|
Had four days off (well, three and a sick day) and not a single word written or revised. I must forgive myself just a little. Two of those days, I was miserable, hence the sick day, but I just wasn't very motivated to write. Especially with all the turmoil going on in the family. Can't convince my younger brother of the severity of getting tests done now to find out what the spot on the lung really is. Waiting is not an option, no matter the cost.
But I tell myself every day I'm going to write, write, write, and this is about as far as I get. I did write my 'mourning' pages the other day but haven't worked on the website or on the script. Really need to do that here soon if I want to get it in the mail in 26 days or if I want to keep on track of my goal of 1k words a day.
And I shouldn't be blogging...
...or twittering...
check out the twitterer I found: www.twitter.com/the_artists_way
or mine at www.twitter.com/jazzyjynx
off to do something that resembles writing...
ttfn
|
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shawn Murray at
| | | |
|
I knew it would happen. Back to work and my muse runs away screaming. Haven't written a word since and have only managed 1.5 pages in my journal. Not going to keep up the 1k words a day goal if I don't force myself to keep the "tush in the cush" ( new phrase I found today by Hal Ackerman, author of Write Screenplays That Sell - The Ackerman Way.
Also found another of his quotes: [Writers] start with nothing but an idea, an agitation, a compulsion, an irritation. That, plus a bumblebee's faith that it can fly.
So true. So true.
And the last 48 hours has been an emotional roller coaster; one brother is having difficulties at home, the other is going for test to find out whether or not he has cancer. (Your prayers are welcome, and highly appreciated). The third brother is doing well and his son is growing like a weed. Just got new pictures. He's going to be a ham just like his dad. I'm buying picture frames just about every week so I can hang pictures of him everywhere. I'm fast running out of wall space.
The construction is done on my living space and just have to get a couple more inspections before it's finally finished. Now come the hard part. Getting everything back into order. Already took a car load to storage and probably should take one more. But as I look around, I think somethings have already gone that shouldn't've (that looks strange but they write that way in Europe - just read a couple Harry Potter novels - yeah, I'm a Potter fan - as a writer, I'd love to have her success). Spent the last couple days intensely cleaning up and it looks almost inhabitable.
Been fighting a mild bout of depression though. Being back to work is no fun, no fun at all. Keep getting criticized for not getting it perfect enough. Anyone who knows me, knows that criticizing me doesn't work, especially when I'm not being complimented when I do a good job, when I feel unappreciated, or when I don't hear a thank you. Tell me I did a good job over there before you tell me I need to do a little more work over here.
I'm just not good with corporate policies and politics. For the most part, corporate retail have never worked a day on the front lines and it's the front line people who bring in the money that make up their paychecks (and bonuses). The front line people bring home the smallest paycheck and don't even qualify for bonuses. It's not right. Corporate American has got everything backwards. I'm so looking forward to having my own business, being my own boss, or writing for a living. I won't make the mistakes that Corporate America, Big Business or Government have made and I'll try my hardest to keep "them" from interfering in my business.
Okay, I'm off my soap box now.
So the goal for today is to get three "mourning" pages done in my journal, write another 1-2k on the script (after all, I only have 30 days to get it in the mail) and get my new Writing Coach website off the ground. (www.theguidingpen.info). Check it out in the next few days and recommend it to your writing friends.
I've also started receiving emails regarding this years ScriptFrenzy already. My idea has been bouncing around in my head for awhile and I've begun bouncing it off others for their input. Haven't a clue how it's going to end. It's a sequel to my sequel - a threequel. (he he - sorry, couldn't resist).
Anyway, our story begins a year or so after Mathilda:The Professional Too ends.
Title: Morgan and Mathilda: The Professionals.
So, got to finish the Final Draft. Then plan to work on Pittsburgh's Prodigal Daughter (hopefully finish it) and generate an outline, scene index cards and/or synopsis for M&M (I kind of like that nickname). I'd like to have the synopsis done before sending out the Final Draft so I can send it along with Mathilda: the Professional Too. Might be just the thing to get Luc Besson to look at and then purchase my screenplay.
Like they say, if you're going to dream, shoot for the moon. Even if I miss, I'll land among the stars. i.e. Natalie Portman, Michael Imperioli, Danny Aiello, Keifer Sutherland, Keira Knightly, Brad Pitt, etc., etc., etc.,
|
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shawn Murray at
| | | |
|
As you can see by the ticker below, it's Day 20/34,288 words. So, I'm ahead of my goal of 1k a day and I'm happy.
