Eternal Optimist~Everything is Great

When I started writing it was only novels. I have two novels published currently and have been working on my 3rd for say, a million years or so. The first two center around Hollywood and so it was pretty easy to whip them out quickly. In fact, my second novel I did in one month for the NaNoWri contest and got it published less than 6 months later~traditional published, so I feel very lucky.

That same year I became involved with Amnesty International with their campaign against a huge multi-million dollar a year diamond company after seeing Blood Diamond. That lead to me networking with people at Warner’s and so forth. Later that summer I got a call from someone at ABC who heard of me from a friend who worked on Blood Diamond and was involved with Amnesty. . .blah blah blah….and thus my deciding to work in television. Or at least I was going to try. The show was canceled and I was back to my novels and animation, which is hit and miss all the time these days.

I wrote a spec for Grey’s Anatomy and got close to getting in, but the STRIKE hit. UGH…Seriously? Seriously! I applied to any show that would read me and wrote about 10 spec scripts that year. Failing hugely, not to the point of fiasco, but just not going anywhere. I was stuck on the 405 of life, but knew that I was learning and that somehow sometime in the future I would be grateful that I wasn’t hired right out of the gate.

So it didn’t really bother me because I could see the silver lining. I was swamped with animation work and developing my own series, I knew my time would come. That summer something in me changed. A co-worker of mine from animation told me his brother taught classes on screenwriting and asked me. “Have you read Save The Cat?”

Cut to months later, after taking TV writing classes and applying to as many places that would give me a chance, I took a workshop with Blake Snyder and he said to me. “Why aren’t you writing a screenplay? You have my book, you came here, you want to write one, so write one.” The way he said it with such enthusiasm and confidence made me say. “Okay, I will.”  Let me just say that he was right, I had gone to a weekend with Syd Field that summer, and was reading Robert McKee. I had read, Save The Cat, I did want to write a screenplay.

One month later my first screenplay, The Airport Bar, was completed. I just sat down and did it. I wrote some pretty bad scenes and some good ones, it was a process. I have been lucky enough to have a few people read it, including one of my favorite writers. It is being shopped around and I have high hopes. It is and will be a work in process and I am sure when it is on the screen I will think, “I should have done this or that instead of that, or whatever.” But, I did it! I completed a screenplay and if I hadn’t met Blake, I may not have even tried.

Yes I know everyone and their dog wants to sell a screenplay, but I just know that I will. I’m not being arrogant, it is what it is and I know that I will. Just like I know that someday I will work in television and have a series on the air. “If you put your mind to it, you can do anything.” George McFly~Back to the Future

Blake Snyder didn’t become my mentor, although I am sure he would have because that was his nature, he didn’t really even teach me anything new that I hadn’t read in his book, but what he gave me was more optimism. I am the eternal optimist and everyone who knows me knows that I believe I can do anything, but writing in Hollywood is hard more often than it is easy. I guess if it was easy, it wouldn’t be as much fun and everyone would do it. Those days when we, the writers, feel like failures and fools for choosing such a ridiculous career, optimism and hope are all we have. It is a way of looking at the world and saying, “it’s great, everything is great.” no matter what happens.

I was planning on taking another full workshop with Blake this year sometime, but sadly he passed away this summer. Maybe his heart was just too full from all the love he shared with the world and all his students. His light that was always shining and inspiring people burnt out way too soon. I will always remember his attitude towards life, teaching and writing and it will help me through the hard times.

Thank you Blake for being amazing and sharing so much more than writing techniques with all of us.

“The most important thing to do is to love what you’re doing.” ~ Blake Snyder

Hiatus~Day 3 & Units of Time

“I find the key is to think of a day as units of time, each unit consisting of no more than thirty minutes. Full hours can be a little bit intimidating and most activities take about half an hour. Taking a bath: one unit, watching countdown: one unit, web-based research: two units, exercising: three units, having my hair carefully disheveled: four units. It’s amazing how the day fills up, and I often wonder, to be absolutely honest, if I’d ever have time for a job; how do people cram them in?”~Will, About A Boy

I love this quote and his explanation of time and how to manage it when not going to a full time job.

Today I am going to breakdown my day into units of time ala Will.

Writing Blogs, 2 units

Developing new series 4-6 units

Goofing off on FB – 2 units (3x a day)

Watching TV and catching up on shows 4 units (repeat as needed)

Walking dog 1 unit (4 times at least)

Job searching 2 units

Really? I can’t believe I ever worked 80 hours a week and still had time to write!

To be honest, when I am working, I find I have more time because I am not worried about not working and I concentrate of getting all the work done and then the writing. I just do it! When I am on “hiatus”~which in Los Angeles is a fancy word for unemployed, I mean, really, who are we kidding?~I tend to waste more time that I am productive in.

