Outlining

Today I spent most of the afternoon cleaning dirty turtle tanks. The filters were clogged, the rocks had accumulated filth, and the floating turtle docks were beginning to grow algae. It's not my favorite thing in the world to do, but in order to have healthy turtles, they have to have clean houses. It's just something that needs to be done.

Outlining is like that. For the first twenty years of my writing life, I wrote without an outline. When I felt inspired, I wrote until I got tired. Then the next day, I wrote some more. Things were often out of order. At the end of a piece of writing, I spent a lot of time piecing together my writing in order. In effect, I was working backwards. What always ended up happening was that I'd have a scene/chapter or two that didn't fit anywhere that ended up being omitted entirely that I had spent a lot of time on.

Then I went to graduate school. Before writing my thesis paper, I had to take this hellish class called History of Literary Research. Yes, it was as boring as it sounds. The idea behind this class was to look up every single piece of literary research written in English on your proposed thesis topic and write a research paper on it. My thesis was supposed to be on John Donne's Anniversary Poems, so I had to go back through 400 years of literary research in sixteen weeks.

Writing that paper forced me to outline. I had a 45 page paper with a 13 page bibliography. The most boring stuff ever written. If I didn't outline, I never would have gotten the paper done in sixteen weeks.

Oh, and then four days before the due date, my computer crashed from a virus, which had infected both my disc and backup discs.   I lost everything except my original draft dot matrix printout. I begged my professor to give me an extension and wonderful woman she was, she said, "The paper's due on Friday." So, three all nighters and I pulled it off. I nearly had a nervous breakdown.

What I did walk away with from that class was two things: 1. my teacher was a witch and 2. outlining made life easier. And, I'm proud to say, I came to the outlining part on my own.

Ever since then, I force myself to outline, even when I'm dying to write. I remember Robert McKee saying in his Story seminar that once you finish outlining and writing your synopsis, your screenplay will be jumping out of you.

Please check out my novel Luke Aloysius:  Bloodline on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GD9X8BE

Peace!

Beginning a Television Spec Script

Television writing. It's a different beast than filmwriting, but one I like to undertake from time to time. It's always good to have a couple of television spec scripts on hand when you're looking for representation. As I wrote in a previous blog, the last spec script I worked on was for the X-Files, so it's time to do something new.

I did get an idea to write a script for Supernatural, but I outlined that and tabled it for now. Instead, I got a better idea for an episode of Criminal Minds.

I decided to do the Criminal Minds episode for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, its a challenge for me and it will stretch my writing skills. I really love the show and I tend to watch it thinking that writing for a show with that level of technical background is out of my comfort zone.

Yet, I have a background in Psychology where I studied Abnormal Psych and Criminology. I just need to do some research and study the written format of the show. A couple of books on Behavioral Analysis and Criminal Profiling should do the trick.

So, comfort zone be gone.

For the past two days I went through Jurgen Wolff & Kerry Cox's book Successful Scriptwriting, focusing on the chapter on hour-long episodes as a refresher. Then I sat down and wrote out the beginning and ending of the episode, as well as major plot points.

My next move will be to outline the 60-page script and just get started.

I'm also going to order a couple Criminal Minds scripts from Script City (1-800-676-2522 or scriptcity.net). I haven't ordered from them in a while due to the pile of screenplays I have from them that I haven't read yet, but I'm assuming they're still around. You can't write a television episode without knowing each show's format. That's why Final Draft has different formats for each of the major television shows built into their software (God, I love Final Draft!)

Get writing!
Please check out my novel Luke Aloysius:  Bloodline on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GD9X8BE

Following Syd

Today I was pretty focused and got a lot done that I didn't think I would. I decided to keep myself on track I would follow Syd Field's Writer's Workbook. I've read it before and used some ideas, but I haven't followed it before step by step. But, as I said the other day, I had too many ideas meandering in my mind to find a point to begin.

So, I started with Syd's first two lessons and found my focus (and inspiration) surprisingly fast. I even cranked out a pitch which is usually the most difficult thing for me to do, but for some reason this time I am so clear on what my story is going to be about that the pitch just wrote itself.

As for my query project, that is with my peeps who are reading the two drafts I have and giving me feedback on which one they think is more effective.

Unfortunately, these past couple of blog entries are pretty short, but that's because I'm on a creative streak. I've been pouring my creative juices into this new screenplay. I will try to write more over the next few days.

*******

I do want to recommend one computer program that I started using that may be helpful to writers wanting to learn a foreign language. I recently purchased Rosetta Stone, Spanish: Latin America and I love it. It really does immerse you in the language. It cuts out the entire "Here is the word in English, now translate." It teaches you the language by throwing you right into the language, no English translation. You really do walk away from the first lesson speaking full phrases. I think learning a foreign language is good for writers for five reasons: first learning another language adds to your characterizations. It's so much better when you can actually write a phrase in French into your espionage screenplay, rather than writing it in English and putting in parenthesis "in French". It just looks more professional.

Second, it makes you more marketable as a writer. You can now speak at conferences in foreign countries, travel abroad to write, or work with foreign actors and directors.

Third, learning a new language makes you smarter. Leonardo DaVinci knew that. It makes you use pathways that are dormant in your brain. It's no surprise that geniuses and highly creative people speak two and three languages. It makes you more creative.

Four, it opens you up to new ideas that are not available in English. I love Umberto Eco, Fellini films, and Italian music, but a lot is lost when it is translated into English. I'm glad I can read and understand the Italian.

Five, foreign languages are soooo sexy. Need I say more?

