Laura says : Find a song that sums up what you think it means to be a writer and post the lyrics on your blog and why you've chosen it.
NB: It doesn't have to be your favourite song, it just has to express how you feel about writing and/or being a writer. It can be literal, metaphorical, about a particular form or aspect of writing - whatever you want. Then tag 5 others to do the same (reprint these instructions).
Tougher than expected this one... but have settled on "Little Acorns" by White Stripes just because it reflects vaguely the confusing, up-in-the-air feeling I have when I start a project, a mix of excitement and nerves mixed with a tiny bit of fear. I also like the hair analogy.... no matter what you do to your hair... you can still never quite be sure what it'll look like in the morning... which is like writing. No matter how perfect your writing plan or outline, you've no idea what it's going to become.
Take all your problems
And rip 'em apart
Carry them off
In a shopping cart
And another thing
You should've known from the start
The problems in hand
Are lighter than at heart
Be like the squirrel, girl
Be like the squirrel
Give it a whirl, girl
Be like the squirrel
And another thing
You have to know in this world
Cut up your hair
Straighten your curls
Well, your problems
Hide in your curls
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
Let's not get carried away...
Today is my last official day at the Screen Academy on the MA course!
Actually feels rather odd after nearly 4 months out in the wilderness of real life (ok it wasn't that bad, but you catch my drift). Since I'm also going to be re-matriculating in a week or so as a student for another year, it's also taken on a rather surreal quality. Some people have already cut the cord, and are not coming along today - fair enough - it's easier for some to just make the break quickly and cleanly and abandon all that has gone before. I'm all for proper closure though, so I'm going along, anyway it might be the last chance I get to see some of those faces I've got to know over the past 2 years (geez 2 years... where did THAT go?).
Perhaps it's a sign, but the house lights blew last night. End of an era maybe? Or just a power surge? Let's not get carried away.
Actually feels rather odd after nearly 4 months out in the wilderness of real life (ok it wasn't that bad, but you catch my drift). Since I'm also going to be re-matriculating in a week or so as a student for another year, it's also taken on a rather surreal quality. Some people have already cut the cord, and are not coming along today - fair enough - it's easier for some to just make the break quickly and cleanly and abandon all that has gone before. I'm all for proper closure though, so I'm going along, anyway it might be the last chance I get to see some of those faces I've got to know over the past 2 years (geez 2 years... where did THAT go?).
Perhaps it's a sign, but the house lights blew last night. End of an era maybe? Or just a power surge? Let's not get carried away.
Friday, September 19, 2008
A Blogday is not just for Christmas...
Missed my own blog birthday! It was on the 15th September!
2 years and counting - who'd have thought it. Roll on the next 1...
I'm trying to decide what kind of short I want to make. It's more difficult than I thought it'd be.....
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
I've found my 'Hattie Jacques'!!!!
On another note, I'm giving 'Lost in Austen' one more chance tonight to see if it gets any better. I'm not finding enough jeopardy in it to shove it along... but fingers crossed.
Did you know they're remaking Rentaghost and Worzel Gummidge? Why? Also saw the trailers for the coming 'Merlin'. I first heard this was coming to the screen back here, doesn't time fly. I'm sticking with my original statement that it "better be magnificent and brooding, and not some neddy lad in a fancy cape flouncing about the undergrowth with the Merry Men". It looks worryingly like my prediction may come true but let's hope not.
I'm so glad the world didn't end.
On another note, I'm giving 'Lost in Austen' one more chance tonight to see if it gets any better. I'm not finding enough jeopardy in it to shove it along... but fingers crossed.
Did you know they're remaking Rentaghost and Worzel Gummidge? Why? Also saw the trailers for the coming 'Merlin'. I first heard this was coming to the screen back here, doesn't time fly. I'm sticking with my original statement that it "better be magnificent and brooding, and not some neddy lad in a fancy cape flouncing about the undergrowth with the Merry Men". It looks worryingly like my prediction may come true but let's hope not.
I'm so glad the world didn't end.
