NaNoWriMo 2016

OK, I have decided to once again participate in the NaNoWriMo this year.  This will be my 4th year in a row to participate and I have achieved Winner status the last 3 years, having written over 50,000 words each year. Of course I do need to work on this novels that I have written to get them into some type of publishable form.

This year I am toying with an idea that seems relatively plausible and revolves around various mythological deities and earth as a great social experiment.  I have always been fascinated by the fact that all of the ancient cultures had gods that were similar but with different names.  My novel will explore this concept.  I am tentatively calling it 'They Were Right!'

Wish me luck as I will be spending much time and effort to get my 50,000+ words on the page between November 1 and 30.  If you would like more information on the National Novel Writing Month, please visit http://nanowrimo.org.

NYC Midnight 2015 Screenwriting Challenge - DONE!

OK, I have been remiss in my duties here.  I finished up and submitted my entry into the 2015 Screenwriting challenge over a week ago and I haven't posted it, or a link to it, here, yet.  this post is aimed to remedy that situation as I present, for you perusal and hopefully, enjoyment, my screenplay titles 'Drisa.'

This is a screen play in which I was limited to 12 pages to tell my fantasy story of adoption while including a personal assistant.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/71v4qpfr8anpgp9/35_DRISA.pdf?dl=0

Please comment below and tell me your thoughts on it!

Dan

Camp has begun!

Today is the first day of Camp NaNoWriMo and I am very excited.  My goal for camp this April is to write another 50,000+ words for a novel.  This one has grown on me.  It is titled 'Reunion Stories: The Triumphs, Trial and Tribulations of the Lincoln High Class of 1978.' I know its a bit of a long title, but I wanted it be be clear what I was talking about.  I've already made some good progress and even have an excerpt I am willing to share.  Enjoy!

Excerpt:

Mona picked up on the second ring. “Hello.”
“Hi, it’s me.  You busy?”
“No, not really, just working but that can always wait.  What’s up?”
“I just got a request from someone I barely remember to join the Facebook Group.  Do you remember Tad Roberts?”
“Tad Roberts. Tad Roberts. No it really isn’t familiar,” said Mona lost in thought.
“I looked up his picture and he was that one kids who was so into Disco, with the bell bottoms and the silk shirts open to the waist and the chains on his neck.  You know he wanted to be John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever.”
“Wait, I think I remember him. Afro and glasses?” Moan asked, her memory sparked.
“Yep, that’s him.  Or I should say was him.  He said he now goes by Teri,” said Jaime.
“Are you serious?  Do you think he’s transgender or just gay?”
“I don’t know, but there has to be a story in there somewhere.”
“I bet most of the alumni have at least one interesting story.  You know what, I think we should try to gather as many stories as we can and put it all together into a book.”
“That’s a great idea!  We could ask everyone to submit whatever stories they want, whether from High School or what’s happened to them since.  I bet we could get it all together and publish it for the reunion. Let me look at something.” Jaime was searching out a website on her computer. “Got it.  We could self-publish the books in full color for about $70 per book up to 150 copies.  It could be a sort of updated yearbook.”
“Of course that will be a lot of work,” Mona hesitated.
“Come on, I think we need to do this.  I’ll tell you what, we can put up a poll on the page to see if people would be interested.  We can ask if they would be willing to contribute as well as if they would be willing to buy one.”

A couple of new challenges for myself

I guess I'm just a glutton for punishment.  either that or I need pressure to write.  I've signed up for 2 events that are both happening next month and I'm excited about both of them.

The first event is Camp NaNoWriMo.  I did this event last August but I figured I would take on the April event this year as well.  This is similar to the NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) which is held in November, but in this event you can determine what you are doing and what your measure of success is.  I decided to follow through on the same theme as the November event and will again be writing a 50,000+ word novel during the month.

Of course, just because that might not be enough pressure, I also signed up for the NYC Midnight Screen Writing Challenge of which the first round will take place on April 24- May 2.  Just to add a little bit of fun to things.  I found the Short Screen Play Challenge last year to be fun and informative in terms of what I wrote and the feedback from both peers and the judges was invaluable.  I hope to apply that to this challenge.

So, if you are looking for a challenge or inspiration, these are 2 upcoming event I recommend.