So there you have it. Go and learn some Swahili. You'll be glad you did!
Please check out my novel Luke Aloysius:  Bloodline on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GD9X8BE

Getting Started . . .

I'm back! I had to take a little hiatus there for various reasons, which I'll get into at another time. But, for now, it's time to blog. . .

I've been focusing on three things the past few days: finishing my query brochure, getting inspiration for a new writing project, and researching new writing techniques.

My brochure is pretty complete. I have two versions on which I am getting opinions. Once a final choice is made, I will be off to the copy center. All I need to do now is to get together a mailing list so I know how many copies I'll need to make.

I have a lot of ideas for writing, but I'm having trouble picking an idea to start on. It's not Writer's Block, it's just too many ideas and no starting point. I'll probably have to do some journaling or in depth outlining of some of my ideas to figure out where I want to start now.

I dragged all my screenwriting books out of my library to get ideas on queries, synopses, and starting new screenplays all together. I finally came to the conclusion that with Malice, I'm done. There isn't anymore I need to do at this point other than query, query, query. I just need to trust myself and jump in feet first.

So, that's where I am right now. I'm going start working on some outlining. I'm going to use Syd Field's Screenwriter's Workbook and Bob McKee's Story as a guide in getting started. I'm sure they'll give me tons of ideas. Logging off now; need to create. .

Please check out my novel Luke Aloysius:  Bloodline on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GD9X8BE

Thomas Edison's Words of Wisdom

Living in New Jersey, you cannot grow up without taking a class trip at some point to Edison's workshop in Edison, NJ. At that point in time, many years ago, one thing stuck in my mind: the black bread on his desk. They had left everything on Edison's desk as it was on the day he died, including an old piece of bread that had turned black over the years.

Years later it would be a quote of Edison's that always stuck with me. It had taken 10,000 attempts for Edison to make the first light bulb. When asked how he felt about his 10,000 "failures", Edison replied, "I didn't fail. I found 10,000 ways not to make a light bulb."

My next door neighbor (who has since gone to God herself) used to work for Edison. Her response to working for this icon? He was a slob, she said, he used to spit on the floor. That image amused me, rather than horrified me. It humanized the man and enmeshed him more in the time period. I could see him missing the spittoon and then just not even caring after a while.

All this goes back to writing. What may seem like insignificant details about a person, may add a whole new dimension to their personality.

Einstein's quote should be laminated and framed and hung over the computer of every single writer out there. I'm sick of reading about writers who keep their rejection notes on a blackboard or in a book. Who needs such glaring negativity? Unless the note is personalized and contains constructive feedback that you can apply to your writing, there is only one place that rejection letter should go after opened: the shredder. Why are so many writers so masochistic? They write it inspires them. To me, that's like having an angry nun smacking you with a ruler when you color outside the lines or write with your left hand (I'm Catholic, its just an archaic metaphor. . .) You should note somewhere you heard back from them on a list and then CHUCK IT. Be freed of it. Amen.

Then start living by Einstein's philosophy, try to find the other ways to sell your writing. Find what works and what doesn't. If it takes 10,000 tries, so be it. How many light bulbs are in your house right now? Imagine if every home in America had that many pieces of YOUR writing? Hmmmm. . .

Could happen. It happened to Stephen King. He was a substitute teacher, living in a trailer. Look at him now.

Finally, Einstein's workshop is now frozen in time. What moments do you want to freeze in time? Write them. Make them live forever.

Please check out my novel Luke Aloysius:  Bloodline on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GD9X8BE

Total Immersion

I booked my trip to Italy today. Between now and next summer there are two very important things I need to do in order to prepare for this trip: the first is to put aside money for it and the second is to completely immerse myself in the Italian language once again.

I studied Italian in grade school and high school, but I didn't really learn it until I began to study for a translation exam in grad school. A friend of mine tutored me and he got me completely immersed in Italian. I was reading Italian magazines and novels, watching Italian television, and watching Fellini films. Before I knew it, I was understanding and reading without translating from English to Italian. I had completely grasped the Italian.

Then the University went and canceled the Foreign Language Translation requirement.

Whatever.

So, as the years went by, I lost the use of Italiano. But, now I want to be able to finally use it. So I broke out all my books, flashcards, videos, and other foreign language paraphernalia and began to reconnect those synapses in my brain.

The same goes for writing. When you are working on a piece of writing, you have to completely immerse yourself in the process. You need to take time to write, edit, get feedback, look at similar examples of the writing style you are endeavoring in. You also need to make sure your basics are up to par: how is your grammar and spelling? Do you know the proper structure for this piece? When looking for an agent, publishing house, or producer, do you know the proper way to query? Do you know what each individual market requests with submissions? Have you done your homework in these areas?

Do not go blindly into that dark night. There are better writers than you and I who were turned down numerous time who knew the answers to these questions. You need to be prepared. Immerse yourself in the life and work of being a writer. Once you have done this, you will find it easier to write and more opportunities will come your way.

Ironically, last night I wasn't sure what I wanted to work on for today. I knew I wanted to step aside from my query for a day or two because it isn't quite right yet. However, I didn't know what I wanted to work on in the meantime. So, I went to sleep thinking about what I would spend my time doing today.

Then, a funny thing happened: I dreamed an entire outline for a television spec script. I had forgotten I had wanted to work on one, but my subconscious hadn't. Because I had immersed myself in the lifestyle of a writer, my mind kept working when I was fast asleep. When I woke up this morning I sat down and sketched out a basic outline for a Supernatural episode.

The moral is: you never know what will come to you as long as you keep focused on writing.
Please check out my novel Luke Aloysius:  Bloodline on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GD9X8BE