Okay, I've had a very weird 48 hours: a mini series of heighten emotions. On Thursday I found out that I had made it through the first round of cuts for the Page International Screenwriting Competition! Big Hurrah! Page had over 4,000 scripts entered and mine was part of the top 25% that advanced. I'll find out if I made it further next Wednesday.
On Friday morning I met with a very cool illustrator who is going to make ZOMBIE JESUS into a graphic novel. Perfect! I can totally picture that script in drawn panels!
Then, I got a call from my ex-boss to let me know that his bosses won't let him hire me. They like the idea of getting me back, but they have a hiring freeze in effect so "no" to the idea of slipping me in to fill a vacant place. Major disappointment!
I know I can get my unemployment extended, but this not being able to get a job is very weird! However, as I read back over this blog I know what I have to do: send out my scripts to more and more competitions! If the thing I'm getting the most positive feedback for is my writing, then I need to pursue that way more actively.
It has been a very big up and down few hours, but the best part to see is that people are responding to my writing. So, I start at square one for my "job", but I'm moving forward on what I really want as a profession: getting paid for writing!
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
I wish it would rain
We've had clouds for the past few days, not unusual for the Pacific Northwest, except that it hasn't rained. Everyday the clouds gather, some days hanging low and threatening, like today. The clouds are so close, deep gray and swollen, looking like they are going to burst. I'm rooting for a good rain, ground soaking, air cleaning rain. I need that kind of purification.
You see, I spoke to my ex-boss a week ago, and he mentioned that there might be a job opening. He said that he would know in the next couple of weeks, but things looked hopeful. Normal folks would take this to heart and feel cheered. I sit and brood on the information. I don't believe anything till its in writing. Hell, I don't believe I even have a job until I have been working at a place for at least a week. The end results is that I feel paralyzed. My husband sees the hope and says I should enjoy these last two weeks as a vacation. I am trying to do that, but for right now: I feel like the clouds outside.
And like the Wreckless Eric song; I wish it would rain.
You see, I spoke to my ex-boss a week ago, and he mentioned that there might be a job opening. He said that he would know in the next couple of weeks, but things looked hopeful. Normal folks would take this to heart and feel cheered. I sit and brood on the information. I don't believe anything till its in writing. Hell, I don't believe I even have a job until I have been working at a place for at least a week. The end results is that I feel paralyzed. My husband sees the hope and says I should enjoy these last two weeks as a vacation. I am trying to do that, but for right now: I feel like the clouds outside.
And like the Wreckless Eric song; I wish it would rain.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
The Beginning of a Great Adventure
My husband's brother Brian and his wife Maggie came to visit us in Portland. I love hanging out with these two. We made a day of it by going to a truly British Fish and Chip shop (my sister in law Maggie is Scottish and it got her seal of approval) and then watched Brian play rugby. It was a great day, and Maggie called me a week later to say how much fun she had. During our conversation she mentioned how much work she and Brian put in on Maggot Fest. Now, Maggot Fest if a huge semi-pro rugby gathering in Missoula, MT; sponsored by the Missoula's Semi-pro team named The Maggots. This is a big event that brings in teams from all over the US, Canada with The Maggots flying in a team from further away. I've have always wanted to go to this event. When Maggie mentioned how worried she was about this years event, I asked if she would like me to come and help. It just came out of my mouth.
Later that night, I talked to my husband about the possibility of going. We both decided that since I was unemployed, all I would need was gas money, and I had been trapped in the house since my surgery; it would be a good idea for a cheap vacation. I called Maggie and set it up. I was so happy! A change of scenery, a change of my mind set - which was getting pretty grim from searching for work - this was definitely a cure for my blues.
My husband Steve, mentioned to me that the first thing we had to do was update my IPod. Steve is the guy with 15,000 songs, we had to get a computer with a terabyte of memory just to deal with his music collection! So for him, updating an IPod is damn serious business, so I handed over mine.
Steve took it and disappeared into the office. For days. Meanwhile, I packed and got ready for my vacation. The night before I left Steve came out of the office with my IPod and informed me:
"I have made you some comps for your trip. You must listen to "The Road Flows Ahead" as you drive to Missoula. On your way home you must listen to "The Road Too" on your way home. "
Now, I was kind of looking forward to just listening to my little comp of my favorite dance tunes, but since Steve had worked so hard I decided to listen.
The morning of my trip, I stopped at my favorite bakery, got coffee and brioche. I got in the car, plugged in the IPod and started Steve's comp. The first song was by one of my favorite singer Lou Reed, the song was "Beginning of a Great Adventure" this was followed by another of my favorite jazz standards "Someone to Watch Over Me" and from there it kept getting better. It was like Steve had timed out my trip so the perfect music played at the perfect moment. Jazz came on through the most beautiful part of the Gorge. Hard rock while going through the boring vistas of The Dalles, beautiful esoteric music through the hills of Eastern Washington. Jazz, Metal, Classical, experimental all the music I loved filled my cars over the hours of my drive! It was the best soundtrack I could wish for.
