Five workdays later

[sun_set_bravely]

I started writing the first draft of my new screenplay (an adaptation of a book) last Tuesday. I finished it yesterday at 5pm. I am on fire. Now I have to type it up in the formatting program and then let it sit for a week. It was incredibly difficult to write at some points; it felt like I was pushing my pen through a brick. But I kept going. It needs many revisions, but as Anne Lamott says, I now have a shitty first draft.

Whoo-hoo!

In serendipitous celebration, this afternoon I will meet with my lawyer and start the process of inquiring about the film rights for the book.

Good morning, everyone.

Comments

[resilient.livejournal.com]

Woo!!! Great job!

[sun-set-bravely.livejournal.com]

I'll drink to that!

[microbie.livejournal.com]

Congrats! I always find the going easier after a first draft, which is why I'm an editor and not a writer, I guess. :)

[sun-set-bravely.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Yes, I had to keep reminding myself of that, too. Once I get it all on paper, I can revise!

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

Good morning. I hope your book rights acquisition goes well.

[sun-set-bravely.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[freak1c.livejournal.com]

Yeah, boo. Get them rights.

I'm pretty amazed that you can work from home considering the Mister factor.

[sun-set-bravely.livejournal.com]

I have developed a warrior-like concentration that can thwart almost any irresistable "please-scratch-my-belly" face he can throw at me. Ha-hah! Heee-yah!

[oceanic.livejournal.com]

You rock that sick tight accomplishment, girl. ;)
I'm so proud! Are we allowed to know the book title yet? Is it all a seeecret? And man, I'm with Chrisle it's almost more of an accomplishment to resist the Mister faces.

[sun-set-bravely.livejournal.com]

We are not allowed to tell the book title yet, because it is indeed a seeecret. When I've got the film rights signed over to me legally, done, 100%, then I'll feel comfortable sharing the title with a few people. As it is now, I'm all Gollum on this shit. No one must know! They'll steal my precious!

My brief interactions with Hollywood have made me paranoid. Yikes.

[oceanic.livejournal.com]

No joke, there's a damn good reason for that paranoia. I will keep the location of your birthday present safe for the time being. ;)
Until you're ready to conquer Middle Earth with your... screenplay.

Congratulations!! *small airhorn*

[schpahky.livejournal.com]

Damn, woman. You need cookies.

[sun-set-bravely.livejournal.com]

And now, I have them. Three dozen of them! The eating frenzy begins!

[curmudgeon.livejournal.com]

I had no idea that's how it worked! I would have assumed it was better to acquire the rights before putting in the work on the screenplay. Go you!

[sun-set-bravely.livejournal.com]

That might be true in many cases. In this case, I knew that I'd rather have the script ready to sell as soon as the legal rights come through. I also know that these full-time writing days are something I must take advantage of while I have them, because my savings isn't endless and I'll need to get paid work at some point in the future.

Also, if someone already owns the rights, I have a better negotiation point for them to hire me as the writer: I already have a dazzling script written!

[paularubia.livejournal.com]

Wow. That's damned fast writing!

[sun-set-bravely.livejournal.com]

And I have the sore arm to show for it!

[poetbear.livejournal.com]

congratulations on finishing! get those rights!
get those rights! get those rights! ~paul

[sun-set-bravely.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm slowly learning about the business side of film; it turns out that I'm actually trying to option the film rights for a year, which is something different altogether. Ah, the learning curve. It keeps me on my toes!

[poetbear.livejournal.com]

learning is a good place to be!~paul

[waitsfortherain.livejournal.com]

All the best with it!! Pity I'm not an actor in America to tell my agent to try and get me any part in it.

[sun-set-bravely.livejournal.com]

Thank you! :)