GET YOUR IDEAS DOWN

Purely Carrie:

It always happens when I am in the not right moment.  Not when I sit with time devoted to myself for this.  Not when I have everything organized.  Not when my brain tells me the right path to follow. Nope, IDEAS, come at the worst time possible.

IDEAS come to me when I stand in the middle of a pumpkin patch. In a conversation, and it would always be with a person, who has no interest to hear your IDEA.  Right when you get everything ready, to go for your walk, that you put off waiting for a good IDEA. 

In the worst case scenario is you slap that IDEA on your hand. There never is a single scrap of paper to be found.  Don’t fret too much, it will all come back to you in the middle of the night, when you finally fall asleep from worrying about having no IDEAS …

Her Future’s So Bright “Gotta Wear Shades”

Purely Carrie:

I am working on improving my blog. It takes time and patience. I decide to act like somewhat of an adult and place a picture of little ones dear to my heart.  I broke the cardinal rule of no pictures.

This is something I live every day. Let’s get to the jest. CANCER SUCKS. No way around it.

I’ve experienced it first hand through our special child. She is the biggest fighter, quickest wit, and best demeanor of any child I know. She is doing much better right now.  Her light shines so bright … believe me when I say “We Gotta Wear Shades”.

While I don’t know what tomorrow holds … I know I thank my lucky stars for everything this past year.

The “BRAIN” and “WRIGLEY FIELD”

PURELY CARRIE:

Would you like to see CUBS baseball statistics? http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com 

I myself was forced on birth to the CUBS.  My best friend was born into  the WHITE SOX. Fun. Always interesting among the fathers! Not many people in this town will let you slide into the “I’m a fan of both sides”. You must choose blue/red or black/white. Then the rest of your life is about friends that agree, or *rolls eyes* argue about the teams as if they practice on the field with them.

Here friends is the BRAIN part. If you were to give me the game pamphlet, I would wonder about the batting order, and not because of how they played last game.  Does it effect how they play determined on who they play in front of or behind?  What kind of a night did they have and how does that affect the game?   

PURELY CARRIE wonders about how Little Jimmy likes his first ball game. Are the hot dogs really better here than anywhere else? Who got him his baseball jersey before the game? What has his journey been like as the fan he is? Is his father going to let him sip his first beer?

That’s the writer side. Facts are wonderful to me, but tend to lose my interest, as I’d rather study the crowd.  I gave you the dirty truth to my WRIGLEY FIELD.  I love to tuck the knowledge in my BRAIN, but  I surely enjoy the reactions of the people much more.

Have a lovely,

Carrie

MY CIRCLE

PURELY CARRIE :

Here goes. I need to spit this out from my soul. I think, a big part of being a writer, is studying and listening to other people. Where else could you make stories up from? It  involves interaction with other people and how you feed off of it. 

I love this part . I love learning different thoughts and mannerisms of people. When I get to know you, believe me, when I say my chatter can be tiring … I  become empathetic to the energy of other people. Not a bad thing, again where writing comes in. I push the tiring thing off on everyone I know.:)

I have met a lot of people in my day. From all walks of life. It is funny, how we are all connected, and you never know where you may meet again. Mostly in my life, people may sometimes be forgotten, but never discarded. I call it My Circle. Once you are in that’s it. You may want to leave, but I don’t let go. Good/Bad/Indifferent we can all learn from each other.

Have A Lovely,

Carrie

FRANKIE ON THE WALL 3 (a fly)

Screenwriters note: This week clearing of the house was the main topic. How can you expect to be organized when papers are all shoved into bags? Needed space. Not just using other space that is meant for other things. Space for the sole fact of writing.  Having it ready for whenever applicable. This is another step to owning who you are. Clear out the clutter! 

INT. A HOSPITAL ROOM – DAY

FRANKIE dangles his feet from an I.V. drip. He strategically places himself, in enough of a RAMBO style incognito, that THE OVERBEARING NURSE cannot detect an insect. THE INCONSPICUOUS SCREENWRITER lay with her eyes closed.

FRANKIE (V.O): My friend seems to have made it out of that nasty encounter last week. Even the soft glow of the computer light seems better than this …

THE OVERBEARING NURSE pokes and prods until THE INCONSPICUOUS SCREENWRITER lets out a soft MOAN.

THE OVERBEARING NURSE: Goodie gum drops. You decided to awake to the living. Did you see the light? Because let me tell you, with your injuries, you may have wanted to bask in the eternal glow awhile longer.  