Have fun and WRITE!

To be a writer, one must write

Honestly, that is all it takes to be a writer - writing.  Now to be a successful writer, writing needs to become a habit.  I've been following both Paul Guyot (@Fizzhogg) and Brian Koppelman (@BrianKoppelman) both on twitter and their own blogs (http://paulguyot.net/ and http://briankoppelman.com/ respectively) for a while now and I have learned so much from them.

All of their advice and wisdom, however boils down to the fact that to be a writer you have to write. Every. Single. Day.  Write when its easy and the words just seem to flow onto the page of their own volition.  Write on the days when you have no idea what to write about as well.

Don't be intimidated by the empty page. Rather hear its siren call, begging you to put pen to paper and fill it with your words. Those words don't have to make sense at first, write what you feel and what you want others to feel.  Write about what you see and hear and smell and feel around you.  Its amazing how the slightest prod can turn into some of the most wonderful stories or scenes or dialogue that you've ever written.

Don't get me wrong, just as often as not, when you do this you may get something that's god awful.  that's OK too!  The process of expressing yourself is a learned behavior and the more you practice it the easier it becomes. Nothing written is a waste of your time.  Everything helps you to become a better writer.

So, have you written today?  I have. :)

The results are in...

The second round results from the NYC Midnight Short Screenplay Challenge have been posted and while I didn't make the cut to move on to the semi-final round, I did earn points in both of the first 2 rounds. To me that is pretty exciting - in my group, I wrote well enough to place ninth int he first round and fifteenth in the second round.  My total point score was 7.  It took 17 points to make it into the next round in my group.

The experience was wonderful and it helped me to push my boundaries and explore screenwriting. I actually like it and am definitely going to do more of it. I will take the feedback from both the judges and the peer reviews under consideration for future writing of all kinds.  Much of it was screenplay specific but other comments had more to do with setting and character development and I know I can improve that in much of what I write.

Will I do it again, probably.  Will I look for other challenges to help me expand and hone my craft - definitely.

The Hidden Score

Here is my submission for Round 2 of the NYC Midnight Short Screen Play Challenge. Our Genre was Crime Capre, Our Location was A Video Arcade and our object was A Bottle Of Olive Oil.

Enjoy!

THE HIDDEN SCORE

Who knew olive oil could be so special and rare.

FADE IN:

EXT. URBAN STREET WITH HISTORIC BUILDINGS, DAYTIME. COLORFUL ENTRANCE TO OLD STOREFRONT WITH SIGN ABOVE IN NEON THAT SAYS 'LANDINO'S FAMILY FUN CENTER.'

Beth (Early twenties redhead, 5' 4" with athletic build wearing jeans, tennis shoes and hoodie over t-shirt which reads 'Journey') and Tommy (Early twenties, heavy build, dirty blond crew cut, wearing jeans, and t-shirt with Pacman on it with a back pack on his back)Rush up the street towards the door.

BETH

(Slightly out of breath as they hurry along) You're sure we just needed the one bottle?

TOMMY

Yes. Bruce said that was the last thing we needed. 'The one with the mark on the label.'

BETH

OK, I just wanted to make sure.

Tommy reaches the door first and opens it, holding it for Beth to enter and following himself.

CUT TO:

INT. OF ARCADE DIMLY LIT AND NOISY WITH VARIOUS SOUNDS OF VIDEO GAMES.

Beth and Tommy work their way through the crowded arcade heading towards the back with the door to the work area.

TOMMY

Excuse me.  Sorry, Excuse me, pardon me, pardon me, excuse me, excuse me, pardon me, coming through.

BETH

Sorry, Thank you, Sorry. You know I just love that old Bugs Bunny routine.

Tommy reaches the door first and knocks on it 3 times, waits for 2 beats and then knocks 3 more times. After a short delay 2 knocks are barely heard back over the noise of the arcade. Tommy knocks twice more and the door opens revealing a dimly lit room within and a skinny, balding man in his late 30's dressed in a suit.

CUT TO:

INT.WORKROOM/OFFICE OF ARCADE. SEVERAL TABLES WITH MISCELLANEOUS ELECTRONIC PARTS STREWN AROUND AND A DESK COVERED WITH PAPERS. SHELVES FULL OF OTHER PIECES AND PARTS LINE THE WALLS OF THE ROOM. BEHIND THE DESK IS A WELL USED, WORN LEATHER EXECUTIVE CHAIR.

