Reay Jespersen

So I dropped the ball a week ago.

In failing my first attempt at 100 words a day for 100 days, I got back on the saddle and did it right the second time. Not only that, blew past the original 100 days and kept going. And I recently amped that up to 200 words a day. Not a lot, perhaps, for someone aspiring to be a writer, but far more than I’ve (perhaps ever) consistently written in the past.

Then last week some time I woke up in the morning and realized that I hadn’t done my words the day before. We’d had friends over the previous night, and my watch alarm had gone off at the set time - a last-ditch reminder I used to get my words done if I hadn’t done so previously each day - but I didn’t do them. Time was, particularly amid the 100 words a day for 100 day challenge, I would’ve been mortified. But I was strangely alright with it.

In part I think it’s because I realized that while I want to make a living from writing, every writer has his own approach to getting that writing done. And while I’d stuck firmly to the 100 words a day for 100 days challenge (v2.0) and beyond, while the challenge was clearly designed to get a person into the habit of writing every day, that never really took for me. It was always something I went out of my way to do (first thing in the (early) morning, over lunch, etc.), or was reminded to do (typically via watch alarm and sometimes via Jackie).

And it was shortly after that, in an I Should Be Writing interview podcast, that I heard China Mieville say that he doesn’t really have any particular approach to writing. He doesn’t do it every day, nor at the same time, nor in the same place, nor anywhere near a consistent volume of words.

The point is, every writer approaches writing differently. Doing the daily thing was never really my bag, and at times felt like I was just writing to fulfill the agreement with myself, not writing becuase I had anything I was particularly passionate about writing. And there’s a strong argument to be made for stopping (or changing tactics) when something you love doing starts feeling like an obligation.

Hence, as I lay there awake on the morning of realization that I hadn’t written for the first time in what I figure is in the range of a year and four months (give or take), I was actually ok with it. Time to revisit the drawing board and see what else I can try in order to keep the writing both flowing and interesting to me. Any and all suggestions on that score are, as always, welcomed.

Talk soon.

Having been idly wondering lately what I should be doing with my website - what I could talk about, what I should focus on, how often I should post, the best way to do whatever it is I decide to do, etc. - I’ve finally decided that the very least I can do is post regularly (as I can’t in all honesty see doing it daily) on what I’m doing with writing. Well… really, I guess the “least I can do” is ignore the site completely and drink whilst playing Wii, but you get the point. It seems simple enough, particularly given the concept of having a site in the first place years ago was to promote my writing. I’ve tried to do this before, but not with any real determination to make it stick. Well, consider me determined.

In that light, a new update: in one of my pitches today involving a werewolf screenplay - and there are some of you who will doubtless know precisely the one I mean - I was told by the rep that he was going to pas on it; that werewolves aren’t a big seller; that in part it’s because vampires are sexy (and werewolves, the implication concluded, weren’t). And I certainly understand the point. I’ve tied vampires and sexiness together since Christopher Lee played Dracula, and there’s been no lack of underscoring the point in the many years since.

I asked him about New Moon, the Meyer book/pending movie that involves werewolves in a broader storyline which has females from high school to retirees getting hot under the collar. He countered, fairly, by pointing out that yes, that one story involves werewolves, but it’s really in an overarching - and initiated - story involving sexy vampires. I had to grant him the point.

But the more I thought about the comment through the day, the more I wondered: why can’t werewolves be sexy?

It’s true there would seem to be more innate sexy characteristics to vampires: they’re often from a bygone (romantic) era, and have gaunt (nay, chiseled) features, intense eyes, oddly ubiquitous athletic figures… all of course just too much for the enthralled females to resist; who fight off dark temptations but ultimately succumb, offering up their thrusted (bosoms and) necks to be feasted on.

HOT.

Werewolves, though, are by nature beastial. Maybe even as much animal as human. And could it not be sexy to give in to animal instincts, particularly when it comes to sex (or steamy, sensual innuendos thereof)? The alpha male: a dominant male figure protecting those under his care, including the females, who knows his needs must be fulfilled. And you want to talk convincing cases for lean, athletic figures? Werewolves are finely tuned creatures of action: they hunt, they chase, they fight, they kill…

And on a personal note, I’d like to say that since I first saw American Werewolf In London, likely at too early an age, I can no longer hear Van Morrison’s “Moondance” without thinking of the sex scene. That kind of thing makes an impression on a (young) guy, and the impression is that werewolves can damn well be sexy when presented the right way. That, and that sex looks really interesting.