But I'm even happier with the progress of my screenplay in it's second incarnation. I'm done! Finished it at 6:00 am on Tuesday (yesterday) and I've been bouncing off walls ever since. Of course, now the bad news. It's 155 pages. I have to cut 26 pages or more and I keep finding things I need to add; a character here, a sentence there, and entire scene over there. Argggggg.
I pulled out the script from the original movie and was blown away by how poorly written it was and yet, it was turned into a movie. I guess when you're the writer and producer with a major production company behind you, you can do almost anything. But the movie was fantastic. I still find people who know and love the movie and it hit the big screen 16 years ago.
So, as a reward/celebration, I went to the High Museum today (by myself, which is New Me material in and of itself - hated doing things like that by myself) to see the Leonardo Da Vinci Exhibit. Glad I went. Wasn't what I expected. Stirred up the desire to draw again though I haven't a clue where my drawing supplies are and would hate to have to buy them all over again. Oh well,...
Currently on vacation and not looking forward to it ending. Spent a great deal of time with friends, made new friends, and spent the majority of my time writing. Now I just have to keep myself motivated enought to keep writing while also keeping my nose to the grind stone. And work part time on my businesses, and devote the rest of my time to my classes. 2010 is going to be busy, busy, busy. But I had an ephiphany that was also one of those duh moments, I can work for someone else and receive a limited income or I can work for myself and have unlimited potential income. It all depends directly on my efforts. Just have to keep motivated.
So, look out world, here I come.....
|
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shawn Murray at
| | | |
|
![[image]](http://tickers.tickerfactory.com/ezt/t/wOFaa1m/counter.png)
So I've set my sights on several writing goals for this year (among other New Years Resolutions). One of them being to write 365k words this year. I haven't a clue how many words I usually write in a year so I'm going to keep track this year and strive to meet the 1000-words-a-day goal. I'm sure I'll fall short on some days and exceed on others. Your support is welcome and even encouraged.
Another goal, and I may have already mentioned it here, is to submit my screenplay by March 1st. The worst they can say is 'no' or at least that's what I keep telling myself.
Well, anyway, I'm already frustrated by the ticker icon above so I may search for another one but for now, this should keep track of my word count. Check back and see how I'm doing.
I'll be traveling this weekend and then I have a mess to straighten out when I get home so I'm not so sure if the words are going to be adding up in the next few days but I'm sure I'll find some time to add something.
And BTW, Happy New Year!!!
I'll be posting other Resolutions that I want to accomplish by the end of 2010.
And just an additional note: there's an "Excuses, Be Gone" group forming in the area. We are reading Wayne Dyers book by the same name and taking control of our lives. Basically a book club for the self-help audience. If you're interested, shoot me an email or comment here on my blog and leave me a way of contacting you. Personal info will not be posted. Promise.
TTFN
|
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shawn Murray at
| | | |
|
Warm Springs
HBO Premier April 30th, 2005 at 8 pm
In the emotionally-riveting bio-drama, Franklin Delano Roosevelt struggles against the crippling effects of polio in Warm Springs, a southern resort that has fallen on hard times and through the process finds his political soul. Starring Keneth Branagh, Cynthia Nixon, Jane Alexander, Tim Blake Nelson, Kathy Bates and introducing Shawn Murray as a poor mother.
Written by Margaret Nagel and directed by Emmy award-winner Joseph Sargent ("Something the Lord Made").
He was the only U.S. President to be re-elected three times, and is admired for his leadership during some of this nation's most challenging times, most notably World War II and the Great Depression. Despite these historic accomplishments, many Americans at the time were unaware of Franklin Roosevelt's greatest achievement-overcoming polio. Starring Kenneth Branagh (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets), Cynthia Nixon (Sex and the City), and Kathy Bates (About Schmidt), this inspiring, true story reveals one man's secret quest for hope during his darkest days, in a place that would serve as his source of strenght for the rest of his life.
Shawn Murray playing a poor mother in the one room school-house graduation scene.
Kenneth Branagh & Cynthia Nixon as
Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the First Lady
Shawn & friend on the set of Warm Springs
|
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shawn Murray at
| | | |
|
It's been nearly a year since my living arrangement changed and I'm finally beginning to feel grounded again. I'm writing at least 5 days a week and poetry is beginning to percolate and pour forth from my pen. I've never considered myself a poet, and after reading them, you may not either, but writing them does make me feel better. (see my poetry at www.shawnannmurray.blogspot.com. If I don't plug myself, no one else will. Sorry.)