Today as soon as I am done with this blog and 2 others, I am going to write~

Short story, then my new pilot, then my film (act 3….oy vey.. act 3 you are killing me), then my pilot some more, do some reading, watch some shows as example and then the novel.

Yep, I agree with life. I find it hard to imagine having the time for full time work.

Love You! Love Your Script!!

Hollywood is a funny place. It is a place where yes means no way, and no means no, and maybe usually means no, but can sometimes mean yes. You have to live here and work in the industry for a long time before you realize what the hell people are talking about.

In writing, you will submit your work and wait to hear back anxiously in your tiny apartment, while thinking of your next great story~well you better be writing your next great story.

If you hear, “we loved it.” that means PASS. If you hear, “what else you got?” That mean, “We loved it, and want to read more of you!” Just like acting auditions this is usually said with a straight face or mono-tone on the phone, and you as the artist behind your story are like “but what about this one? It’s great. . .right?” Of course in your head and yes it is good that is why they want to see more!

(So you better have more!!)

Let’s do lunch in all other parts of the world means just that, “I would love to have lunch with you and catch up, talk, etc.” in Hollywood, everyone knows that “let’s do lunch” is a kiss off, but not entirely, if you become someone of interest then they will call you for that lunch, but for the most part when someone says, “let’s do lunch” it is another way of saying, “I really don’t care if I ever see you again.”

I have to say that I enjoy, and I shouldn’t but I do, I enjoy watching newbies straight off the turnip truck from the middle of nowhere trying to figure out what means what. :0)

It is all part of the game out here and I love it, really I do.. Love it, love it’s script and definitely want to do lunch with it!

It’s Been A Good Week

I have been lucky this week and have made some great contacts, leaps and breakthroughs, but as like everything that happens in this industry, I don’t want to say too much too soon and it could all just as well fall to shit as I write this blog. That said here are the highlights.

A well known TV writer really liked the outline for my next pilot. Yay!

An A list actor is interested in reading my screenplay.

My screenplay was requested by a studio…oh yeah that was last week, but still any time I can mention that! :0)

I have been doing a lot of writing and feel confident that I will finish my two new pilots, my episodes of HOUSE and Psych by Nov.

That is the long and the short of it! Life is going well and I am on track!

If That’s All It Takes!

An email was sent to me tonight from a screenwriting group I belong to and on the top of it was this:

‘This is a very tough business and not for the faint of heart. You can either be ‘killed with kindness’ or ‘killed by the hurtful truth.’ Our suggestion? Toughen up! Your mental attitude is almost as important as your talent. We’ve seen many marginal screenwriters and filmmakers make it in Hollywood because they exude a confidence that draws people to them. Many if not most of the purseholders in this business have no idea what is going to sell, but if you position yourself right, you’ll convince these money folks that what you have, they need.

If you can manage this without being too cocky, then you will find yourself in a position of power rather than in a position of weakness. Believing in yourself is absolutely necessary in order to get others to believe in you. Do your homework, write the best screenplays you can and then strut your stuff.’
-Source unknown

I got up from my chair and screamed, “I’m the king of the world!” in manor of Leonardo DiCaprio on the Titanic~the day it sank. . .

People often look to me for advice, leadership, etc., even if I don’t know what I am saying, but I think it has something to do with confidence.

I don’t know when, I don’t know for what studio, but I know that I will get in as a writer, it isn’t even an option not to. It is like when I first got into animation, I had no idea it was so hard and didn’t think for a second that I couldn’t so why not this?

Failure is not an option.

I will break in and not because I am the long lost cousin of J. J. Abrams, or niece of Josh Schwartz, but because I am confident in myself and my skills.

Now…will someone please open that damn door so someone will see that??

:0)

What Would You Want To See?

http://abc.go.com/shows/flash-forward

What would you want to see if you had a glimpse of the future 6 months from now?

I would want to see myself working at a major network, ABC television on this show, Flash Forward! Coffee in hand, tired, but in that room, the writer’s room that is!

“If you can conceive it, you can achieve it!”

Or~some alternatives: I wouldn’t mind seeing myself  hanging out with the cast of my film at the wrap party, working full time on the Simpsons as a board artist, while writing on the side. Hanging out with Leonardo on Sunset at some trendy sidewalk cafe (okay~you got me, if Leo is in my vision, it wouldn’t be so PG rated, but I just said I wanted to work for ABC didn’t I? Keep it clean…LOL), sitting outside in Dublin sipping an Irish coffee with my best friend, working full time in the ABC Fellowship, writing on Grey’s Anatomy, writing on any show, signing the deal with HBO or Showtime for my original series, doing a book signing at Barnes & Noble for my new novel. . .all my dreams coming true! :0)

PYSCHed About Dr. HOUSE and PYSCH!

So as you may or may not know, being a new writer in Hollywood today means writing a ton of ‘spec’ scripts, or in the words of a true artist~NO PAY. Which is okay because like an artist who carries around a sketchbook all the time doodling, painting and drawing everything and everyone, the writer must be writing all the time.

