Tuesday, January 25, 2005

BUSY, AND YET NOT BUSY ENOUGH

Had a busy long weekend -- wasn't really a holiday, but Hunter's school had the day off for no particularly good reason, so we had him and a friend over all Monday, so it felt like one. When you're both writers, you can be flexible.

We did, however, get some good work done on Billy Wes. But I keep thinking of that as Lisa's project. It's not really, but I want her to do as much of the writing as possible. That's partly because it's more efficient and I like to delegate, but it's more because she has a unique voice, and a real feel for the characters, who have been living in her head for twenty years. If I take it over, I'm scared it will become more standard-issue. I know what the go-to plot devices are, and she doesn't. The go-to plot devices work, but I'd rather we come up with fresher stuff.

I'm also waiting for Lisa to re-outline Crafty TV Writing for the book proposal. I wound up writing 45 some-odd pages, which is not an outline, it's an extended pamphlet. I need her to boil it down -- I know too much, while she's closer to what the publishing house editor who will read the outline knows.

Which leaves me without an official current project. I got some good notes from my friend Jamie on Unseen, as always, but they're not more than a few hours' work, I don't think. I could go take another look at the Unseen TV pitch, but it's in pretty good shape. I'm waiting for negotiations to proceed on Exposure. In other words I have one script and one series pitch in the bank, waiting to go out.

What's next? That's the question. What should Alex write so he doesn't go bonkers?

I should think about TV pitches. But like most people I find it hard to just think about stuff in the abstract. It's easier to do that with someone. Which means Lisa (if I wanna keep it in the family!), but she's got work to do. Aside from Billy Wes and my outline, mind, she has her own nonfiction book to write -- with a deadline looming in August!

So I'm a bit at loose ends. I've been noodling around with this blog and my website, looking for interesting resources -- like the fabulous On Writing series at the WGA East website --- good, but too short. There's stuff on the WGA West website, but it's not as in depth -- there are fewer real insider details. Anyway, reading does not satisfy the itch.

Hmmmmmm....

8:26 AM

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