I'm having fun these days. I've managed to get at least three days a week off work for several weeks now but we're heading into the holiday season and that will probably come to an end, depending on payroll, that is. But it came at a good time. I can feel myself healing finally, after a difficult 2008. This year has been one of reflection and retrospection. I am glad to see the gray clouds starting to part and some rays of sunshine warming my face which is funny since here in Georgia, we've had rain every day for over a week now. I feel rather mellow. I enjoy the rain. It reminds me of my college days when my best friend and I would walk from one end of town to the other in the rain just to get donuts. Well, it was more than just donuts. It was the conversation along the way (and back) and the companionship. I miss those days.
I've heard of a study done recently that said, on average, the American person now has two good friends versus having three in previous years. Have we become such an on-the-go society that we no longer have time for friends? With instant messaging, texting, facebook and twitter, we spend so much time in virtual reality that we're out of touch with reality. We may be able to keep in touch with many more people through the Internet but at what cost? I challenge you to take a moment and make a phone call, go to the Hallmark store and pick out a card to let someone know you're thinking about them, write a letter or just make plans to visit this holiday season. With the economy the way it is, bringing a bit of cheer to someone's day with a personal touch will go a long way.
Personally, I'm giving more effort to reaching out to those I call friends. Getting out of my shell has always been difficult for me, even more so since suffering long bouts of depression so often. When depressed, it's easy to ignore the phone calls and emails. But it gets to a point when you wonder where all of your friends have gone. Do they really care anymore? If they cared, wouldn't they still call?
Well, frankly, no. In this day of 1001 distractions a minute, it's easy to let that call slip through your memory. We can't blame them. It's time to make the call yourself. And that's what my mission is right now. I'm reaching out to friends, putting myself out there, becoming the person I want to be, doing the things I want to do, taking better care of myself; physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and financially. Getting things in order, so to speak.
I've begun reading A Course In MIracles again and really feel grounded in the teachings of Jesus. I'm writing nearly on a daily basis. I've reconnected with my two younger brothers with whom I'd lost contact with many, many years ago. My oldest brother is newly married and now has a son and I'm just absolutely tickled to be an aunt. I'm so looking forward to seeing him at Christmas. I've let go off the old family secrets that were debilitating me and working on forgiveness - it's a process.
I'm joining the Y and the local chess club. Spending time with family and friends. And I'm feeling the urge to break out the guitar, keyboards and even the canvass, paints and brushes. Even checking into going back to school, though it may be anything from culinary school to bartending school, from college to life coach training, not sure yet but the thirst for knowledge is rearing it's head again.
And as far as my recovery from the abyss called 2008, my health is on track. I've managed to get the diabetes under complete control without the help of medication. My last visit to the doctor showed clear test results so surgery, now elective, remains on the horizon, albeit farther out than first anticipated.
NaNoWriMo is approaching and I'm excited about this years idea. I have plenty of time to plan events for the Atlanta area participants and outline my own project. Even stirring up old ideas for next years SciptFrenzy already. But the plan is to finish up the first draft of 2007's NaNo project, devote myself to 2009's project during November, set it aside for December and work on the second (and final hopefully) draft of my ScriptFrenzy 2007 screenplay and send it off in the New Year. The worst that can happen is they say no. That's what I told myself when I went for the casting call for Warm Springs and look where that ended up; an extra in that movie and also on Blue Collar TV. Who knows what can happen when I submit my script for consideration.
I may just end up famous. And you can say you knew me when...
|
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shawn Murray at
| | | |
|
It happened last time I undertook the morning pages on a regular basis, poetry started streaming from my pen and the Muse usually hit while I was still asleep.
So I woke this morning with this poem running through my head. Check out all my poetry at www.shawnannmurray.blogspot.com and leave a comment letting me know what you think.
So, as you can guess, if you want to be a writer or an artist of any sort, I highly recommend the morning pages (or as Julia Cameron calls them: mourning pages). Morning pages are three long-hand stream-of-conscious 8 1/2 x 11 pages of writing done fist thing in the morning. While writing these pages, it usually puts your ego/inner editor back to sleep for the majority of the day and you're free to write, paint, sculpt, draw or whatever your creative calling is. Most who undergo the process of morning pages swear by them as I do and most continue doing this daily ritual for as long as they want to breathe. I, myself, have been sporadic about committing myself to this undertaking, am amazed by the results each time I do but let it fall by the wayside when depression overwhelms me again, alas.
If you want to see quick results in your creative endeavors, check out Julia Cameron's book The Artist's Way first and then any of her other books. Also check out The_Artists_Way on twitter for inspirational quotes from her books.
Happy sailing. 8^)
|
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shawn Murray at
| | | |
|
Let me introduce you to my nephew: William Marshall Murray III. Born May 29th, 2009, 8:41 am. 6.2 pounds, 20 inches. Isn't he just precious.
|
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shawn Murray at
| | | |
|
|
|
