5 more scripts

When the idea of screenwriting took proper hold of me, maybe a decade ago, I thought... right. I'll write 6 scripts. Then maybe I'll know a thing of two about writing. Then maybe I can go forth into the world with my 6 scripts, and say... If you don't like that one, then how about this one? Or maybe this one...

Currently, all tallied up, I have 4 more scripts to go. And one major rewrite on one of the ones I have written. So basically, I have one script. ONE script that I can present without an overwhelming sense of anxiety and shame.

What the hell have I been doing for 10 years?

Other than working and socializing and welding and doing heaps of other things other than writing!! That said, I have spent the past year as a writer for hire for Producer Joe in LA, which has been a blast, and with any luck and the grace of God, will turn into a real live screen credit and cold hard cash.

So, then what the hell have I been doing for the 9 years before that!!

This has come to my attention because some people have asked to read one of my scripts. The one. The only. I am screwed if they say "What else have you written?" Bubkis doesn't sound good. But it's the horrific truth. If the ball starts rolling, it's not going to roll far.

I need to get offa my ass. Big time. And I feel that now is the time. I have studied screenwriting up the jing jang, analyzed, evaluated, read, practiced, blogged, joined groups, and talked about screenwriting until the cows have come home, been butchered, the steaks have been cooked, digested and pooped out the other side. I'm sure there are a million things left to learn. But this phase is done.

My friend, Producer Joe, told me that I have ten good screenwriting years left in me, and if I haven't made it by then, no one will want me because I'll be too old and so will my stories. He also told me I should be writing 10 scripts a year. And that I should be writing full time. (I guess the 10 scripts a year would indicate full time.)

And all I can say is....

AUGH!!!!!!!!!!!! Augh.

I am toying with the idea of taking 3 months off, and writing 3 scripts. A script a month. It's doable (don't tell me what I can't do!). I have three outlines done. Mostly. More or less. A good solid month on each, and I would be that much closer to my 6 script goal. The question is when is it ever appropriate to take 3 months off work?

Today I spent the day at a workshop listening to the incredibly kind, giving and clever Christopher Vogler. He wrote the hugely popular "The Hero's Journey". It was an amazing day full of insights and gems. The last one being "Trust the Path."

So, I will trust the path. I trust that I will complete my 6 scripts. I might not have the details worked out, but somehow, someway, they will be done before end of next year. It's a mystery. And it's kind of exciting.

As always, encouragement is gratefully accepted. (I believe that you can never encourage a writer enough! We are generally a pit of exposed nerves, that only a kind word about our craft can protect.)