and forth to my neighbors (luckily my parents) to use the restroom. I'm also planning terrible things to do to the plumber.

• Invested in barn boots. Since the move, I'm helping my folks with farm chores, which require early morning walks to the barn through a substantial amount of mud and cow pies. My plastic garden clogs weren't keeping out the muck, so I purchased knee-high barn boots.

After using them, they were filthy so I left them outside. Last night it rained and then froze, which I discovered when I tried to put them on.

• My latest assignment is a "manure" article. Yes, it's a theme this week. I'm writing not about what inspires me, but about manure safety equipment (very cool actually) that alerts professional manure pumpers when they are pumping out manure and the hydrogen sulphate levels get too high.

• Flooring is being put in and the dust is extreme. As I write, the dust is settling down on me and my computer, probably destroying my computer and making me look prematurely gray. Will have to schedule a shower with my next toilet run.

There you have it. A not-too-glamorous-writing-life. Even so, I'd still never give up the writing gig.

How a Rock can in Improve Your Writing

2010-02-08T14:10:00.000-08:00

Now that I'm living next to my folks' farm, my new chores in the morning are to feed the cows hay, bottle feed a calf, and make sure a cow and her calf housed in a separate area are watered and fed.

While taking care of the cow and her calf, I got a glimpse of my dad's creativity. He doesn't have the chance to express his creativity in the obvious areas, like art or music, so it shows up in less obvious areas — like how he uses the enormous rocks on the property.

In this single cow pen, he'd used rocks to:

• shore up a shed as makeshift foundation

• as a fence

• as a water trough holder

• as stepping stones.

And if you looked across the field you'd see he'd also used them for pet tombstones, car blocks and, I think, art.

Thinking outside the box

I was impressed. He's like the MacGyver of rocks. You should see what the guy can do with barbed wire.

Seeing how my dad's mind works makes me realize that my characters don't necessarily see things the way I do. One character may see a rock and think it's a stone, another sees a tombstone, and another may see a piece of art.

Be MacGyver

My challenge, should you accept it, is to think of all uses for that ballpoint pen on your desk. Yes, be MacGyver. Go for it.

I'll get you started:

• a straw

• a weapon (dull knife)

• self-tattoo instrument

• . . .

Small Things Make for Big Stories

2010-02-05T15:18:00.000-08:00

I was listening yesterday to an interview with Louis and Mary Leakey's granddaughter, Louise. She talked about how one goes about discovering fossils in Africa. It's pretty simple — you walk very slowly and look at the ground.

She also said that it's hard for those of us who look at computer screens to transition to fossil finding. In fact, it takes quite a while to learn how to look for little things in the dirt.

We used to have the skills when we were small. Little kids are fascinated with things in the dirt — partly because they are close to the ground and it's all right there. But we lose the fascination and the skills as we get older, taller, and purchase computers.

Don't miss the cool stuff

This got me to thinking. How many cool things am I missing as I walk past them? Probably quite a few. So, this February I'm going to try to get my "dirt looking" skills back. I'm going to notice things that are at my feet — kneeling down and checking the dirt out when I think of it and putting the iPhone away when I don't really need it.

Why? Because it's small details that make up great stories and there is a lot going on at foot level — flaking paint on a porch step, the crunch of the crushed rock under your feet, leaves decaying on a sidewalk and leaving a perfect imprint, or the rocks that work their way up to the surface on muddy days.

But besides adding more texture and color to my stories, I think noticing them will add more texture and color to my life.

Thank you Louise Leakey!

Writers Need Books

2010-02-03T16:25:00.001-08:00

We're in the middle of finishing a new house and living under a nice roof, with an office, lots of boxes and a bed. We are quickly finishing floors, installing cabinets, hanging doors, painting, etc., etc., etc.

Dying for Basics

It's dusty and I'm dying to do a load of laundry. The washer and dryer are sitting in the middle of the laundry room waiting to wash clothes if only someone would come hook them up. But that comes after the counters on Friday.

I'm also dying to hang up my clothes, which are all in garbage bags sitting in my soon-to-be cool closet. I've found my sweaters, blouses, old coats and shoes. Have not found the bag with socks, underwear. (Foresee a trip to Fred Meyer in my future.)

Dying for Books

But you know what I'm really dying for — BOOKS!! The books I was reading when we packed were: Twitter for Dummies, the Donner Party expedition, and the Stephen King book, Under the Dome. Now I can't find them. My guess is they're with my underwear.

It's stressing me out. All the characters in the books are in limbo. The Donners are three-quarters of the way through their journey, stuck there until I can read more. The town folk in Stephen King's novel have just realized they are trapped and starting to panic. I need to rescue them!

Need to Read

I love reading and wish I liked to read more on a computer screen, but after working all day on one, my eyes are begging for a break. So, I prop my paper books up on my stair machine and peddle away as my characters struggle through their journeys. Right now though, I'm just peddling.

I had no idea how much I needed to read. I guess we writers like to surround ourselves in stories and words because that's a world we feel comfortable in. I'm off to Borders to buy some books.

Breaking Into Screenwriting — 8-week online course

2010-02-01T15:52:00.000-08:00

I’ve talked about screenwriting in my blog, but I don’t know if I’ve mentioned that I’ve been teaching since 1997.

This quarter I thought I’d try teaching Breaking Into Screenwriting online. The first eight-week class will begin February 15.

What you’ll Get

This will be a hands-on course where writers will learn to weave a visual story and create tight plots and dynamic characters. You will learn not only the tools and skills necessary to write a script, but to market it as well.

Because there is no way to finish and rewrite a full-length script in 8 weeks, I have each student write a short script (15 to 30 pages) from concept through rewrite.

Online Structure
Here's a rough overview of how the class will be structured:

1. The course will be set up as a Yahoo Group, so students will have the benefit of reading other students questions and responses.

2. You will be given information on a topic each week (the virtual equivalent of a short lecture).

3. There will be weekly assignments: reading, watching movies and written tasks.

4. Students will be able to email me throughout the week, and I’ll be available to answer any questions and give feedback.

5. Each student will have a half hour telephone call each week (if they want to talk to me) about their progress.

Cost
Since this is first time I’ve taught this class on the web (and anticipating there may be a few bugs), the cost will be a VERY reasonable $75.

Credentials

If you’re wondering about my credentials, in addition to teaching for over 10 years, I’m a member of the Screenwriter's Guild (WGA), with a movie in post-production with Hallmark (due to air this fall) and have won or placed in numerous regional and national screenwriting contests.

If you're interested in taking the class, or have any questions about the class you can contact me directly at diane@spilledinkstudio.com.

Hope to hear from you!

Online Screenwriting Class Starting February 15

2010-01-28T12:52:00.001-08:00

Hi,

Short post today, but I wanted to let folks know that I'm going to be teaching an 8-week online screenwriting class beginning February 15. (At the very reasonable cost of $75.00, I might add.)

I've been teaching screenwriting for over 10 years in a classroom setting, and decided to finally branch out online.

It should be fun! Stay tuned for details on Monday.

Creating Your Writing Space

2010-01-27T10:42:00.001-08:00

We're in the final stages of building a new home and it's hard work but a dream come true.

Besides the flooring, counter tops, paint colors and the 100 other details that go into the house, I'm also focussing on creating a creative spot to write.

Physical

Creating the physical spot is the easy part. I chose the bonus room over the garage for my writing area -- which I'll be painting today. It looks over trees tops and I couldn't ask for a more beautiful location.

I also purchased an AWESOME bathtub, which the IRS should let me take off on my taxes because I spend so much time in there writing -- especially first drafts.

Mental

Creating a physical location is easy. When you get down to it, you can take your pen and paper or laptop anywhere. What takes work is preparing that mental spot.

I've been spending the last couple months really meditating and preparing myself for this move. This the next big chapter of my life and I want writing to be front and center. When I step into this house, I want to (no I will ) experience that excitement of a fresh start. I'm already looking forward to turning out fresh pages a new room.

Today

This is a short blog because I'm running out to the new house now to try to finish painting, put in a dog fence and oversee the driveway. But while I'm doing this, I'm going to be spending time visualizing the successful and happy writer that's going to live in this fabulous place.

Agents Rebecca Ewing (UTA) and David Boxerbaum (APA) speak at NWSG

2010-01-25T09:15:00.001-08:00

Not sure who all is within driving distance to Seattle this Friday, but the NWSG (Northwest Screenwriters Guilds) is hosting agents Rebecca Ewing (UTA) and David Boxerbaum (APA).

These two agents have amazing resumes. They've worked for companies like the William Morris Agency and Jerry Bruckheimer Films and today work with and represent some of the top talent in the industry.

It Gets Better

Ewing and Boxerbaum will not only be speaking about the experiences, but will be taking questions from the floor for an hour.

The event is free to NWSG members and only $15.00 for non members. It will be held at the Clear Channel building, at 351 Elliot Ave. West, Seattle, WA 98119.

Even Better . . . Pitching

If you're part of the NWSG, members will get a change to sign up to pitch to these two agents on Saturday. If you're not in L.A., it's hard to find opportunities to pitch to agents like these. So, if you have a script to pitch, this would be the time to join the NWSG.

I apologize for the shameless plug for NWSG, but having tried to get scripts in front of agents for over 20 years, I know how valuable an event like this is.

Have a great week. Write hard!

Diane

Input versus Output

2010-01-18T20:25:00.000-08:00

There are days when you write (output) and there are days when you're experiencing life (input). Today was an input day — and I have the chemical burns on my arms to prove it.

My job today was to clean out the garage. I hadn't expected it to be a dangerous assignment.

Cat Litter

First off, I had to deal with at least a dozen half empty cans of paint. You can't take them to the dump unless the paint's dry, which was a problem because tomorrow is dump day. I read on the internet that you can quickly dry paint by adding cat litter. It worked. Only five bags later and two hours of sniffing cat litter dust, the paint is hard as a rock.

Don't Burn Laminate Floors

Next, I learned that although laminate flooring burns, it could be toxic. I apologize for my carbon footprint today. I had no idea how much plastic went into a few planks of that stuff. I tossed them on a bon fire, the wind changed and I sucked up more toxic gas than I would have liked.

Mouse Dust

Last, I moved boxes out of the garage. It turns out our garage is one large mouse colony. Every box I moved sent a plume of dirty mouse dust into the air. The plumes stunk (worse than burning laminate) and I breathed in things I'm sure would keep me up it night if I knew what they were.

Input

I'd like to think this was a productive writing day because I have all these new experiences, but I'm hard pressed at the moment to think of a story where I need a character that through her own stupidity inhales disgusting, possibly toxic, substances all day.

Maybe the next input day will be better . . . and my chemical burns will heal.

Truth is too Strange for Fiction

2010-01-14T14:46:00.000-08:00

I love talking to my mom because she's always sharing local stories that start out with something like, "Did you hear about Bob? He was crushed by his tractor." or "You should be keeping those plastic bread bag clips. A teacher in Eatonville is trying to collect 1 million."

Local Flare

Last night's story was a keeper. Mom started out with, "Did you hear about June? She ran over her own foot?"

I shook my head. June's a short woman in her late 60s who recently had a heart surgery and shouldn't be running over pieces of herself. She may be of tough farm stock, but people are only so tough.

Mom said, "June got out of the car to get the mail and left the car out of gear. It started to roll and June went after it." It turns out that in retrieving it, the car managed to run OVER June and she was stuck underneath with the car resting on her ankle.

I asked how June fit under the car — she's not exactly svelte.

Mom shrugged and went on, "It was dark, and the car was in the middle of the road. Luckily, someone stopped to check it out and noticed June's hand sticking out from under the car, trying to get his attention." Mom demonstrated.

Mom went on to explain that had to explain to the young man how to drive the car off her — I assume in a manner that would cause her the least amount of injury.

Remarkably, mom said, June had no broken bones, but her ego's a little damaged.

Collecting stories

I've started collecting these stories because they're both strange and entertaining . . . and I LOVE them. Unfortunately, I can't use them "as is". Truth is stranger than fiction, and that's why readers won't believe your "true story" if you use it straight up in your fiction.

One of my first scripts included a bunch of weird stuff from my home town. The consensus from several agents was "The story's great, but none of those things could really have happened. Could you make it more believable?"

June's story

Now I collect my strange, local stories and piece them out as needed. For example, I already have a use for a hand coming out from under the car, summoning help.

Too bad truth is TOO strange for fiction, because June's is a great little story!

One Way to Come up with Descriptions

2010-01-11T08:36:00.001-08:00

Yesterday was one of those creative days — or someone had slipped me something.