Pops (an older gentleman in his mid 60's, 6'4" with a shock of stark white hair and a wiry build) is on the phone while he sits in the chair behind the desk and looks towards the door as Bruce lets Tommy and Beth in.

POPS

(into the phone) Yeah, they just arrived... I haven't had a chance yet.  I'll let you know when I find out...OK...later...bye.

He hangs up the phone and stands to talk to Beth and Tommy.

POPS

Did you find it?  Did you find the Ozzastru?

TOMMY

(With a tone of suffering and lack of understanding) Yeah we found the olive oil in the locked cabinet, right where you said. What's so special about this olive oil, anyway?

POPS

(With a sharp tone and then exacerbation at having to explain to him one more time)Ozzastru is not just olive oil, it is the finest of oils made from the first pressing of olives from what is regarded to be the mother tree in Santu Baltolu di Carana in Sardinia, Italy. 

Tommy takes off his backpack, reaches in a retrieves a bottle. He hands it to POPS.

TOMMY

I get that, but what makes this so special?

POPS

The oil is said to have the power to restore health and beauty, but what's important to us is that it is worth $150 per ounce and each bottle contains twelve ounces.

BETH

So, you're saying that each bottle is worth 15 grand?

POPS

No, do the math again - Eighteen hundred dollars a bottle.

TOMMY

Times twenty four bottles, that's over forty thousand dollars a case!

POPS

Now you see why it was so important to obtain a verified bottle to authenticate the case. I happen to know of another 11 cases sitting in customs right now.

TOMMY

I get it now! There's money in oil!

Just then there is a knock at the door. Pops quickly puts the bottles into the box while Bruce heads to open the door.

POPS

Ah, that should be Mr. Samuels, right on time. Bruce, let him in.

Bruce opens the door and a very well dressed man enters the room followed by a bodyguard type carrying a briefcase. Pops stands and walks over to greet Mr. Samuels.

POPS

Mr. Samuels.  So nice to see you again.  Welcome to my humble establishment.

SAMUELS

Let's not pretend this is a friendly transaction.  You have something of mine I wish to retrieve.

POPS

You are mistaken. I am offering you something of value that I have acquired.

SAMUELS

I see. So there is more than what I lost?

POPS

See for yourself. I have a full case for sale.

SAMUELS

That's a deal.

POPS

But you haven't heard the price...

Just then the door is broken open with uniformed men rushing into the room and the bodyguard pulls a gun and badge from within his coat.

BODYGUARD

(yelling) FREEZE! FBI.  You are under arrest.

POPS

You're FBI?

SAMUELS

No, but I do love my oil and when your man took it, I contacted my friend here to get it back.

BRUCE

(Laughing) You idiot, I'm with Customs. We got word of a smuggler trafficking in stolen oil and set up this sting.

SAMUELS

Stand down men.(to BRUCE) you know that bottle he took was fake?

BRUCE

We did.  We've been tracking them since they left Greece.

POPS

So you mean there is no real Ozzastru here? 

BRUCE

Nope. We've got eleven more cases of fake as well.

POPS

Any chance I could keep this case as a memento?

BRUCE

Sure, in fact since the shipper is in the wind, I'll send the other cases over as well for the trouble.

POPS

Thank you, you are too kind.

Bruce, the uniformed officers as well as the Bodyguard and Samuels leave the office.

POPS

OK gang. I'm sorry. I couldn't let you know it wasn't a real job, but we had to follow their lead. Looks like we aren't getting rich today.  Sorry guys. Maybe next time. Tell you what the drinks are on me this evening.

They all file out leaving Pops alone in the office. His walks to his desk and dials the phone.

POPS

Hello... Yeah I'm alone. Got the bottle here. Its not even extra virgin? You are bad. OK, I'll retrieve them and bring them home. I know, I know there are 12 of them in each. We’ll get the rest when the cases come up for auction. Love you too dear.

He retrieves the marked bottle from the case and heads over to the sink where he grabs the strainer, opens the oil and pours it in. As the oil drains out twelve large diamonds are revealed.

Fade out.