Putting Myself Out There...Again

Last year I wrote a short five-page screenplay. I thought maybe a few friends and I could film it using cellphones. It never materialized, but it was fun to write.

I find, sometimes, the writing part is a lot of fun.

A couple of weeks ago, another idea hit me so I fired up the laptop, opened the Final Draft program and wrote it down. It's slightly longer (eight pages...) and definitely meaner. 

I like both stories, each have their strengths, and their weakness. I can see both actually being filmed--it wouldn't take much, few locations, few actors, one-day shoots.

I'm part of two writing groups, one for traditional writing and the other for screenwriting. There's been times--months, actually--when I haven't attended the screenwriting group. I'm doing more of that now, especially since we're holding on-line meetings. As he does often, Blake, the group's leader asked us if anyone had any stories to submit.

I spoke up.

I sent them in.

Next week we're discussing them.

This is a tough group. They don't hold back when it comes to critique and their opinions, and that's a good thing. False praise from friends will do you no favors in the long run. I've submitted to the group several times before. Each time the group's helped in many ways. Each time I come away with more knowledge than I had before. You'd think, after doing this a few times, I'd be used to the process. But, there was still that feeling in my gut when I had to make the decision of whether or not I would submit my stories, if I would put myself out there.

I did.

Now, let the carving begin!

Old Books About Music...My Friend's Favorite

I noticed the short stack of old books on the desk next to me at tonight's writing group. The top book caught my attention. 

The World's Best Music - Vocal

How cool is that?

Then I thought about it--these books were in the home of a friend who has two great loves: books and music. And she's incredibly talented in both. And because I'm curious, I picked up the vocal book to leaf through it. After all, I've been singing most of my life. There had to be at least one song I knew.

That's about how many songs I knew...one.

The first couple of pages were missing so I didn't know when the book was published, then again, maybe books that old did not have the printing information on the first few pages. When I perused through the book, I noticed most of the copywriting dates were from 1904. That's twenty years before my father was born. Or, in other words, old.

The books work great as a decoration. I wondered if they are actually used for the purpose for which they were originally published--as voice lesson material. I suppose they could be, but if it were me, I'd photograph the pages then print them out to use them. The book is over a century old, after all.

After gently flipping through the pages, checking out the music and the pictures, I replaced the book with its siblings. The book's title made me wonder, is this a collection of the world's best vocal music? It may have been then, but maybe not so much now.

The Writing Group...Writes Again!

I admit, I have not been the best writing group member for the past year. In fact, I haven't been the best writing member for several years. Part of the reason is because I have been involved in several theater productions--I'm averaging between 1 - 2 shows a year. And since a show usually lasts three months, I end up missing sometimes almost half a year of writing group meetings.

Last week, we all gathered and resumed the tradition.

Of course, the rest of the group has been continuing the tradition all along. They're swapping stories, giving suggestions in kind, yet helpful ways, and enjoying each other's company. I was not there. Attending brought back some good memories. The only thing I didn't do was provide pages to be critiqued. I know, I know, it's something I need to do.

I don't know about your writing groups, but I doubt you have a mascot. We've got one--Lucy the dog. She's wonderful. She'll come and go, obviously enjoying some stories more than others. She'll take refuge under a desk, or at the feet of a participant. She's always entertaining, always unpredictable.

It's good to be back.My goal going forward--have material on which to be judged...by human and dog.

Hanging Out...Talking About Writing

As far as a regular participant goes, I've been bad. I haven't gone in a while to our bi-monthly screenwriter's group meeting. Many times I haven't been able to attend because I've been doing shows, but I haven't done a show for a while. I decided last Wednesday I should go.

We meet in the office where the organizer, Blake works. On the walls are framed movie posters, mostly movies that appeal to the geeks and nerds inside us all. And many  times we discuss those films, but we also talk about other things, too. Normally, we have either a feature film to critique, a TV episode, or a short. Last week we had none of those--it happens sometimes. During those times the group improvises. 

Because screenwriting is, at its core, storytelling, we discussed some of the points on how to best tell a story. We talked about conflict, what's at stake, themes, character types, and how all those ingredients can be combined to create magic. Every movie begins with a story. Every great movie begins with a great story and every crappy movie usually begins with a crappy story.

In the past the group has critiqued some of my the stories, and by "critiqued," I mean ripped apart. They were not unkind, but then group is honest. If your story stinks they will let you know. It's a good thing, really. If a story is not where it needs to be, at some point someone needs to tell you that. I know this group will (because they have...).

I'd like to attend more. I should. They discuss sound principles and they're students of the craft of filmmaking. I hit a home run with the very first screenplay I wrote. Of course, that was over a decade ago. Will it happen again? I really can't say, but I'm confident that if I do get another script made into an award-winning movie, I'll have the guys and gals in my screenwriting group to help thank for it.

My Mom's Birthday Pumpkin...A Family Tradition

The last two years I've had busy Octobers. My son and I worked Frightmares, our local amusement park Halloween celebration. And last year as well as this, I'm in a Christmas play. It doesn't give me a lot of time for extras.

Ever since I can remember I've carved a pumpkin for my mother's birthday. Today is that day. Nine years ago was the first time I was unable to give her birthday pumpkin to her in person. She passed away a few months before. For the past nine years I've carved a pumpkin and placed it on her grave. I might have missed a year--I'll have to check my journal. But if I did miss a year, I know it's something I wanted to do.