Everything looked like something else. I drove past a river and was sure I saw a grizzly bear dipping his toe in the water. It turned out to be an enormous stump, burnt orange from decay, that had no doubt been there for decades.

Up the road I thought I spotted two, 20-foot crocodiles coming down from the top of a tree. I knew it couldn't be true and didn't even stop to figure it out.

What Does it Look Like?

Now that I write this, I know why I'm seeing odd associations. I'm reading a book of short stories by Annie Proulx — one of the best writers out there in my humble opinion — and she always wow's me with her descriptions. Just the dozens of ways she described clouds in this last book has left me breathless.

It reminded me of an exercise a writing instructor gave us in college. He told us that we should constantly be looking at things and coming of associations and descriptions. For example, a branch might look like arthritic fingers or the outstretched arm of a mother to a child. He told us to do this exercise forever. He said it would be hard at first, but would get easier.

It was hard! I practice it once in a while when I'm driving. But as I've been reading these Annie Proulx stories, I've desperately wanted to get back at it and writer better descriptions.

Hallucinations

So I've been practicing, and I think my subconscious (or muse) is also in on the exercise. Even when I think I've stopped trying to come up with descriptions and have turned to something mundane like taxes, the muse is still at it — spotting grizzly bears and crocodiles.

Last night I about jumped out of my skin when I thought I spotted two eyes — 3 feet apart —staring out of the shadows of a fir tree. I didn't check it out, I just locked the door and told my muse to start making some less scary associations.

Learn to Love Your Rejection Letters

2010-01-06T08:48:00.000-08:00

Hi,

Hope you're not taking as long as I am getting back in the "writing" saddle this year. I have one excuse, I'm in the middle of a moving and building a house, both of which have to be completed by the 29th. I keep telling myself, "Stephen King wouldn't let a little thing like this keep him from writing."

Loads of Rejection Letters

While packing last night, I came across my rejection letters. When I started writing scripts over 20 years ago, one of the ways I stay motivated was to reread my rejection letters — and I had a LOT! They filled a three-ring binder.

They ranged from the harsh rejection, "NOT FOR US!" to the less painful, "Contact us again after the next draft." My favorite is the tiny rejection letter (1" x 2") that read, "Not interested" on one side and had the agency's address printed on the other.

My Buddies

Since I write for a living now, I decided it was time to move on and recycle the letters. It's not like I could sell them on Ebay or anything. So, off they went. And I was actually sad (still am a little) to say goodbye to them.

Why? They were my buddies for years and kept me writing. I know it sounds strange, but I figured only writers get rejection letters. People who think about writing, plan on writing, consider writing, or talk about writing, do NOT have rejection letters. And probably every famous writer out there has had his share of rejections letters. It's part of the journey. And I wanted to get going on that journey.

In short, every letter confirmed I was a writer.

Granted, getting published and produced is more fun than receiving a rejection letter, but I will always have fond feelings toward those pieces of paper. I may have to dig out an especially nasty one from the recycle bin to keep me company on my next phase of the journey.

How to Find Story Solutions

2009-12-31T08:42:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year . . . almost. As I write this there are about 15 more hours left of the year.

It's hard not to get excited when faced with all the possibilities of a new year can bring. I hope that everyone's writing careers blossoms in 2010!

I'm sure you've got parties to go to and festivities to get ready for, so I'll make this entry short. Just want to leave you with a writing tool/exercise you might try in 2010.

Ask the question

I've been troubled with a couple plot problems lately. For example, I have a story where I need something funny and romantic to happen in a large hole in the ground. I hadn't come up with anything in over two weeks, so I decided to try something I'd heard about years ago — ask the muse.

I wrote the question out and pinned it up for the muse to see. "What happens in this hole? Can you please come up with something good?" I also asked him to give it some thought as I went to bed last night.

Thank you

Woke up this morning with answer! The answer isn't fully realized — that's my job — but the foundation is there.

How do you thank my muse? Maybe I'll pin a note on the wall that says just that, "Thank you Muse!!!"

Not sure if this is of any help in you 2010 pursuits, but had to pass it along.

Happy New Year!!!

Use Your Relatives for Future Stories

2009-12-28T17:01:00.000-08:00

Just finished up another Christmas holiday. With my family that means three days of dinners, present exchanges, and LOTS of relatives. With lots of relatives come some unavoidable tension.

This year I decided instead of getting frustrated, I'd pick up a pen. I collected some interesting character sketches and scenes that I tucked away for future stories. Here are a few:

• My aunt brought her two large dogs into a crowded house, even though she's been asked to leave them home. Tension built as the dogs jumped on people, tried to eat off the table, growled at the family dog, and left my brother, who has dog allergies, wheezing and barely able to talk. The aunt seemed to think this was all as it should be. The rest of us will forever call this The Christmas of the Dogs.

• Took a walk on my folks farm to feed a calf. It was dusk and the fog had rolled in, so I didn't realize my parents had gotten a new bull until I was face to face with it. Luckily, the bull was seriously interested in one of the cows, and hardly noticed a woman running across the field, screaming like a banshee.

• Got a very interesting gift — a huge bat house. It will house over 300 bats. It's not the house that has me thinking of future scenes, but the idea of 300 bats come to roost. (Do bats roost?)

These are just a few of the story ideas/scenes I collected over the holiday. How about you? Any good ones you want to share?

•

J.P. Patches — You're My Hero

2009-12-23T08:51:00.000-08:00

Today is my birthday and also the anniversary of one of my coolest writing memories.

If you grew up in the Northwest in the 60s and 70s, you probably remember J.P. Patches. In the late 60s, I was a dedicated viewer and of his TV show and an official Patches Pal.

J.P. had this thing called an ICU2 (I See You Too) TV set and he would look into it and tell kids on their birthdays where they could find presents.

On my 7th birthday J.P. looked into his I See You Too TV set and told me, Diane Mettler, to go look under my bed. I screamed upstairs and there was a present, just like he said. It was my first diary — green plastic vinyl with a little gold lock, which was extremely easy to pick. Good thing, because I lost the key immediately.

I wrote in that diary the first day I got it and I've been writing diligently in journals for four decades.

It was a big day for me. J.P., wherever you are, thank you!! And mom (who I'm sure had a hand in it too) I'll give you a big hug later.

Have a wonderful day today!

2010 Writing Resolution

2009-12-21T14:25:00.001-08:00

I'm trying to come up with a good 2010 writing resolution.

Usually I'm too optimistic — make a big sale, finish four manuscripts, spend an hour a day marketing. I never come close to accomplishing my goals, mostly because they are out of my control or impossible to carry out.

This year I'm taking a new approach. I'm going to make my resolution something I have complete control over — my attitude. In 2010 my new motto will be:

YOU'RE NOT A WIMP! BE BRAVE!

I get so frustrated with myself when I'm hesitate to call back producers, approach new markets, or take risks with my writing. 2010 is going to be different. No room for nervousness or excuses. I've got one life to live, a limited number of manuscripts and I can write and I'm going to make the most of both.

Of course, now I'm already nervous I can't pull this off — completely defeating the purpose. I figure I've got 10 day to get in mental shape!

What's you're resolution this year?!

Creating a Writers Group

2009-12-18T12:44:00.001-08:00

I just joined the board of the NWSG. The topic of writers groups just came up. Members have said want to be part of one and the board is trying to see how we can facilitate that.

For a couple days emails were flying around. Everyone had an opinion on what made a good writers group:

• It should be a large group

• It should be no larger than 6 or 7

• It's chemistry, not size, that matters

• Everyone needs to be at the same level in their writing

• Everyone should have the same level of life experience

• It should cover marketing

• It shouldn't cover marketing, but focus on writing

Well, you get the idea. The group was basically describing the elements of successful writers groups they had belonged to. And, it appears, there are as many types of writers groups as there are writers.

(I think we ultimately decided to put together an evening mixer, where writers who are interested in forming a writers group can meet, talk and see what happens.)

My experience

I've been a part of the same writer's group since it began in 1988. We try to meet weekly, and we read our pages out loud and people give constructive feedback.

Today it's a rather tame group. When we started out, we were a radical bunch. We would crash other writers groups, bring in speakers, and go on road trips to conferences. We even started our own agency so we could represent each other and get our work out there (a story for another blog).

Over the years people have come and gone. Many have become produced, published and/or have full time jobs writing. And although we've had our ups and downs — like the time a woman left crying because she was there for complements not critique or when we had to get rid of the original leader — overall it's been a great experience.

I think there are several reasons why our group has been successful:

• There's a positive chemistry. We inspire each other.

• We're willing to try new things.

• We truly want to see the other writers succeed.

• We take time to have retreats, parties, etc., to breath new life into the group (In fact, the picture above is of our writers group at a retreat - minus the guys. Not sure why they couldn't make it.)

• We allow people to become the artists they need to be — even if that's not necessary a writer.

• We try to be honest with each other.

• We re-evaluate the goals of the group and let it evolve.

Life Expectancy

I've been part of other groups that have lasted as little as 1 year to up to 7 or 8 years. Groups are organic things. They change with the people. And like some relationships, they have a certain life expectancy.

One group I belonged too fell apart because the majority of the group became successful writers and didn't need the support anymore to help launch their careers. All writers groups should have such break up.

Final Thought

I could go on about writers groups all day, so I'll make this brief. If you are considering putting a writing group together, just make sure:

• it's a group that respects each other,

• that you all agree on the same goals, and

• you're willing to put in the time.

A writer's group is only as effective as its members. The ones that work are ones that ascribe to the old adage . . . it isn't what the writers group can do for you, but what you can do for your writers group.

Thoughts?

Do you belong to a writers group? I would love to hear how yours works and any insights you may have.

Talk to you later!

Advice from a Producer

2009-12-15T07:59:00.000-08:00

Yesterday a producer called to give me feedback on my latest script. She started out with, "Your banter is great, but not your storytelling." After that, she went on to tell me everything that needed to be changed — from the major premise to the tone.

At the end of the conversation she ended with, "I'm looking forward to reading the rewrite."

Still Alive & Breathing

A few years ago, comments like this would have taken me out at the knees. Today, I'm happy to discover I wasn't devastated. In fact, I'm upbeat and ready to rewrite.

Maybe it's because I know a couple things I didn't know back then:

1. Producers don'ts see your script as a personal story with an important message needing to be communicated. They see it as source material that can be used to create something marketable.

2. They don't mean any of the comments as a personal attack. This is business. Your write the product, they sell it. And they would like direct you to create a product they can sell.

3. She doesn't believe my storytelling is bad. She wouldn't ask me to rewrite it if that were case. She just wants me to write the story she wants to sell, not necessarily the one I want to write.

A Revelation

I thought I might be disappointed today, considering what kind of rewrite this producer was proposing. But after all the rewriting I did with the last movie, I realize I kind of missed it.

There's a creative rush to have someone give you what seem like impossible comments and creatively find ways that not only solve the problems, but MAKE THE STORY BETTER in the process.

I'm surprised to find I'm aching to hit the keyboard running. Amazing what a few years and a little perspective will do.

Write What you Know - Steal Your Family's Stories

2009-12-14T13:29:00.001-08:00

People often tell me, "You should write about your family."

That usually stops me. My family seems kind of boring. It's hard to write what you consider "ho hum".

I needed to flesh out a character, so I decided to look a little closer at my family today and see if I could find a few interesting nuggets. I don't know if my dad's possum counts.

The Possum

Dad started feeding a baby possum. It was fuzzy and white and about eight inches long. And although I could see why my dad thought it was cute, it did kind of resembled a large rat, with a pink nose, giant teeth and hairless splayed claws that were so creepy you couldn't look at them without having nightmares for a week.

My dad was looking forward to a time when he could pet the shy little guy and it would crawl into his lap like one of the cats. My Mom was upset for exactly that reason. Dad had been feeding it cat food and now when she fed her cats, the possum and cats all came running. (I should mention that my parents live on a farm and feed their cats outside. Thank god for small favors.)

When you came a visit, you got to listen to the possum saga. My dad would show us pictures of it like it was one of the kids. Mom talked about my dad needing better hobbies that didn't include disgusting rodents.

I was enjoying the whole thing. I was also secretly rooting for dad because I'd been feeding possums at my place. They are cute in their own ugly way. They also seem to be at the bottom of the food chain. It's hard not to root for them when the raccoons and skunks treat them like second class citizens.

Not long ago, dad informed us that Possum had died. Of course, it took him a while to accept his passing. For several days he hoped he was "playing possum" and would suddenly jump back to life. Unfortunately, he wasn't playing dead, he was experiencing real thing.

My mom is silently rejoicing. My dad's a little blue. He is also keeping his eye out for another possum.

