Vague

I seem to be going through a patch of vagueness at the moment.  Not really getting anywhere...
I'm probably going to refocus for a bit and concentrate solely on getting some nice, decent pieces together rather than lots of little bits here, there and everywhere.
However, on a good point, I'm now on page 81 of the 1st draft of the screenplay. Loads of work to do on it, but the general bits are sort of falling into place. I think.
Also, working on a 6 part comedy thingie - tis a collaborative project, which I've never done before and is rather exciting! Loads and loads and loads of work to do on that.
The backburner project (which has been kicking around since last year and was my first project,) is rumbling around in the back of my head again and trying to squeeze itself out. I have a vague plan of what I want to do with that... Maybe.

My Printer Hates Me.

My printer  hates me. It has obviously joined forces with the toaster (which takes an evil delight at spitting my toast out onto the floor whenever I turn my back on it for a second. It never does it when I'm ready and waiting though - oh no.)

Like the toaster, this printer does whatever it can to annoy me. It flashes up 'low ink' warnings when I know I've just put in a new cartridge. It gobbles said ink up with a devilish hunger. It prints things squint when it knows I'm just about to actually run out of ink and a deadline is approaching and it makes paper just disappear. Grrrr.

That is all.

Move along.

New Things

Twelve days and thirty one pages into Script Frenzy and it's not going too badly. I decided to combine a current competition with in which you have to write the first fifteen pages using a specific logline. It's not the sort of thing I'd normally go for, but it's always good to have a bash at something that's out of your comfort zone - whatever the result, it's all good practice.

Went to the cinema again yesterday (twice so far this year!) Quite incredible. Love the old 3D lark.

My poor first script is getting shoved to the back yet again. I really have to whack that into some sort of order soon.

Other than that, 'tis just a case of plodding on.

It's not April Yet!

All morning I've been convinced that it's April 1st today, which of course, it isn't.

Had a great weekend. Went to Conpulsion in Edinburgh, car didn't break down, ate a years worth of junk food and met up with loads of lovely folks who I haven't seen in far too long a time.
Nearly fell over at the prices of liquidy delights. Getting a round and still having change took a bit of getting used to I can tell you. Obviously I had to take full advantage of the situation and even partook of a couple of delightful cocktails. Mmmmm cocktails....

Lot's of Dark Harvest posters were given out, so the publicity monster has now been unleashed and will hopefully trample all over every major city, trashing every high rise building and bridge in it's path... sorry, getting carried away a tad there.

You can take a sneaky peak at the web site here.
Go on - you know you want to...

Other news is that I've been shortlisted for Best Script (Short film) at the End of the Pier International Film Festival! A lovely and unexpected boost!

Script Frenzy.

It's that time of year again for Script Frenzy. For anyone not aware of what it is, basically, during April, from the 1st to the 30th you aim to write a 100 page script. There are no prizes, just a splendid motivation for like minded folks to just get down and write.
If this tickles your fancy, go and take a scoobies over at their web site - but you'll have to hurry - it all kicks off on Monday.

I was too late finding out about it last year, however, I might just have a bash this time.
If anything, it'll be a good focus. Not sure what I'll do though - I've got several ideas, and it really is about time I settled down to do a feature.

In other news, I finished the Dark Harvest Website yesterday, barring the odd tweak or two. Tis an exciting project! Details will follow at the weekend when it gets pre-launched!

Speaking of which, I'm heading off to Edinburgh on Saturday! Yay!

Submissions, Web Sites and Sandwiches.

Unsurprisingly, the 'quick look over' of the short story submission this morning took about two and a half hours. I really should know that by now. Anyhoo, did several last minute changes and re-scribbles then just hit the 'send' button and be done with the little blighter. Not holding my breath though.

Had a good meeting via Skype regarding the Dark Harvest web site, which is coming along nicely. The front cover is simply gorgeous! Got until Saturday to get that all sparkly and ready.

