Slumps always happen during NaNo, but for some reason I keep forgetting about Script Frenzy. I open my email and see there's another "Script Frenzy Story" posted and suddenly remember the two scripts on my flash drive.
Looking through my script library (a left over from theatre school)I've noticed that most two act stage plays fall at about seventy pages. That's why I decided to write two pieces to total my word count. Still, I always feel my narrative voice is the strongest part of my writing so it's hard for me to be so dependent on dialogue.
I've also been avoiding the forums. For some reason they've been annoying me. Script Frenzy is supposed to be for, well, amateurs. Generally unpublished writers (like myself), but some of the questions on the forums bother me. It seems like many of the writers want to be handed a guide with all the "rules" for script writing, dictating how long all their scenes must be, how many characters they should have, etc. The "quick and dirty" tricks posted for reaching the goal used to amuse me, but again I've been finding them really annoying lately.
Maybe it's because I've been taking so many writing-centric classes and have been cracking down on myself to become a more serious writer to look toward making it my career. These challenges aren't just for fun for me, I may end up living off what I've been writing for NaNo and even Script Frenzy (hopefully).
Maybe I'm also just tired, overtaxed, and wishing summer were here. No doubt that compounds all my issues. The end of the semester is creeping up with an armful of papers and exams to dump in my lap. I also agreed to perform in two of my friends' directing class final, as well as my club president duties.
I'm not in a bad mood, exactly. The weather's been quite fine (I don't even mind the rain because it makes everything so green). I'm working on some exciting stories for the paper, I've been selling things on my Etsy, I'm going back to work at the Renaissance Faire this summer (I'm such a nerd, but I've missed having an excuse to wear a corset and sword fight with pirates), I was also invited to audition for a show that one of my professors is putting on in the fall. Good things are happening, I'm just not sure if I can dedicate the time to Script Frenzy this month. I'm also feeling like I might be growing in another direction as writer-- one that Screnzy and NaNo may not accommodate much longer. There is much for me to ponder.
Sorry for the wrong rant. I'm going to bed now.
Showing posts with label Script Frenzy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Script Frenzy. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Friday, April 1, 2011
Happy Script Frenzy!
Today is the first official day of Script Frenzy. I've written a few pages thus far. This year I'm working on two stage plays (probably one-acts, but we'll see). One is a melancholy family drama surrounding a funeral. This is conditionally called Firefly Jar. The second piece is an eccentric comedy called The Seduction of Peter.
I wish everyone well on their writing adventures this month. I've been working on the sequel to my murder mystery as well. I'm putting that aside this month to work on my scripts, but I have about 50 pages of the sequel so far on my computer and some notes to be typed up as well.
Also, happy Poetry Month!
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Script Frenzy 2011
I was going to do the Frenzy last year, I even signed up and outlined an idea. Then I just didn't bother. I had spring fever and I was in play. This year I am actually making a valid attempt. I even have an idea.
I haven't written anything for the stage since my play writing class two years ago. However, working on and seeing new plays lately has made me miss my dusty days building sets, cranking out dialogue and working on production after production in some capacity. In some respects, college theatre is great because the shows have a large budget and a whole department backing them, so the sets and costumes are all stocked. In other ways I really miss working in tiny crappy spaces with no money and being involved in making and finding everything. It made you feel like it was your play, not just some show you were in. You bled for it (often literally). I think it created some of the most poignant, entertaining work because, in a way, you suffered for it. It forced you to think outside the box. You had to make it worth it. That's drama in itself.
Right now my idea is something like a family drama in the vein of Eugene O'Neil and Tennessee Williams, but more modern and with a female central character. I know I can only aspire to be anywhere near as beautiful and lasting as their work, but it feels like something I could play with. It will be very melancholy, but with touches of dark humor. I know how it will begin and I know how it will end. It's all about stringing it together now and figuring out which characters to show and which to keep off-stage.
