I started off the day today feeling a bit melancholy for some reason. Grumpy, even. I can’t really tell you why because I didn’t know then and I still don’t really know now. I just woke up feeling that way.
Before I get too much into the feels, I would like to also say that the day started off, after walking the pups and eating breakfast, I FINISHED this new draft of Icarus. HUGE.
Actually…now that I remember, I do have one half-page scene to add to the cold open 😛 Forgot about that. But no biggie. I’ll do that tomorrow when I do a read-through.
It’s 9 pages over in length…which is a helluva lot better than 20 pages, no doubt. But, still, 9 pages is no small task to trim down. I think what I’m going to do is see what fat can be trimmed from each of my scenes over the next couple days, then see where that leaves me. I’m guessing it will be with a scene or two that will just have to go, but BEFORE I actually go and cut it, I want some peeps to read through and tell me where they thought things were dragging or unnecessary…and equally important, what the chraracter moments were that they really *loved* and need to stay in for sure because it hooked them into that person.
Once that’s done…I’m done, guys. Done with Icarus. For now. Moving on. If it gets traction in some manner somewhere in the hollywood sphere, I’ll revisit it then. For now, I have my first pilot script, my first writing sample, and I can use it for contests and as an example of my storytelling skillset.
I then went and played golf with the Joshypoo, and we caught up with each other. I was trying to explain how I’ve been feeling, which is this weird mix between really being in a groove creatively because I’ve been writing every morning without fail, and at the same time kinda feeling out of sorts and down a bit. It’s a new dynamic. Usually my creative output is insinuated with my mood…but not any more. Which is objectively a GOOD thing, guys. It means, at least right now, my writing routine is mood-proof. That’s a beautiful place to be. It’ll get done no matter what, and that’s the key to productivity.
Josh pointed out, and rightly so, that I put too much stock in what other people think about my work. I think putting stock in other people’s opinions of my own creations is wholly unnecessary, if I really get down and think about it…but that doesn’t mean it’s possible for me to actually practice that kind of blissful oblivion and uninterest. Better to simply recognize that it’s a fault, a waste of time, and to try and quiet those feelings and thoughts.
Which isn’t to say there was any particular incident to which either of us was referring to, it was more of a general observation – I care about how other people perceive my work. I do. I try not to as much as I can, especially when I’m actually writing, but it does still happen.
Anyway…we had a really wonderful round of golf, and had a great time talking and catching up about everything from a golf swing to Star Trek Enterprise.
Then I came home and ate, did some apartment building stuff, and took the pups out for a brisk walk. It was pretty damn cold today. I don’t think it broke 60, which is pretty cold for LA. I crashed for a nap after we got home, and epic nap that I’m actually not sure how long it was, and then I got up and played Skyrim for a bit. Then ate dinner, watched about half of The Magnificent Seven which I’d recorded a week or two ago (it’s so good) and then played Skyrim for about another hour. So much fun, that game. Love it.
Then the Ho came home and I cleaned up in the kitchen and took care of the nighttime routine with the pups, and here we are. Coops came up on the bed over on Liz’s side (she’s taking care of some YouTube stuff right now) and I wrapped him up in a little nest of blankets and Liz’s soft white shawl/sweater that was on the bed. He’s passed out now. Loves the nest I made.
And now it’s time for bed. Working tomorrow. Going to get two hours of writing done as well. That’s the plan, folks. Wish me luck.