Apr 30, 2013 | Inspiration
CenterStage Table Read April 28, 2013
A table reading of my Flipper Girl script at the Gottwald Playhouse edged me closer to one of the hardest goals I’ve ever set: to sell this story about a webbed-foot, half-mermaid teen, which tackles bullying, diversity and environmental awareness with a sprinkling of magic.
It took several rewrites and many critiques before I could build the roadmap to the heart of the story. As I listened to a dynamic cast of actors breathe life into the characters, my heart could not stop smiling. The audience laughed at the right times. The actors read with conviction and nuance in a lovely 150-seat theater I never dreamed I’d sit in as a writer hearing my story unfold. My script was one of three presented by the Virginia Screenwriters’ Forum and its Actors Ensemble. Each writer had 30 pages of a script read.
To have actors excited about your story is a blessing. They created accents, spoke in unknown languages and read with passion. For 35 minutes, the actors helped the audience visualize a story that’s aimed at young teens but has universal appeal. At what age do any of us stop wanting to fit in? Or do we get better at it as we get older?
I experience a twinge of apprehension as I put my work out into the marketplace, where intellectual property rights are a slippery concept. But I believe in Flipper Girl and its themes of self-acceptance, family and environmental connections.
More than anything, I want to see Flipper Girl as a film or TV show. I join numerous others with that desire. I’m willing to put in the work, and the actors’ reading served as the momentum needed to keep moving forward. I have actors and audience members rooting for me.
Without a plan, goals are nothing more than dreams. I’m wide awake.
Feb 6, 2012 | Women Who Rock
Spent a couple hours today with four of my favorite females on the planet. These fierce females include an infant, a teen and two dynamic women years younger than me. The common thread is each inspires me to push through doubt, fatigue and procrastination to pursue my dreams as a novelist and screenwriter.
Baby Zora has no idea of who I am or her role in my life. But this gorgeous gift to the world is a constant reminder that time waits for no one. If I want her to read my book one day, well…I better finish it. Her mother, Maya, is one of the smartest and talented (and humble!) young women I know. She has coached me on a business and personal level with grace and expertise. She knows what few do: What I crave in my heart. The advice from this extraordinary go-getter plays like a loop in my head.
Syd is a teen I have known since she was born. Her spunk for life, graciousness under fire and overall zeal for life makes me smile every time I see or think about her. Syd’s mom, Stacy, is the kind of friend that stays up with you until 1:15 a.m. on a work night because you need her help. Focused, friendly and just all around fantastic, I treasure Stacy. Many others do, too. Stacy lives each day with charm and purpose. How awesome is that? Just knowing her makes me strive to do and be my best.
The older I get, the more I realize the necessity of reconnecting with those who “get you” and champion your happiness. Too often, we are surrounded by people playing head games, engaging in power plays and other unpleasantness.
This weekend had a theme: positive people.
On Saturday morning I got a heaping dose of sunshine on a gray winter day by serving as a judge for the 22nd Annual Oratorical Contest for Richmond Public Schools, which was presented by The Richmond Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta.
To be surrounded by students and adults who love the written word is my kind of crowd. We all climbed out of bed early on a Saturday to hear students of all ages move us. New this year were smart touches like awarding every participant a medal and certificate (even judges on the latter). One self-assured third-grader, when asked why she participated, said: “To share my talent.” I can’t say it any better.
This event just gets richer every year!
So, here’s hoping my recap of a weekend that was soul renewing will inspire you to seek out positive people and activities as often as possible. Happiness can be contagious if we spread it around!
Until next time, warm wishes.
Feb 1, 2012 | Inspiration, Writing Tips
Feeling exhilarated and empowered, I’m back to blogging.
I can thank the annual winter conference of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI) for a feeling of rejuvenation that makes my toes tingly. The New York conference united 1,100 writers from around the globe for dynamic sessions on how to revise your work, write better fantasy, attract agents and other assorted topics that storytellers crave. It even wrapped up with an Oprahish ending.
The highlight revolved around Cheryl Klein of Arthur A. Levine Books. This rock star demystified the revision process like no other. Her strategies were so precise, practical and powerful I stood in line to tell her that her session alone made the trip worth it.
I also enjoyed Arianne Lewin of G.P. Putnam, who led a fascinating session on how to write compelling fantasy. Listening to Regina Brooks, Ginger Knowlton, Chris Richman and Ken Wright riff about the current market for books and possible trends was another informative treat.
As a newbie member, I felt welcomed by members (a Virginian I met at the conference even gave me Klein’s book after I raved about it at the Saturday evening gala). But the best part is I left feeling renewed and clear-eyed about my need to write and push through another revision. It helps that I learned possible new rituals to shift me into writing mode. Given a sandalwood-scented tea candle (another gift, this one from Kathryn Erskine, the closing speaker who urged each of us to light it before engaging in wordplay) I will either accidentally burn my cluttered office up or hopefully, create a new intro for my creative process. Just a sec, as I raise my wine glass to accomplishing the latter.
Armed with my revision roadmap and a fiery focus, I must banish my love for procrastination and write like time is running out. Because it is.
Bad segue but check out this great stop-motion story I discovered from a SCBWI blogger, it’s a feast for book lovers. It’s been so long since I posted, I can’t recall how to insert the actual video here!
Until next time, warm wishes.
Feb 5, 2011 | Writing Tips
For several years, I have participated a a judge for the annual oratorical contest sponsored by the Richmond Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta.
The talent of the bright-eyed students always brings a smile to my face and a bounce to my step. This morning, they reminded a sleepy-eyed me that the ability to use words to move others is a gift.
Faced with two deadlines less than two weeks away, I dreaded the thought of needing to write thousands of words this weekend. Summoning creative energy is exhausting, as writers everywhere know.
The boys and girls demonstrated exuberance, creativity and the power of words. They sent words flying, dragging and screaming across our imaginations. Competitors as young as kindergarten wailed pain, shouted confidence, sang hope, whispered power and slurred sassily. Each spoke truth.
At times I wept with others in the packed audience, moved by the emotional honesty and muscular rawness of young oratorical displays. The competitors stood before us, polished and poised, exuding effort on cold wet morning when bed and TV wanted their company.
Dimpled-smiles, lifted chins, eyes dancing with enthusiasm, they performed in all their diverse glory and gave us words wrapped with a bodacious bow.
They made me remember.
I went to judge and found myself the student.
This weekend, I will write thousands of words while smiling, chin lifted and eyes dancing with enthusiasm.
Young teachers, a belated thank you.
Dec 16, 2010 | Awakenings
You may delay, but time will not. ~Benjamin Franklin
I met a writing contest deadline yesterday. That’s the good news. The bad news is I made revisions right down to the last nanosecond. I am a deadlineaholic. And I need to change.
Having written thousands of stories on deadline, I know how to complete a project in two days when I had a week to work on it with less pressure. If good work results from two days, what would a week produce? I am about to find out.
This summer I thought I had kicked the habit as a deadline junkie when my short film, Emily’s Home, was the first out of 48 projects completed for the 48 Hour Film Project. I’m still stunned as it was my first time leading a cast and crew as a director/producer/writer.
But old habits are easy to embrace. Creating winning habits requires consistency in planning and execution.
I have my eye on a fellowship with a May deadline. I will submit my application in January just to start 2011 off right.
To further break the yoke of deadlineaholicism, I just announced my first resolution – or winning habit –for the new year, 15 days early. A sign of movement toward time management bliss. Won’t you join me?