Write What You Know

I'm not sure if this is interesting. It's hard to be objective when it's your own family's stories. But David Sedaris uses his family stories, and they're pretty good. And it's definitely easier to take your family's stories and weave them into my own than to come up with them from scratch.

So I guess there's probably something to the expression, write what you know.

How to Carve out Writing Moments During the Holidays

2009-12-10T09:39:00.001-08:00

Is the holiday season crazy busy or what?

I just checked my calendar and I have three days between now and Christmas day that don't include a social event — and that doesn't take into account time needed to buy presents, mail christmas cards, decorate . . . watch Christmas movies. When is a person supposed to find time to write?

It's tempting to say, "I'll get back to it in January." Just like it's tempting to eat those extra Christmas cookies. But we have to be strong. And creative. If we don't have the time, we have to make it.

Here are a few of my tricks for carving out time. If you have any others, please share.

1. Get there early. I try to show up at lunches or dinners at least a half hour early. I use that time to peacefully sit at the table with a cup of coffee working on my manuscript. Yesterday it worked out GREAT! I got there early, and the person I was meeting was late, and I had over an hour to write.

2. Make a writing date. Find another writer and set up writing dates during the season. This can be as simple as meeting at the library with laptops. However, it's important to get these on the calendar as soon as possible.

3. Waiting in line. I spent 20 minutes waiting in line at the post office yesterday. Thankfully, I had my notebook with me so I could work on my story. It also made the wait less boring.

4. Plan writing into shopping. Take your writing with you to the mall. After you've been shopping for a couple hours, head to a coffee shop and take a break and write for an hour before going back at it. You'll give your feet a break, and you'll get some words on the page as well as gifts in your bags.

5. Get up a little earlier. If you're not too sleep deprived already, you might want to set your alarm clock for a hour earlier during the holiday season. Write when you're fresh and before you're wiped out by all the activities.

Hopefully these are a little help during the season. Keep writing!

ho, ho, ho

Five Ways to KIck Start Your Muse

2009-12-08T16:31:00.000-08:00

I woke up at 4:30 a.m. with the answer to a story problem. For a couple weeks I'd been trying to find an answer to a structural flaw, then suddenly at 4:30 a.m., YURIKA, there it was!

Some people tell me they come up with their good ideas in the car or in the shower. The underlying theme seems to be that our muses need us to be quiet so they can present the answer.

If you're not quite ready to just wait around for your muse to jump in, I do have a few tips to speed it along:

1. Feed the Muse

Sometimes the muse is just hungry. Depending on what problem you're trying to solve, you might consider cooking a new meal, listening to music, taking a long walk. Muses aren't completely cerebral (at least mine isn't), and sometimes they're are moved by new tastes, sounds and experiences.

2. Relax & Trust Your Muse

A stressed muse, being told to perform on command, is a silent muse. Have confidence your muse is at work on your story, even while you're eating, sleeping or doing your taxes. Muses require a little faith.

3. Make a Date with Your Muse

My muse likes structure. I'll work on a story in the evening until I run into a problem that isn't easily solved. I let my muse know that it's quitting time and that we'll pick it back up at the same time tomorrow, when he has an answer. So far, he's never let me down.

4. Talk it Out with Friends

This kind of falls under "feeding the muse", but I like to bring up issues at my writer's group. They will discuss all kinds of options, and although none of them may be avenues I will take, it does provide new ideas for my muse. He often takes off running with one of them.

5. Be Open to Anything

If you're only looking in one spot for an answer, you're limiting your muse. Open your mind. I have an "10 Different Options" exercise I sometimes use. I write down 10 different solutions to my problem to get the juices flowing again. They can be completely insane ideas — again the purpose is to get outside your self made box.

For example, if I were having a problem with the scene where one character is trying to kill another on an tropical island (where there are no guns) by drowning them, I would think up 10 other ways to kill them — hitting them on the head with a rock, throwing them off a cliff, poisoning their coconut milk, finding a poisonous snake, running them over with my jeep, paying a native to off them, etc.

I probably won't use any of these, but the different options will spark your muse.

New Breakthroughs

Hopefully these will get you mused off an running. If you want more ideas, just let me know. I LOVE breakthrough moments, and so does my muse.

Christmas is a time for Networking

2009-12-04T07:53:00.000-08:00

For anyone who was thinking about coming to the NWSG's (Northwest Screenwriters Guild) Christmas party, you better decide fast — it's tonight. Get your RSVP in ASAP at rsvp@NWSG.org. It's free for members and $4.00 for guests.

I'm a HUGE fan of Christmas. (When your birthday's the 23rd, you can't really help it.) Over years I've discovered that the season is not only a time for giving, but also a time for networking.

Bad Networking

Networking is not going out there, hunting down people who can help your career and sucking up to them. That's anti-networking.

Good Networking

Real networking is about going out and meeting people, learning about them and making human connections. In short — becoming friends with people. And because friends tend to do nice things for their friends when they can, healthy networking is born.

There are a variety of ways to meet people and make friends — going online, attending conferences, participating in events, etc. — but during the holiday season, networking becomes amazingly easy. There are parties galore, folks are happy, and (in my opinion) in the mood to make friends.

In fact, you'll be networking whether you know it or not. While you're drinking eggnog at the next company party and talking about about Bad Santa, you'll actually be networking. How easy is that? No swapping cards and awkward moments — just good ol' fun. Networking the way it was meant to be.

So get out there network folks — and drive safely.

Editing on the Cheap

2009-12-01T15:25:00.000-08:00

Professional editing can be expensive. It's worth the investment, but sometimes you just don't have the dough.

When money has been tight, I've used friends and family to help me edit. What am I saying? Money is always tight and I'm always using them to help me edit. They do require direction though, so I give them some easy-to-use editing marks:

! = liked this section

? = don't understand what's going on

:-) = like this character

X = this is where I took a break

I would continue, but I think I may abandon my old list for this one on Bookpublishing.today.com.

I hope my friends and family are somewhat artistic, because they are a little more challenging. But on the bright side, they should have a whole lot more fun.

If you've got some to add, please share!

How to Proof your Manuscript

2009-11-30T16:26:00.000-08:00

I wish I could proof. I come from a long line of people who can barely spell, which you've no doubt noticed from my previous blogs.

I used to get C's on college papers not because of poor content but because of poor spelling. I've almost lost jobs because of my incredible dyslexic abilities. The worst experiences were at law firms.

As it turns out, attorneys are extremely sensitive about spelling, and I gave them reason to be more so. Like when I kept turning this poor man's name Gerald Giesler into Gerlad Geisler.

The attorney I worked for tried to be understanding and said, "Although I'm sure the client appreciates the gratuitous name change, please stick with the original."

I tried to spell it right, but no matter how hard I tried, it kept coming out wrong. It got to the point Gerald would call and say, "Hi, it's Gerlad."

So, you can image that I'm nervous about sending off my new script because I'm sure it's loaded with typos invisible to my naked eye.

I know that a bad speller isn't necessarily a bad writer, but unfortunately no one else knows that. Plus, I don't want the poor reader to wade through typos.

I've done the standard:

• run spell check

• had my friends look it over

• read it out loud

I'm tempted to pay a professional proofer to go through it. The last time it cost over $350. That's kind of pricey, but maybe it's worth the cost to weed out those last 'Gerlads'.

What do you guys do to make sure your stories are proofed well? Please share.

Desperately Proofing in Enumclaw

Movies versus Novels

2009-11-25T09:39:00.000-08:00

I just saw a rough cut of my movie, Growing the Big One. I still call it "my movie", but at this point, there's not a lot of "me" left.

I may have come up with the story, written the script, and written rewrites of the script, but the final product is far from mine. Lots of people have been involved — actors, directors, producers, and even other writers.

It's a lot different story than I imagined at the start. I might not like all the changes, but it's also a lot more "produced" than it was on my laptop.

I'd always heard that if you want more control, then write novels. It's true. But you say, "I really like to write movies and see my story on a screen." I can't argue that.

Sometimes it's hard to decide. Here's my short Movie Versus Novel list for what it's worth.

	Movie	Novel
Control of story	Maybe some if you direct & product	Quite a bit from start to finish
Money	Better than a book	Not a lot of rich novelists
Ownership	They own it	You own it
Union	WGA	You’re on your own
Respect	Not much – you’re at the bottom of the Hollywood food chain	Quite a bit
Viewing	3D & in living color – very cool	Read it
Breaking In	DAMN HARD	DAMN HARD

It's hardly an exhaustive list, but it covers some of the highlights. If you think I've missed some important ones, please share. Writing is hard work, and it's just a bit easier if you pick the right medium.

Have a great Thanksgiving!

Add Tension to Your Scenes

2009-11-24T07:29:00.000-08:00

Another day, another embarrassing moment.

I had an interview yesterday, which I was extremely excited about. I'd prepped like crazy — everything from pulling work samples together for a week to flossing twice on the drive in.

When I got home, I was feeling exhausted but pleasantly positive about the experience — that's until my husband pointed out I had my shirt on inside out.

Multitasking Scenes

Since I can't go back to the interview with my shirt on right side out, I've tried to see what I can salvage from the experience.

If I look at it as a scene versus another embarrassing experience, I did learn something about adding tension.

Ideally scenes should have more than one thing going on at a time, and they should leave the audience wanting more.

In the Diane Interview scene, there was multiple layers:

Layer #1

• Character stresses and preps for the interview

• Character interviews with potential bosses

• Character feels confident as interview concludes

Layer #2

• The audience sees the shirt inside out

• The people conducting the interview see tag on the shirt

We leave the scene not only wondering if the character will get the job (the primary reason for the scene), but by adding tension (the inside out shirt), we:

• learn more about the character and her dress habits

• wonder if she will ever notice if her shirt's inside out

• wonder what the reaction will be if she does notice, and

• wonder if this is going to forfeit her the job

Good Interview

So, I guess it was a good interview in that I learned how to beef up my scenes.

But I also learned that I'm going to have SOME LOOK ME OVER before the next interview.

Turn Embarrassing Moments into Comedy

2009-11-19T08:12:00.000-08:00

It would be nice if I could avoid embarrassing moments, but that's not happening any time soon. It's like I have a guardian angel with a sick sense of humor following me around.

Over the years, I've learned to just grin and bear the moments, but then jot them down later to use in stories later when I need a little comedy.

Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it) I've chalked up quite a few recently:

• Halloween: Each year we throw a Halloween party for friends and family. This year, after everyone gone home and I was changing out of my costume, I realized that the back side of my "dead english maid" costume had ripped out. It appears I'd been mooning everyone all evening. To make matters worse, I'd been wearing my floral print, granny panties.

No one had said a word, which made me wonder, did they think it was all part of the costume? Were they telling their friends the next day, "Diane's costume was pretty weird. She was an Inappropriate Dead English Maid with Hideous Underwear. Yeah, it was as gross as it sounds."

• Restaurant. Two days later, on our way to lunch, the butt of my old jeans ripped out. (Obviously, I need to call Jenny Craig.) What was I wearing underneath? Those same, stupid floral print granny panties.

I spent the next couple hours finding a dozen ways to keep my butt covered, like running from the car to the restaurant holding the back of my pants together. That night, I threw away the granny panties.

• Food. Not long after, I was carrying pizza out the car and tripped. I dropped the pizza and while spinning my arms to keep my balance, managed to also step in the pizza. On the bright side, I did this with my butt entirely covered.

Lesson Learned

It would be nice to avoided these situations, but they happen. Luckily, we're writers. Most people are just embarrassed when things like this happen. We get to use them!

Signed

Red Faced in Enumclaw

You Knew You Were a Writer When . . .

2009-11-17T08:23:00.000-08:00

Every writer has had them . . . those moments when you realize, "I can't believe it. I'm a real writer."

I had one yesterday. I showed up in IMDB for Growing the Big One. The first thing I thought was, "That's me! I'm real writer."

Monumental Moments

It got me thinking about the other moments.

• My first book in 4rd grade.

Of course, it was a book only in the sense that it was a story and it was bound. I wrote the 6-page epic entitled The Silver Knives on notebook paper, drew a cover, and bound it with yarn from a disintegrating sweater. I thought it was pretty dang cool though and I still have it.

• My first sports column in the Eatonville Dispatch.

This was a terrible experience. I didn't know the first thing about journalism — my English teacher just said that writers do this kind of thing, so I applied.

I covered girl's tennis and even though I was on the team, I still managed to spell some of my friends' names wrong. What made this a moment? People came up to me and said, "I didn't know you wrote." That was extremely cool.

• My first rejection letter.

