Dispatch From The Quest: Waka Brown

Over the course of the 24 weeks I am working with the writers in The Quest, each will write a weekly dispatch to share with the GITS community. There are several reasons for doing this, the main one educational: Hopefully you will learn something of value for your own understanding of the craft from the experiences of the Questers. I should also add they are a great group of people, so I expect you will enjoy getting to know them.

Today: Waka reflects on where she is as she heads into her first draft:

Can it be? Can we already be at the last week of Prep, our last week before FADE IN?

This week, we created our outlines for our screenplays. It was a rather daunting assignment but, having learned my lesson in Master Brainstorming List week, I plugged away early and came up with something I think I can work with. Miranda mentioned in her Dispatch that she found the subplots to be the hardest part. I agree, but I’m pretty sure in my situation, I have too many. That’s OK. Several years ago, a screenwriting instructor imparted me with this mantra to use when I’m not sure what to do:

“I’ll fix it later.”

Simple words, but I can’t tell you how many times these words have kept me going, powering me through a draft. So, my outline is imperfect, but you know what? I’ll fix it later.

In addition to this being our last week of Prep, can this really be our last week of required Dispatches? I must say, I had no idea what “weekly Dispatches” entailed at first but I’ve actually really enjoyed writing them. I don’t think I’ve ever reflected so much on my writing in my life! I’ve appreciated all of you who’ve reflected alongside me, tolerated my tangents, and offered words of encouragement. Many thanks also to Scott for letting us use his blog as our weekly soapbox. You may hear from me again at the very end of this Quest (I don’t even want to think about it, sniff, sniff), but goodbye for now — the next time you hear from me, I’ll have a first draft! Wish me luck and best of luck to all of you, too. Now…. pages!!!

Thanks, Waka, for your Dispatches!

Tomorrow: Another Dispatch From The Quest.

About Waka: Kansan turned Californian turned Oregonian. Fan of Nat Faxon & Jim Rash, Richard Curtis, Tina Fey (who isn’t?), & I still use a $30 Tracfone @wakatb.

Comment Archive