Tonight's Writing

I finally finished the outline for my novel Dirt Nap, which I've been trying to write since 2001.

I then sent this outline to my buddy Tim, who is always my first reader.

I then wrote a bit in my new horror story "In the Barn."

And, finally, I realized that I still have part of a first draft, and some notes, for a horror story I have been trying to write (or, rather, finish) since 2014, called "No Stone Unturned". 

This is great news for me, as it means I can flow seamlessly from completing "In the Barn" (which will hopefully take no more than a few weeks) into  "No Stone Unturned" and virtually pick up right where I left off. 

I like where things are right now.  

 

New Horror Story

So, I just started a new horror short story.

I haven't written a short story in the horror genre in... well... let's just say longer than I can remember... because, apparently, I can't.

Anyhow, I am also mapping out an allegorical horror novel I've had in my head since the early-aughts (when I was in my 20's!). And, if I'm going to eventually write that, then I need to strengthen those muscles by penning a few horror short stories that I've had in my head for a bit, but have dragged my feet in writing.

In the way that Socrates thought that writing would diminish memory, I fear that if I don't start writing horror short fiction again (and focus solely on screenplays, as I did for many years) those creative muscles might atrophy.

Incidentally, on that same note, I just outlined a horror screenplay (a supernatural serial killer tale I call Depravity) that I hope to write either this Halloween... or next summer. We'll see. 

 Anyhow, I'm about three pages into the story as of tonight and I am loving the characters and world-building I've managed to scrawl.

 

The International Horror Hotel Film Festival

Just submitted Personal Demons to The International Horror Hotel Film Festival.

Come what may.  

 

Jettisoned Ideas

 I have come to realize over time that some ideas I have for screenplays (mostly, I don't have this level of retroactive assessment for short stories and novels... mostly because most story ideas I have lately I immediately default to thinking of them as screenplays ideas... something I need to work on... I need to keep writing short stories and novels... like Socrates said about writing effecting memory, if I don't practice those skills, they will atrophy) are one of the following: redundant (in that I already have a screenplay too similar to that story), not interesting to me anymore (meaning the muse has left me since I conceived the idea) or is not worth my time anymore (in that I have other, more pressing stories, that take priority over it).

I bring this up because three screenplay ideas that I conceived in a fit of inspiration...  I am no longer excited to write.

The first is called Depths. It is about a lake monster in a small town in Missouri that may or may not be supernatural and has a personal tie to the main character (the town sheriff).  I was inspired to write this script during an advanced sneak preview of the movie Antlers in late 2021. But with my scripts Flatdog (which I am currently pitching) and Dweller (which I really wrote just for fun), I think I have covered that ground already.

Then there is Grotesque (or Gruesome, I've oscillated between which title I like best). This is a serial killer horror film that borrows heavily (and it knows it) from Edgar Allan Poe. I wrote this outline in a huff when I caught the bug of outlining future screenplay ideas in accordance with Syd Fields's three-act structure. I look back on the outline now, I am just not sure there is enough there to fill 90 pages. And, if there is, I am unsure if I still have the passion for the project to write those 90 pages. To be fair, I had this idea ten years ago. A lot can happen in ten years.

Then there is a project I conceived last summer (when running my miles) called Ethos. It is a post-modern, subverted slasher movie that I was inspired to write by my love for In A Violent Nature (which I saw late at night in theaters during its run). I wrote out a page of notes (I guess it could be called a treatment), but, just since last summer, I have lost the passion for this project as well.

Now, I nearly deleted the file of notes I have for Ethos, but then I thought better of it. 

My advice: never jettison ideas you've lost passion for. You may rekindle that passion at some point. Or you may take bits and pieces from that story (spare parts) and add it to another story.

Further advice: just realize that you don't have to fully realize (or "flesh out") all the ideas you have. Some of them can languish and remain unwritten if you don't have the passion or inspiration to give them life. Prioritize what you want to write, at that moment, and you will get infinitely better results. 

That is my two cents for today.  

Writing List

 Last summer I (very ambitiously) wrote out a page and a half list of the writing and revision I wanted to get done that summer. I taped it to my wall, with one strip of tape at the top, so I could flip it over and check each item off (I adjusted the bulletpoints so that they are big empty circles to create a checklist).

I also compartmentalized this list into different sections: screenplays, short stories, outlines (for future screenplays) I need to create, screenplays I want to revise, etc.

Anyhow, today I consolidated the many (yes, I had more than one) writing lists I had up on my wall. I also took off the word "summer" and just made it "writing list 2025" (I don't want to limit myself; these are my writing goals for the rest of the year).

At any rate, I am rather pleased with myself.

It may not seem like a big accomplishment to you (my reader... if indeed anyone is reading this), but to an idiosyncratic writer, to be able to narrow your focus (which is something I endlessly preach to my students (both college and high school) when they are writing essays) is a priceless skill and behavior. 

I suppose I picked up this habit of making checklists and taping them to my wall in high school (which continued on into college).

I would take a sheet of notebook paper (or write it out on a computer, and print it, if I could afford the toner and paper), write down all of my assignments, tape it to the wall, chain myself (symbolically) to my laptop and just churn out assignments (papers, study guides, etc.) one after the other.

Each time I'd finish an assignment, it was my moment of zen to be able to stand, stretch, pace for a bit, then go to the list on the wall, take a black Sharpie and cross out an assignment.

I get that same level of fulfillment and satisfaction (though on a creative level, rather than an academic one) doing this.

I am very happy with the road I have ahead of me, now that I have a simpler and more streamlined map to follow.  

Copyright Complete

Well, I just submitted every screenplay I've written since 2013 for copyright. 

They no longer let you just name your collection (they name it for you) and they no longer just let you bundle everything together and just have a table of contents. 

I had to submit and itemize all the screenplays in this collection.

Which, I guess, in the long run is better.

Now all the titles and individual files are in the Library of Congress file in case anyone tries to rip me off.

And it now costs $85 to register something.

Whatever.

Worth it. 

I gotta get back into the habit of not only copyrighting everything I write, but registering all the stuff I am actively pitching and sending out to festivals to the WGAw. 

Gotta protect myself and my work.  

 

 

 

Copyright Office Update

 Finally heard back from the Library of Congress - Copyright Office.

Turns out if you don't log into your count at least once every 60 days, you have to contact tech support to re-open your account.

At least they gave me an email address.

Now time to send a message... and wait.

When my account gets restored, I can finally copyright every screenplay I've written since 2013... and put my mind at ease.