Red Planet Prize 2010 Part 2

So what has happened to the Red Planet Prize?

"Hi Dom.
Yes the prize will be going again this year. We are currently finalizing all
the details and they will be announced on our refurbished website in about 4
weeks or so. So hopefully it will start around early Summer time. Good luck
if you're thinking of entering and we look forward to your entry.
All the best.
Regards, Red Planet."

So now you know.

How Not To Be A Writer

Part One coming soon. Watch this space.

Angry Writer

After the post below on how I won't advertise on my site, I have decided to share this with you.

Angry Writer

I've not succumbed to commercialism, I just came across this site and it made me laugh, so I'm very happy to give it a recommendation.

Check it out and have a guess which one I ordered?

Advertising

I was recently approached by an Internet advertising company offering to pay me to put text ads on my official web page. At first I was dubious, but after a bit of investigating I decided they were a legitimate company, so I asked my fellow writers whether I should go for it or not. Most said yes.

However, while I was still waiting to hear back from the company after I had sent them an email of questions, I received and email from my good friend and webmaster Dan Thomas of Moov2.com. He sent me two articles, one about the company who had approached me, and the other about the risks of Internet advertising on professional websites.

The company was legit, but mostly advertised gambling sites. The downside to this company was that they were very secretive, wouldn't answer questions, and would react with threats of legal action if even a hint of anything bad was written on the web about them. I know a company has to protect its image, but this automatically put me off.

The second article was more informative and discussed the pros and cons of advertising on your professional website. If you're a writer would it look good to advertise gambling websites? After all, it's all about protecting your brand. Your brand is your career after all.

I've decided that the lure of a quick buck is not for me and I'll be keeping my professional work website free of ads. My Bank Manager is probably crying now.

Have you had any experience with this kind of service - good or bad - please let me know?

Leon

I recently bought the Director's Cut of Leon as my wife had said she'd never seen the original film. So Saturday night we settled down on the sofa together to watch it.

The Director's Cut illustrated to me how the introduction of two or three scenes can alter the feel of a whole movie. The original cinema release was a sweet movie of love and revenge, with two loners finding comfort and friendship in each other's company. Jean Reno's shy Leon learns to open himself up to his feelings with the help of Natalie Portman's Matilda. His journey from an emotionally closed hermit to the father figure and protector Matilda has never had, is slowly and expertly built, and watching Leon get over his initial awkwardness to finally give up his life in the ultimate sacrifice for the girl he loves is nothing short of superb.

However, the Director's Cut turned that sweet tale of love into something much more sexual, a much darker story of obsession, with a higher degree of sexual tension between Leon and Matilda. While he sees her as a daughter his feelings grow in a way he can't and won't allow himself to give into, and Matilda is always more of a temptress than in the original cut. Her obsession and crush on Leon, make you feel awkward while watching this burgeoning love affair which is doomed before it starts, because you know that it can never be, and will only end badly.

Is it a better film? I have to admit I prefer the original, but the Director's cut does bring that extra sense of darkness and infatuation to the proceedings which left me wondering if I had seen this version originally would I have loved the film so much? Both versions have equal merit, but I feel that the original was the sweeter love story, the more of a love born from loneliness and friendship than sexual feelings of consenting adults. I personally think it's a step too far for the character of Matilda, even if they both do end up offering everything to each other in the name of love.

Anyway, don't take my word for it go and buy the Director's Cut and make your own mind up.

The Long Haul

Four months ago I was approached by a foreign production company and asked to submit episode ideas for a TV series they were developing. It's my first experience with working for TV and I have to admit I thought things would move a lot faster. But they aren't, and my impatient self is chomping at the bit to get going.

However, I'm learning a valuable lesson; not all things in TV land move quickly. Some projects stall for various reasons, and some stop all together. There's a lot of work that goes into coordinating several writers at the same time, making sure their script ideas match that of the show, and blend seamlessly in with those episodes of the other writers. So I have to sit back and be patient, enjoy the process and not let the occasional lack of movement get to me. The collaborative process is meant to be fun after all.

