ROW80: A Writing Extravaganza

After binge writing/directing/acting for 24 Hour Theatre I always feel tired. Part of it is that I usually get between 0 to 4.5 hours of sleep from Friday night to when I crash Saturday night/Sunday morning. This time is no exception. I wrote my show from somewhere around 7:00 pm, get the cast list at 6:00 pm until 11:45 pm when I finished a complete rough draft. I then drove home and edited the script one last time before sending it off by 1:00 am, which then allowed me to crash until 5:30 am. I think you can see the theme here. I wrote a script, 4th script to be performed over the last 2 to 3 years, and the 5th script that I have written over all.

Let me tell you, it is an awesome feeling to see something you write come to life, not just on paper, but in real life, real time. I recommend it for anyone curious about writing. If you have a 24 Hour Theatre in your area, give it a try. TOTALLY WORTH IT!

This year had a theme. Each of the writing teams had to write their corresponding shows using a fortune from a fortune cookie. Mine was "A true friend walks in when the rest of the world walks out" using the concept of Jekyll and Hyde for a basis of the story. Here's my favourite part of the script:

Dr. Thomas: Miss Mackey?

(Megs jerks her head up. Dr. Thomas sits.)

Megs: (stuttering) Dr. Thomas. I didn't hear you.

Dr. Thomas: You were a bit distracted.

Megs: Then you heard?

Dr. Thomas: Yes. Sounds like a bit of Life imitating Art.

Megs: My best friend, Danni is dating my Ex, Alex. (laughs) It's funny; both of them seem to have a darker side to them and get along rather well.

Dr. Thomas: It's like the class discussion today.

Megs: Motives? Oh, you mean, (Dr. Thomas nodded) sometimes people are not happy. And sometimes they make bad choices, like when they are sure they are alone they act like their true self. Like the way, Danni acted around me. She thought I wasn't a threat so she dropped all pretenses and became a ‘monster’.

Dr. Thomas: Well, that is one interpretation, isn't it?

Megs: It just feels so wrong like the whole world walked out on me.

Dr. Thomas: It’s rough when you lose trust in someone.

Megs: Have you felt that way?

Dr. Thomas: I have, in fact that's why husband left. He wasn't the intellectual type, didn't liked that I knew more than him, so he left. I was pretty angry. I did something I wasn’t proud of.

Megs: How did you cope?

Dr. Thomas: I learned who I really was. Then, I started going back to school, teaching, reading books. I strove everyday to be that person, not my dark half, much like Jekyll tried to do.

Megs: But you didn't need a potion?

Dr. Thomas: Nope.

Megs: Then maybe I can find my true self and be the best I can. Avoiding the Hyde's in my life.

Dr. Thomas: Sounds like to you learn a lot in and out of class today.

 


Anyway, time again to get down to the hear to of the matter (thanks Huey Lewis, Not every listening to him at the moment). Twas ere the busiest, yet tis fruitful time I ere ever I spent amoungst commerades.

This Week:
      *Reading: I finally hit the half way point of The Gun Seller. It's a slower read. Hugh is very about the details and snarky wit. Sometimes I feel he goes faster than the reader. But, then other times the pacing slows down, so I don't know. I think I just need to continue reading. I tried to finish Misty of Chincoteague but I fell asleep. It was late and this was before the 24 Hour Theatre. It's a cute story and will post more later, after I finish the second half of the book.
     *Writing: wrote a blog and a script. Just feels good to write.
     *Blogging: see above. Only once (not counting my Round of Word check-ins). I love when I get inspiration from my fellow bloggers. Still want to continue to non-ROW80 blog twice a week. This is a time management issue. I will get there.
     *Visiting: I did go avisitin' everyday last week expect Friday and Saturday. I was a bit busy. Been making my goal of at least 2 to 3, hitting 4 most days. w00t!
     *Submitting: I did this Thursday. Finally. Discovered, or maybe get became aware that submittable post online to twitter. Since this revelation, I have been keeping track of new places to submit to on post it's and scribbles in several notebooks right now. The actual database needs to be updated now.
     *Scrivener/Editing: wrote the scrip in Scrivener. Played a little with the screenplay template. I edited "Road Trip". Planning on reviewing my script Wearing the Mask and The Audition (which sorely needs it). There are things that I see after watching it performed that I miss the first time. I want to be able to go back and make the scrip tighter; fixing grammatically and syntax errors, cleaning up the plot and developing the characters more or toning them down.