So, I’ve taken the rep’s causal comment as a challenge. I’m officially taking on the task of writing a sexy story about werewolves. And not just via descriptions of hot men and women who happen to be werewolves standing around looking good and having sex (although…), but by giving the whole thing a genuinely sexy vibe. Which will prove interesting, as I’ve never really done much geared that way. But then, it wouldn’t be a challenge if it was easy. You know… by it’s nature.

No idea what form the story will take, and no promises about when it will be completed, but if it’s the last thing I do (and it may be), the story will be written.

Talk soon.

“Well it’s a marvelous night for a moondance
with the stars up above in your eyes.
A fantabulous night to make romance
‘neath the cover of October skies…”

All cards on the table. I don’t like pitching. I get its use - encapsulating an idea in order to save the both writer and production companies/reps time in knowing whether or not it’s something that may be production-worthy - but I’m really not a fan of it.

Here’s my thing: I got into writing screenplays because my best friend suggested that since I’m a visual thinker (still true) and enjoyed writing (ditto), why not work toward a visual medium and write screenplays? Brilliant! So, many years later, here I sit, having written several screenplays, and over the last few years also getting into TV show concepts, development, and episode writing. All while working on short stories and haikus and book ideas and game concepts and whatever else srtikes me from one day to the next, of course. Take it from one who knows: inside my head is never a boring place to be.

But the point is that screenplays and teleplays allow me to take the story visions I have and present them in a form which will, ideally, become a visual medium. And to have to pitch that not only removes the material one more generation from its intended form - a vision forced into written words, and then those written words re-formed into vastly truncated verbal ones which strive to convey the whole original vision - but also puts me in the uncomfortable position of having to be the proactive one in talking to people I don’t know. And not only has that never been a happy place for me, but worse still, I’m sitting there squirming to lay out part of myself - my stories - for the close scrutiny of these people.

Meanwhile there’s part of me saying hey, I’m an award-winning writer (albeit of severely modest degree). I know for a fact that at its best, my writing can convey more power and emotion than I’ll ever be able to manage while sitting and trying to convince someone else of its merits. Writing about music is like dancing about architecture, as the saying goes. And verbally pitching about writing strikes me the same way: it’s one artform striving to relay another. Two very different disciplines that have been intertwined, and where failure at one could so easily result in the other never being seen at all, quality be damned.

Had I mentioned I’m not a fan?

In any case, I’m happy to say that despite the frayed nerves and buckets of sweat the day produced, Pitch Expo 2009 was generally a success for me. Not everyone I pitched to seemed huge on the various stuff I was offering up, but more did… and some just loved it. And it’s with thanks I offer a tip of my proverbial hat to the reps who went above and beyond the call to not only hear me out and seem encouraging, but also offer advice on how I could build on what I’ve got. In one particular case, this opened up a whole new world of possibilities for me to mull over and pair up with current (and future) TV series ideas, hopefully making future pitches (*sigh*) stronger.

Another cool aspect of events like this is bringing an ecclectic group of people together who form new relationships. And luckily, with most people in the world being more comfortable at breaking the ice than I am, several people took the first step and introduced themselves, or asked how my day had gone, or how such’n such a prodco rep seemed when I pitched, etc. To all of them I’d like to say a big thanks for being the ones to make the first move. I’m hoping you all got the (accurate) impression that I’m happy to talk once I get to know you a bit, but that making the first move to that end just isn’t my forte. Which of course may have something to do with my take on pitching…

In any case, a special thanks to Josh, Meryl, Kelly/Kaz, Jesse, and Yolanda. Glad to have met all of you (in Jesse’s case, again). What mutual writing benefits may come of the new relationships are one thing, but a good friend recently pointed out to me how important family and friends are in life. Here’s hoping we can all improve each other’s lives by staying in touch.

By sheer luck, I came across an article about a new website dedicated to new and emerging Canadian writers. I checked it out briefly and saw they had a contest for short childrens’ stories. It deadlines in a couple of weeks, so I’ve got to get cracking. Happily, I seem to work much better when deadlines are imposed on me for writing. Happier still, I got an idea out of the blue a couple of nights ago that I think could work really well as a short story for kids.

Already working on it.

More updates on contests as they come up…

I find myself in a new, and pleasant, headspace this morning.

While I continue to bat a thousand on the 100 words a day challenge, I confess that I generally still have to make myself do the words, or at least remember to do them, and the nighttime alarm on my watch - set to go off as a reminder to do my words if I hadn’t done them previously from one day to the next - has saved my bacon an embarrassing number of times. Point being, the daily writing isn’t yet a habit, which is frankly a bit disappointing.