This would be followed by MANY other letters, so many I kept a three-ring binder to catalog my journey of rejection. But that first one was fabulous, because only writers get rejection letters.

• Being a finalist at the Austin Film Festival.

I went to the conference knowing I was a finalist, but for some reason I figured there was loads of them. I had no idea there were only three per category. When people saw my Finalist Badge, they started talking to me like I was a REAL writer. It was incredible.

• Receiving a WGA card. When that card arrived, it looked like a nondescript credit card. To me though, it was tangible, 3D, plastic proof was I was a writer.

What are your moments?

There you go. My big "real writer" moments.

So what are yours? We've all got them!

Great Scenes by Calvin and Hobbes

2009-11-16T08:05:00.000-08:00

My Dad gave me his collection of Calvin & Hobbes comics to reread.

This time around I wasn't just laughing, I was inspired. Every strip — about four or five frames — is a unique scene with a beginning, middle and end. Most are tiny, stand alone mini-stories.

What's more amazing is that writer Bill Watterson came up with new, fresh ideas day after day after day. Holy smokes. I complain because I'm having a problem coming up with one good scene to bridge my second act to my third. Heck, Bill would have written 40 fabulous scenes in the time it's taken me to come up with one.

7 Comic Book Tips

I learned a lot about scenes last night, like:

1. Scenes don't have to be long — in fact they must be as tight as possible

2. You can convey volumes with one expression

3. You must have a beginning middle and end

4. Great scenes are character driven

5. Make them fresh and catch your reader quickly

6. Get in as late as you can, and leave as early as possible

7. Leave them wanting more

You've probably already seen these snowman strips, but I'm printing them out and posting them on my bulletin board — a remind of how great scenes should be written.

Are You Compelled to Write?

2009-11-13T08:48:00.000-08:00

In the last several months I've heard no less than 4 agents, 3 publishers, 1 manager and 5 producers say that they are looking for for writers who are "compelled to write".

What they mean by this — I think — is that they're looking for writers who are more driven by the act of writing than they are by the desire for a big check. They're looking for the writer who (I quote), "just keeps churning it out."

The manager even said, "I don't want to represent the writer who just writes one script a year."

Compelled or Crazy?

The phrase "compelled to write" bothers me partly because it makes me think of some wild-eyed, crazy person with their desk overflowing with manuscripts . . . and also because I'm not compelled to write.

The writing process is hard. There are about a million things I find more enjoyable than sitting in front of my laptop trying to fix a scene or figure out why my subplot isn't working. It's mental boot camp! Half the time I'm wondering, "Why am I doing this again?"

What I DO like is getting a response from readers.

Storyteller

What drives you to write? I'm curious, and would love to hear.

I'm not compelled to write, but compelled to tell stories. No, let me change that. I'm compelled to have my stories HEARD — to bring something to the reader that matters. Maybe that's what the industry folks are talking about too, but that's not quite the vibe I get.

Stories are a conversation. If no one reads my story, it's like talking on the phone with no one on the other end. Or telling joke without someone there to laugh. It seems pointless.

I don't need the big check, but I do need a minimal audience. Heck, one person will do.

Gentle Reader

Stephen King, one of the most prolific (dare I say compelled) writers out there, talks about the gentle reader and taking them by the hand through the story. That's a great image and one that helps when the writing gets tough.

But I have to wonder if Stephen King would have been such a prolific writer if no audience had shown up. Would he have stopped talking to a non-existent crowd or would all those novels be filling up his closets?

Your thoughts?

Crazy writer?

Sorry for rambling. I guess I just heard "compelled to write" one to many times and snapped.

Keep writing. I know your readers are waiting.

Writer vs. Sentence Maker

2009-11-11T07:22:00.000-08:00

Just finished teaching a writing class. The students were fabulous and I'm happy to report none of them were savants.

The Dreaded SWS

I dread the Savant Writing Student (SWS). They are usually very nice, but overly optimistic and believe the first thing they write will be picked up by a publisher or producer and consequently make them millions. For the SWS, it's just a matter of getting their manuscript into the right hands.

I know the SWS well — I used to be one. It took me three or four scripts, and piles of rejections, before I realized how little I knew about my craft and that I would spend years (actually a lifetime) developing as a writer.

On the bright side, after three or four scripts, I had inadvertently learned a bit about writing and was several steps closer to being produced.

It Takes Time

I'm not saying you shouldn't try to sell your early manuscripts, but be prepared that learning how to write is like learning anything else. And it takes time and dedication.

In short, just because a person can put a sentence together doesn't make them a "writer". It just makes them a "sentence maker".

I think Turgenev put it best:

"It is a strange thing. A composer studies harmony and theory of musical forms; a painter doesn't paint a picture without knowing something about colors and design; architecture requires basic schooling. Only when somebody makes a decision to start writing, he believes that he doesn't need to learn anything and that anybody who has learned to put words on paper can be a writer."

Learn, learn, learn

If you've just started your journey as a writer, don't beat yourself up because that first story didn't sell . . . or the second, or the third.

Chances are you're not a savant — just like the rest of us. You're in the process of developing your skills like every other professional, from pianist to doctor.

And as a reformed SWS, I'd much rather be putting my hours in writing stories than going to med school.

Give the Monkey a Banana

2009-11-09T08:44:00.001-08:00

Last Friday, producer Tracey Becker, spoke to the NWSG (Northwest Screenwriters Guild) members. (She was one of the producers of Finding Neverland, staring Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet.)

Tracey had a lot of great stories about her experiences as an actor and producer. One piece of brilliant advice stood out for me — "Give the Banana to the Monkey".

Simple but True

The advice is simple, give the audience/producers/industry what they want. Don't try to sell them stories they don't want or can't sell.

If they are looking for character driven, high concept stories, give them those. Don't try to sell them your story about three women in a restaurant talking their divorces — it doesn't matter how dripped in drama those divorces are.

Value Proposition

I'd heard this advice before, but it was in a corporate environment. They called it the Value Proposition.

When I was writing for the Weyerhaeuser Company a few years back, the leaders hit upon this novel idea — instead of inventing products and then trying to convince customers they needed them, why didn't they ask the customers what they needed and create those products.

I wrote countless articles on the topic, trying to convince people this was the way to go. The articles were filled with phrases like "the sum total of the benefits the customers will receive as a result of the relationship".

I should have just written . . . GIVE THE MONKEY THE BANANA!

But MY Story is Great

You might have that amazing story that isn't high concept/genre based/[you fill in the industry need], but one you know they will LOVE if they just read it.

You can try to sell it. It'll be tough though — maybe impossible.

Tracey's advice, see if you came make that amazing story look like a "banana". Could the divorce drama told in a restaurant be retold as a thriller? A romantic comedy?

There are tens of thousands of books and scripts being written each year. The competition is fierce. We would do ourselves well to get the bananas to the monkeys.

Love What You Do

2009-11-05T08:33:00.000-08:00

A couple weeks ago, I spoke to a Gig Harbor high school film class about screenwriting — the ups and downs I'd experienced.

The Downs

As I went along, I realized there were a lot of downs.

• As a writer, lots of people will reject your work — quick possibly for YEARS

• You'll be rewriting countless hours, with no assurances of a sale.

• When someone does buy your script, you will loose creative control.

I left thinking, "I hope I didn't tell them too many downs. I hope I didn't turn anyone against writing. I hope they saw there's a lot of good stuff too."

The Good Stuff

Writing's a personalized journey and the good stuff for one writer is completely different for another. My good stuff? Where do I start?

Working to become a screenwriter has lead to:

• a freelance career

• meeting my husband

• traveling around the world

• wonderful friends and experiences

• and eventually a movie and some money

Class Response

I got the thank you card from the class yesterday. I was hesitant to open it, expecting something like, "Thanks for nothing!!!"

Instead I read, "You truly reminded me that you should absolutely love what you do. Thank you so much!"

It made my day. Despite the downs, I realized I really DO love what I do. How cool is that?

Everything comes with ups and downs. I guess the trick it choose the thing you're passionate about — it'll make the roller coaster ride worth while.

National Eavesdropping Day

2009-11-04T07:12:00.000-08:00

The title of this blog may be misleading. If you write dialogue, every day is Eavesdropping Day.

I don't know about you, but I LOVE to eavesdrop. How else are you going to develop great dialogue for your characters?

I've got my standard spots:

• supermarkets

• anywhere I have to stand in line

• conversations on cell phones (Hey, if you're going to talk on those things in public, you're fair game)

• restaurants and coffee shops

• restrooms (I don't know about guys, but girls do a lot of stall talking)

The more exotic locals:

• sporting events

• anywhere I'm on vacation

• family events — especially weddings with lots of weird guests

• concerts and other social activities

Then there's the happy accidents:

• visitors from out of town

• catching an argument in a street. (My favorite quote is from an angry 5-year-old girl, upset with her sister. She turned to her parents and yelled, "She's MEAN and she's STUPID!")

• any spontaneous incident

Carry a Notebook

I used to carry a notebook and try to capture great bits of dialogue. One year I challenged myself to write down a memorable piece of dialogue each day. I did it, but the problem was that I never went back and read any of those memorable quotes. (Note to self, go back and read those.)

Subtext

My current challenge is to see if I can spot subtext. Each day I want to capture dialogue where someone says something that meant something else. Like when someone tells you that your outfit is "interesting", which really means "Seriously? You wore that in public?"

I'm not sure if I'll meet my goal, but the real goal it to continually improve my ear for dialogue.

If you've got some tips on eavesdropping, I'd love to hear about it!

In the meantime, happy National Eavesdropping Day!

When You World Gets Wild . . . Take Notes

2009-11-02T08:08:00.000-08:00

In the last 72 hours I have:

• had our house broken into

• attended a funeral

• had two offers on our house

• thrown a Halloween party

• judged a writing contest

Sometimes life throws a lot of stuff your way — stuff that takes a lot of emotional energy. It's hard to sit down and write when things feel like they're moving so fast you can't keep up.

Take Notes

I've listened to countless writers tell me, "I can't write right now because of all the things going on in my life." Not true.

OK, maybe it's hard to stay focused on a story when your overwhelmed, but you can still take notes. In fact, this is the best time, because these moments — loaded with emotion and drama — will make great scenes. (Not to mention, jotting them down will help you vent a little.)

Here are just a few of many I gathered over the last 72 hours:

Note #1 - Sheriff's interviews can be calming in a crisis.

Note #2 - Sheriff's are people too. Ours forgot to write down the items stolen, then had to get the info again back at his truck.

Note #2 - Criminals aren't all smart. In fact, some of disturbingly stupid.

Note #3 - Eulogies impart not only information unknown to the audience about the deceased, but impart a great deal about the person giving the eulogy too.

Note #4 - It's humbling to find out your costume ripped out in the back and you've unknowingly mooned your friends all night.

Note #5 - My husband and I can have a romantic moment picking out battery-activated alarm systems at Home Depot after a stressful day.

These were a few of many moments I wanted to remember. I added a few more details. In fact, a lot of my notes are the simple details within the scenes — the boarded door of our new house, the trays of spaghetti at the funeral, the crestfallen faces of the home buyers when we said we'd already gotten another offer.

Bringing Your Life to Your Writing

I say capture it, use it. You may not be able to write your story now, but you will soon. And this is the stuff stories are made of.

Dead Words

2009-10-29T07:31:00.000-07:00

We're two days away from Halloween, so dead words seem like a good topic.

Amazingly, I'd never heard of the term dead words until last week. I'd stopped by my friend Cindy's 4th grade class and she was showing me some of the things they were learning — cool stuff like character development and fictional narratives. Oh what I would have done to have a teacher like her in 4th grade!

Deleting Dead Words

Cindy pulled out a student's notebook to show me some examples and it fell open to a page on dead words — words that are used to death. The kids were learning to spot them and either eliminate them or find a better substitute.

Very is Very Bad

Until that moment I only knew of one dead word — very. On July 4, 1982 (I can't believe I remember the date) another friend, Monica, was home from her first year at college and telling me what it was like. I'm sure she recounted all kinds of tales, but the only thing I remember is that they told her not to use the word "very". So, for the past 27 years I've been paranoid about using that word. Now I find out there are all kinds of words I should have been paranoid about using.

You're probably saying, "Are you nuts? Every one knows this!" But somehow I missed Dead Words 101. So for any of you others who also missed the class, here's the list. Just click.

DEAD WORDS

I can't help but notice that my word "very" has a lot of (oops, "a lot" is also dead, I've got to remember to use "many") alternatives. I can now use: extremely, exceedingly, fantastically, unusually, incredibly, intensely, truly, fully, especially, shockingly, bitterly, immeasurable, infinitely, severely, surely, mightily, powerfully, chiefly.

