This month’s Substack might be brief. I don’t know. I haven’t written it yet.1
Writing. Right. Okay. I’m back to it!
I’ll be honest, I’ve been a little stuck writing-wise. My trouble is possibly self-discipline or self-motivation or both. It might also be that I have too many ongoing projects: the undone-but-imagined, done-but-needs-to-be-revised, started-but-nowhere-near done, and half-done.2 It might also be because the thing I was “working” on was not the right thing for me to be working on. But, I felt obligated to finish it before I jumped to something that was calling me. Or, might be calling me. I don’t know. I never answer when a person calls me,3 so why should writing be any different?
When I actually talked to friends or my wife about my conundrum, they asked good questions: “What was I the most passionate about?” “What was the most fun?” “What felt like the right thing?” “What made the most sense?” Surely, the answers to those questions would help me get back on track. But, those answers were not immediately obvious. Clearly, I was going to have to reflect.4 Maybe I should organize my space first.
Remembering that I hate cleaning, I quit re-organizing my space (obviously) and decided to get going with that reflecting. Reflection was going to begin with seeing. I took out all of my ongoing projects - without regard to what state they were in - and spread them out on my project table.
Then, I looked at them.
The first thing I noticed is that I have actually written quite a bit. Back pat for that. So far, the work is mostly in screenplay or graphic novel form. But, I have notes for novels or serialized fiction as well.
Then, I actually read through what I had on each project: drafts, notes, whatever. The second thing I noticed is that some of it is quite good. Yeah!
The third thing I noticed is that some of it isn’t that good. Mostly, the writing is okay, but the story I’m telling just doesn’t work. There are some tropes that I just should’ve married I loved them so much. One project brings up a lot bitterness. A couple of stories just aren’t timely anymore. Another is a sprawling, globe and time spanning epic that frightens me.
Being a logical person, I reflected logically on each piece. What will it take to start/revise/finish it? I want to work on something that will be “done” (at least the writing) relatively soon. What are the prospects for each? Honestly, I want my work to be published or produced or or bought or somehow realistically made available for people to enjoy. And, I wouldn’t be mad if I made some money doing it.5
Which can I do on my own and which will require collaboration? I really enjoy collaborating with others, especially artists. I’ve had one horrible experience, but otherwise, I really have been blessed. That said, artists need to be available and to be paid. Hmmm. Also, a collaborative project would be more long term at this point. Which is okay. Just not what I want to be doing right now.
Last but not least, which project will I enjoy working on? Hunh. That’s a tricky question. I mean, I love all my babies. But, some I love better than others. Ultimately, I think right now I want to work on something kind of mature, but not too serious or reality-based. Something engaging with high stakes, a little humor, and strong women. I’ve been thinking a lot about friendship lately, so I want something that has friendship at its core. And, maybe some cathartic violence. Got it.
Drumroll please…
Logline: Shaken to their bones by a cruel practical joke, four teenage girls in Alaska hunt the psycho killer who turned their slumber party into a bloody nightmare.
Stay tuned! I’ll let you know how it’s going in a couple of weeks.
Good news or bad news; I just discovered you can do footnotes in a Substack.
I may also have too many hyphens. (But, can you, really?)
Unless, of course, it’s one of you, in which case, I just forgot to turn my ringer back on.
Aargh.
Hang on a sec, I’m laughing, too.
Let me know if you have been similarly stuck and how you got unstuck (just in case my plan doesn’t work).
Love hearing the ins and outs of your process. It's so tricky to decide where to put our precious energy. What deserves it, as you note. Congratulations on deciding on the screenplay Did You Hear That?! I love that one!
HAHA - Love the title and description of your Alaskan "adventure!" I can't wait to read it/see it!
Keep on plugging....