That which did not happen:
     *Mostly what I didn't get to was smaller stuff. I missed  a day of journaling and am a few days behind on the sticker journal (which rewards you, the writer for meeting your goals.

For next week:
     *Finish The Gun Seller and Misty of Chincoteague.
     *Edit Wearing the Mask, The Audition, Road Trip (yes again), using Scrivener.
     *Write some more on my Waiting Room story, no working title yet.

Now, Dear Readers, I want to know what you have been up to. Fellow ROW80-ers, how are the goals, books, stories, projects coming? What are your plans fro the rest of September? If you are curious check out the ROW80 Blog Hop. Go and see this new musician I started following, David Cavan Fraser. He's got a nice sound. Sat and listening some of his live stuff (from youtube) one day while writing this week. He does some fantastic covers and equally nice original material. I am fond of his song "Bagpipes". I leave you with that, Dear Readers.

A ROW80 check-in: Revison and Beyond

I am honestly really pleased with my progress this week. So much stuff and writing/revision happened this week. The weekend was a little less productive. After visiting some fellow writers, I have determined that "unplugged time", "Time away from the computer", or whatever you call it it is very important.

Spent Saturday evening having dinner and face time with fellow Whovians (Sara, Amanda, David, Ryan, Tara, and Kevin), watching the most recent Doctor Who, "Robots of Sherwood." We ate chicken parmesan and spaghetti and salad (made by Sara and Ryan Love. Yum!!!), hung out chatted about Doctor Who, books, movies, and all sorts of nerdy things, and of course watching Doctor Who. It was nice to see Clara fangirling in the episode. We also got a greater look at Teh Doctor. Don't worry, no spoilers today!! Oh and Robin Hood is my favourite legend and yes, I like the Kevin Costner and the Russell Crowe versions.

The other major thing is I am keeping my house cleaner. The laundry and dishes are getting the consistent attention they deserve. Not perfect, but seeing as I am not doing a fall show, I ultimately have more home time. Not to say that my fall and winter won't be full of stuff and things theatre related. In fact next weekend in the first of KLP's two 24 Hour Theatre events (September and November), I will be writing and directing for this one, I also need to work on the Ghost Walk with LCP and a possible Halloween  Improv Show in October, and the Hammondsport Xmas show in December. There is NaNoWriMo in November. OctPoWriMo in October. I also will be working on my Book to Movie Adaptations in October, as November is booked. So, yeah, I will still be busy-ish. I love it though, would change it for the work.

What I Did:
      *Writing: well, I wrote a scene with my protagonist/antagonist. Not sure which she is ultimately. I could turn "Road Trip" into a novel, or novella easily. It was a nice little scene. I do have to go back a re-read/revise it though.
      *Revision: I went and reviewed my rough draft for "Road Trip", imputed it into Scrivener, and completed a 1st draft. Actually, I discovered the ending needed a bit more fleshing out. That is next on the list. If I don't work on it tonight, that'll be Monday's project.
      *Visiting: since Monday, I have visited and/or commented on 3 to 4 blogs a day, except Friday when I was hanging with Brian at Soulful Cup and Saturday when caught up on Kait Nolan's blog (which I count, because I get email updates and made about 2 and half months of email updates to go through). That is the next plan, to keep up with my emails and blog comments.
       *Blogging: I have blogged twice this week, not including my ROW80 check-ins. I am really proud of this one. As the reason I started blog, is also the reason to return to it, because I have so many things to talk about and share, research and present.
        *Reading: finished "Abhoren"! w00t!!!

What I Didn't:
       *Submissions: I did not hit this hard this week. There are reasons, some are valid, others not so much. Let's just say that switching gears and changing ideologies, sometimes somethings get overlooked.
       *Reading: I actually was very good during the week, reading every morning and at lunch. Something about weekends and sunshine especially make it hard to read. Might be the summertime and the good weather. I did finish "Abhorsen" though and started "The Gun Seller" by Hugh Laurie, yes Dr. House writes and plays the blues. Also working on "Misty of Chincoteague" and "The Name of the Game" (Doctor 9 adventure). I and sill  4 book behind on my 2014 Book Challenge, so I need to work on that, without rushing the reading.

I just get wrapped up in the weekends and end up going out, hanging with peoples, and not doing my writing/revision/ reading goals. It's not a bad thing to actually interact with people. I did get much more accomplished this week, Dear Readers and that makes me feel wonderful.Anyway, a good week and a good weekend too.

Come and view the Blog Hop to catch up on what other ROW80-ers are doing.

