Preparing to Write

Oftentimes, when people write to me, they want to know what my writing process is because they have an interest in writing as well.  Writing is a solitary job, but it is a process.  Sometimes, like today, I begin with a morning stretch and a bottle of water.  That clears my mind and allows the creativity to flow.  Then, I just sit and think of a while.  I think about what I am going to write for the day. It could be dialogue or creating a scene that will follow with dialogue.  Recently, I read that Ernest Hemingway would pride himself on creating one great sentence.  I read that Lisa See aims for 1000 words per day.  I suppose I just want to finish what I promised I write for the day.  If it's one scene, that's okay as long as the scene is good.

On Writing

It's so easy to get distracted from writing in the summer.  The weather is perfect, the kids are out of school and wanting to hang out.  I want to be outdoors, too.  So, I take my work outside.  While the kids are turning cartwheels or reading in the park, I find a quiet place in the shade and I write.  Every thirty minutes or so, I stretch my legs, throw the Frisbee, then I go back to writing.  Sometimes I write on a legal pad and other times I use my iPad and email the work to my desktop, but either way, I get the words out and I am inspired by nature and best of all, I get to be with my family.

On Being A Girl Dad-9

My youngest daughter, Azure, is ten years old and she loves Agatha Christie mysteries.  As part of her summer reading, she has read several.  Her favorite is Murder on the Orient Express.  Tonight, as a family, we all watched the BBC version of the story.  I've seen it many times and every time, I forget who actually committed the crime.  When reading, do not forget the old fashioned murder mystery.  They don't make them like that anymore.

People Are Good

I believe in the goodness of people.  Although terrible things happened to me when I was young, there were always good people all around me, giving advice or trying to show me kindness because they knew my situation was not so good.  Even now, when I have needed help with various projects, always there is an angel in the wings, leading the way.  In the last few weeks, I met several very kind people who gave of themselves to help me and my film.  I am an eternally grateful.

On Writing- Rejection

I can remember when I was writing some of the first drafts of the screenplay about my life, I would get notes from the producer, Todd Black, and he would give me feedback.  After reading some of the pages, Todd said, "This is some of the most uninspired writing I've ever read."  Some might think it's harsh, but what Todd's words did was force me to dig deeper within myself to tell a truth that would be more inspiring to him.  Truth in writing is what makes it really good.  I had to accept the constructive critcism and push ahead.  If you are writing, accept the not so good comments, too.

If You Are a Writer, Write.

I resisted the idea of owning a tablet. I don't think I would ever read a book on one because I like the feel of real pages and the smell of real paper when I read, but I couldn't think of any other reason to own a tablet unless I wanted to watch a movie while traveling. I do have access to movies through other electronic media, so I couldn't see the point.  Then, on Father's Day, after hinting around that I would like to have the Big Kahuna beach chair like the one we bought my wife for Mother's Day, I was shocked to open my gift, only to find an iPad with all the accessories.  I said, "I feel like I'm dreaming."  I kept repeating it over and over again, while my daughters cheered and jumped around.  I had to admit, I was really happy about it.
This morning, I really wanted to work, but it's Saturday and I wanted to stay in bed as well. It was so early, around 6 a.m. and everyone else was asleep.  I listened to the notes from my meeting with the development executive working on my project and I pulled out my iPad and I started to write.  It was quiet and the peaceful and I was still feeling the warmth of my bed.  Several hours later, I had done nearly all the notes and I was ready to dress, have breakfast and start round two of writing.  I transferred all my work to the big computer and I continued writing away.
I always advise writers that in order to avoid writer's block, you have to stay with your project at all times.  You have to write when the spirit hits you and you have to write even when it doesn't. It's like exercise (not that I do that every day), but you must write with a regularity that becomes second nature to who you are.

On Being a Girl Dad-8

After years of singing all the songs that Barney the purple dinosaur had to offer, listening to the Cheetah Girls soundtrack, downloading the "clean" versions of the latest rappers' songs, it was brilliant to take my girls to the Friday Night Jazz at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA).  Of course the girls are subjected to my 70s music, but to sit with them and enjoy hearing the upright bass, the piano, a trumpet and drums made my heart sing.  My girls tapped toes and bobbed along and I was so happy.