There are causes for it not being a daily routine, of course. Some of which are genuine reasons, but some of which, were I to take a bit of time and consider them at all seriously, are more likely excuses. There’s all too often stuff I’d rather be doing with my time, and when it comes to free time, I find writing is one of many things that appeal. A lot of that time, the other things win out.

What I’m rather happy about, however, is that this morning I find myself in a new headspace about writing. Not that I felt (at least, often) that daily writing was a chore, but it was all too rare that I was actively looking forward to doing it. Today, I find that’s rather drastically changed. Even though I’m in the midst of a page 1 re-write on what will work out to be a kids’ novel - perhaps a couple of dozen pages in on the first crack at it, I didn’t like the way it was developing, and figured starting from scratch would be a better approach than patching up what I’d done - there’s something now new and appealing about it. Perhaps it’s the result of the re-write itself; being happier with the way it’s working out. But it feels like it’s more than that… as though I want to write (vs. the all-too often desire to complete writing projects; a notable difference).

Hopefully it’s a new, and long-lasting, outlook talking, and is inspired by the work I’ve set ahead of myself instead of by the Excedrin I took an hour ago for the headache I woke up with. Should know by tomorrow. Hell, should know within a few hours, after the Excedrin has run its course and if I still have the itch - which I haven’t had in far too long, and have dearly missed - to get back to writing.

Here’s hoping it’s the latter.

So I’ve got a lot happening these days, creativity-wise.
Along with the usual writing projects I’m pecking away on, Jackie and I have teamed up with some friends to work on one creative outlet - a potential money maker, if we can get out collective asses in gear and actually put the idea in motion - and I’m working with another friend on a comic strip idea. Not a comic book, mind you, but a 4-panel strip like you find in the Comics section of newspapers.

It’s kind of cool because I’ve never worked in that format before, which always interests me. It’s a pretty specific discipline. Having written up a couple dozen by this point, though, I think I’m getting the feel for them.

The friend’s name is Eric Kim. He’s got a pretty cool website that showcases some of his work, and he’ll definitely bring a professional level to the artwork which my stick figures just wouldn’t get.

I’ll post a link when the strips start showing up on his site.

Meanwhile, I’m just trying to find a balance among all these things, plus life and a job, and writing away…

So I entered a screenwriting contest online last week, deftly submitting it on the last day of the early bird reduced rate. I sent in the one I’ve gotten the most traction with, which I’ve never claimed is brilliant or the best thing ever put to paper or even an Oscar contender but is, I can say as objectively as possible under the circumstances, hands down better than some of the stuff being produced these days. And I’d say that’s a pretty fair measuring stick.
Will it be the best movie ever?
No.
Ok, is it better than some of the stuff bring produced these days?
Hell yes.
BAM.

In any case, the automated system said that I’d hear back within three days if there was anything wrong with the attachment. Apparently such is not the case, as I haven’t heard anything, which means my little screenplay is on its way to certain fame and money-making! At least… such is the case in my head.

So I was attending a panel discussion on books tonight, and caught up afterwards with the guy who, as it turns out, runs HarperCollins Canada. We chatted one-on-one for about ten minutes. Very genial guy who, of course, I hope will ultimately be greenlighting some of my own work in the near future.
I get the impression my knees were shaking from more than the cold, but if he picked up on any nervousness, he certainly didn’t let on.

Overall awesome?
Yes.

So I’ve entered the annual Toronto Star Short Story contest yet again. Here’s hoping I’ll pull off better than a runner up position this time around. Sadly, I won’t hear back about it for a few months yet.

In the mean time, I’ve decided to start entering more contests. Not only will I finally be taking advantage of some of the contests through e-mail lists I’m on, but I’ll finally start taking advantage of the contest material I’ve started highlighting in last year’s Writers Market.

And in the mean time-mean time, I’m still actively writing every day (a holdover from that 100 day challenge touched on a while back), and though my focus is still split among various projects, it’s at least fewer things than it has been before, which is getting more done all around.

I’ll also try to update the website here more often. No promises, though.

Ok, so no Cuba pics posted. Yet, anyway. Jackie and I have been a little busy of late, what with… oh… buying a house, and all. So I’ve been a little distracted. That, plus a crunch time the last few weeks at work, and now adding onto that my wanting to put an entry or two in for the Animax script contest. Which happens to deadline a few days after our move date. Nothing like heaping up one’s plate nice and full!

So I will be posting Cuba pics soon, but perhaps house pics sooner.

Stay tuned!