Quick Update

July 30, 2008 at 23:06 pm (Games, Writing) (, , , , , )

To say I’ve been busy the last few days would be something of an understatement, but I thought I better just give a quick status update as I’ve got a few things on at the moment.

Firstly, the “30 Days of Text” . . . oh boy. What started from a tiny little “wouldn’t it be cool?” post on the forums at Worth has grown into something bigger than I ever thought it would. Inspired by the photographer’s daily photograph project, I figured it would kinda cool to have a Text version where everyone vows to write once per day for a whole month on whatever subject or form they like. It’s now got quite a big turn out, a structure, rules and it’s own writer’s group over at Multiply (I’m assured the layout will change soon). I’m trying to keep philosophical about it, as I think the aim should be to have fun, play, experiment and see where the discipline takes us rather than turn it into a competition or something overly rigourous, but it seems to have fallen into place. I’ll post my daily snippets here, but I’ve also got a personal page going over at multiply too keep up with the community spirit (I’m stillbeing over there).

On top of this daily writing practice, I’ve got the deadline for Short and Sweet fast approaching . . . I’m putting an entry up and it seemed to go down well at Script Tease this Monday but it’s getting to the point where I can’t tamper with it anymore. It’s a comedy and I’ve been toying with it for a while now and I think it’s up to standards but I still get the same doubts: is it funny enough? Is it just a bland, soulless fluff piece devoid of meaning or impact? What’s the point? Is it really just crap and I’ve been delusional in thinking that anyone would want to read it? I know that’s all just harmful thinking, but you can’t help wondering these things. Oh well, it’s comedy and light entertainment so I really shouldn’t be putting so much weight on it and I’ve got a lot of positive comments in the past, but still . . . 

And lastly, the Film Festival is on at the moment. I’ve managed to catch two films so far and I might see what else I can go to on the weekend but as usual I’m super-busy weeknights which means I’m missing a lot of things. Last year was great – I’d see whatever session that sounded interesting at 5:15 after work, get a glass of red wine if I had a bit of money free and just kick back, but with dancing and everything else that’s been going on that hasn’t really been possible this year and I already know there are a few films I’d like to see that I’ll miss. Anyway, I might post reviews of the films I saw last weekend soon, so stay tuned for that.

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First stories are up!

June 25, 2008 at 19:13 pm (Plays, Short Stories, Writing) (, , , )

Now we’re down to the nitty-gritty! You’ve got two stories to choose from today: a snow-storm romance in Two Strangers in the Snow or a boozy New Years gone wrong in Just another New Year’s Eve Story. Both were originally featured on Worth1000; Two Strangers appeared in the Romance (Under Stress) competition – write an 800 word story about love blossoming in a difficult or dangerous situation and placed 2nd, and New Year’s Eve Story took 7th place in the New Year competition (no prizes for guessing the topic of that one). This one had a bit of criticism levelled at the ending, but reading back I quite like it so let me know what you think.

I probably wouldn’t consider these my finest works, but they’re just a taster of things to come. I’ll be adding stories fairly regularly from here on, so check the Short Story link on the side bar for more details.

Two Strangers in the Snow
Just Another New Year’s Eve Story

 

I took my script along to Script Tease this week and got some really good feedback. I got a few laughs in the funny bits and people seemed to have a clue of what it was about rather than just going “huh?” like last time, so that’s promising. We only read the first two scenes and there are some adjustments I’d like to make but I’m starting to feel like I’m writing these first scenes over, and over, and over again. I need to progress because it’s demoralising rewriting the same ground continuously. I started sketching out other scenes while I was at the laundromat last Sunday so I think I’m reading to commit those to the pages. I’m just so busy and and tired and strung out at the moment it’s hard to find time, and I’ve got two more stories to write for Worth yet . . . stupid full-time work, always getting in the way!

Anyway, hope you enjoy my stories and feel free to leave any feedback!

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