THE INCONSPICUOUS SCREENWRITER shields her eyes from the sun peeking through the window. THE DOCTOR enters. THE OVERBEARING NURSE changes her condescending look to one of  concern. 

THE OVERBEARING NURSE: The glass injuries are all still fresh.  She’s lucky she didn’t  break anything.  It’s going to take sometime to heal.  

THE DOCTOR nods his head indifferent. He makes notes on her chart and exits.   THE INCONSPICUOUS SCREENWRITER reaches her hand to touch her face. THE OVERBEARING NURSE smacks her hand down. Another MOAN.

THE OVERBEARING NURSE: I wouldn’t do that dearie. Let’s up your pain meds. Now that you’ve decided to join us, it might be best to keep you contained. 

FRANKIE chooses this moment to BUZZ around THE OVERBEARING NURSE’S head. Before she can turn that dial, she runs from the room, and  slams the door behind her.

INCONSPICUOUS SCREENWRITER: Frankie. You saved me from medicine hell. You know I have work to be done.

THE INCONSPICUOUS SCREENWRITER picks up a compact from her purse. She looks at the jagged reflection and WINCES.

INCONSPICUOUS SCREENWRITER: Okay, maybe she’s right, the eternal glow seems enticing.

FRANKIE drops a paper in her lap of this week’s SCOGGINS REPORT. She SIGHS, and grabs a pen and paper, from the hospital tray. FRANKIE, places her slightly torn picture from the minivan, next to the notebook.

INCONSPICUOUS SCREENWRITER: You win. This is not about me. Never was. 

FRANKIE, happy with his work, sits a top the hum of the air conditioner. 

FRANKIE (V.O.): Her true passion shines through no matter the obstacles. Now I just need to chill out …

We Learn As We Go

AHH … Little INCONSPICUOUS SCREENWRITER. You are learning your lessons. The brain may be like a stick in molasses … but maybe with enough heat. If that stick moves … claim the triumph.

This INCONSPICUOUS SCREENWRITER is glad to realize some mistakes, credit it to fear, and call it the fear of the unknown. Through support, and questions to yourself, that fear can come down. Place it on a back shelf somewhere.

Oh, INCONSPICUOUS SCREENWRITER, take those small steps. All you can do is put one foot in front of the other. The hope is when you push past it, you will go where you need to be.

FRANKIE ON THE WALL 2 (a fly)

Screenwriters note: When I get up enough passion, to really talk about what I’m working on, I get the inevitable response from non-writers. Why do you sit around and make up stories? If you ask me, I think you like to loaf around. Who do you think you are that you can just do these things?

I usually sit quietly and know they have no clue. Would you ever say those  doubtful words to your child? Never. Somewhere along the way adults tend to loose their innocence. To the naysayers I say, “Pooey”. I can, I will,  and I shall never stop writing.   

FRANKIE uses a leaf as a float device in the hot tub. His wings dip in the water, as he rubs lotion around his eyes. He secures his large sunglasses back into place.  

FRANKIE (V.O) : With all that has happened this week, I don’t know if I should sink or swim … 

INT. MINIVAN IN A PARKING LOT – DAY

THE INCONSPICUOUS SCREENWRITER is the only person in the vehicle. FRANKIE sits perched on the top of a laptop computer.

 THE INCONSPICUOUS SCREENWRITER:  A signal among these buildings. I have hit the jackpot Frankie. 

She types onto a screen that shows a picture of her three children.

THE INCONSPICUOUS SCREENWRITER:  AAHH. The triumph of all these screenwriting connections. I shall be able to come into my own, as they say …

THE INCONSPICUOUS SCREENWRITER finishes typing and snaps the computer shut. She snaps on the radio with some tunes about love. This makes her eyes mist and she lets out a SOB.

EXT. A STOPLIGHT AT AN INTERSECTION – DAY

The minivan parks at a stoplight. Through the windshield of the vehicle we can see THE INCONSPICUOUS SCREENWRITER. She taps her fingers on the steering wheel and watches A LADY walk dogs across the street. The light has turned green and a truck from the opposite street comes right at her.

INT. THE MINIVAN AT STOPLIGHT – CONTINUOUS

THE INCONSPICUOUS SCREENWRITER taps away on the steering wheel to love tunes. She admires the entourage of dogs that cross the pathway.

THE INCONSPICUOUS SCREENWRITER:  Dogs. Frankie are you allergic to dogs?