Do you remember how you fell in love with John Cusack's character in High Fidelity? How romantic it was when he made comp. tapes; and that idea of a person taking the time to tell you how much they loved you through music. It was on this trip that I discovered that I was married to my own John Cusack. As the music played, I felt Steve's presence with me, felt his love for me in every song choice and I fell in love with my husband again.
Later that night, I talked to my husband about the possibility of going. We both decided that since I was unemployed, all I would need was gas money, and I had been trapped in the house since my surgery; it would be a good idea for a cheap vacation. I called Maggie and set it up. I was so happy! A change of scenery, a change of my mind set - which was getting pretty grim from searching for work - this was definitely a cure for my blues.
My husband Steve, mentioned to me that the first thing we had to do was update my IPod. Steve is the guy with 15,000 songs, we had to get a computer with a terabyte of memory just to deal with his music collection! So for him, updating an IPod is damn serious business, so I handed over mine.
Steve took it and disappeared into the office. For days. Meanwhile, I packed and got ready for my vacation. The night before I left Steve came out of the office with my IPod and informed me:
"I have made you some comps for your trip. You must listen to "The Road Flows Ahead" as you drive to Missoula. On your way home you must listen to "The Road Too" on your way home. "
Now, I was kind of looking forward to just listening to my little comp of my favorite dance tunes, but since Steve had worked so hard I decided to listen.
The morning of my trip, I stopped at my favorite bakery, got coffee and brioche. I got in the car, plugged in the IPod and started Steve's comp. The first song was by one of my favorite singer Lou Reed, the song was "Beginning of a Great Adventure" this was followed by another of my favorite jazz standards "Someone to Watch Over Me" and from there it kept getting better. It was like Steve had timed out my trip so the perfect music played at the perfect moment. Jazz came on through the most beautiful part of the Gorge. Hard rock while going through the boring vistas of The Dalles, beautiful esoteric music through the hills of Eastern Washington. Jazz, Metal, Classical, experimental all the music I loved filled my cars over the hours of my drive! It was the best soundtrack I could wish for.
Do you remember how you fell in love with John Cusack's character in High Fidelity? How romantic it was when he made comp. tapes; and that idea of a person taking the time to tell you how much they loved you through music. It was on this trip that I discovered that I was married to my own John Cusack. As the music played, I felt Steve's presence with me, felt his love for me in every song choice and I fell in love with my husband again.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
In The Shadow of Wallace Stegner
It has been over a month since my last blog and so much has happened. Which is why its been over a month since I've written. I went to Maggot Fest in Missoula, MT and walked away with a bunch of pictures of naked butts and an idea for a screenplay. I came home on Thursday May 7th at 1PM. I was in the hospital the next morning at 10:00AM with my poor husband. He was having the kidney stone attack from hell! One coming out of each kidney! The next two weeks saw him going through 2 surgeries (one a week), a couple of trips BACK to the emergency room due to pain, and many sleepless nights. Finally, the damn things passed!
In the meantime: I had brought back 8 tomatoe plants from eastern Washington that I kept alive in our office, till I could bust out some sod and create a garden space. I'll will tell more on these adventures later. Today is just a moment to get back into the habit of writing.
I just finished reading "All the Little Live Things" by Wallace Stegner. I love this writer. Sometimes his writing is so beautiful I feel I have to read it out of the corner of my eye. Like sneaking quietly up on his words so they don't bound away like deers into a thick wood. His writing inspires me. The shadows of his words are like sitting under a tree on a hot summer day; where the earth is cool and you are protected from the burning rays of the sun. So, I'm taking a moment on this fresh morning, after the first cup of coffee to write and be thankful that the past few weeks are done and to get back into the habit of writing.
In the meantime: I had brought back 8 tomatoe plants from eastern Washington that I kept alive in our office, till I could bust out some sod and create a garden space. I'll will tell more on these adventures later. Today is just a moment to get back into the habit of writing.
I just finished reading "All the Little Live Things" by Wallace Stegner. I love this writer. Sometimes his writing is so beautiful I feel I have to read it out of the corner of my eye. Like sneaking quietly up on his words so they don't bound away like deers into a thick wood. His writing inspires me. The shadows of his words are like sitting under a tree on a hot summer day; where the earth is cool and you are protected from the burning rays of the sun. So, I'm taking a moment on this fresh morning, after the first cup of coffee to write and be thankful that the past few weeks are done and to get back into the habit of writing.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
And the search continues...
I am now in my third month of looking for a job. I think that sentence alone should convey to almost anyone who has job searched: despair, horror, shock and a huge crushing blow to the ego. I'm hoping I can use all this in my script writing, but then again, how many depressing scripts can one girl write? As it is right now, I'm just trying to wrap my mind around what my next move is going to be!
On the happy side, and thank God there is one of those, I'm getting more writing done. I think this breaking down of my ego has allowed me to write more from my heart. What that actually means: the more I suffer, the worse it is for ALL the characters in my script. When I first started writing scripts, I treated my characters a little too gently. Poor things, it isn't their fault that they are part of my imagination! Do they really have to have that many problems? Now, to hell with them! If I'm going to suffer, they are coming with me! In fact, I'm going to push those little bastards out in front of me so they take the first bullets!