Hopefully when things get sorted I'll have three episodes, or maybe just two if my idea for the series finale isn't suitable. It's great to be writing again and even greater to be involved with something that will actually be made. I'll keep you all posted.

Red Planet Prize 2010?

So where has the Red Planet Prize gone, does anyone know? Nothing at all last year, so is there going to be one this year?

Come on, Mr. Jordan, sort it out!!!!

Time To Write

"I love to write, but I just can't find the time."

Sound familiar? This is an all too common problem for those starting out in writing, or those with a full time job and family responsibilities. I'll be blunt... a writer writes, a non writer talks about it. If you're not writing then you're not a writer....end of! Take up knitting or something, just stop wasting everyone's time, especially your own, with this writing talk if you're not going to do any.

Last year I was a non writer, because what I wrote hardly filled five pages. I have the depression to thank for that. Now I'm better this year is already different. Every spare moment I can find I write, mostly in the wee small hours of the morning when I really should be asleep. But I'm committed so I push myself even when I'd rather be on my Xbox, or in bed snuggled up to my wife. To be honest I could push myself more, and that is always my aim. All writers, without question, suffer from procrastination. Your success is entirely dependant on how much effort you put in to your work. A writing career won't come to you, you have to hunt it down, pin it in a head lock and tweak its nipples until you get what you want.

Let's take a look at a typical day for me. Hello Monday, you're a bastard and you know it.

8.30 am: Up to look after the boy while Mummy goes to work. I don't have to do this, but I love it and wouldn't give it up for anything. My boy is important to me and I've so enjoyed watching him grow up. I couldn't be one of those work-all-day dads who only gets to see their children at weekends, that's not me. It's important to me to spend time with him, play with him, teach him things.

1 pm: An after lunch nap for both the boy and me. I could write here, but sleep is needed due to the hours I work, as you will see later on.

4 pm: Dinner time. Mummy is home and we sit down to eat together. Quality family time.

5 pm: Off to work I go to spend eight hours in a physically demanding job.

1 am: Home. Knackered. Brain dead. All I want to do is sleep. Can't though, as writing must be done. I try and work on one thing at a time which doesn't always work out. As my writing time is so precious if it's not working then I move on to another piece of work and come back to original later. I try to write for at least an hour, two if things are flowing well.

2 - 3 am: Bed at last....zzzzzz.

8.30 am: Is it that time again already? Hello Tuesday, you're a bastard too.

So you may think you don't have much, or even any, time to write, but trust me, even an hour a day makes a huge difference. Find that hour, make it yours, make it a quiet time, and write like the wind.

Anyone can find the time if they really want to write. Do you?

Total Film's 600 Blogs

Alright regular readers, and hello to all you lovely new ones. Yes, that means you. Yes, you!!! A very warm welcome to you. Now please sit down and enjoy.

If you didn't already know Total Film has publish a list of 600-movie-blogs-you-might-have-missed on their website, and yours truly is listed on page 8. Thank you so very much you smashing movie magazine type people, I do love you so.

Of course I was totally stunned to find out people actually read my blog!!! Blimey, I'll have to start writing something substantial then and not my usual drivel. And no I haven't forgotten I'd said I'd write some blog episodes on how not to become a writer. It will come, soon, you'll just have to be patient until then.

For now I shall go and bask in my new found celebrity status. "Do you know who I am?"

Short Film Scripts

Calling all film makers, budding or professional. I have a catalogue of ten minute scripts I am offering for free with the intention of having them filmed this year.

What I want:

The main Writer's credit.
A copy of the finished film on DVD
A written promise that the film will be entered into every short film festival going.

What I can give you:

A free polished ten minute script.
As many rewrites as you require to see the project through.