THE INCONSPICUOUS SCREENWRITER turns her head to see a truck come right at her door.

THE INCONSPICUOUS SCREENWRITER:  CRAP. At least I tried … I deserve better than this. 

EXT.  A STOPLIGHT AT AN INTERSECTION – MOMENTS LATER

THE INCONSPICUOUS SCREENWRITER braces her head with her arms. FRANKIE flies out the window, before the truck wraps itself around the minivan.

EXT. THE INTERSECTION – CONTINUOUS

Glass everywhere on the street. SIRENS can be heard as they speed on the scene.  THE LADY ties the dogs to the stoplight as she rushes to the accident. FRANKIE perches above the dogs on the crosswalk.

FRANKIE (V.O):  This is why screenwriters don’t give up. I don’t care if you have fifty scripts, or you are just starting, you choose to break the barriers of can’t. You can, you will, and you shall never stop writing. THE INCONSPICUOUS SCREENWRITER,  may have met her end, just while things were starting to get good.

Tune in next week …

FRANKIE ON THE WALL(a fly)

Screenwriters note: Nothing appears to be correct or accurate. Don’t get your underwear in a bunch people, it’s a blog! (I HATE COMMAS)

FRANKIE ON THE WALL

FRANKIE, sits at the edge of a computer desk, under the soft glow of its light. He holds an ice pack to his head, and props his feet on a pillow. He sips a fruity cocktail with a sword of cherries.

 FRANKIE (V.O.)

– Last week I took flight with my companions, THE INCONSPICUOUS SCREENWRITER and her NICOTINE DEPRIVED MOTHER, to Midway Airport in Chicago.  A nicotine patch slapped on an arm and off we go to a four hour flight. We settle  in our seats (or on a shoulder?)Rag Mags are poured over. I sip from a cola drink, and observe the patron next to me, an AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN, who downs a drink of straight up Scotch. The AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN recollects her life in California, her longing to her roots in Chicago, and the Ethiopian daughter -in- law she deals with. (Why didn’t THE INCONSPICUOUS SCREENWRITER start up a conversation up with her an hour ago? )The NICOTINE DEPRIVED MOTHER, stops scratching, as the AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN, spins her tales  of the inauguration. The women talk ,of their Nephew who is a chef, to President Obama. (AAHH, common ground). 

– We land at LAX airport in Los Angeles.  Everyone makes fast salutations. The NICOTINE DEPRIVED MOTHER, beelines  to the nearest exit, with her inflamed red neck. We hop in a cab and are whisked to Marina Del Rey. THE INCONSPICUOUS SCREENWRITER sets up all her writing parafanilia at the hotel. The notes make her brain burn smoke,  and the harbor air is welcome. They walk along the Marina (The shoulder I sit upon.Why waste wing power?), and are accosted by calls, of some EUROPEAN WOMEN. The EUROPEAN WOMEN, sway on their boat, drinks in hand. ( I think these EUROPEAN WOMEN might want more than a friendly chat. Is it getting dark?). Head to dinner and fruity drinks.

– We wake up way too early. I stumble among the rollers, to see the red blinking numbers, among the darkness (Is she crazy?).  Time to go and sit in the lobby ( Come on, No coffee yet?). Unload all the scribbles THE INCONSPICUOUS SCREENWRITER studies. No one walks around(Too bad we didn’t know MRS.M stayed at the same hotel). Off to room. THE  NICOTINE DEPRIVED MOTHER smokes from the balcony(Isn’t that against the law?),with a strew of patches on the vanity. THE INCONSPICUOUS SCREENWRITER decides on an outfit (This is California, could you lighten up?),black it is. Off to breakfast in the hotel(Everyone appears to be European. Maybe we were a bit hasty to run?). We part with THE NICOTINE DEPRIVED MOTHER and ride off in a cab(Should I have stayed at the hotel pool?).

– We approach the  building for the Sony Event(Could this be just like on a similar Chicago street?) Early as usual(Couldn’t we have just caught a drink at the hotel?) Listen to some Alicia Keys. Almost go up into the Screening room. Oops, back down to the lobby. The gang meets. We have a MRS.M, a MS.P, a MS.K,a MR.G,a MR.B, a MR. S, and a Mr.C . Good times. Everyone greets each other(She should have worn somethuing a bit more casual). We are brought up the  stairs by a MR.K the president of the company. Lights, Camera, Action. MR.M  greets everyone in his black suit(Could you be any  more Hollywood?)Hands get shook, next comes THE INCONSPICUOUS SCREENWRITER( DUH. Why don’t you say your  name?) they meet.