The scary part is that I see I've used at least a dozen dead words in this blog alone. Yikes!!

A big thank you to Cindy Greetham's 4th grade class for making me rethink my corpse-like words.

Happy Halloween!

Write Something REALLY Cool

2009-10-26T13:54:00.000-07:00

"What should we be writing about?"

Writers inevitably asked this of agents, publishers, producers, managers, etc. We don't want to waste our time. We want to be writing stories that will sell and audiences will flock to.

What floors me is that most agents, publishers, producers, managers, etc. have an answer.

At a recent NWSG meeting, a producer said about scripts, "Just look at what's selling. That should give you an idea of what we're looking for." (And we were to gather, that was what we should be writing about.)

I disagree!

The producer's answer has been bugging me ever since I heard it. Those words are of no help — especially for a writer who is setting out to write a story.

Say it takes a year for you to write your story. If you're lucky and someone likes it, it could take another year to sell it. Then you've got to produce and/or publish the story.

More helpful, would have been the advice from an agent at this year Pacific NW Writer's Conference, "I'm looking for wonderful character-driven stories with a high concept plot." This may sound vague, but it's great, honest advice.

Taking a project from concept to product can take literally years, and there is NO way to know what is going to be in vogue then. The only thing you can probably bank on is that whatever is popular today will probably be old hat by then. People constantly want something different.

Keeping Tabs on the Market

You should definitely keep track of what's being purchased. It can save you some wasted time.

I was about three-quarters of the way through a spec script on a giant elf when I checked the trades and saw ELF with Will Ferrell had just gone into production. I moved on to another project, but gave myself points for at least coming up with a marketable idea.

You Decide

So what should writers write about? Whatever we decide to write about! We're the storytellers.

I truly believe that producers, agents, publishers, and mangers, just want to be blown out of the water.

You've heard agents say, "When I read it, I knew I had a winner." In other words, I never would have conceived of the story, but now that I've read it, I want to market it.

Blowing Them Away

What blows industry folks out of the water? Your imagination, creativity and talent!

Like us, and every other reader and movie goer, the industry wants to experience something original, fresh, compelling, moving . . . you fill in the adjective.

That doesn't mean recreating the wheel. Heck, I would have thought after Anne Rice, vampires had pretty much been done to to death . . . then comes Twilight and True Blood and we're off to the races again.

Choose Wisely

Pick the story that you are passionate about. One that keeps you up at night. Whose characters that speak to you and are more real than your Aunt Marie. If we tell the stories that resonate with us, they are likely to resonate with others.

It's hard enough to write a novel or script or nonfiction book. You don't want to get to the end of the project and if (god forbid) it didn't sell, say, "Man, I wasted a whole year on this!?"

We are the storytellers. We don't need to ask what to write, we need to write what needs to be told — and tell our stories like no one else has told them before.

Despite what they say, the industry will know a great story when it sees it.

Teleplay versus Screenplay

2009-10-23T07:52:00.001-07:00

Feeling a little dumb today. I was working on a statement to demonstrate to the WGA that more than 50% of the final shooting script was mine. (This statement is required for them to determine if you will receive sole or shared writing credit on your script.)

It turns out that although that's what's needed for a screenplay, I had written a teleplay — a script used for a cable movie. And, it turns out that the rules for teleplays are completely different.

You Share Credit if . . .

In short, you will share credit on a teleplay if there is a substantial change in just ONE of the following:

• dramatic construction

• original & different scenes

• characterization or character relationships, or

• dialogue

How do they determine "substantial"? It's very scientific — it's whatever the panels deems substantial.

I spent yesterday bummed out. I didn't think I'd have any problem showing that overall the script was more mine than the other writers' versions. But showing that they hadn't substantially changed the dialogue? That would be close to impossible.

Getting On With It

This whole week has been a downer — trying to figure out rules, working on statements and worrying about credits and residuals. I understand that this isn't a hobby, it's a career and it's all part of the business. But talk about a piece of the career that sucks the creative forces.

Got up this morning at dawn, grabbed my journal and started writing. Spent an hour forgetting about percentages and WGA arbitrations, and writing about the pouring rain and the soggy Northwest.

I wrote about how rain washed away everything when you're young. About how much fun it was to splash in puddles and float things down overflowing ditches. And about how many stories I created running with my dogs through the valley where I grew up, hoping I'd find some treasure that had washed up in the flooding creek.

That's all it took. I'm no longer bummed. I'm ready to write. My muse was just waiting for me to get done with the paperwork and come out and play in the rain.

Hope you write some wonderful stuff today.

Getting Your Screen Credit

2009-10-20T16:18:00.000-07:00

I'd heard about writers having their screen credits arbitrated by the WGA. I imagined it was a last resort between writers and producers, complete with huge drama and big dollars hanging in the balance.

No Drama or Dollars

Now that I challenged my shared credit and started the process to have it reviewed by the WGA, I find out my expectations were WAY off. First of all, there was zero drama. A producer sent around a notice of how they intended to post the credits and I could agree or disagree.

I called the WGA to find out how to contest. A woman there said, "It's easy. Just email me and tell me you want full credit and we'll get the process started." It was all very common place for everyone but me, who was stressing like crazy.

And as far as the big dollars . . . I wish. I know writers where getting sole credit instead of shared credit has meant the difference between receiving residuals in the amount of $500,000 and $250,000, but unfortunately that's not my scenario. If I get enough money down the road to pay for car tabs, I'll be smiling big.

Getting it Right

I just want to get it right. I read the final shooting script and more than 50% of my original script is still there. I'd like full credit, in part because it seems like it may make getting future assignments easier, but mostly because it just seems fair.

Of course, now I'm stressing because I'm going to have to put together writer's statement explaining why I think I deserve full credit. When I asked the woman at the WGA how detailed these statements are, she said she's read anything from two lines to 15 pages. Her advice, "15 pages seems a little long, but some writers are wordy".

I'm sure once I write the statement and turn it in, it will be less eventful than I'm imagining. I'll get a form letter that reads "Received", or something equally as exciting, and all this sweat will be for nothing.

Until then, I've decided that this imagined stress is an excellent reason to go out and buy a nice bottle of wine to sooth my nerves.

Hone That First Paragraph

2009-10-19T15:41:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure if you follow Nathan Bransford's blog. If you don't, you should check it out.

Nathan is a literary agent and does some seriously interesting stuff in his blog. For example, last week he hosted a contest for the best opening paragraph to a novel.

The winner

The winner of the contest was Travis Erwin, with:

Coming-of-age stories are often fraught with symbolism, hidden metaphors, and a heaping mound of other literary devices. Not this one. I came of age while working at a dusty, Texas feedstore. A place where To Kill a Mockingbird involved a twelve-year-old and a BB gun. Of Mice and Men was a problem easily solved with rat poison. And David Copperfield was nothing more than a dude that made shit disappear.

What's more interesting and inspiring than Travis's great first paragraph is Nathan's commentary on what went through his head while he was making his decision on the winner. This is a "must read" blog to see what agents, among others, look for in an opening paragraph.

What the opening needs

In short, Nathan believes the first paragraph needs to:

• establish the tone/voice

• get the reader into the flow of the book

• establish a trust between author and reader.

That may seem like a lot for one paragraph to accomplish, but take a look at finalists in this contest. You'll see it's absolutely attainable.

Scripts too

If you're a screenwriter, you might not think this would apply to you, but give the blog a read. Storytelling is storytelling, and that opening scene of a movie also needs to set a tone, bring the audience in and establish trust in the storyteller.

If anything else, after reading this blog you'll have a whole new appreciation for opening paragraphs.

10 Tips to Staying Motivated

2009-10-16T14:52:00.001-07:00

Writing isn't a team sport. Other writers don't come up — like athletes — slap us on the butt and say, "Way to go!" (Which is probably a good thing.) We are in charge of keeping ourselves motivated.

Since I've been writing for quite a while, I have come up with quite a few ways to keep myself motivated. Here are my top 10.

1. Read something inspirational each day. Today's was "When you lead a big, full life, it's idiotic to think that your missteps are gonna be small. And to me that's a risk worth taking." Oprah Winfrey.

2. Try something new. What you learn can both improve your stories and inspire you. I'm taking a bookmaking class, which at the very least is demonstrating how much better I am at writing than bookmaking.

3. Celebrate every step. My motto has always been "Don't waste good excitement". Heck, five rejection letters are worth a celebration — that means you're marketing and getting your stuff out there.

4. Keep a journal of all the positive steps you've made. Read it over when you're down. My writer's group kept one of these. It was pretty amazing to see what progress we'd made over the years.

5. Find someplace fun to write. Sure, you can take your laptop to a coffee shop, but what about taking your paper and pen to the beach, a little bed and breakfast, or a nice spot in the woods?

6. Do what research you can do in person versus over the internet. Talk to people, get out and check out new locations. It's fun!

7. Surround yourself with enthusiastic people that want to see you succeed. Don't limit yourself to a writers group.

8. Visualize your success and don't worry about the failures. I read that athletes who visualize perfect performances also improved their performances. So start thinking of cool stuff.

9. Teach. Giving back and tapping into the excitement of others does wonders for the psyche.

10. Read fabulous works. You not only find inspiration, but you can get an good education at the same time.

Wow, this was kind of inspiring just writing this. I'm off to my story.

Will I Get Credit?

2009-10-13T12:43:00.000-07:00

When you write a script you have this fantasy — the fabulous story you're writing will appear on screen with your name alongside the Written By credit.

This may actually happen to some writers, but I haven't met any of them yet. The reality is, you write the script, you rewrite the script based on notes, others are likely to also rewrite the script, and if you're lucky it gets shot (where more changes are made), and when it shows on a screen you, along with others, get writing credit.

Reality Bites

Today got a statement from producers, which shows me who all rewrote my script and who of those will get credit. I also got the dubious pleasure of reading the final shooting script to see if I think more that 50% of my original script is still in there.

For those of you who aren't familiar with how credits are given, here's the abbreviated version. If a writer rewrites more than 50% of your script, then you share credit with them. If they write more than 75-80% (you'd have to check with WGA for the specifics) then you get "story by" and they get the credit.

It's Fair

You may say, "Oh my God, that's not fair! The original writer should get the credit." But actually, it's really fair. If someone asked me to rewrite a script — and it's a lot of work — and over half the material up there was mine, I'd want credit.

The problem arises when you try to figure out what constitutes 50%. 50% of the scenes? 50% of the words? 50% of the story in general?

All I can say is, THANK GOD, the WGA figures that stuff out, because after reading the final shooting script all I can say is "My objectivity is shot!" In some ways I think it's exactly like my script, just a different hue, and at times I'm thinking "What the heck is this?"

What to do?

I'm glad I'm onto other scripts and detached somewhat from this story. Otherwise, I'd be a basket case.

It would be nice if writing scripts was like the fantasy, but it's not. It's a business and a collaborative process. Unless you also produce and direct the movie, you won't have control of your creative work.

If you have to have that control, you might look into writing novels.

You're Getting Better All the Time

2009-10-09T09:29:00.000-07:00

With each script, book, essay or short story we improve. Unfortunately, it’s hard to tell when you’re knee deep in words and working on character motivation.

Also, we’re hardly objective about our writing. When we look at it, we tend to see the blemishes versus the brilliance. But you just have to have faith. You are constantly evolving and improving. Like the Beatles song, Getting Better . . . it’s getting better all the time!

Finding Proof

You say you need proof? Well, you could ask your friends and other writers, but even if they told you your work was improving, you probably wouldn’t believe them.

I look to other artists work.

My husband, for example, started making these rather simple totem dolls that over the past few years have evolved into much more complex sculptures. Each work builds on the next and it’s motivates me to see the gradual transformation.

My artist friend down the street, Sharman Owings, paints a small painting each day. Each day she just keeps getting better and better. Watching her paintings evolve is truly inspiring and lets me know the same things are taking place in my work, even if I can’t see it as easily.

We’re Getting Better

It might be hard to see, but have faith. With each new work you’re gaining more insight and skills. Trust me . . . We’re Getting Better All the Time!

I Mud Wrestler for my Writing

2009-10-08T08:19:00.000-07:00

At 16, I read that "the average age of a published writer is 35". That line changed my life.

I was horrified. Thirty-five was a lifetime away — 20 years!! I would be a old lady by then. I didn't doubt that you needed maturity and life experiences to write well, but 20 years of it?!

The Plan

In my panic-induced state, I struck out on a plan. I would double up my experiences. By the time I was 26, I would have as many life experiences as your avery 36-year-old — peeling 10 years off the writer's timetable.

