Decisions, Decisions
Here's my dilemma:
I have three writing projects going at once (and no agent or contract or anything, just me and my incredible literary drive). We'll call them A, B and C.
For the past few weeks I've been working on C.
Before that I was working on B.
But it's becoming clear to me (I think) that the one I really need to finish first is A.
Oh, what the heck: C is a screenplay, B is a book about martial arts, and A is a book called "Breakfast With The Pope," about the time my husband and I spent in Castelgandolfo when JP II was alive (basically that's what it's about, there's more obviously-- oh, there I go again).
I'm starting to feel I should put all my energies into BWP.
Plus keep this blog going.
So that's what I'm wrestling with, people. All you writer types out there know exactly how it feels. Just thought I'd get some kvetching off my chest.
I have three writing projects going at once (and no agent or contract or anything, just me and my incredible literary drive). We'll call them A, B and C.
For the past few weeks I've been working on C.
Before that I was working on B.
But it's becoming clear to me (I think) that the one I really need to finish first is A.
Oh, what the heck: C is a screenplay, B is a book about martial arts, and A is a book called "Breakfast With The Pope," about the time my husband and I spent in Castelgandolfo when JP II was alive (basically that's what it's about, there's more obviously-- oh, there I go again).
I'm starting to feel I should put all my energies into BWP.
Plus keep this blog going.
So that's what I'm wrestling with, people. All you writer types out there know exactly how it feels. Just thought I'd get some kvetching off my chest.
I expend all my writing energies by writing about disparate subjects and keeping up ridiculous amounts of correspondence.
ReplyDeleteTrying to be charming, clever and feckless at the same time is no prize.
-J.
"Castelgandolfo when JP II" ?!!?
ReplyDeleteI'd say that is the highest priority. If you get it done there is a huge market right now for books on JP II.
What an amazing experience!
Do "B" first and get it out of the way. Besides it sounds the weirdest. Can you combine it with "A" and "C"? Maybe an action thriller screenplay where you and hubby, using your martial arts skills, save the Pope from terrorists? Like in the opening chapters of Patriot Games?
ReplyDeleteI like that idea!! haha!! Defiantly will get you inthe paperback market!
Kvetch away, sister! I know the feelin'.
ReplyDeleteAnd I have to throw in my vote for the "combine A, B, and C" idea mentioned by a previous poster.
Kind of a twisted take on "The Da Vinci Code" maybe?
Seriously though, I say work on the book first. Finish it, hope that Oprah picks you up for her book club and wait for it to hit #1 on the NY Times best seller list. Then you'll have studios banging your door down, offering 6 figures for the rights to BWP. Isn't it proven that screenplays based on novels have a MUCH better shot at being produced than original screenplays?
"Breakfast with the Pope"...go for it.
No, no, no.
ReplyDeleteBefore working on any of those projects you need to make a fresh pot of coffee.
Which will remind you that the fridge has the makings for a huge pot of chili you can then put in smaller containers and freeze for dinners through the winter.
Which leads to clearing the counter of school papers, sorting them into a) save for your child's future museum built to preserve all the significant ephemera of their monumental life, eternally grateful to the foresight of you, their honored parent, b) may need for homework in the next few weeks, or c) toss.
Then the phone rings, and you say yes to another nice person who's asked you to do a speaking gig that likely will pay little beyond a chicken dinner and another night away from your family.
Which leads to checking through your daytimer entries through 2007 until school lets out, and the creature (beloved creature) comes home.
Please tell me this is how you get productive work done . . .