On a completely different topic, I watched 'Doom' at the weekend and most enjoyable it was too! And I don't care if I've just lost loads of street-cred points because I don't care. I liked it. So there.

Got to love that bargain bin!

But what about the sandwiches? I hear you cry. Well, I ate them.

National Goof Off Day!

Yes! It's National Goof Off Day - Even though I haven't actually heard of it until about 3 minutes ago, I can say with honesty it is quite rapidly becoming my favourite holiday other than Christmas.

A day when I can actually not do all the things I'm meant to do and not feel guilty! Huzzah!

Unfortunately it does come at the beginning of a busy week where I need to finish off the Dark Harvest web site, work on a rewrite and submit a short story not to mention create a fabulous wasp costume from super glue, yellow ribbon and various random bits of fluff.

I love my life!

Time Wasting

Ughh! After the initial promising step of firing up Final Draft and opening up the rewrite I'm working on, so far I've filled the last hour making tea, staring blankly at my screen, getting diverted by all the lovely distractions the interwebby can throw at me, making more tea, and spotting things I need to tidy up.

And now, I've just been informed that my laptop needs to restart to install vital updates. I fear the Demons of Anti-Writing are pitched against me this day. However, I shall take great delight in poking them in the eye and telling them to sod off -

- after I've rebooted, made some more tea, emptied the dishwasher and contemplated the dust that has settled on the script in the meantime...

First Pay Cheque!

Excitement!

I've just this very minute received my first ever shiny pay cheque for a piece of writing!

WOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

Oh, I feel like a proper writer now!

I must celebrate immediately with the vast consumption of tea and biscuits!

Beware the Procrastination Monster!

I thought my current dose of procrastination was only centred on a particular piece of writing I'm struggling with just now.

However, it also seems to be including a decent blog post and my laundry...

Shiny New Web InterWebby Site

I decided to finally get round to doing a nice site for myself, with links to all the various places that I lurk around in (including this one.)

I took a chance too and included some of the scripts I've done so far... whether this is a good idea or not remains to be seen, however, I decided to shake my grubby little fist in the face of terror and launch myself into the public domain. Oh, I feel all vulnerable and scared now!

So, here it is....

Behold! My Shiny New InterWebby Thingy

Please vote for my submission on Talenthouse

Please vote for my submission on Talenthouse


You don't have to mind.... unfortunately I just noticed that it's by text only (therefore has a small charge - bit miffed about that, thought it was direct via the site.)

VOTE FOR ME!!! PLEASE!!!!


Heehee - only if you think it merits it though!

If you think it's rubbish - just move along. :D

Drop

Just watched 'Drop' a short film by Gavin Toomey. It's a wonderful short film starring Russell Tovey & Antony Edridge and you should go and have a look at it right now!

I've spoken to Gavin a few times over on Twitter and he's a really nice chap who also writes and directs jolly good films.

First Pitch

Ohh! I've just sent off my first proper pitch!

Scary!

Exciting!

I don't hold out much hope, but what a fun way to start! The pitch was for a 25 minute audio over at Big Finish. (An opportunity that I have no doubt will be sought after by everyone and their budgie - and rightly so!)

Chilly Fridays

With the grip of this freeze still making everything outside look crispy white and pretty, what better excuse to just stay in and tap away at the old laptop!
Today, I've started a rewrite of my very first project which I began last January. The first draft was finished about March and so it's about time that I took a fresh look at it and try to make it better. There are a few things about that have been bothering me, and hopefully I'll be able to polish it up. I've half a mind to enter it into another competition which closes in April, however, I haven't decided yet.
I really need to get some good, solid pieces together so I can maybe start to approach agents. However, I don't know if I'm good enough yet, so I'm still biding my time on that. Worst thing I could do is rush anything, however, at the same time, I don't want to dawdle too much either.
Oh sweet dilemma!
Oh! I just received a revised short story sketch - it's looking great! Even better than the first rough!