This could be a good project. I wasn't intending to do Frenzy, but then I had this idea. It seems very fortuitous.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
A Whirlwind of Theatre
Sorry my updates have been rather spaced out I'm in the midst of rehearsing several Tennessee Williams plays for performance next month while teching (and now performing) a production of The Vagina Monologues that our college is presenting. All the proceeds are going to a local women's shelter.
I'll, be honest, I was rather squeamish about the idea at first, but it's a really touching show that makes you realize how much women are still victimized around the world and in this country. I'm glad that I've been able to contribute.
Of course, due to the stress, lack of sleep, and fact that I've been living off sandwiches and iced tea, I'm now sick. That makes rehearsals and performances even more tiring.
I think Tennessee Williams has been inspiring me. I took a playwriting class a few years ago and was disappointed with my results. My play didn't become what I had envisioned by the time it needed to be presented in the play festival we held. I haven't really done anything in the way of writing for the stage since, but I've been thinking about it more lately. Maybe I'll give it a go during April's Script Frenzy.
I'll, be honest, I was rather squeamish about the idea at first, but it's a really touching show that makes you realize how much women are still victimized around the world and in this country. I'm glad that I've been able to contribute.
Of course, due to the stress, lack of sleep, and fact that I've been living off sandwiches and iced tea, I'm now sick. That makes rehearsals and performances even more tiring.
I think Tennessee Williams has been inspiring me. I took a playwriting class a few years ago and was disappointed with my results. My play didn't become what I had envisioned by the time it needed to be presented in the play festival we held. I haven't really done anything in the way of writing for the stage since, but I've been thinking about it more lately. Maybe I'll give it a go during April's Script Frenzy.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Scripts: Mine and "The Runaway Train"
I thought I'd feel worse about quitting Script Frenzy. I'm really pretty okay about it, I will come back to my script over the summer, but right now it's not the proper time for it. Actually, I've been considering rewriting a novella I wrote last summer as a full length novel or script. I'm not sure yet.
Now for a not mine script: "The Runaway Train," a Doctor Who audio drama read by Matt Smith. Such things are not usually produced in America, but I find them very interesting. Actually, I'd love to write radio plays, but anyway, I digress. "Runaway Train" is a pretty good story about a terraformer from an alien planet that is sent to earth to make it habitable to this other species (which would make it uninhabitable to humans). This all happens to be in the middle of the American Civil War. When I found out that Matt Smith was the only actor lending his voice to the drama, I was a little skeptical, but I am incredibly impressed by his ability to create character voices and accents. What I like to refer to as his "bad cowboy" voice is quite sexy. Just hearing his versatility makes the program worth a listen.
Definitely check it out. Matt Smith is constantly surprising me in wonderful ways. Though I will always love David Tennant, he is carving his own lovely niche into the heart of the Whoniverse.
Now for a not mine script: "The Runaway Train," a Doctor Who audio drama read by Matt Smith. Such things are not usually produced in America, but I find them very interesting. Actually, I'd love to write radio plays, but anyway, I digress. "Runaway Train" is a pretty good story about a terraformer from an alien planet that is sent to earth to make it habitable to this other species (which would make it uninhabitable to humans). This all happens to be in the middle of the American Civil War. When I found out that Matt Smith was the only actor lending his voice to the drama, I was a little skeptical, but I am incredibly impressed by his ability to create character voices and accents. What I like to refer to as his "bad cowboy" voice is quite sexy. Just hearing his versatility makes the program worth a listen.
Definitely check it out. Matt Smith is constantly surprising me in wonderful ways. Though I will always love David Tennant, he is carving his own lovely niche into the heart of the Whoniverse.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Script Frenzy Halfway Point....
Uh oh. I'm about 20 pages behind. I started out with good momentum, filling pages takes so much less than it did with NaNo. My NaNo was about 250 pages, so 100 pages seemed pretty easy. I scoffed at the task. I scoff no more. My spring semester is extremely busy, this is the last month of classes and there is much to be done before finals. The Greek tragedy I'm in goes into tech next week. I'm also slightly strung out on allergy medication.