The only rule was that the experiences had to be legal. The article didn't mention anything about "the average published writer has spent time in prison."

And so began the journey.

Weird Stuff I've Done for Writing

Flash forward 30 years. I've got a truckload of experiences under my belt. Some are bit weirder than others — like mud wrestling.

Some years back, I heard there would be competitive mud wrestling at the Puyallup Fair. I'd seen John Candy in Stripes. I signed up immediately. How many chances like this come around?

If I had known that the first thing they have you do is stand on an enormous scale to be publicly weighed in, I may have reconsidered. But I was already there. I stepped up, got my weight and my official mud wrestling T-shirt.

Turns out you have to wear a T-shirt over your bathing suit because the mud is more like axel grease than mud. Because it's slick, you're natural response is to grab your opponents suit, which has a good chance of coming off under the strain. Since this is was family event, they didn't want any youngsters seeing exposed parts — although I could tell from the audience's reaction that a good number had come for just that possibility.

The Line Up

The officials pulled names from a hat at to see who we would wrestle first. I was in the lightest of the three weight groups and my opponents looked pretty wimpy. I felt extremely confident I had a chance at the $25.00 grand prize.

Then came the last-minute contestant — a 110-pound woman that looked like she just got off a Harley Davidson. She was decked out in leather and looked like she could bench press her equally tough-looking boyfriend. I knew instantly I would draw her name, and I did.

On the bright side, I made it all three rounds without being pinned. I still feel bad about ripping her expensive, black leather halter. But it was her fault. She wouldn't wear the official T-shirt.

Afterwards they hosed us off in the cow barn. (That water is COLD!! How do cows stand it?) And I had another life experience to add to my resume.

The Moral of my Story

Did I get published at 26? No. I started publishing regularly in magazines at about 35. Right on schedule.

Am I sorry I started my odyssey. No way. It was the best panic-driven decision I've ever made. I'm still racking up experiences and my stories are benefiting because of them.

Please tell me I'm not alone!

The Informant - Was it Just me?

2009-10-06T16:15:00.000-07:00

Have you seen The Informant?

Was it just me, or was there something a little "off" with that movie? Both my husband and I left the theater feeling less than enthusiastic about the flick and wondering why.

Gotta find the answer

Not knowing what's wrong with a movie is like having a itch I can't scratch. There's no relief until I can figure out what the problem is. I get panicky, thinking, "What if I can't pinpoint it? I'll make the same mistake myself!"

Luckily, I have a husband who puts up with my obsessive nature. Over lunch at The Kettle (home of the biggest and best breakfasts ever) we hash it out.

The issue with the Informant we decided was that we never really got into the character. We never knew his true motivations and why he's doing what he was doing. Was he (a) greedy, (b) screwed up or (c) both?

Not knowing "why" the guy acted how he did, I'm left wondering, "What's the point of the movie? I should have waited for Netflix. Dang, and I spent a mint for that popcorn with extra butter."

The fix

Chris and I decided it would have been better if it had been more Catch Me If You Can, where we understood the young guy's motivations were based in something good and we rooted for him even though he was doing some pretty illegal stuff.

Or more like Fargo, where the Bill Macy character is doing illegal stuff and although we're not rooting for him, we completely understand his motivations and are riveted as we watch the story unfold.

Lesson Learned

I feel much better having my answer. From this point forward I must craft my stories so that the audience can relate to my character(s) motivations. If not, the audience will leave unsatisfied.

They will also probably want me to refund them for the popcorn.

A Walk in the Garden, aka Story Development

2009-10-05T08:55:00.000-07:00

People tell me, "Your garden looks great." I respond, "It's all in the fertilizer," but really it has more to do with story development.

While I'm out weeding, pruning, watering and fertilizing, I'm working on the scenes, plot points and characters.

Stepping in to the Garden

I can literally step into the garden and an hour later step back out unable to remember what I did because I was working on the story.

Yesterday, I was out with a new character — a successful underwear model named Michael — trying to find out why he's so set on becoming an actor.

After talking to him (thank god no one can see me garden except for my husband), I found out that he's been serious about acting since he was in high school. It was while he was in L.A. trying to break in that he did this underwear commercial. How could he know that he'd become an overnight sensation.

Today he's splashed on billboards across the company, famous for his tight buns, and avoided like then plague when it comes to serious acting roles. Everyone sees the Underwear Guy as a joke. He's depressed and wants a real acting roll in WORST way and will do just about anything.

All this information while I was cutting back the dahlias and pruning and weeding the herb garden. I consider it successful multitasking.

No Sharp Instruments

Maybe other writers are different, but I think everyone needs that place they go for inspiration and creative freedom. That place they feel free to wander around with their characters or play around with story ideas. It can be anything from long walks to doing chores.

However, I do recommend avoiding story work while you've got sharp instruments in your hands. I've pruned my fingers and fallen off more ladders than I care to admit.

OK, back to writing.

Saying Good Bye to Characters

2009-10-02T15:31:00.000-07:00

Just got the shooting script of Growing the Big One. For the first time I got to read the changes made to my script since I handed it over. I think I might need a stiff drink or two.

I've been a professional writer for over a decade — writing for a variety of magazines and companies. I know the client writing the check has the final say, so it's dangerous to attach your ego to words that can be (and often are) drastically altered.

I pride myself on being able to shrug off edits with the best of them — it's just part of the business of commercial writing. So why can't I shrug off these edits as easily?

But it's my story

I've always known screenwriting is commercial writing. It's just that this time the client is a studio and/or producer paying me instead of a publisher or corporation.

I knew while I was writing that first draft that if I was profoundly lucky and someone picked up my story, it would lead to story edits.

So, again, why can't I shrug off these edits as easily?

Saying Good-bye

This may sound odd, but I think it's because I had to say good-bye to some people I cared about. Several of the characters I had crafted, loved and lived with for months as I wrote disappeared or were combined with other characters. It's like having someone you're close to vanish into thin air.

I've listened to other writers lament over the changes made to their stories and how their characters have been destroyed. I feel for their pain, but although edits aren't the easiest thing to read, I'm not quite as worked up as some.

Saying Hello

Why? Because I'm a writer! I can write another story and I can populate it with characters I've lost.

Oh sure, they may have a different hair color, be a little older or younger, or hold a different job, but I'll know who they are. They're my buddies — characters too good to be deleted.

We writers may not have the final say when it comes to editing, but we definitely have the power to resurrect.

They Shot my Movie!

2009-09-30T10:55:00.000-07:00

I'm just back from probably the biggest day of my screenwriting career. I was on the set watching my movie being shot.

Yes, even though they bought my script and they've made changes along the way — it's a collaborative process — it still feels like my story.

I was apprehensive when I arrived. I wanted to be excited, but was worried that the final product would be so different from what I had originally imagined that it might be depressing instead of inspiring. I shouldn't have worried.

Imagination Come to Life

All I can say is OH MY GOD!! It's the coolest thing on earth to have the characters you created on paper walk up, shake your hand, and tell you they love the script. It's surreal to have the folks who have inhabited your imagination suddenly 3D and getting coffee with you at craft services.

It's not just the actors, there are the sets too. I had guessed they would fabricate pumpkins for a "giant pumpkin movie" but it was the little stuff that caught me off guard. The product labels on products I had come up with and the banners with the town's name.

The last piece that stopped me in my tracks was all the people working on this. There were trucks full of equipment, folks (aka crew) running around doing all kinds of things I only half understood. It was hard to grasp that all these people were getting paid to work on an idea I thought sounded kind of funny.

In fact, the Canadian producer came up and told me and another producer, "If you didn't write this and you didn't sell it, I wouldn't have a job. Thanks!" I didn't know what to say, but looking back I should have given him a big smooch and said, "Right back at you!!"

I could go on all day. But in short, it was an event that effected me more than I ever anticipated. I spent the whole day keeping myself from shouting "THIS IS SO AMAZINGLY COOL!!!"

Maybe this is old hat for other writers with lots of produced scripts, but I can't imagine that every happening in to me.

Keep Your Butt in the Chair

2009-09-23T16:17:00.000-07:00

It's hard to keep writing day after day, without sometimes feeling defeated.

When you're in the middle of Act II, with half the book or script left to write, it's hard to image there will ever be an audience for this half-formed story (a/k/a piece of crap).

I don't think we're human if we don't wonder every once in a while, "What in the heck am I doing?! Maybe I should brush up on my waitressing skills."

Negative Talk

In my coaching class, our instructor says we should replace the negative thoughts with positive thoughts. For example:

Negative Thought: I need my writing to be loved.

Positive Replacement: I need what I am writing to be strong.

Negative Thought: Since I can't possibly make a living from writing, there is no reason to write.

Positive Replacement: I write to find out.

Creative Replacement

I'm all for replacing negative thoughts with positive ones, but when I get down, my negative thoughts aren't so rational. It takes some creative thinking to work around them.

Negative: Your character likes ice cream. How can you consider yourself a writer if you haven't gotten into his head and tried every flavor at Baskin and Robins. Better hurry up. Keys are on the table.

Positive: My character now likes broccoli.

Negative: Hundreds of people are shocked by their electronic equipment each year. It's time to step away from the computer and do something safe.

Positive: I'm ready to live on the edge.

Negative: The story would be a lot more interesting if you replaced the bike chase with stampeding rhinos. In fact, replacing all the characters with jungle animals might be that new story twist you need.

Positive: That's stupid. (OK, that's not really a positive statement, but it works.)

Lets face it. The hardest part about writing is keeping your butt in the chair, and sometimes it takes more creativity than willpower.

Doing the Happy Dance!

2009-09-21T13:23:00.000-07:00

I'm taking a break from doing the "happy dance". Just got an email from a producer to set up a time for me to come up and see them shoot Growing the Big One in Vancouver, B.C.

If everything goes well, next week at this time I'll be watching actors saying and doing things I dreamed up. (That's if it hasn't been rewritten completely.) It's a surreal thought.

Getting the story to the People

Writing a script is different from writing a book or an article for a number of reasons. The biggest difference for me is that once you've finished a short story, someone reads it and the communication is complete. It might have only been one person, but they enjoyed your story in the form it was intended.

Scripts, however, require producers, actors and a slew of other people to complete the process — communicate the story to the audience in it's correct form. It's frustrating because you may be a great storyteller, but so much of the process is out of your control.

Next week through my story will take on life. I'm actually going to see people walking and talking and doing things I've only imaged. Then, sometime in 2010, those actors will be walking and talking on screens in front of an audience.

I'm so excited. I will FINALLY have finished telling a story.

The Art of Interviewing, Pounce on your Prey

2009-09-16T20:44:00.001-07:00

I'm lucky. I have a family that taught me the art of interviewing people. OK, it's more like pouncing, but it serves the same purpose.

My family can't help themselves. If they see someone they don't know, they will immediately start grilling them (nicely) for random information.

No one is immune. Trust me, if my family doesn't know you . . . they will.

Getting to Know You

It's my theory that my family thinks strangers are fascinating in the same way an unread book or an unwrapped Christmas present is fascinating.

We've lived in the same small town for four generations. We don't just know people, we know their entire stories — histories, extended families and every detail worth gossiping about. Although interesting, their stories are well read and dog-eared. But strangers . . . ooo wee, they hold the promise of all kinds of new entertainment. No that "reality TV" kind of entertainment, the real stuff.

Who to Pounce On

My family (mom, dad, brother and sister) will pounce on anyone standing still and capable of speaking — preferably in a service industry because they kind of have to talk to you.

For example, if my sister and I were to walk into a store and a clerk asked if we wanted to try on some pants, we might respond with, "No. But these are great pants. Do people steal a lot of them?" Within minutes we'd be up to questions like, "Heck yeah, I'd carry a gun 24/7 if I had a boyfriend like that too. But how do you get past the metal detectors?"

The secret

You would be amazed at what people will tell my family. They will talk about their divorces, freaky things that happened at work, family scandals, weird hobbies . . . the list is endless. And why? The secret to a good interview is that my family cares! They truly want to know every new and unique detail, and the people know it. (If they have any doubts, my mom's invitation to dinner usually takes care of it.)

Maybe you won't ever have to interview anyone to flesh out a character or get details for your story. But if you do, I suggest my family's approach — POUNCE and enjoy!!

We Lost Patrick Swazye, Thanks for the Memories

2009-09-15T10:11:00.000-07:00

We lost Patrick Swayze today. He finally lost his battle to cancer.

People in Hollywood say he was a fabulous guy — as a person and to work with. I'm sure he was. But I, like the most everyone else, only knew Patrick Swayze through his movies.