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
When a casualty is required
Since it's raining AGAIN, I've been ploughing on with the draft of my feature. The one with the protagonist who needed a kick up the arse. But, I've been mulling things over in my head, and I've realised that it's not just that the protag. is too passive, but the plot lacks a true casualty. I'm not talking about the antagonist getting his comeuppance (as that's hopefully going to look like natural justice when it happens, so not strictly a casualty). I mean, like say in 'Calendar Girls' (if you're the one person living under a toadstool who hasn't seen it, the following contains a spoiler), when you ask someone what that film is about, they'll usually refer to the fun nudity for the calendar, the cakes, the WI, the friendships and the women. What they don't often mention, is the 'casualty' : in this case, the cancer diagnosis and subsequent death of the husband of one of the main characters.
I'm writing a light-hearted drama, but suddenly realised that it lacks depth. It lacks a 'casualty' - someone who, however peripheral, has to suffer or have their true desires rebuffed or snuffed out, to balance out the light-heartedness.
Even in the 'Carry-On' films, there's always a casualty. Hattie Jacques' characters leap to mind. She may be in control (as say, the matron), intelligent and respected, but her TRUE desire is to get it on with her true love - usually Kenneth Williams doing his 'ooh I knowwwwww' thing. There's a sort of pathos to her, an ache even, amidst the hilarity and double entendres, because she rarely gets what she wants. Characters and yes, performances, like hers give the froth depth - least it does in the better-quality Carry On's.
I need to find my Hattie Jacques.
I've also realised that quite unwittingly, there are 2 symbols that keep reappearing in the script - hands and roses. I have a feeling it's going to go a lot darker than I expected...
I'm writing a light-hearted drama, but suddenly realised that it lacks depth. It lacks a 'casualty' - someone who, however peripheral, has to suffer or have their true desires rebuffed or snuffed out, to balance out the light-heartedness.
Even in the 'Carry-On' films, there's always a casualty. Hattie Jacques' characters leap to mind. She may be in control (as say, the matron), intelligent and respected, but her TRUE desire is to get it on with her true love - usually Kenneth Williams doing his 'ooh I knowwwwww' thing. There's a sort of pathos to her, an ache even, amidst the hilarity and double entendres, because she rarely gets what she wants. Characters and yes, performances, like hers give the froth depth - least it does in the better-quality Carry On's.
I need to find my Hattie Jacques.
I've also realised that quite unwittingly, there are 2 symbols that keep reappearing in the script - hands and roses. I have a feeling it's going to go a lot darker than I expected...
Saturday, September 06, 2008
what does the night smell of?
"It smells like night in here"
The source of the smell was a room-spray scented with nutmeg. I don't really like nutmeg, but why does it smell like the night? And it really does. I sniffed a nutmeg candle today and it made me think of pillows and sleep.
*Edit : just looked 'nutmeg' up and apparently it's famously used as a sedative. Nicholas Culpeper (1616) an English herbalist says it can "induce sleep delirium". It is also said to excite sexual passion and is one of the ingredients of a magical perfume described in the black books of sorcerers : intriguing!*
I've written a whole feature (nearly) and have only just realised why it's not working. There is no real sense of jeopardy, there's such a thing as a too passive protagonist, and in my case I have one - he needs a kick up the arse. Bummer. I've also realised that while there's a lot of passion in it, it's not about sex or desire... it's about loneliness. Woop.
Back to square -1 but with a little more hope and purpose than expected.
What do YOU think the night smells of?
The source of the smell was a room-spray scented with nutmeg. I don't really like nutmeg, but why does it smell like the night? And it really does. I sniffed a nutmeg candle today and it made me think of pillows and sleep.
*Edit : just looked 'nutmeg' up and apparently it's famously used as a sedative. Nicholas Culpeper (1616) an English herbalist says it can "induce sleep delirium". It is also said to excite sexual passion and is one of the ingredients of a magical perfume described in the black books of sorcerers : intriguing!*
I've written a whole feature (nearly) and have only just realised why it's not working. There is no real sense of jeopardy, there's such a thing as a too passive protagonist, and in my case I have one - he needs a kick up the arse. Bummer. I've also realised that while there's a lot of passion in it, it's not about sex or desire... it's about loneliness. Woop.
Back to square -1 but with a little more hope and purpose than expected.
What do YOU think the night smells of?
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