So excited!!!

I have a concept. A good character, complete with her flaws. Is the villian bad enough? Bad enough to be her equal? Hm....

I completed Round 1 of the BS2 (see previous post).  I emailed it to my group and got helpful feedback, although some of the comments told me that a couple of them don't actually read but pick out choice words and form opinions...

Completed Round 2 of the BS2! Emailed it to everyone, including my teacher/mentor. We will discuss it today in class, as we will discuss everyones.

I'm so excited! I've done a good amount of research for this plot to work, I've gotten my A/B stories worked out. I write good dialogue. I know this bc if it's not forwarding the plot, I strike it.

This process has me hyped. I've watched a shell of an idea with a character I thought would be cool become a character with her own voice, heart, demons, what have you. And the story breathes on its own. At least I think it does. I hope it does!

Which is why I'm so excited to share with my group. Not because I want them to "get it" (although that would be marvelous!) but because they will find the weakest links for me. So I can pound it out; MAKE it breathe on its own. I love to hear things like: "I don't find that believable," or "That doesn't make any sense that he would do that...what's his motive?" Pertinent questions.

And I get to dig for the answers.

I adore this process.

I'll let you know how it goes!

Just another step...

As you know, I'm currently taking a course at a prestigious university for screenwriting. It hones my skills. And, I make friends and contacts I hope to keep for a long time.

Our assignment this week was to fill out a BS2. That's Blake Snyder's formulated Beat Sheet. (I use this alot. It keeps my script flowing exactly where it needs to flow without senseless rambling. Blogs are for that!)
Once we completed the BS2, we had to email it to our group. So, you know, I did it.

I'm amazed.

First of all, the sheer talent in my group is awesome. One girl has such an "indy" spirit. It cries out in her scripts. One of the guys is big into the armed forces. And whaddya know...his script is about the marines. Another guy created a hilarious absurdist comedy. I really am rooting for him to make it big just so I can see it hit the big screen. Their scripts were great!

So I critiqued them and told them where I was confused, things like that. I emailed the critiques back to the group.

Then I got my email. MY critique. From three extremely talented individuals -- my group. All coming from different points of view. All points valid, engaging.  I love objective feedback!

My script is an action flick with a strong female lead rising above harrowing trials (she's an assassin so she HAS to) emerge the heroine. I like it. But I need a fresh set of eyes...eyes that aren't attached to me and can't read my mind. I need my script to be able to be understood by the reader. They can't take time to decipher what they think I may be saying. It needs to be clear.

Indy girl had some good comments. Changes will be made. Military man had some good insight. Changes will be made. 

I have to say, though, that the best review I got was from the comedic absurdist writer. After reading my beat sheet and giving me some ideas he gave me a compliment: "I like the character and I feel you can write something with the ferocity of a Bourne movie."

WOW! What a compliment! I was stunned to read that. Why? Because I was doing my best to have it read like a Bourne movie. It gave me a boost. Maybe I can do this after all!

Tomorrow I have to resend my new and improved BS2 back to my group. Where some may hate feeling vulnerable to let another read their work, I welcome it! I admit it's painful to hear someone say, "That doesn't work there," or "This doesn't move the plot along" when I've worked so hard. But not only does this teach me things and give me a fresh perspective, I get to become closer with my group and learn from them, both their triumphs and mistakes. And they learn from me as well. (Well, HOPEFULLY!)  I love it this process. I look forward to it now. The pitches in class. The feeling of my throat becoming dry and my hands turning clammy...I'm living the dream, man.

Just another step so you all can say you knew me when....

...and you ALL will say that one day.....

For more information the BS2 or Blake Snyder, please visit http://www.blakesnyder.com/