New Writing Tool

I would like to start with an observation here. Do you ever find that when you are in a “hole” and asked for help? The first thing you are handed is a shovel and told to dig yourself out. It is kind of like when you are drowning and the lifeguard reminds you of the importance of staying hydrated during heavy physical exertion. It is just the wrong time for a lecture. And the wrong “tools” for the job.

I bring this up because we live in a time where it seems like most of the people want to buy themselves out of a “jam”. No one wants to work themselves out of it. Work smarter. They seem to throw money at the problem. The problem exists in the plan. It is not necessarily in the funding. But trying telling that to government officials and those in public education. For your safety avoid them when at all possible. Money does not insure quality. Watch Basic Instinct.

I was trying to find an affordable copy of Final Draft program. I realize that I needed a screenwriting tool. I learned a hard lesson in some of my screenwriting reviews. Format counts. I did not realize that a margin or indent than may be off by 1/8 of inch would be a problem. But remember “close” counts in horseshoes,hand grenades,thermonuclear war and the time I missed the tree and peed on my friend’s shoe. I could use the dreaded credit card thus digging into that “hole” just a little more. I was reading my reviews last week. I came across a recommendation for using a free scriptwriting program called Celtx. I was a little hesitant at first. I was thinking if it free than I was getting a low grade version that would wind up frustrating me. And so far, it has not been bad. I am slowly working my way through with it.

I wrote a short script using it. This script was just a short project just to get some ideas out. It is just one scene. Let me say a few things first. I was trying to write something. So I took some inspiration from by surroundings. I am trying to be a better writer. I do own an apartment building. And there four people living there. I am interested in what makes people coexist with each other. I also like stories with a cross section of people in it who under normal circumstances would never be together. I also like attempting to write (and I hope I do) interesting dialogue. I have known people who talk like this. I swear. I also like trying to find balance between comedy and drama. I think they can be interlaced. If you ever have a chance watched a MASH episode on DVD but turn the “laugh track” off. You will see what I mean. I am not sure if this scripted scene will lead to something. As I said I was just trying to write something.

Here is the link for the latest script. And feel free to send me a review.

I have also been re-reading Robert Rodriguez’s “10 Minute Film School”. Learning and Re-learning is a never ending cycle.