This was a great weekend, for writing that is. I was so stressed out about the book, esp. the first act. I had a freak moment of "What am I doing? Who am I to think I can write a novel?"
I had dinner with a screenwriter friend on Friday. She started out as a development exec. She finally wrote a script, it sold, and she started to write full time. I met her when the production company I used to work for hired her to do a page one re-write. She took a dead project and made it sing. An a-list actress is attached and the writer went on to do very well. She is incredibly talented.
I felt so much better after my dinner. I have to say the generousity of time, advice, and just encouragement from the community of writers I know is amazing.
I wrote all day Saturday and most of the day on Sunday. I took a break yesterday and went to the Grove to buy some jeans. I only have one pair that fits. It was 91 degrees. Too hot to shop and nothing fit. I returned to my dumpy apartment (which looks crazy. I have so much going on I haven't had time to clean) with a stank attitude. Then something pretty cool happened, I started to work on certain chapters and my mood completely changed. I was thrilled Matteo's voice is becoming clearer, I cut nine pages out of the first act and don't miss them, and the opening paragraph is a zillion times better.
Yesterday I didn't stop until dinner. I was in the zone for at least six hours. I changed up my music and listened to CDs I haven't heard in a while.
A friend gave me The four disc Stevie Wonder box set AT THE CLOSE OF A CENTURY for my birthday a couple years ago. I have most of his CDs pre-Lady in Red but this is an essential CD for any Stevie fan. CD number 4 is okay but the first three? Incredible.
SQUEEZE SINGLES. I love this CD. Brings me back to early - mid 80s. Great British Pop. Speaking of British, I was big on the Brits yesterday.
SEAL IV - Excellent. He has such a beautiful voice and the songs are gorgeous.
THE BEST OF SADE - This is not easy listening. The musicianship is outstanding and Sade is a bad ass. I wore out STRONGER THAN PRIDE, PROMISE (there is a track called "You're Not the Man" which was not released as a single, that is devastating, seriously.) and LOVE DELUXE back in the day.
Joss Stone, MIND BODY & SOUL - I think she was 17 when she made this record. Crazy. Great voice and music.
The "S" thing was not intentional but maybe I should stick with what works. Today might be a "P" day; Prince, The Police, and Public Enemy.
Off to write.
Monday, November 06, 2006
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4 comments:
my sister gave me that box set for christmas...love it! i have a tendency for the first, but the second is great too. the third has some of my favorites, but fewer than the first two. i don't think i had ever heard his cover of we can work it out. it has way more attitude than the beatles (although i love me some beatles too.). any wa you look at it, signed. sealed ,delivered CANNOT be beat!
anyway, i think everyone who has had a FIRST successful script/novel has probably felt like you. keep plugging away :)
Grazie Tracie b. I plan to keep working on it.
Right on. Who are you to write a novel? Who are you not to, you goddess? Or as Nelson Mandela might say (or did say), who are you not to be brilliant, gorgeous and a bunch of other thigns I can't remember. Shine on! And here's to more great writing days.
Thanks Paula. You are very kind. Can't wait to read your next script.
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