AROW80 check-in: Labour Daybour 2014 and Beyond

Okay so vacation sometimes interrupts the flow a little, right?

Yes, I did get distracted and was a little impeded, but it was for a worthy cause. All work and no play...something something... Well...it is the last of the summer days, even though summer goes until the Autumnal Equinox, it is the end of the summer when the kids return to school, teachers get busy, and the smell of all things pumpkin return, as well as bonfire, foliage change, and sweater weather. All wonderful things, but this mean summer must come to an end.

It was quite warm yesterday, and then today VERY muggy with some rain. What little time I have before the end of summer I am trying to enjoy with as much gusto as I can afford. But there are always other things happening and going on.  This is my life. Anyway...

I took a few days off to have a long 5 day Labour Daybour weekend from the day job, this included a trip to the State Fair Thursday (more on that tomorrow), a weekend visit with my Dad and Aunt, and also watching Doctor Who last night with the Loves and getting my final birthday present. That being said, new stuff happened and creative juices did flow.

Onto the bullet points!

Since Wednesday:
    *I am  at the 300 page of "Abhorsen", and two chapters into "Misty of Chincoteague". "Misty is an easy read and plan to finish it by Monday night. I bought some more books at a Salvo in Cortland, NY. The laat two days I haven't read with company in town, but you know how that goes.
     *Wrote a bit on something that could turn into a story at least. Enjoying having daily writing prompts to write from. Good news though, there are some creative prospects coming up that involve me and writing a lot; 24 Hour Theatre in September and November too, the Xmas show in Hammondsport, and I just talked to the writer-in-residence of the Old Havana Courthouse Theatre with the owner and they would be interested in seeking out new and upcoming writers of Melodramatic Shows. I talked to him about the prospect of writing a melodrama for Old Havana. So, now I have something to write for. Oh, and I have Scrivener now too!! So, while I haven't written everyday this past week, I have written something. Stretching the muscles and at least keeping literally (as in literate and literary) limber!
     *Blogged one day this week, so I am on track with that goal. The aim is twice a week, not counting the Round of Words check-in blogs. Have two ideas in process, one is an interview and another is the return of my book to movie reviews (4 reviews, 1 blog post a week). More to happen next week.
      *Have visited at least 3 blogs on Wednesday. Will make that goal today too. Now I need to set aside time to visit fellow bloggers each day. After thinking about it this past week, I think that is how I will break past this particular "goal ceiling".
       *I have been utilizing social media more to interact with fellow writer and share my words and stuff. This is an important thing!

NEW CONCEPT WORD! Goal Ceiling - (noun) The block that keeps you from going past a goal.

That which fell short:
      *Journaling. I did not journal at all this past week. Not sure why, I had the time, but my motivation in that department fell a bit short. Well, no time to dwell on the bad, there is next week to look forward to.
      *No new submissions. This hasn't totally bother me yet, because I am currently working on getting work ready to submit to new places or other places that have said I should submit to their next issue. This gives me the hope I think I needed. Friends can offer advise, but when you get a complement and constructive criticism from the journal, that makes me feel good.
      *Do not do any revision. This is the part that I felt worst about. It's what I NEED to do. It's always on my list. I need to remember what I wrote just above this when I have an off revision week.
      *I had been keeping a sticker journal of my goals, but while I was working on Tarzan I fell short and stopped doing it. I think it's time to start that up again. It seems to help me get more results.

NaNoWriMo

The best parts of this weekend were finally getting Scrivener, which I will be playing with today and tomorrow, before I have to return to the real world of the day job. One of my best friend bought it for me. She is one of my biggest backer in my push/dream to be a writer, including the Hubs. It is a big jump and I am ready to go for it.

Then there is the new Doctor, oh life is good indeed. That makes Saturday pretty freaking awesome.

I have a bunch of little theatre events that will be occurring through the Autumn and into the Winter with 2 Hour Theatre, Halloween Improv, the Ghost Walk (a walking tour of Montour Falls and the Ghosts of the famous denizens who lived there), Xmas Shows, and of course NaNoWriMo too. Will be a busy end to 2014, but I do thrive on being busy. I am looking forward to it though. Really feeling good about everything, Dear Readers. I just need to keep focused, plan my time better, and be Brave! AllonsY, Geronimo, and Gallifrey Stands!!

BTW, Sara Bareilles is the awesome!!!

Remember to visit the Blog Hop and cheer us ROW-ers onto the final weeks of Round 3!