The one thing I love best, next to wearing new Donald Pliners -- and oh yeah, my kids, the next thing I love best, is being with other writers. Nowhere is there a community that needs to commune like writers. We live a solitary life. We're weird to start with, and we only get weirder. Then, the more published we get, the more solitary it becomes as friends are afraid to talk to us. And we get weirder still!
Yet being writers, and consummate assessors of our fellow man, we only notice their weirdness -- and then, we get together with other writers and it confirms, yep, we're the normal ones.
So I went to the Act One screenwriting program this weekend. I learned two significant facts. One is that I don't want to write screenplays. They use this three act thing, that I'm sorry, is just too stinkin' mathematical for my brain. The second thing I learned is that I didn't have enough respect for what a screenwriter does. To see a script (and thanks to Cheryl McKay, writer of the Ultimate Gift I have), but to see how one page can transmit into so much power with the collaborative effort is thoroughly amazing.
Did you know scripts for entire movies are only 120 pages? Movies move. And a screenplay writer directs the lighting people, the actors, the setting people, etc. from that mere 120 pages? What the heck? That's amazing. They also work together, so I think they must get less weird. That would be an interesting study. Does weirdness multiply working with each other each day -- like strange squared? Or do they normalize one another. I'm guessing the former.
My favorite part of the weekend was hearing what utter snobs the writers were about other movies and television shows. It's exactly how I am about books and it's so funny to see your obnoxious side in someone else. It's like, they get it. They totally get it! Love that.
One thing that was really affirming is when they talked about dialog they brought out a movie from the 40's. I grew up on the old movies and that's why my dialog is so fast. I learned to speak from Cary Grant. Hmmm. With that, the argument could indeed be made my loneliness has done nothing for my sense of normalcy.
www.kristinbillerbeck.com
www.girlswriteout.blogspot.com
"Split Ends" April 2007 Thomas Nelson Publishers
"Trophy Wives Club" Fall 2007 -- Avon Inspire
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4 Comments:
I won't even talk about my jealousy issues over the fact you get to see other writers on a quasi-regular basis. I'm the only "normal," or is it wierdo, suffering out here right now. :)
Although, I have to admit it was awesome seeing Colleen and Camy in March. Usually I have to get my fix in at conference. No one gets a writer like another writer.
Colleen, can I officially motion the ACFW conference get moved out here? At least then I might have a chance to see people more often when the board comes to town for meetings. :)
Malia, I don't think you'd have any trouble getting people to WANT to come to you. LOL I cant' believe how far the trip to Hawaii is, even from California! Though worth every effort to get there. : ) That's why the internet is so great though, it brings us weirdos together. : )
I'm with you there, Kristin. It's a LONG flight leaving/coming here. A couple of trips does rack up the frequent flyer miles nicely though. LOL
I love the internet, I don't know what I'd do without it or my laptop (graduation gift). Definitely my communication with the outside world. :)
Kristin, I read "Split Ends" and have posted my review...I'd be honored if you'd read it and leave a comment...
http://deenasbooks.blogspot.com/2007/05/split-ends-by-kristin-billerbeck.html
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