Another thing I realized about writing for the screen is that things happen alot faster plot wise than in a novel or even a stage play. A camera angle mentioned as a direction can describe what might take a half a page of text or dialogue. So, I'm at that "Wow, I'm running out of plot" moment I was at around this time in November. Part of my problem is I really like things to be in a semi-presentable state by the time the first draft is finished. Editing along the way is not an option here.
I'd really like to win Script Frenzy this year, but it cannot be my top priority right now. Not even in the top ten actually.
A bit of good news is that I've recieved an editor position on the paper, I'm the assistant Arts editor, but I'll mostly be training to completely take over the old editor's job sometime next spring, she won't be able to do it anymore.
And I have to ask: Was anyone else utterly desolate after the season premeire of Glee? It was terrible. Most of the best characters weren't used and I am tiring of the Sue Sylvester vs Will plot. The writers lean way too much on it. It's reaching beyond irony and breaching the realm of cheap farce.
Another thing I realized about writing for the screen is that things happen alot faster plot wise than in a novel or even a stage play. A camera angle mentioned as a direction can describe what might take a half a page of text or dialogue. So, I'm at that "Wow, I'm running out of plot" moment I was at around this time in November. Part of my problem is I really like things to be in a semi-presentable state by the time the first draft is finished. Editing along the way is not an option here.
I'd really like to win Script Frenzy this year, but it cannot be my top priority right now. Not even in the top ten actually.
A bit of good news is that I've recieved an editor position on the paper, I'm the assistant Arts editor, but I'll mostly be training to completely take over the old editor's job sometime next spring, she won't be able to do it anymore.
And I have to ask: Was anyone else utterly desolate after the season premeire of Glee? It was terrible. Most of the best characters weren't used and I am tiring of the Sue Sylvester vs Will plot. The writers lean way too much on it. It's reaching beyond irony and breaching the realm of cheap farce.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Throwing a Keats Party
Surprisingly, entering "Keats Party" or "Romantic Poetry Party" into a search engine yeilds little results. I, along with the rest of the campus literary club, are throwing a party tomorrow night to celebrate John Keats and his contemporaries. It is apart of the National Poetry Month festivities.
As a party theme, there aren't many activities that spring to mind for a group to participate in. I'm bringing my copy of Bright Star, but we really had a difficult time coming up with other activities. My suggestion of contracting tuberculosis was rejected with good reason, so we decided we will have a reading of our favorite Keats poems as well as those of other romantics, and there will be a Jane Austen board game. The film will likely occupy most of the guests for the majority of the time. There is a possibility of some Magnetic Poetry making an appearance as well, which will likely lead to many interesting compositions.
Our refreshments will consist of cupcakes, mushroom puffs, chips, soda, and iced chai tea.
Feel free to use this as a guide to throw your own Keats party for National Poetry Month or whenever the mood takes you.
Now, really stop distracting me, I’m a bit behind on my Script Frenzy page count.
As a party theme, there aren't many activities that spring to mind for a group to participate in. I'm bringing my copy of Bright Star, but we really had a difficult time coming up with other activities. My suggestion of contracting tuberculosis was rejected with good reason, so we decided we will have a reading of our favorite Keats poems as well as those of other romantics, and there will be a Jane Austen board game. The film will likely occupy most of the guests for the majority of the time. There is a possibility of some Magnetic Poetry making an appearance as well, which will likely lead to many interesting compositions.
Our refreshments will consist of cupcakes, mushroom puffs, chips, soda, and iced chai tea.
Feel free to use this as a guide to throw your own Keats party for National Poetry Month or whenever the mood takes you.