Some of the spec scripts I have written:
Traveller
Grey’s Anatomy
Dirty Sexy Money
Army Wives
Eli Stone
24
Saving Grace

I have also written an episode of General Hospital which lead them asking me to write my own soap, two hours worth~like that is no problem at all.. just whip it out.. LOL..I did it, it is called ASPEN and features an array of backstabbing, lying, cheating, two-timing, bastard-children, evil step parent, mobsters, misunderstood characters ever to hit the page. . .:0)

I have my own series that I created, pitched, changed, pitched again, changed some more… and am putting aside for the moment. While developing two more that I am extremely psyched about!

Saving Grace is the most current spec show I have worked on and while I love the episode I wrote, the show has moved on and so must I.

I am now embarking on two very different shows:
HOUSE, M.D. & Psych!

I laid them both out in what “we” (the writers, the industry, the important ones that dictate what you normal people will watch) call the beat sheet ~ yes just like cuba libre is fancy for a rum, coke with a lime, the beat sheet is a Hollywood term for outline.
I am thrilled to know that HOUSE is going in the direction I thought~phew!!
&
Psych is just about the most fun I have ever had writing a show. I love it!
So why pick two completely different shows? How will I express my true voice? Well to be honest I feel they both will do so in that I am all about characters. That is my strength and I believe that no matter what the show, the characters are the center. They are the core, so whether they be a goofy guy and his preppy-Carlton-esque side-kick, or a untrusting, addicted Dr. in need of a serious attitude adjustment, who just happens to be brilliant, it boils down to character.

So there is my journey for today…finalizing the beat sheets for my specs….:0)

Tomorrow~how will I fix the part in act 3 of my screenplay that I just think is feeling a bit forced and can I be my own script doctor? (No of course I can’t…just kidding, but I am reworking it)

I Would Like To Thank. . .EMMY

“You know, I used to think that awards were just shallow tokens of momentary popularity. But now, I realize they are the only true measure of a person’s real worth as a human being.” – Jon Cryer

I loved this acceptance speech. He was funny, genuine, and all around gracious.

Now, when I win my Emmy, I will definitely quote Jon! LOL.

Seriously though, I love watching the award shows because I always get excited about the industry and my craft. I love to write and watching the entire television industry come together like that reminds me of why I do it. I am so lucky to do what I do and sometimes during the “hiatus” I forget why I started.

Thank you Emmy for reminding me of my dream!!

A Writer’s Response. . .

Dear Mr. X

I am so thrilled that you decided to line your waste paper basket with my script. It is an honor to be a part of Hollywood Studios in such an important role. My script is with you every day, and he is happy, proud and thrilled.

Dear Mr. Z

Thank you for allowing me to enter into this TV writing contest and I greatly appreciate that you hate the show I decided to write an episode of, never mind the hours, the research, the money I spent on classes and the fact that this is my favorite show. I am so happy that since you don’t seem to have an original thought in that tiny brain of yours that you didn’t even read it.

Dear Miss K

I am so thrilled that you gave me 3 pages of notes about how much you dislike Sci Fi, aliens, spaceships and time travel, especially since the script I sent you is a Romantic Comedy.

Dear Agent W

Since you couldn’t make it as a writer in this town, you definitely have the qualifications to tell me that my film sucks. My MFA in screenwriting doesn’t hold anything to your training at William Morris. I am just thankful that I was able to even summit to such a person like yourself. What a thrill. The best part is that you actually called me last week and left me a message saying that you loved the film and wanted to rep me, but I guess you forgot that you had sent this letter?

Hello Mr. P

I understand that  you don’t think a 50 year old woman should be out drinking and having sex and I appreciate the moral lecture from a studio executive like yourself and will definitely take who you are into consideration next time I decide to submit to you. I just wanted to point out, just because you seem to be so perfect, you rep the showrunner of this particular show that I wrote an episode of.

Dear Mr. Y

No I do not watch Beavis and Butthead and have no plans to get Netflix and catch up, thank you for suggesting it to me, very helpful by the way. I appreciate how that doesn’t relate to my screenplay in any shape or fashion.

Dear Mrs. Q

Thank you so much for letting me spend an entire weekend writing a spec script for you for the 13th time in the last two years and you still spell my name wrong. No I appreciate it very much, it gives me chance to practice my craft, the art of no sleep, donate to my local Starbucks and clearly make a name for myself in Hollywood. I love to write for you and never get an actual job offer, this is a dream come true for a new writer. Thank you.

Dear C

Thank you for suggesting that I shove my girlie-lovey-dovey-mushy crap where the sun doesn’t shine. I have the perfect place in mind. Your address is 3800 Wilshire, top floor, right?

Dear K & K

Thank you for telling me that you love love love love my script, and thank you for not buying it despite of “love love loving” it. That was the best part.