(We open on a hallowed cubicle.)
WRITER
Bless me, Father-figure, for I have sinned.
Bless me, Father-figure, for I have sinned.
EDITOR
All are welcome here, my symbolic offspring.
All are welcome here, my symbolic offspring.
WRITER
It has been 31 days since my last confession.
It has been 31 days since my last confession.
EDITOR
What troubles you?
What troubles you?
WRITER
Lust!
Lust!
EDITOR
Oh.
Oh.
WRITER
And the fact I don’t act on it!
And the fact I don’t act on it!
EDITOR
You don’t…?
You don’t…?
WRITER
Father-figure, I desire to write, lust for the physical act but I can NOT consummate!
Father-figure, I desire to write, lust for the physical act but I can NOT consummate!
EDITOR
Dear me. My symbolic offspring, John Trimble Book One, Verse One says: “Pick a subject that means something to you, emotionally as well as intellectually.”*
Dear me. My symbolic offspring, John Trimble Book One, Verse One says: “Pick a subject that means something to you, emotionally as well as intellectually.”*
WRITER
I’m familiar with that, Father-figure. The problem is I have three script ideas begging for me.
I’m familiar with that, Father-figure. The problem is I have three script ideas begging for me.
EDITOR
Playing the field, you dog…
Playing the field, you dog…
WRITER
Not that way.
Not that way.
EDITOR
Sorry. You have a fear of commitment then?
Sorry. You have a fear of commitment then?
WRITER
Well…
Well…
EDITOR
My symbolic offspring, Epictetus believed, ‘If you would be a reader, read; if a writer, write.’
My symbolic offspring, Epictetus believed, ‘If you would be a reader, read; if a writer, write.’
WRITER
A lil simplistic for my taste.
A lil simplistic for my taste.
EDITOR
What’s that?
What’s that?
WRITER
Um, I have a full-time job, commitments at home, and I can never find the time to write.
Um, I have a full-time job, commitments at home, and I can never find the time to write.
EDITOR
You’re in Denial.
You’re in Denial.
WRITER
I am not!
I am not!
EDITOR
Every minute of every day is not spoken for. If you deny all of them because this one minute is taken, you do yourself and your script a disservice.
Every minute of every day is not spoken for. If you deny all of them because this one minute is taken, you do yourself and your script a disservice.
WRITER
But even five minutes a day…
But even five minutes a day…
EDITOR
Denial!
Denial!
WRITER
Fifteen is all—
Fifteen is all—
EDITOR
DEEE-NIGH-ALL!
DEEE-NIGH-ALL!
WRITER
All right, thirty minutes right after dinner and dishes!
All right, thirty minutes right after dinner and dishes!
EDITOR
Deeee…
Deeee…
WRITER
Five days a week!
Five days a week!
EDITOR
…lightful! (A long pause) Something else, my symbolic offspring?
…lightful! (A long pause) Something else, my symbolic offspring?
WRITER
I always do the first line well, but I have trouble doing the others.
I always do the first line well, but I have trouble doing the others.
EDITOR
Moliere?
Moliere?
WRITER
Yes, bless you.
Yes, bless you.
EDITOR
No prob.
No prob.
WRITER
I start a premise and think, ‘Sara Ruhl uses whimsy, so can I!’ Or I think, ‘Arthur Miller is direct and real, so I can’t do that.’
I start a premise and think, ‘Sara Ruhl uses whimsy, so can I!’ Or I think, ‘Arthur Miller is direct and real, so I can’t do that.’
EDITOR
Fear.
Fear.
WRITER
Well…
Well…
EDITOR
Doubt?
Doubt?
WRITER
No, I believe you.
No, I believe you.
EDITOR
My symbolic offspring, if you feel strongly about your subject and you have faith in your abilities, then put the damn draft on paper! Ninety percent of writing is rewriting. First tries are not first publications, they’re tries.
My symbolic offspring, if you feel strongly about your subject and you have faith in your abilities, then put the damn draft on paper! Ninety percent of writing is rewriting. First tries are not first publications, they’re tries.
WRITER
Father-figure?
Father-figure?
EDITOR
Yes?
Yes?
WRITER
One last question. One of my script ideas was inspired by Stanislavski—“The purpose of theater is to bring to light the life of the human soul.”
One last question. One of my script ideas was inspired by Stanislavski—“The purpose of theater is to bring to light the life of the human soul.”
EDITOR
A noble goal.
A noble goal.
WRITER
Shit, yeah.
Shit, yeah.
EDITOR
Do you doubt because the goal is so vaunted?
Do you doubt because the goal is so vaunted?
WRITER
No, I don’t know which soul he’s referring to—mine, my characters, or the audience.
No, I don’t know which soul he’s referring to—mine, my characters, or the audience.
EDITOR
You do know. It is all three, in that order. (He hums & then breaks into song) This little light of mine…
You do know. It is all three, in that order. (He hums & then breaks into song) This little light of mine…
WRITER (joins him)
I’m gonna let it shine.
I’m gonna let it shine.
EDITOR
I’m not gonna make it shine…
I’m not gonna make it shine…
WRITER & EDITOR
I’m gonna let it shine! Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!...
I’m gonna let it shine! Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!...
(They continue as they leave the confessional and nave of Strunk & White Chapel)
*This statement is actually from the Trimble book “Writing with Style.”
character(s)-- details to make us like 'em
ReplyDelete+goal (what do they want to get or do)
+obstacle(s)in the way
+struggle to overcome obstacle
+reaction to that(those) struggles (character personality)
=
story
Kendall Haven -- he says it's supposed to be easy when you approach it this way.
yes?
I need some help writing my Super Liam stories. I have to come up with a new one every night! It's tough! I'm running out of ideas! Tonight's involved a baby sneaking onto a rocketship. This is what happens when your editor is 3.
ReplyDeleteForget theme. Just tell the story. The theme will insinuate itself in places you won't even notice.
ReplyDelete