Now, really stop distracting me, I’m a bit behind on my Script Frenzy page count.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
April 1st, a Day Crowded With Incident
In a literary sense this is an exciting day; April first marks the kick-off of Script Frenzy, April is also National Poetry Month (please perform RAPs Random Acts of Poetry!)
It is also a day of pranks and lampoonery. Google has not forgotten that tradition with this entry on their official blog: A different kind of company name. I must applaud them for this as well as their attention to detail. Have you Topeka'd today?
Let the Script Writing and Poetry Reading begin! Visit the websites: Poetry.org and Script Frenzy
It is also a day of pranks and lampoonery. Google has not forgotten that tradition with this entry on their official blog: A different kind of company name. I must applaud them for this as well as their attention to detail. Have you Topeka'd today?
Let the Script Writing and Poetry Reading begin! Visit the websites: Poetry.org and Script Frenzy
Friday, March 12, 2010
Script Frenzy Approaches!
Everything on the Frenzy website has been reset for the new season of writing adventures. There aren't as many participants as in NaNo, so the boards don't appear to be as ridiculously active. However, there is the Plot Device Machine on the home page that produces wonderful "plots" such as these I collected over the past few months:
During a summer lightning storm -a Parisian fishmonger -invents the cure for a broken heart
After a harsh break-up -a hot-headed public defender -finds and rears abandoned adult triplets
Dressed like Liberace -a talking lobster -wreaks Godzilla-style havoc
After reading a coworker's email -a toddler with a smoking problem -must kill the president to save the country
After eating some bad cheese -a talking lobster-receives dating advice from the afterlife
If these aren't inspirational ideas... check your pulse please. It's a very good procrastination tool at any rate.
My current plot would break down to: In a world where no one cares about theatre any more- a group of broke students- try to produce artistic integrity from themselves and the possibly clinically insane. I'm excited about it, though it may seem a bit lame. I've been reading back over journals I kept at drama school and backstage during plays, writing down truly bizarre incidents friends have told me about, etc. I want to capture the chaotic energy and stress of creating theatre as well as the inexplicable way things sometimes come together, the story-telling and bonding, randomness and tantrums. Overall, what makes working in the theatre and going to the theatre an experience unlike any other. Hmm... this may be harder than I thought.
Also, last night I broke the 'O' key off my laptop. I can still use it, I just have to press the little pad where the key used to be. It still made me sad, I've kept this machine pretty pristine for almost a year.
During a summer lightning storm -a Parisian fishmonger -invents the cure for a broken heart
After a harsh break-up -a hot-headed public defender -finds and rears abandoned adult triplets
Dressed like Liberace -a talking lobster -wreaks Godzilla-style havoc
After reading a coworker's email -a toddler with a smoking problem -must kill the president to save the country
After eating some bad cheese -a talking lobster-receives dating advice from the afterlife
If these aren't inspirational ideas... check your pulse please. It's a very good procrastination tool at any rate.
My current plot would break down to: In a world where no one cares about theatre any more- a group of broke students- try to produce artistic integrity from themselves and the possibly clinically insane. I'm excited about it, though it may seem a bit lame. I've been reading back over journals I kept at drama school and backstage during plays, writing down truly bizarre incidents friends have told me about, etc. I want to capture the chaotic energy and stress of creating theatre as well as the inexplicable way things sometimes come together, the story-telling and bonding, randomness and tantrums. Overall, what makes working in the theatre and going to the theatre an experience unlike any other. Hmm... this may be harder than I thought.
Also, last night I broke the 'O' key off my laptop. I can still use it, I just have to press the little pad where the key used to be. It still made me sad, I've kept this machine pretty pristine for almost a year.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
2010 Reading Challenge Neglect
So far I only have 2/5 for my Bronte reading and watching challenge, 2/6 for my What's in a Name? challenge. Next month I will (gleefully) be moving into Script Frenzy month, so I really should get some of my reading done before that insanity begins.