My memories of him will be fond ones.

-- Sitting in the theater with my girlfriends, clutching our popcorn, as we watch Johnny Castle teach Baby the "moves" in Dirty Dancing. Then as the credits rolled deciding we probably needed to see it again the next night too.

-- Endless arguments with my little sister why Patrick Swayze is sexier than Ralph Macchio in The Outsiders. I mean, get serious, look at them?!

-- Wondering why I'm watching Point Break every time it's on TV. I've literally lost count how many times I've watched Bohdi paddle out to his final wave.

-- Reading about how many people took pottery classes after watching Ghost. I didn't take pottery classes, but my husband does make pottery. Coincidence? I think not.

I don't know what constitutes a great life. But if you leave people with a lot of fabulous memories, that's gotta be way up there.

The Movie Is a Go!

2009-09-11T15:52:00.000-07:00

Big day!

Just heard my movie starts shooting on the 28th of September. Was also told that Shannen Doherty will be playing one of the leads, Emma. No one said I was supposed to keep that a secret, so there you go.

I should probably know Ms. Doherty from her work on 90210, but I always think of her in Heathers. That was a great flick. If you haven't seen it (or haven't for a while) you should catch it.

In Growing the Big One, however, Shannen won't be part of a vicious high school click, but a fish out of water — or more specifically an urbanite trying to grow giant pumpkins.

Hope I get a chance to see a piece of the shoot.

Check's in the Mail?

2009-09-09T09:32:00.001-07:00

I got an email from my agent yesterday and it sounds like I may be getting a check soon for my script Growing the Big One (knock on wood). Money is always good, but more important, a check means the movie is getting ready to film.

First Deals

Little did I know when I was selling this script, producers don't give you the money until they start filming. Or at least that's how it works when it's your first deal — and you want to have this made in the WORST way and will a agree to all kinds of stuff.

In my case they've paid me some option money to hold the script until they're ready to shoot. But if it falls through, they won't pay me for the script. Sort of like leasing a house with an option to buy. Kind of makes sense, but it's kind of nerve wracking for the poor Shmoe who just wants to sell the house.

Seeing is Believing

On the bright side, it looks like the day is finally approaching (again I'm knocking on wood. I'm knocking on wood so much these days my husband must think I've developed some obsessive-compulsive disorder). I'd love to have a check in my hands and know the cameras are rolling, but I'll believe it when I see it.

Killer Log Lines

2009-09-04T13:42:00.000-07:00

I wish I could give you the recipe for a killer log lines — those one liners that make agents want to snap up your book or your script. But they take real work. They're practically harder to write than the manuscript.

Last night at my writer's group, we were grappling over one writer's log line. One thing was obvious, I'm going to have to get someone to write my log lines for me. I'm too close to my story. It takes real objectivity to write a log line.

Good log line

A good log line looks like this. For the movie Pretty Woman, the log line was something like, "A businessman falls in love with a hooker he hires to be his date for the the weekend."

Bad log line

The bad, writerly version for Pretty Woman would have looked something like this: "A wealthy businessman picks up a hooker, who has aspirations of bigger things, and asks her to be his girlfriend for a few days days. During those few days she starts finding out that there's more to him than a cut throat tycoon. He discover the "pretty woman" side of her too. But the businessman's creepy friend nearly blows this perfect relationship out of the water before it starts. Laughs ensue in this tale of self discovery as businessman and hooker fall in love in true Cinderella style."

Hire a Professional

I'm considering hiring a professional — I'm only halfway joking here. Wouldn't it be great to hire someone from an ad agency, someone who's great with short copy? Preferably the guy from Nike who came up with Just Do It!

Have a great weekend everyone!

One Day Screenwriting Seminar in Seattle

2009-09-02T09:32:00.000-07:00

Just saw on Facebook this morning that Warren Etheredge is having a one day seminar on September 19 in Seattle on September 19, from 9-5 p.m.

The cost is $100.00 and Warren describes it at follows:

LANGUAGE FOR FILM, is a 1-day intensive during which we'll examine the six major components of production — screenwriting, directing, shooting, acting, editing and composing — by reviewing clips to dissect the intricacies and artistry of each of these professions. After seven hours, you'll fully understand the principles of film theory and the challenges of filmmaking. Most importantly, as the class title implies, you'll have the vocabulary to best express your impressions of others' efforts and your own grand visions.

I haven't been to this class before, but know Warren and know that he was part of the founding faculty of TheFilmSchool, which includes Tom Skerritt and Stewart Stern. Warren has been an active part of the the Seattle film scene for quite a while.

I'm a writing gal myself . . . not much into the directing and shooting and all that stuff. So I probably won't catch this one. But if you do go, please let us know what you thought.

What Stories are Hot?

2009-09-01T19:35:00.000-07:00

My writing class starts soon, and the first night I'm always asked by students, "What kinds of stories sell?"

The answer . . . it depends on who you ask.

Books

Producers, agents and publishers will give you a list of what's hot and what's not. I just read a list today on an agent's blog. The following she said are "dead":

• chick lit

• literary fiction

• books over 100,000 words

Scripts

A producer told me recently she didn't want to see any fantasies, westerns, mysteries, or stories with female leads because they didn't do well.

What's Doing Well?

I just jumped on the web to see what in the heck is selling. I appears that if you're serious about selling, write cookbooks. They outsell all other books except religious works.

Since my idea of making a meal is popping open a can of Diet Coke and heating up a Lean Cuisine, I won't be cranking one of those out soon. So, what do you do?

A Little of Both

Do your marketing homework and write from the heart. Every editor and producer I've talked to has also said, "Cream rises," and "We'll know it when we see it".

I hope they didn't mean "cookbook".

When My Muse Gets Scared

2009-08-31T08:01:00.000-07:00

My muse hates to be beat up — she has a self protection mechanism. (Yes, she's a Lemur.) When I get to a point in my writing that's difficult or takes real courage, she points me toward other projects, ones that are more fun and with have less emotion invested.

Rambling of a Muse

For example, I'm on the last pages of script I really like. This means soon I'll get to face producers, agents and studio folks who are going to trash my story as it's currently written and tell me to rewrite to fit their vision, and if they don't like what I write they'll give it to someone else to rewrite — and that's if I'm lucky and they like my script.

So about now I get scared and my muse coming up with other cool projects besides marketing my script (or evening finishing the script at all), like launching a new web-based magazine with my husband and friends.

Muse is painting some pretty sweet pictures to steer us away from being potentially beat up by Hollywood.

"What's the worst that can happen?" she asks. "We can fail and lose some money? That's better than having our story rewritten and our ego smashed in the process."

Pep Talk

It'll be an ongoing battle from here on out, but I make the good argument.

"All this writing was done for a reason. It would be easier to submit a script that we didn't care about. But who wants to see that movie? We gotta get in there and not crap out." I'm on a roll.

"They may like it. They may hate it. We have no control over their responses. We just have make sure we're proud of it. Gees . . Man up!"

I think my Muse is handing me a taser.

Write on the Sound, Writers Conference

2009-08-29T11:48:00.000-07:00

If you're looking for a writer's conference this fall, you may want to pencil in the 24th Annual Write on the Sound Writer's Conference. It will be held October 2-4, in Edmonds, Washington.

Blake Snyder had originally been scheduled as the keynote speaker, but as many of you know, he recently passed away. He's been replaced though by award winning filmmaker, Brian MacDonald.

If you've never been to this conference, you should check it out. It's $137 for two days ($112 if you pre-register) and the classes cover a wide range of topics — character development, dialogue, genre, marketing, freelancing writing, maintaining a successful writing group, just to name a few.

The brochure is online. It's a fabulous selection this year. Plus, downtown Edmonds is gorgeous. You can't miss with this one.

Dreading The Pitch

2009-08-28T21:07:00.000-07:00

It's hard enough to write, but now you've got to pitch.

Every time you go to a writing conference or seminar, all they talk about is the PITCH!

After a year of pouring heart and soul into your story, you now have to "pitch" it — basically spend two minutes in front of an agent convincing them you have the next blockbuster or bestseller. It's do or die.

I understand the necessity to pitch, but I dread it. In fact, I'm dreading it right now just knowing someday a pitch awaits me. I'm a terrible public speaker and because of a couple personal tics I may be my story's own worst enemy.

A Couple Personal Tics

First off, I speak with my hands. My mom says she could always spot me in a crowd. If I was talking, my hands were flying all over the place. When I get nervous they flail. Someone outside the conversation would swear I was swatting away rabid bats.

Second, and worse, when I get nervous I randomly replace "nouns" with "longer nouns".

For example, you might ask me, "Where were you yesterday afternoon at 3 p.m.?"

If I had been at a "bowling alley", I might nervously reply with something like, "I was at that place with the big black balls that hit the white things." And, of course, I would tell you this while I was swatting at bats.

So, you can see why I dread my future pitch. I need to start practicing now. Better yet, I need a pinch hitter.

Crazy or Creative?

2009-08-27T08:05:00.001-07:00

When I'm really getting into a story, I enter what I have just decided to call my "Story Zone". My family uses "Your seeing things", which I've never liked because it has a "crazy" ring to it. But I have to admit, it's accurate. Once I'm in the Story Zone, it's like everything looks like something else. It's like I've stepped halfway into my story.

The Story Zone

Yesterday morning I was trying to sneak out of the house without waking my husband. When I got to the door I stifled a scream because a strange guy was standing there, which seconds later turned out to be a coat hanging from the coat rack. Still catching my breath from the scare, I stepped outside and there was a tapestry stuck in the fence that upon closer examination turned out to be blackberries vines. Then I was sure I'd spotted a mini armadillo (rocks can take about any shape).

Some people at this point would probably check themselves in. Not me. The Story Zone is wonderful and fleeting. And it's a place where anything is possible and I'm going to take advantage of it today and write!

. . . or, of course I could also be crazy.

Are We Shooting Yet?

2009-08-25T12:47:00.000-07:00

I'm getting nervous. The movie I wrote the script for was supposed to start shooting in late August. Well, it's about as late into August as you can get and I haven't heard a word.

"Don't they keep the writer informed?" you might ask. No. It doesn't really work that way.

A Screenwriter is Like an Architect

Being a screenwriter I've found is much like being an architect. Your job is to design a story in the form a screenplay that an actor, director, producer, etc. can work from. You're just like an architect who designs plans for a house that a builder, plumber and electrician can all work from.

Once you buy the house plan, you don't want the architect around anymore — especially if every time you want to add a window or take out a door the architect stands there screaming, "You ruined my vision!"

It's the same with screenwriting.

You Will Lose Control

Screenwriting is commercial work. You're an architect of stories. What they do with your scripts is ultimately out of your control -- unless you never sell them. There it is. (But it beats working at WalMart!!)

But back to my original point -- they haven't told me when it's shooting. I'm nervous. I better call someone, because no one is going to call me.

You know You’re Procrastination When . . .

2009-08-24T14:40:00.000-07:00

I sat down last night to write the final, action-acted scenes of my script. In my head they were cool, funny and exciting. I could even see a shirtless Ryan Reynolds playing the lead (OK, I can always see a shirtless Ryan Reynolds playing the lead).

Unfortunately, I knew some of the "cool/funny/exciting" in my head probably wouldn't translate to paper, so I procrastinated.

I'm a professional procrastinator, but last night I hit a new low — I elected to change the cat box instead of writing the ending. I mentally regrouped as I scooped. No matter how my ending turned out, it had to be more satisfying than cleaning a cat box.

Let's face it, it's not like I had procrastinated by helping out at a food bank or volunteering at Habitat for Humanity. This was a stupid cat box, and it wasn't even that dirty. I had to really hunt.

My coaching teacher says you’re supposed to swap your negative thoughts with positive ones (cognitive therapy I think it’s called). He has these cool examples like, "Replace 'I don’t think my ending with be worthy,' with 'I will write a entertaining and satisfying ending.'”

In reality, my thoughts aren’t as glamorous. But he’ll be proud that today I’m swapping . . .

“The cat box needs changing,” with “Go write that *$(#*!!@ ending!”

Writing Exercise - Find the Story

2009-08-21T13:49:00.000-07:00

I'm a sucker for writing exercises. My bookcases are filled with titles like, Pen on Fire, Writing Down the Bones, What If, Page after Page, the 4 a.m. Breakthrough, etc.

One of my favorites though is one I've been having fun with since I was about 5 years old. I call it Find the Story.

How to Play

Trust me, you've played this before, it just might have been a while.

The rules are pretty basic — see if you can spot a story.

