Things

Who am I again? I'm having one of those times when no matter how many hours you work in the day, you still have a HUGE list of IMPORTANT THINGS to get through. The only thing that makes this NOT TERRIBLE is that in general, they are GOOD THINGS.

Thing 1) The short now has a Director - hurrah! I've just had some Director's Notes (these are IMPORTANT and a bit exciting), and I am feeling a little like a hyperactive child about the ideas in them. Probably shooting in July but having a meeting next week to work out what happens next. Some cast discussions have been had and they quite frankly, make me want to scream with excitement, but I don't want to JINX THEM.

Thing 2) Have ended up writing another short for a Producer at short notice, but have toughed out a first draft script which is getting perused by the Production Board this weekend. Hopefully it will be greenlit in principle, and then I can take my time over some redrafts. I like it. It's a different sort of film than Thing 1, and that makes me want it to happen ALL THE MORE. It's not been easy with the quick turnaround but fingers crossed

Thing 3) I wrote a novel a while back, but did NOTHING with it. I've been gradually rewriting bits of it over the past few years, and then recently the opportunity came about for the first 3 chapters and synopsis to be read by an established novelist. Have just sent them in. Feel QUEASY.

Thing 4) As part of my course, next week I have to do an hour-long oral presentation on a film that inspires me. The first 2 presentations took place earlier this week, and they were GOOD. They were also FILMED on a BIG CAMERA with a proper MICROPHONE. That's terrifying - I hate getting my picture taken at the best of times nevermind being filmed MOVING. Feeling REALLY QUEASY now. Need to get this all typed up, and my clips sorted.

Thing 5) Have to draw up a shortlist of mentors. This is good, exciting and potentially very helpful to me, but what makes a good mentor? What if I pick the WRONG ONE? What if I pick the one who is a great writer BUT ONLY WANTS TO TALK ABOUT GOLF when we're having a meeting? What if I pick the talented but psycho one with the TOO LONG FINGERNAILS? I suspect I am THINKING ABOUT THIS TOO MUCH.

Inspiration

Have you ever started writing something and you're entirely unclear where you're going with it but SOMETHING is driving you forward (and I don't mean gin or chocolate)? AND that something just feels like it would need Superman and a train to stop it? I'm going to pretend that it is Superman ON a train, though I actually think it is INSPIRATION. Funny though, how can it be inspiration when no matter how you try, you can't figure out what you're writing or what it is you're trying to say but you know it's SOMETHING so you just keep on going. Inspiration can be a sneaky little blighter.

Maybe what I'm writing is a bunch of rubbish but inspiration drives me forward regardless - and it's not unpleasant - so I keep on going. I'm writing about love and desire even though I've just been to Tescos, and popped along to my Gran's because her carbon monoxide alarm was going off cos the battery was going dead, and put the washing on, and wiped bird-crap off my car, and hung out said washing which is now being hailed on from the great sky above, and will shortly be cleaning out the bin - none of these things make me feel lovely or desirous AT ALL, but still, something drives my brain and fingers forward, and out creeps words and stuff on that very theme.

What's driving your writing brain forward these days?