What I Do that Keeps Me from Writing…and Doing Things Like Script Frenzy

I have always considered myself to be more of a bibliophile than a telephile, but the truth is I watch A LOT of TV. I love a good television program for the same reason I love a good written series; the characters are my friends. I find comfort in returning to them, seeing their quirks, their highs, even experiencing their lows. That said, I am economical with my love. If a show is wasting my time, I cut ties with it. That said, I try not to part ways unnecessarily.

I have found that the success or failure of many a relationship depends on timing; relationships with books , movies or TV shows are no different. Case and point - Downton Abbey. I fell instantly in love with Downton. I watched season 1 in two days and was thrilled to discover season 2 was already released on Blue-Ray/DVD. I immediately dove in to the second season.

Now, if you are not familiar with this BBC masterpiece, what you need to know is that two seasons, (fifteen episodes, plus a Christmas special) covers EIGHT years of Edwardian era history. I didn’t realize this going in and struggled with the swift passing of time as I watched season 2. I found myself left behind by the inhabitants of Downton on more than one occasion; their motives and decisions thusly baffled me. And…I took my frustration out on one character in particular. Lord Robert Crawley, the Earl of Grantham.

The Earl, after playing the part of a reasonably forward-thinking, morally-upstanding nobleman in the first season, SUDDENLY departed from these ways and began doing some questionable things in the second. In but a few short episodes he became an unrecognizable and unlikable fool. I found it hard to muster any amount of sympathy for him. I shook my fist in rage and seriously considered whether I wanted to watch the forthcoming third season of Downton Abbey.

Then I realized. His transformation wasn’t really sudden. It was the culmination of YEARS of harassment and oppression (as he perceived it). It was only from the comfort of my couch in the midst of a Downton marathon that he seemed to devolve shamefully rapidly. (Eight years is truly meaningless when it boils down to a bag of popcorn and a quiet afternoon at home). Perhaps if I had watched the season as it aired on television I would have better felt the passing of time. Who knows?

So, what has all this to do with me not being a writer?

When I find myself berating another person's characters, I often wonder why I don’t write my story. – THE story that is always circling around in my brain. I’ve created the world; I’ve created the characters. I can make them do whatever I want, evolve or devolve as I choose. So why don’t I do it? I don’t know the answer. Until my good friend and co-contributor, Abby, invited me to do NaNoWriMo, I was perfectly content to sit on my couch happily judging other people’s creations while letting mine float about in grey matter unfulfilled. Perhaps it’s time to trade in the fist-shaking (especially at truly excellent shows like Downton Abbey) for pen and paper.

Script Frenzy

This weekend marks the beginning of Script Frenzy and a very hectic month. I’ve never done Script Frenzy before and never really thought of trying it until a drama instructor and my brother-in-law showed an interest after I finished the Nanowrimo program at my library. If you’ve never heard of Nanowrimo I’ll tell you this much for sure; it can be intense. 50,000 words in one month. I don’t know how some people can manage to pull it off. Amongst work, family, exercise, cooking, cleaning, puppies and a sometimes critical writing mind it can be an incredible challenge. I’ve attempted it the last two years and made it to about 19,000-21,000 words before throwing my arms up in the air and deciding to sit back and watch others work continuously through the rest of the month. Why did I try it again? It’s a challenge and I’m a sucker for challenges especially if there is some friendly competition involved.

Script Frenzy will be a whole new challenge. Aside from attempting to get students, faculty and staff interested in it at the end of the semester when all is chaos and spring-starved insanity, this type of story writing is completely foreign to me and will add a whole new adventure of its own. I’ve never written a script before and now I am charged with writing 100 pages by the end of the month. One cool rule for the frenzy is that you can participate with a partner for the same end total of pages. Now I say, “Phaw! That’s cheating! Where’s the fun in that?”

Just kidding. For this month I’ll be attempting the 100 pages in the form of a graphic novel with very little planning and research and maybe quite a bit of drinking. I know what you might be saying. “You’re a librarian. That’s just crazy.”

And…you’re right. Cheers!
-A