The Hourglass of Death: an Update
The Hourglass of Death: an Update
I take commitment seriously. In my last blog I committed not only to writing a screenplay in the coming year, but I also committed to regular progress updates at least monthly. So here’s my first update. I started my journey exactly one month ago, and to be honest, I didn’t get very far in terms of page count. Although my goal was to produce 3 pages per week, there were some important things I had to achieve beforehand. For example, I needed an idea…a plan…an outline. Basically, that’s what August was all about: getting all of the things done that I needed to do before I dove into my screenwriting program and typed “FADE IN”.
First: the idea. I had three (what I thought) very viable ideas. I have a catalog of ideas that are in various forms (short stories, short scripts, outlines, etc.) that I have accumulated over the years since I began writing. The biggest challenge for me has always been is focus, and of course this is crucial to the coming year and goal. So my first step was to decide which idea to focus on. I’m going with the ‘revenge’ one. Its pretty kick ass (literally).
Second: the plan. The plan is from the screenwriting book Save the Cat (by Blake Snyder). His beat sheet is legendary and I’m using it. It makes sense to me. End of story. If you want to know more, find it here: http://www.blakesnyder.com/tools/
Third: the outline. I have a preliminary outline and am trying to fill in the gaps. And I am currently meshing the outline with the various beats outlined in the Beat Sheet. That’s taking some work…I hadn’t given thought to a ‘B-story’ but I sure as heck managed to have an ‘All is Lost’ moment and ‘Dark Night of the Soul’ without even knowing that’s what they were.
Well, gang…not too thrilling but that was my August and I promised an update.
Oh yeah…and I wrote 4 pages of actual script. WOOHOO!!! And incidentally, it didn’t start with FADE IN…it started with EXT. CITY STREET – LATE NIGHT.
There you have it…the Hourglass of Death Update for Month #1. Eleven more to go.
~ Kim
P.S. Other August notables: my short documentary PUKER got in to THREE more film festivals! Stay tuned for a PUKER blog coming soon.
P.P.S. Y’all know I’m flyin’ by the seat of my pants with this screenplay thing, right??? It usually works for me.
Love and believe in you, you will do anything and everything you set your mind too! Missing you and the family ties very much! It’s been hard to keep in touch, a lot of separation since Dad died I feel but please let me know what’s going on. jramage66@gmail.com.
Love you!
Jen Ramage
Thank you for the encouragement, my dear, and I love you immensely. I think of you often and hope you carry us with you because we are ALWAYS there for you.
I think a monthly update is a great idea. My writing coach just asked us all to make goals for our next meet up in a month. That really made me focus and get my butt in gear.