Advice from Lawrence Block

According to my good pal Kody Chamberlain, "Lawrence Block tells everyone to give up. They don't have what it takes. He says if they have what it takes they'll do it no matter what."

Words to live by.

Battling

After exhaustive attempts got me exactly nowhere for most of the last two weeks, I finally managed to stick a fork in one of the pitches I was working on. No idea what it reads like as a story or a pitch, but it's a finished draft. And a draft means something complete is out there for the critiquing and revising.

Of course, I'm hoping it's brilliant and perfect and everyone will throw me on their shoulders and carry me to victory, but... reality and experience tell me it ain't to be. They'll tell me it's long, muddled, and the beginning of the third act needs work.

But that's cool, because 20 minutes ago I couldn't even ask anyone to read anything. Onward and upward, folks.

Tuesday Sucked

I don't even want to talk about today. Got completely derailed by bad news and got nothing done. Did have a good meeting about upcoming work, but I won't know for a bit if anything will come of it.

I'm just going to wake up tomorrow, run through the routine (water, teeth, exercise, smoothie, shower) and then spend an hour or so working on LYP. No email, no twitter. I don't care what needs to be addressed. It's waiting. Then I'll jump back on trying to make something of nothing, but the something needs to look or feel like the nothing.

I shaved my head yesterday and promised myself it's the last time I'm getting a haircut until I finish the screenplay. I have way too many ideas for follow-ups waiting on me to get this first one out of the way. No excuses. I will be the master of my own destiny.

Depending on other people/companies... you only get let down. Consistently. And for you it might be storytelling and trying to put something hot out there, but for them it's a business. When they think you can make them money, they'll come clamoring. You just have to handle your business and hone your craft until they see the light.

I'm gonna read some Mamet before bed, then wake up and handle my bidness. Two times.