–MR.M starts the meeting off with witty banter(I suppose they get all the equipment ready, but who can think of that?). Mr.S.D. joins the gang and we’re off and running. The talk is about the how the econimic changes are affecting the industry. Everyone asks questions, nice interaction(DUH. You practiced.Why don’t you ask a question?) instead, lets romance about what he says. MR.S.D. talks of being optimistic(Did I hear that?) an individual that created props in his basement, and an eagerness  to the words of how he moved up the ladder in this industry. MR.M fires away at questions from his computer. It moves along, and MR.S.D. exits back to a plane, and his creatures.  THE INCOSPICUOUS SCREENWRITER still sits in a starry daze.

–We get moving on a studio tour. MR.K shows us around to some pretty cool props. We get to zig-zag around the ceations of art in the process. THE INCONSPICUOUS SCREENWRITER looks on, knowing this would be, right up her crafty sister’s alley. (Why didn’t she wear flip-flops?) .

– Lunch, how sweet it is. MS.P, is kind enough, to  drive MRS.M and us to the resturant.   We get to chatting, and go to the wrong restaurant.( I can attest, that if THE INCONSPICUOUS SCREENWRITER were driving, we would have never made it) Off we go to the right one. (By the ocean? Why didn’t we see this last night?)A nice Italian villa  with a patio.(Really, where are her flip-flops?) Eeryone eats and converses, what a gang. Up comes a question to THE INCONSPICUOUS SCREENWRITER(What planet are you from?) and she mumbles through it. Then MR.M comes to sit by her.(Oh,crap. All the writing. All the preparing. And she couldn’t open her mouth to save her life?)I pat her back, for I know, she is used to talking to people from behind a barber chair. MR.M saves the day, by talking of the projects he works on. (Maybe, smiling adds up points?) Everyone exits onto the California board walk.

–Here MS.P, MRS.M,MR.G,MR.C, and THE INCONSPICUOUS SCREENWRITER make small talk. MR.G suggests MR. C give the women a ride back to their hotel. (Which is a good thing, because even though THE INCONSPICUOUS SCREENWRITER heard MRS.M say she may have broke her toes, she is still in a starry daze). MR.C is gracious enough to share his vehicle. The women are let off at their entrance, salutations ensue until the next adventure.  They change back into Cinderella, for now.

–It’s off to AZ for THE INCONSPICUOUS SCREENWRITER and the NICOTINE DEPRIVED MOTHER. They set off as one itches and one is still in a starry daze.On the plane, THE INCONSPICUOUS SCREENWRITER, reads the Script magazine she recieved. In it is, MR.M that she corresponds with via Twitter, DR.Format that she corresponds with via e-mail, and a guy she just sat next to at the meeting is in a feature. (Maybe, things aren’t so bad, and she really did “network”?).

–Happiness ensues into AZ. GRANDMA and GRANDMA’S BOYFRIEND,whisk us off to many events. We attend a cowboy rodeo on bulls and a country western band.  Then to the casino(Only GRANDMA’S BOYFRIEND wins). Thank God they allow smoking for THE NICOTINE DEPRIVED MOTHER. They watch an impersonation musical preformance starring the likes of Elvis. We then see the  stadium, for the retractable grass. At last some shopping, by a dancing water show.(Did I mention, the mountains everywhere you look?) The reel world left behind, and off to home.

FRANKIE sips the fruity cocktail and adjusts the ice pack on his head. He stretches his feet back unto the pillow.  The camera that he talks into zooms on THE INCONSPICUOUS SCREENWRITER entering the room.   

INCONSPICUOUS SCREENWRITER 

Whoa, hold the phone. I made connections with people. I smiled, I enjoyed these new friends. Two months ago, I had no thoughts of going to California and there I was. I have different directions to study up on, besides isn’t there a saying you can never stop learning? Optimism prevails. 

FRANKIE

I didn’t say it was bad. Go little grasshopper, flip on the switch, and write something commercial.

THE INCONSPICUOUS SCREENWRITER  shuts off the camera.

FADE OUT

                                                                        

– Maybe THE INCONSPICUOUS SCREENWRITER will practice her public speaking, or learn about cameras and use one, and or just always write. It’s steeped into her blood now, even further than before.(Surely, she has a fear of the unknown. Will she follow in the footsteps of someone great? Only time can tell…). Happy to be part of a gang.