Since last year and this year were busy, I ended up carving my mom's pumpkin not at my home, but at different locations. Last year I took my pumpkin down to Frightmares and carved it between shows. I'm sure I took a picture and posted it here. I'll have to check my blog. This year I took a pumpkin to my writing group and as we discussed each other's writing selections, I cut the top off the pumpkin, took out all the innards, and wrote my mom a message, something I would have told her had she been here.

I can't really remember exactly when I started this family tradition, but it's probably been twenty-five or thirty years. When I was away on my mission and when I was in school, I'm sure I failed to deliver a Happy Birthday pumpkin, as well as a few times since being married. I'll try and do better in the future. But for the last two years at least, I know I've done it.

Today marks my mom's eighty-fifth birthday. I'm glad I'm continuing this tradition. It allows me to remember just what a special lady she was. Happy B-Day Mom!

Chris Todd Miller's "By Blood Bequeathed"...A Book Review

*

To say I was excited about getting an e-reader was an understatement. It was like getting a library card, for that is what it really is, a digital device allowing access to all the books in all the libraries in the world.

The first thing I did when I got the thing up and running was download all those digital books I had purchased over the years. Since there were so many, I had a tough time deciding which one to read first. I picked the one I believe I bought first--Chris Todd Miller's By Blood Bequeathed. 

I loved this story! This is a short read, 108 pages per the Goodreads information page. It only took a couple of trips on the bus for me to finish it. But the reason I liked it so much isn't necessarily the fact that it's short. It's because there's a lot in those few pages. Miller creates a complete world with a unique (and cool...) magic system. 

Another reason I liked the book so much was because the author blends beautifully action and character development. Some of the high fantasy stories I've read lately dwell liberally on the blood and guts found extensively in the genre. I'm not anti-violence, but with some of the stories, it was a little too much. Miller's short has many of the action scenes found in high fantasy stories, but for me it wasn't over-the-top. It centers around Rayne Maellor and his pregnant wife, Aebigal. They must survive an attack by the evil Mœtok. There's more to the story, of course, but that's the elevator pitch. 

I'm not sure if this story is setting up a larger work--it easily could, and it really should. Even though I liked the short version, the believable world and magic system, the well-established characters can carry a much longer tale.

* Photo used without permission from: https://www.goodreads.com/book/photo/17408376-by-blood-bequeathed

Writing Group...YES!

Writing Groups...

As a new writer, you hear a lot about writing groups. You'll be told, "you must get into one--your writing career depends on it." Well, that may be a stretch, but it's close.

There's a secret to the people who offer this advice on writing groups and it's that the people who say these things are the people who are in successful writing groups, groups that meet on a regular basis. They're also the people who can personally testify of a writing group's importance in their writing career.

Tonight I attended one of the most successful writing groups that I've ever heard of--not as a guest, but as a member of the group. There are many ways to attach the term "successful" to a group. Do they meet regularly? That's a biggie for a writing group. Are the members engaged, or in other words, do they get the writing done? Do they offer helpful critiques? And, though some may consider this to be the most important aspect of success, have the participants gotten published? 

I've been following those in this group for a long time. It's been years since I first asked about joining. Two weeks ago I got an e-mail asking me if I wanted to join. I was so excited--it was like hearing that a story you've written has been chosen to be published. This group is successful because they meet regularly and have done so for almost a decade. They are engaged--they do the writing. They are extremely helpful and their criticisms are offered with respect and with the sole desire to help each other become better writers.

And, in the home where they meet is a collection of books, books that are published--and it's more than just a few.

Tonight was my first meeting and I left with my first notes of how to fix my little story. Will my writing career depend on my inclusion and participation in this group? I guess we'll find out! Thanks guys for giving me the chance!

A Writing Group...

“You’ve got to get into a writing group.” I’ve heard this more than once… Tonight I sit and try reading a signed-by-the-author book I won earlier in the day while an operating working writing group sits around a table at the Olive Garden and talks. In the past I’ve approached several writers in search of just such a writing group. So far, I’m batting .000.

“I happened to know,” says one of the writing group participants. “...that Dick Simon Trucking used both 49’ and 53’ tractor trailers.” The comment impresses us all.

While everyone finishes their meals, the term, “this is small comment, but…” can be heard many, many times. And so is, “this was beautiful,” or, “it was perfect how you wrote that,” or “I really saw what your were trying to say there…”

My entire day was spent focused on the industry that is writing and publishing and editing and creating. I even attended the launch of a new book with people who actually knew the proud and humble author. His story, both inspirational and discouraging at the same time, affected everyone crammed into the tiny room. People attended to show both support for the author and to get their own newly-printed copy of the store’s newest book signed by the author.

The group continues the critiques, each aspiring author and authoress sits patiently as each member of the group is heard and respected as they express thoughts that are as valued and sincere to the presenter as they are to the presented.

We sit twice or three times as long as other diners. They’ve all returned to their homes and families and lives while the group remains until each member’s pages are assessed.

“You’ve got to get into a writing group,” the words haunt me as I listen to the others, my dinner long finished. But as I listen to the friends, it’s easy to see why these people spend so much time working on their own stories and evaluating the stories of others. Who wouldn’t like to be told at least once a week by several people that what they have created is wonderful and that they’ve done a great job? I know of at least six writers who do.