Here's the problem: I have been accumulating a very extensive TBR shelf, so large that I'm a little scared of it. There also have been so many other things to read and do cropping up. Work on the newspaper has been very time consuming, I always end up doing about 3 articles per week as well as all the reading and writing for the classes I'm taking. Fortunately, one of the novels for my literature class fits one of the categories for What's in a Name? Since I won't be taking any classes for the next week (spring break on the campus) I will have more spare time and I've accumulated a small stack of books to get through. Of course friends and family keep popping up with other ways for me to spend my extra time. I really don't want to completely isolate myself from everyone but the employees at the local library, and sometimes you have to live a life worth writing about (or at least meet people who are).
Here's the problem: I have been accumulating a very extensive TBR shelf, so large that I'm a little scared of it. There also have been so many other things to read and do cropping up. Work on the newspaper has been very time consuming, I always end up doing about 3 articles per week as well as all the reading and writing for the classes I'm taking. Fortunately, one of the novels for my literature class fits one of the categories for What's in a Name? Since I won't be taking any classes for the next week (spring break on the campus) I will have more spare time and I've accumulated a small stack of books to get through. Of course friends and family keep popping up with other ways for me to spend my extra time. I really don't want to completely isolate myself from everyone but the employees at the local library, and sometimes you have to live a life worth writing about (or at least meet people who are).
Thursday, November 26, 2009
40,097
Ha! I broke 40,000! Of course it isn't technically yesterday anymore...so does that mean that it was part of yesterday's word goal or today's? I have no idea, but I am so happy.
"Des, go to bed," my reasonable roommate called out to me about an hour ago.
"Not until I've hit 40k!" I triumphantly answered.
And I did it. I was so happy because:
1.) I'm writing literary fiction which isn't really plot driven. It's about characters with all sorts of "significant feelings," and "expressing thematic ideas," blah, blah, blah- I ran out of my plot a while ago. (see post below)
2.) After running out of my originally planned plot several thousand words ago I hit up "Adoptable Stuff" a thread list on the NaNoWriMo site. I found some ideas to adopt to stretch out my story, and it totally works with what I originally intended.
I was celebrating and wondering if I should call one of my friends... then I realized it was a somewhat indecent hour on the eve of a day most people will need energy to spend on their families. So I came here to tell you. All three of you or so, as I suspect that's all the reading this blog gets most days. Well, I love the three of you and think that if you've ever had any inclination to write anything, but have never had the drive to just do it, you should NaNo with me next year. Or join me for Script Frenzy in April. I was checking out the site a minute ago while still on my 40k high, I had to stop myself from signing up immediately. I decided that I will wait until the "Script Frenzy 2009" changes to 2010, that seemed wise.
I want that "NaNoWriMo 2009 Winner" banner so bad!
"Des, go to bed," my reasonable roommate called out to me about an hour ago.
"Not until I've hit 40k!" I triumphantly answered.
And I did it. I was so happy because:
1.) I'm writing literary fiction which isn't really plot driven. It's about characters with all sorts of "significant feelings," and "expressing thematic ideas," blah, blah, blah- I ran out of my plot a while ago. (see post below)
2.) After running out of my originally planned plot several thousand words ago I hit up "Adoptable Stuff" a thread list on the NaNoWriMo site. I found some ideas to adopt to stretch out my story, and it totally works with what I originally intended.
I was celebrating and wondering if I should call one of my friends... then I realized it was a somewhat indecent hour on the eve of a day most people will need energy to spend on their families. So I came here to tell you. All three of you or so, as I suspect that's all the reading this blog gets most days. Well, I love the three of you and think that if you've ever had any inclination to write anything, but have never had the drive to just do it, you should NaNo with me next year. Or join me for Script Frenzy in April. I was checking out the site a minute ago while still on my 40k high, I had to stop myself from signing up immediately. I decided that I will wait until the "Script Frenzy 2009" changes to 2010, that seemed wise.
I want that "NaNoWriMo 2009 Winner" banner so bad!
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