What I'm looking to gain from collaboration:

More exposure as a writer and a competition, or festival, win to add to my CV.

If you're interested then please contact me via my website.

Hope to hear from many eager film makers.

Happy

The depression has gone and I'm very nearly off my happy pills. I am almost back to normal ("You were never normal," says my wife). 'MOO COW', I Say!!!!

I am really looking forward to this year. I know things are going to go my way and I will be writing for TV (Canadian most likely), so I can't wait to get started. I still have my children's novel I'm working on, and it will be finished this year. Oh yes it will :-)

I'm also thinking of writing, 'The Hard Way To Become A Screenwriter', a blog book based on my experiences as a new writer, and the pitfalls I've encountered so you don't have to make the same mistakes. I'm so kind to you, aren't I???

See you soon.

Happy New Year, Folks!!!!

PS. If anyone is thinking of making a short film this year my scripts are available and free. All I ask is that they are entered into every short film competition going and I get a DVD copy of the finished article. Please contact me if you are interested.

The Big 2010 Push

2009 was a huge disappointment mainly due to my lack of activity at the keyboard and my six month experience with depression. Hardly anything was written and only a couple of scripts were sent out. However, December wasn't a bad month with one very likely commission on the horizon for the New Year.

Other years I've had the same big push and usually after a few months I've slacked off. Each year has been a progression on the last, but this time I am determined to carry the momentum onwards...all year. This will start with me sending out one page pitches for current, or planned, projects, to see what interest there is in my work. Then there will be the competitions; I'm going to enter everyone I can.

Push on fellow writers.

All I Want For Christmas

Another Christmas, another long list of wishes.

• An agent.
• A commission.
• An option.
• A series deal for TV.
• To have the no 1 bestselling children's book.
• A fucking chance to show what I can do.
  

Not much to ask, is it?

In Your Face

Sometimes I wonder if you're an argumentative person, or someone who questions things that go on around them, does this hinder you as a writer and in life? Do the 'YES' men and women of this world achieve more success in their careers and home life?

In my experience the 'YES' men and women seem to progress further than the argumentative ones, and I'm quite convinced if you get a bad name from from questioning things you're basically stuffed from then on.

What do you think?

Is it better to question life or be a 'YES' man or woman?

Busy Man

Hadn't written anything in ages and then when I try and start a novel or two, all hell breaks loose. Everyone wanted a portion of my writing greatness. Somethings worked out, others didn't. No biggy.

Gone quiet again now though, so I'm able to work on my own stuff again....and I can't wait.

Rubbish

Writing like a maniac. Just finished a 4 page romantic comedy outline for a director. I hope she likes it.

Novel is coming on :-)

Novel Progress Part 2

Bit of a slow week, the total is now 2788 words. The urge to go back and rewrite as I'm going along is proving too much much of a draw which is why my number count is so low. I have to stop myself, I know, but that's easier said than done.

The Over Sensetive.

I made a comment on someones facebook page. They have now band me and erased me from their Facebook friend's list and also twitter.

Some people don't deserve my friendship. The comment I made was not derogatory in any way. In fact here it is to the best of my memory. "I'm single." My response, "Thank god there's not two of you." Not exactly rude is it? Funny? What's your opinion?

Being depressed I know about being over sensitive, but then there's being sensitive and over sensitive. You have to find the right balance, this person obviously hasn't.

Some people need to take a deep breath and not take things so seriously.

Dom

A Tale Of Two Novels

For months...nothing, not an idea, not a word, not even a single letter. Then I start a novel and a week later I have another fantastic idea ambush my head while I'm laid low with the flu, and I start a second one. Two novels being written simultaneously. That's what I said....written. Not thought about, not hoped for, not imagined, but actual fingers to keys typing. We have a double word count going on, people.

I think there is light at the end of my tunnel of darkness and its name is SIX!

Writing.

Started my novel. 1664 words down and a lot more to go. It's nice to be writing again.