Throwing off the Yoke of Despair

I’m not a happy camper.  Really.  Why, you might ask?  I haven’t written anything in several days.  Eleven days to be exact.  Eleven days, twenty-two hours, and thirty minutes to be precise.  I know, who cares?  But, not writing makes me, not happy.

I have spent the last eleven days, twenty-two hours, and thirty-odd minutes reading.  Reading scripts.  Lots of scripts.  I’ve read scripts by Shane Black, Joe Eszterhas, Mike Werb & Michael Colleary, Quentin Tarantino, and all the Usual Suspects.

And, to be honest, I’m tired of reading scripts. 

I miss the writing, the creativity, the time spent with my characters in their worlds.  But, I did learn things.  Things that will – I hope – make me a better writer.  And the desire to become better writers is something none of us – regardless of where we are in our careers – should ever not strive for. 

Okay, what did I learn?

·         Action lines should be conversational in tone.  After all, we are in the reader’s head telling them a story: Once upon on time…..

·         Character dialogue should sound as if two friends are chatting with one another.

·         Character introductions should cover both the physical and the emotional aspects of each character.

·         Show character attitude through dialogue.  If your character is a smart-ass, make him sound like a smart ass.  If she is sweet and naïve, make her sound sweet and naïve.

·         If there is a need for exposition and/or backstory, let it come out in a normal conversation between two characters.

·         Note character reactions in Action lines.

·         Characters can and should talk about another character to give us additional insight into that character.

·         Leave your voice on the page.

Most of these points, if not all, we have heard or read before, but like most good advice it dribbles in one ear and pours out the other.  It’s good from time to time to ‘re-educate’ ourselves; to  dribble that advice into our heads over and over and over until it sticks.

How ‘bout you, my one or two faithful readers?  How long have you ever gone without writing?  How did it make you feel?  Did you return to the keyboard resolved to be a better writer?  Let me know.

Today, things change for the better.  Today, I throw off the yoke of despair.  Today, I can be happy again as I, 

Keep Writing!