Holden Had To Start Again Somewhere

Writer's block.................

A screenwriter's worst enemy. What to write next? Decisions, decisions. I could skip the scene, go onto the next. Nope, still nothing. I could re-write the previous scene. Nope, it's perfect :)

"Experienced" writers apparently don't suffer from writer's block - at least according to some of the people on the peer review site that I'm a member of. "It's just an excuse not to write." Sure it is. I'd rather stare at a blank computer screen for hours than type away anyday. Assholes!

I blame the members of the Minnesota Screenwriters Workshop. Ever since they mentioned "subtext" I've been screwed up. It's damn hard to write subtext. You should try it. Write a scene about something but is at the same time talking about something else. Confused? Me too. I have my beats laid out in front of me. The outline is also there along with a previous draft. So what's so damn hard? I guess that's why only 2% of all screenwriters make it to the big time.

Perhaps a Mango Lassi (one cup of sweetened mango pulp, one cup of plain yoghurt, a splash of rosewater and some sugar - heaven!) might get my creative juices flowing. Holden had to start again somewhere.

Nicholson Had To Start Somewhere

Fate. Never really give it much thought. I truly believe that fate brought me and my wife together. It's amazing what dying your hair peroxide blonde can do to someone's lifestyle. But until today, that's the only time I believe it had happened.

Today fate occurred. I was at the Minnesota Screenwriter's Workshop (A fantastic organization -http://ice.mm.com/user/mnsww/) like I do most Saturdays, and during our coffee break we were approached by an actress wanting us to be extras on a movie set. Coincidence? Fate? What are the odds that an actress wanting extras stumbles across a screenwriting group? We didn't need to be asked twice. The promise of a free lunch and we were there.

Making a movie seems like a tedious task, at least from the outside looking in. A lot of setting up, standing around and retakes. I also learned a new skill today. Lip reading. Pretending to have a conversation without actually speaking is truly an art form. Anyway, the 45mins that we were asked to come for soon turned into almost three hours and still no sign of the promised "delicious" food. But we did learn a few things.

I've never really been interested in acting. Writing was always my love. I always dreamed of accepting an Academy Award for best original screenplay wearing my full Scottish dress. Perhaps it won't be for screenwriting but for acting. Hey, being an extra is a start. Nicholson had to start somewhere.

Kaufman had to start somewhere

I've been screenwriting for about 13 years now (geez, is it really that long) It only seems like yesterday that I had that kick ass dream that would make the greatest movie ever told. 3 years and 160 pages later, I finished my first ever screenplay. It was tailor made for the Muscles From Brussels himself, Jean Claude Van Damme or even the great Arnie could do it justice.

It was a work of art. Long, flowing prose, voiceovers, flashbacks, telephone conversations. It was perfect. Strangely enough, it didn't go down well with my friends. What do they know? Kaufman had to start somewhere.