Best-case scenario

Writers Festival. Brilliant authors everywhere. Amazing sessions with lots to learn. What's the best-case scenario you can think of with that?

Too hard to think of only one, right?

Well today, I got one of my best-case scenarios!

I was sitting in a session about fiction vs. non-fiction when someone in the row behind me made a comment. I turned to see it was none other than Mohezin Tejani, an author I had heard speak yesterday and was totally amazed by!

So, being the eager beaver that I am, I caught up with him after the session to get his thoughts on assimilation (he's lived all over the world and is, essentially, a world citizen), writing and, if I'm being honest, anything else I can think of on the spot:)

Sure enough, "Mo" did not disappoint. For the next half hour, we had what I thought was a very stimulating conversation. He listened to my questions and gave sincere answers, throwing in the intriguing anecdote here and there.

He had such wonderful words of wisdom that I went away wishing I'd had the nerve to ask if I could record our conversation. (Although, I did quickly write down notes of whatever I could possibly remember afterwards. That'll have to suffice.)

It was such an amazing experience, and I'm so grateful that he took the time to speak with me. Hopefully I'll hear from him soon, as he said he'll send me a piece he wrote (for both my consideration and feedback). But even if I never do, I'll have taken away some invaluable advice from a wonderful man and author!

Thanks, Mo!

Melbourne Writers' Festival

I'm on my way, folks! To the MWF, of course. So excited! I'm really looking forward to learning from the amazing authors that are presenting. And I'm very excited about the book launches as well. Today will be pretty much non-stop - only half an hour between all my sessions, starting at 10 and finishing up at 6:30. And then going right back for another round tomorrow! :)

Now, quick update: I'm mostly reading screenplays at the moment. Although, I did cave and buy a novel when I happened upon it at the bookstore yesterday. I mean, c'mon, it's Mockingjay, people!! :) I've been editing a few stories and working on an essay, hopefully for publication, not to mention the schoolwork. And of course, I'm mulling over my screenplay. I've just thrown two unlikely companions into a deadly jungle, so now I've got to figure out what's going to happen to them...

Any suggestions? ;)

The Aviator

So it's been kinda quiet on my blog. Apologies, friends:) See, I've just been a little distracted lately, really discovering the screenplay. It's such a different form and, for a visual person like me, can be hugely entertaining in its own way.

I workshopped the first chunk of my screenplay, and got a positive response, excepting the flowery descriptives. I really need to tighten my writing here. So to learn more about scripts and how they're supposed to read, I'm studying The Aviator (written by John Logan, directed by Martin Scorcese) at the moment. I'd seen the movie ages ago, but reading the screenplay is its own experience. You really see into Howard's (the main character) intense obsessions (he's a serious germaphobe).

And of course, I'm seeing the structure of the script itself, and realizing where I've gone wrong in my own writing. (The mental to do list is in full swing, guys!)

Reading this script has definitely made me see that I could easily fall in love with the form. And maybe one day, I'll finally see a script of mine playing onscreen (instead of only in my mind's eye). How awesome would that be?? Note to self: write a brilliant screenplay and get it made!!!

Recommended reading: The Aviator script. Or any others that have been made:) The local library should have at least a few to choose from.

Happy reading and writing!!

Switching gears...or trying to, at least :)

The first re-write of my novel is coming along nicely. It's crazy to be able look at it and see where the underlying issues are. That kind of thing always seemed too abstract for me to understand, but now that I'm actually doing it, it's a breeze. (Noticing it, that is. Actually fixing it will be a whole different post...)

I've ordered my free proof copy (courtesy of CreateSpace and NaNoWriMo) and I'm pretty eager to get it in. Not that anyone will be allowed to read it (it's completely unedited). It's more just to be able to have it in my hands and get the ego boost that I think every writer needs to keep going. If holding the printed manuscript was such an exciting moment, I can only imagine how I'll feel when it's a paperback book I'm holding instead:p

I'm also pretty stoked about how my screenplay is coming along. I've played around with my recently-downloaded screenwriting software and that's been its own motivation to get more scenes written. Hopefully by the time I have to submit the first portion of my screenplay for an assignment on Friday, it'll be a good start to the best first script ever written:) Lofty ambitions, I know... Humor me;)

And last night, I had one of those dreams that lots of writers hope for - the one with a brilliant idea for that next project. I've been trying to come up with the right story for this year's NaNo with no luck. But last night's dream was absolutely what I needed. It's emotional and raw and totally workable. And the best part is, now's the perfect time to get it - I've got just long enough to research, plan, or simply mull it over before the chaos of NaNoWriMo starts in November.

Now, does anybody have any tips on switching gears from one project to the next and back again?? I think I'll need all the help I can get;)

Ah, the life of a writer, er, I mean, transcriptionist!

Okay, I'm finally into the revision stage on my book (though this first revision is less for substance and more for polishing the first draft to be presentable enough for my free proof copy). So far, I'm really loving this part far more than the actual writing. There's a lot to be said for having material in front of you to work with.

I've chopped, changed, cut and amended my way through the first couple of chapters and I'm relatively happy with how the edits are coming along. One thing I noticed this morning was that I was skipping over certain portions of dialogue, sort of thinking to myself, No, I don't need to change that - that's what she said. !!

So does that mean I've gotten the dialogue right? If so, it might provide an excellent guide to the story and make my job that much easier! And on the other hand, I should be able to recognize when the dialogue isn't working if it doesn't feel like my characters actually said it. Right?

It's such an interesting experience, revising. Definitely not something I expected, but totally enjoyable in a whole new way:)

Feel the love:)

It's important to have a good support system in every dream you pursue. No secret there. But when you actually realize you have it, the feeling you get is amazing!

Cam was sick this past week and he had plenty of time to think about our lives and where we are along our journey. When he finally got better, he had a long talk with me about the goals that we're aiming for. He told me how very important my writing is to him and that he wants to do whatever he can to support me in pursuing my dreams.

Awwww!!!

Now, I love my husband. I loved him before and would've loved him just the same even without hearing that. But knowing how much my ambitions mean to him has shown me just how much he means to me.

And that is something I cherish. I only hope everyone else has it, too:)

A movie moment :)

So I'm working on my outline for the screenplay I'll be writing for school. It's edifying, but frustrating at the same time - I can be creative and adventurous, but I'll only ever be satisfied when I see my work portrayed on screen.

Like I said, frustrating.

Still, if I can visualize the scenes, at least in my own mind, then I have some sense of what the finished product will be like. But that's about the extent of it, right?

The other day, I was listening to the Florence & The Machine album for the first time when I came across a song that I totally love. I set it to replay and enjoyed the track for the next hour, considering my screenplay the whole time. Then, totally unexpectedly, I realized that the song would be 110% brilliant as the soundtrack for one particular scene. I'm talking make your knees shake and your neck sweat brilliant. I grinned like a moron and very nearly cried at the thrill of it...

So since then, I've been replaying the song and the scene in my head on a continuous loop. I've so got to get this thing written! Even if for no other reason than to give at least one beta reader the same rush that I got.

Any volunteers? :)