Between Cusco & Machu Picchu, Peru trip 2004April is one of my favorite months. In part because it's spring personified & in part because it contains my birthday. (April 22nd, Earthday, I become the 5.0 version of Laurel. Yee-haw.)
I am better at being me than I ever have been. That is something to celebrate. Really, I feel like every single day is my birthday, because every day is the new beginning of life.
Tonight is the second session of my screenwriting class. The text is Screenplay, by Syd Field, & I really LOVE this book. Not just for the practical screenwriting advice, but for the metaphorical metaphysics of it as well. For example, he tells us that if you don't know how to end the screenplay, write the ending you WANT to happen. He tells us that any action or dialogue should do one of two things: illuminate character or move the storyline forward. If it doesn't do one of those things, it doesn't belong in your screenplay. So, I extrapolate that into the realm of writing & creating a life & see the choice element: I'm going toward the ending I want & I get to pick the characteristics in my life that I would like to illuminate & if something isn't leading me toward what I want, well, why am I putting it there? Whining? Don't like that story. Worrying? Don't think so! Creative? Yep. Loving? Yep. (I could go on, but you get the picture. More importantly, I get the picture.) I'm the screenwriter & the director & central casting. I'm liking this movie. It's got magic & romance & adventure & peace & great scenery. & a thunderstorm. (But don't worry, I've unplugged my computer, so I won't get fried while bringing you these words.)
As a class, we came up with a character & her background, to start playing around with how to play around with screenplays. I have fallen in love with my ex-basketball player drug rep who has just moved back home with her parents at age 31. I might just keep working on this one for a while. (I got another really great idea, but it's more complicated so I think I might try to get one screenplay under my belt first.)
All righty then, time to go do something, anything, outside. One must take advantage of a good thunderstorm.
Blog alternative:
168. Imagine your life as a movie. What is the genre? Romantic comedy, action adventure, one of those real downers where you just know the main character is NOT going to get the good stuff? Remember, you're in charge. You can change the plot around (Hollywood does it all the time) & shoot new scenes & even go back & give old scenes new interpretation. If you don't like the genre, change it. Take creative control.