Another bright spot on my horizon, I'm going to Maggot Fest! A festival that my brother and sister in laws help organize. It is a gathering of semi-pro rugby players from around the US, Canada and usually one international team. I love rugby, and right now, watching grown men beat the bejeebus out of each other, sounds like a perfect way to pass time.
On the happy side, and thank God there is one of those, I'm getting more writing done. I think this breaking down of my ego has allowed me to write more from my heart. What that actually means: the more I suffer, the worse it is for ALL the characters in my script. When I first started writing scripts, I treated my characters a little too gently. Poor things, it isn't their fault that they are part of my imagination! Do they really have to have that many problems? Now, to hell with them! If I'm going to suffer, they are coming with me! In fact, I'm going to push those little bastards out in front of me so they take the first bullets!
Another bright spot on my horizon, I'm going to Maggot Fest! A festival that my brother and sister in laws help organize. It is a gathering of semi-pro rugby players from around the US, Canada and usually one international team. I love rugby, and right now, watching grown men beat the bejeebus out of each other, sounds like a perfect way to pass time.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Imaginary Friend
In the past year I have had the great fortune to make a new friend, her name is Aimee. There are so many amazing things about Aimee: she is a screenwriter, she loves good food, she has a family but makes time for herself and she and I have similar taste in many things. During my hospital stay, Aimee called to check on me daily, visited the hospital bringing books and DVDs and was just an all around great friend. I've met her husband Lee and her adorable high spirited daughter Ella, and Aimee has been to my house. Now the funny part of this, during all this time my husband has never met Aimee. Just one of those never crossed paths moment, I'm not hiding Aimee, they just haven't met. So, Steve has decided that Aimee is my "imaginary friend."
His reasoning: Debz know a "person", who likes exactly what she like, writes screenplays and has even entered and become a finalist in a screenplay competition and that he has never seen. This equals "imaginary friend." When I tell Steve about interesting things that Aimee and I talk about, or her writing Steve's answer is "You know, this imaginary friend of yours is very cool. Not creepy like the imaginary friends in the movies."
When I told Aimee about Steve's theory she said "Well, its better than him thinking you're having an affair."
On Saturdays after writing group, Aimee and I usually have lunch. This past Saturday we were laughing about imaginary friends, and setting up a time for Steve to meet Aimee when I suddenly had a Twilight Zone moment.
What if Aimee is imaginary? Meeting someone who feels like a kindred soul is a great and often rare experience. What if during my time in screenwriting, job change and life changing health problems I simply phased out from reality and created this friend? As I sat across the table, I glanced around the cafe to see if anyone was staring at our table. I figured that if I was sitting alone, talking and laughing to myself someone would be staring. No one was looking. This feeling lasted only a moment, but it was a strange feeling. It made me appreciate friendship and realize just how important friends are. It also made me realize how lucky we all are that we get to add to our group of friends! It also made me realize...I really got to set up a time for Steve to meet Aimee!
His reasoning: Debz know a "person", who likes exactly what she like, writes screenplays and has even entered and become a finalist in a screenplay competition and that he has never seen. This equals "imaginary friend." When I tell Steve about interesting things that Aimee and I talk about, or her writing Steve's answer is "You know, this imaginary friend of yours is very cool. Not creepy like the imaginary friends in the movies."
When I told Aimee about Steve's theory she said "Well, its better than him thinking you're having an affair."
On Saturdays after writing group, Aimee and I usually have lunch. This past Saturday we were laughing about imaginary friends, and setting up a time for Steve to meet Aimee when I suddenly had a Twilight Zone moment.
What if Aimee is imaginary? Meeting someone who feels like a kindred soul is a great and often rare experience. What if during my time in screenwriting, job change and life changing health problems I simply phased out from reality and created this friend? As I sat across the table, I glanced around the cafe to see if anyone was staring at our table. I figured that if I was sitting alone, talking and laughing to myself someone would be staring. No one was looking. This feeling lasted only a moment, but it was a strange feeling. It made me appreciate friendship and realize just how important friends are. It also made me realize how lucky we all are that we get to add to our group of friends! It also made me realize...I really got to set up a time for Steve to meet Aimee!
Friday, March 27, 2009
Zombie Jesus
Well, I'm taking my final draft of Zombie Jesus to my writing group this weekend. Many friends have told me that I should use a pen name on this script. Something to do with offending folks, but in all fairness to me, I get everyone in here, from ancient followers of Jesus, to "Der Pope", and a few others. I'm about to start sending out my scripts to various competitions, wouldn't it just be a dream if I ended up making a living off my writing? Okay, I'm not thinking that Zombie Jesus is going to be the next big Hollywood picture, though that would be to awesome for words. This script started because of my husband, he was the one who thought it would be cool to make a bumpersticker that said: "Jesus, the original Zombie".
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