Di's Xray Story

For example, I was waiting to get an xray yesterday and in the waiting room there was this pudgy guy, tan, about 50, with is german wife, who I couldn't help but notice was wearing some wildly expensive diamond earrings. The couple looked like they'd just got off a sailboat — happy and casually dressed. In fact, they seemed to be in almost too good a mood for someone in need of a an x-ray.

I had found my story: The man, Stuart, had accidently swallowed one of his wife's (Anna's) diamond earrings last night, when it fell into an iced gin and tonic. It was a big joke now, one they hoped to tell friends when they got back to California. But later today, when they were sailing out of the Sound, that earring was going to get lodged in Stuart's intestines and Anna was going to have to perform emergency surgery.

I could see it was going to get dicey because Anna had already downed a couple gin and tonics and her poor English was going to make it hard to call for help . . . not to mention I sensed a storm was coming in.

You get the idea . . . you see people and make up stories. It's the most basic thing writers do. Not to mention it's a hell of a fun way to pass time while you're waiting for an xray.

Did you see any stories today?

Self Publishing? Consider ADI

2009-08-20T08:09:00.000-07:00

Self publishing comes in a lot of forms — novels, cookbooks, family albums, memoirs, you name it. And if you're considering self publishing your book, make sure to give Applied Digital Imaging (ADI) a look.

I've worked with online companies like lulu.com, iuniverse.com and booksurge.com. They all have their strengths and weaknesses (FYI, Lulu.com has the most weaknesses). Then I met the guys ADI at a recent conference. They are a small company out of Bellingham, Washington — the right combination of state-of-the-art equipment and friendly people to help you throughout the process.

I stress "throughout the process" because we just finished a job with Lulu.com and the company has made the bold decision to save you money by removing the human element at their end from start to finish — including anyone involved with the help line. It was a nightmare!

I looked through a sampling of ADI's books and was amazed by the quality and the price. Also, you can just print 1 book for your mom or 100,000 of your best seller.

I don't want to sound like a commercial, but I do, don't I? They're cool guys. What can I say? Anyway, if you're considering publishing for yourself or a client, check them out at www.applieddi.com.

Editing Your Novel

2009-08-18T14:26:00.000-07:00

Hi,

I was reading literary agent, Rachel Gardner's blog about how to Tighten Up Your Manuscript.

Her advice was just good, general advice for anyone self-editing their novels — specifically writers trying to cut out the fat.

Possible Things to Remove

1. Adverbs — especially those with “ly” endings. Ask yourself if they’re necessary.
2. Adjectives — often people use two or three when one or none is better.
3. Gerunds — Words that end in “ing.”
4. Passive voice — Over-use of words like “was,” "were" and "that" indicate your writing may be too passive. Reconstruct in active voice.
5. Overly descriptive passages — these include not just scenes, but characters' thoughts and feelings in too much detail (i.e. long sections of narrative or interior monologue).
6. Passages that tell the reader what they already know.
7. Unnecessary backstory.

Some writers have a hard time cutting, but it can be fun. Think of the words dropping away like pounds on the diet. With each word your manuscript is leaner and meaner.

Once you've trimmed the fat, you'll notice the difference. And so will your readers.

National Novel Writing Month

2009-08-12T22:08:00.000-07:00

So are up for a little mental boot camp?

Someone just turned me on to National Novel Writing Month, or I guess it's referred to as NaNoWriMo. (Does this sound like something Mork work say, or is it just me?)

This is where writers all over the world are challenged to write a 50,000 word novel during the month of November. You sign up on their website, and then on November 1 you write like mad until the end of the month. (Not quite sure how they tell if you got an early start though.) You submit you novel on the last day of the month.

Incredibly, there are a number of folks who have had their NaNoWriMo novels published . . . no doubt after a great deal of rewriting.

This feels a little like the book How to Write a Script in 21 Days. I tried it back in the day and was happy to have a script at the end of the three weeks, but spent the next three months rewriting. Still, churning out a decent script in 4 months isn't too shabby.

So I'm up for the challenge. What the heck? What do I have to loose . . . except for some sleep.

Anyone else up for it?

Writers Block and Mr. Bubble

2009-08-10T19:51:00.000-07:00

I just talked to a friend who writes about 20 hours a week. He’s got a full-time job and an active family, but still has no problem finding 20 hours during the week to write.

I talked to another friend who doesn't have a full-time job, has no kids, and carving out even an hour a day to write seems like chore.

So how do you move from unmotivated to highly productive?

Getting In the Zone

When you’re in the zone — in the middle of a story and the words are coming fast a furious — suddenly finding the time isn’t hard. It’s like running down hill and you’re trying to keep up with your feet.

When the story isn’t flowing and the plot needs work or the characters seem flat, writing feels more like climbing up a steep hill, in 90-degree weather, with a 50-pound backpack, and a Barry Manilow song stuck in your head . . . you know the one.

Getting Over the Hump

How do you climb over the top of the hill and start running down the other side?

My trick is a mild form of self-hypnosis. Or some might say I’ve turned myself into one of Pavlov's dogs. Whenever I run a bubble bath, I take a pad of paper with me. I ALWAYS write in the tub, and I've never had writer's block with Mr. Bubble. (Yes,I should probably buy stock in Mr. Bubble.)

In fact, it's gotten to the point that whenever I see a bottle of Mr. Bubble I'm suddenly frantic for a pen and will write on anything that's flat.

Unfortunately, Mr. Bubble isn't always available. I should have been smarter up front and used something a little more conventional like a special rock or a candle. But I’m stuck now.

So, that's my story. It weird, but it works. I’m curious, how you switch on the writer when the words are hard to find? Fess up!!!

One Tip for Better Dialogue

2009-08-04T21:21:00.000-07:00

I struggle with dialogue. In fact, a professor once read my story out loud to the class to demonstrate how bad it could be. I wanted to crawl out of the room when he held up my paper and said, "Listen up. This is what you don't want to do."

If I can save anyone this kind of humiliation, I've done my job on this planet. So here goes.

Good Dialogue

Characters aren't just giving the reader information when they speak. Good dialogue moves the story forward and communicates everything from character development to plot points.

There are all kinds of tips for improving your dialogue:

• listen to other people talking

• understand your character's background

• don't make lengthy speeches and make it brief.

• etc., etc.

My question always was . . . but HOW do I make my already terrible dialogue better?

Speak Up

What ended up helping most was reading it out loud.

If you want to be adventurous, you can get your friends to take different characters and have them read it out loud. This is really effective for screenwriters.

But you don't need buddies. Just belt it out and see what your characters sound like. If it's bad you'll be glad you did it solo. My dialogue has been so bad at times I thought I would get craps from so much cringing.

Listen Up

When you're speaking, listen to yourself closely. Do the conversations sizzle, push the plot forward and expand the characters? Or do the characters sound off? Stilted? Similar? Are they saying things you've never heard another human being say?

If you're a natural, that's awesome (and we'd prefer you not rub in our dialogue-challenged faces). If you're like the rest of us dialogue dorks, just keep talking. It might take a while, but you'll start hearing a difference. The dialogue will become smoother and the characters will start to sound more natural.

It may take a while . . . but what do you have to lose. It beats having your professor read your paper in front of the class.

The Winner is . . .

2009-08-03T09:04:00.000-07:00

Hi,

This will be a quick post because I'm off to celebrate my anniversary. I'm not only lucky to have a fun, intelligent and creative work partner, but I'm doubly lucky to have the guy as my husband too!

But I digress. What I wanted to say was "Congratulations" to Charlcee Davis for winning the Pacific Northwest Writers Association (PNWA) screenwriting competition.

I'd like to think it was due to all the great feedback she got from myself and our writers group, but Charlcee is an extremely talented writer and it's going to be fun watching her continue to excel and reach great heights.

There was a lot of interesting discussion that came up at the conference this year and I'm looking forward to blogging about it. But right now, I'm off to celebrate.

Until next time, write on!

Live from the Pacific Northwest Writers Conference

2009-08-01T06:44:00.001-07:00

The PNWA conference seems to be a success this year — at least that's what I'm hearing from the writers who are filing past my table.

One of the big draws this year is the huge number of agents and the chance to pitch to them.

I've been watching the post-pitch reactions. Some writers are all smiles and it's easy to guess the agent has asked to see their manuscript. Then there are others who look like they've been hit by a buss — I'm assuming that these folks got a "no". Then there are the stunned and confused writers

Stunned and Confused

I talked to one of the "stunned and confused" at little. The agent liked his story, but had given him a list of things to work before on. Once he'd made these changes he should give her a call. The changes included things like: getting into the story faster, creating move tension for several of the characters, etc. The writer was ready to do the work, but not exactly sure how to do some of these things.

As a story editor (actually standing at my story editing table) I wanted to say, "Hey, that's what I do! I help writers figure this stuff out. Let's talk."

But I've stood in those shoes before and sometimes you just need to go home and digest all the information. You're feeling half rejected, half inspired, and not sure what to do with all this information someone has just handed you.

Today I'm bringing more chocolate. After these agent sessions, I think the writers need more comfort than advice.

More to come!

Diane

Pacific Northwest Writers Association

2009-07-31T06:49:00.001-07:00

I'm on my way out the door to the Pacific Northwest Writers Association (PNWA) annual conference in Seattle.

I have a booth. So, if you're attending please feel free to stop by and say "hi". You can't miss me, I'll be the one with big green and yellow posters talking about "how and editor can give you an edge" and "when you might need a writing coach."

I want to send out my best wishes to Charlcee Davis. She's a fabulous writer, part of my writer's group and a finalist in the PNWC Screenwriting contest. Awards are announced tomorrow night. Good luck Charlcee! Your script is great.

Well, I've got to run. I plan to blog from the conference, so stay tuned.

Write like crazy,

Query Letters, Think Like a Producer

2009-07-26T17:41:00.000-07:00

This must be query letter season. I read several letters last week written by screenwriters trying to get the attention of agents or producers.

Query letters are tough — introducing your story in such an exciting way that an agent or producer can’t help but contact you to read the whole thing.

My advice is to think like a producer, not like a writer. They want to know if this is a great concept, not whether the theme is fully realized.

If a query letter gets read, and that’s a big IF, you’ve only got a few seconds to get an agent or producer interested. Here are just a few do's and don'ts.

Don’t . . .

• . . . open by talking about yourself at length. In fact, unless what you’ve done has a bearing on the manuscript (you’ve won a couple Oscars or you’re Judd Apatow), I don’t think they care.

• . . . describe in your story in 4 or 5 lengthy paragraphs.

• . . . tell them it’s the best script they’ll ever read. They’ll be the judge of that. (This includes telling them that your friends read it and really liked it.)

• . . . discuss the theme, the character motivations, sub plots, etc. etc.

• . . . tell them your dream cast list or the ideal place to film.

Do . . .

• . . . introduce yourself.

• . . . write a killer log line — a quick one or two lines revealing the heart of the story. (Think of what you would want to see on a movie poster to get you in the theater door.)

• . . . write a one (maybe two) paragraph synopsis of your story — the shorter the better.

• . . . succinctly state anything that sets you apart from the pack — any awards you’ve received, options, etc.

• . . . provide your contact information

There is loads of information out there on writing query letters. But this, I hope, is enough to get you started.

Good luck

What If . . . With a Twist

2009-07-23T14:49:00.000-07:00

I just spent a day with my 10-year-old niece. She introduced me to a new game of "what if" that I've got to share.

We were driving along and she asked, "Would you rather die by drowning or falling off a cliff?"

I picked "death by cliff" because if you're going to die, the quicker the better. But then I thought, should I have asked if falling off a cliff meant tumbling down it. In that case, I wanted "death by drowning."

Too late. It was my turned.

I asked, "Would you rather have your house and possessions burned, or would you rather have your house flooded and all your possession wash away." She chose flooding.

"Why?" I asked.

"Because I could just go down pick up all my stuff and bring it back."

Good answer — very optimistic. I had mentally chosen burned because I assumed my stuff was gone forever and it would be easier to build a new house than deal with an mud-soaked one.

Next question. "Would you rather have a pet snake or pet spider?" she asked. Both are bad, I chose spider because I figured it had a shorter life expectancy.

Next question: Would you rather lose a hand or a foot. "Hand," she said without hesitation.

"How can you pick hand?" I asked.

"Because I don't want to be in a wheelchair."

"But you could get a prosthetic," I said.

"You never told me that. Foot then."

And on the game went, taking weird turns as we discovered all kinds of things about ourselves.

It was a great game (in a creepy sort of way), but one I plan on not only playing again with my niece but with my characters. I don't just want to know the decisions they would make, but the unique and interesting reasoning behind them.

OK, I'm off to find out if my niece has other cools games to play.