I look at writing as a gift. Not just a God-given gift bestowed on the selected few but one for the mind, body, and soul. In simpler terms; a cathartic and therapeutic outlet. That said, it's funny how some of the best ideas come at the most inopportune times; while driving, falling asleep, or worse, in the shower when we can't write a damn thing down at all. People in my circles have become accustomed to me stopping mid-conversation and suddenly getting that dazed look on my face and know to reach for a pen and find the closest thing resembling a piece of paper, (often a napkin or a gum wrapper) because yours truly suddenly has an idea that might just change the world, and unless that epiphany is written down at that very moment will never return. These are not paid assistants or anyone in all honesty who would ever read my writing. They're friends, family, or colleagues that know my brain goes off at the worst of times, and after years of telling me to always have my own pen and paper handy, won't. I shrug it off as not being able to be weighed down. After all, I'm that guy who takes nothing except his cell phone, driver's license, and a credit card when he goes out because I just hate things in my pockets or on my person. These wonderful and forgiving people have adapted so I can be the creative being I aspire to be and for them, I am eternally grateful.
As I've grown older, I have discovered I enjoy having had written much more than writing, much like exercising hating the workout but loving the results, and it's a nasty habit. Like most of you, I assumed besides learning six foreign languages and reading all those books I still haven't cracked, I would write so much during the COVID lockdown, I'd wear out the keys on my computer. But instead, I just put on ten pounds and binge-watched everything on Netflix. Twice. I say all this because I failed and know I'm not alone. A golden opportunity to 'change the world' with the written word slipped through my fingers and I missed the boat. I have always been the one who'd stop the world on a dime to scribble down an idea or take a note that might become the logline to a best-seller, but when the real opportunity presented itself, I didn't take advantage of it. Last week I came to grips with the fact that all I can do is look ahead, chalk it up as a life lesson and remember that today is indeed a gift, and commit to not miss the next opportunity that presents itself whether it be during another pandemic (God forbid) or that split second when I'm alone in my car and reminded that I don't have an f-in' pen. So, as sure as we are that the sun will rise and that time marches on, I know our gift will come again and when we least expect it. So be prepared and seize the moment. If you feel frustrated or perhaps like me at times, a failure because you missed the boat, don't beat yourself up. Sit your butt down and start writing. After all, your best-work isn't going to write itself.
Humbly yours
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Yes! However, on the humorous side, I wrote a hit song while I was sleeping but then forgot what it sounded like when I woke up!
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Pleasure to meet you, Shane! Appreciate your words of wisdom.
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I appreciate this post. Maybe you needed that space to reset. Writing in the pandemic was an escape for me, but inspiration is difficult in uncertain times. Early articles I saw about Shakespeare writing King Lear during the plague put pressure on me in a strange and frustrating way. I decided great ideas will come when they do. I did get through page one of my language workbooks but at least I bought them, so I will take that as a win. :)
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AJ, I hate it when that happens. I still swear I wrote "Candle in the Wind" during a long slumber but no one believes it. I think I've just found someone who might :) Thank you James for your kindness and Rebecca, your note is well-received. TTYL you guys!
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Shane, ideas are sparks....enough to have it at closed palm until you reach some dry straws and make a fire outta it...
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Sometimes it seems like the sky opens and an exciting idea drops out. Those are when it gets fun.
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Shane Stanley, thank you so much for this. Like you, I’m often hard on myself... when it comes to writing, acting and just life in general. Your words are a great reminder to always look forward and focus on making today a great one. P.S. So thankful for friends and family... how lucky are we? Thanks for the inspiration.
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Shane, like you and Monica, I'm VERY hard on myself...not only in my attempts to break into screenwriting, but in life in general.
I felt I had to take this stance after growing up in an alcoholic household (Mom drank herself to death and smoked herself to death; passed away on 3-31-1983).
The household I grew up in was one of constant faultfinding...constant belittling. Every mistake was labeled a disaster.
And all of that before I went out to face America's institutionalized racism!
Just know that I'm doing the work...doing the best I can. (I didn't have the money for LOC copyrights on 7-11-2020. I have this money RIGHT NOW...and, after getting all twelve completed scripts of mine to where readers can more easily follow along, LOC copyrighting starts this weekend.)
And also know that, with an Emmy to your credit, you're ANYTHING BUT a failure.
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Thanks, Kiri, Bill & Monica as well. My apologies for the tardy replies, the alerts haven't been hitting my phone but only the CPU. Cheers gang! Jim Boston lives! We miss ya, buddy. Thanks for the kind words and transparent reply... and I know I speak for CJ when I say, so glad to see you're alive n kickin' my friend. Continued blessings JB!
Hope to see ya on Zoom soon. Great attitude, Wally. I use a similar saying, "keep hittin' that door with the bat and eventually it'll break off the hinges." I like yours and am stealing it. LOL. Be well.
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Well written Shane. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Thank you, David.
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As I get older, I enjoy writing more than having had written (the pain of endings!). Of course, I'm the guy who enjoys the pain of lifting weights as much as I enjoy the end result. Masochist much? :)
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42 / 5000
I'm enjoying your book Shane. Thank you.
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Thank you, Elio, Appreciate that man. See ya next week in class! I'll expect a full report by then, LOL. Enjoy the weekend.
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"I have discovered I enjoy having had written much more than writing, much like exercising hating the workout but loving the results." Yep! Me, too! I have so many scraps of paper with ideas, bits of dialogue or other stuff. I try to keep files per project that these go in. The dictate app on my iPhone is a life saver for those times when I'm driving or just falling asleep.
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Hi Shane,
That's a really nice piece, and I bet many can relate. Life as we knew it sure has been rough for probably all of us (and even tragic for many of us) since the pandemic began, he said as the Understatement of the Year. The very first person who died from Covid-19 here in Las Vegas was a family friend, and he caught it by doing what he loved: helping others.
And yes, today is indeed a gift. I don't remember who first said the phrase "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift," but that's been something I've tried to live by for some time now.
Just to add....I ordered your film Break Even and will watch it soon. I love supporting Stage32 members in their creative endeavors, and know that CJ wrote it, too. I hope all people viewing this reply will consider buying it (mine cost $10 through Wal-Mart) and supporting their fellow Stage32 members - and especially in these trying times. And I especially appreciate the "Free Godmother Italian Sub Sandwich" coupon from Bay Cities that comes with the DVD. That sub costs more than the DVD did! What a deal!
(Full Disclosure: there is no sub coupon that comes with the film, for those who may be wondering. But there is a sub at Bay Cities in Santa Monica that is named "The Godmother" and that is probably the best sub sandwich in the history of the free world - excluding the ones that I make, of course.)
But thanks for the nice piece, and I look forward to watching Break Even when I get the chance.
Best continued fortunes in your creative endeavors, Shane, and stay safe!
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Bless you Bill. Your note means the world. The kindness and support of the DVD are just a bonus. Even if there's no sub coupon, LOL. So sorry for the loss of your friend. God rest him in eternal love. I too have lost many during the pandemic, and even a best friend's father who is in a COVID coma today and probably won't be with us tomorrow. He caught it (as did his other son) while working on a high-profile show last week here in La La Land. This is far from over, brother. Keep in touch and continued blessings my man. SS
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I feel you. My form of self-forgiveness comes in understanding that our creativity is the last thing on the hierarchy of survival, and our nervous systems have been taking a pummel from all of the perceived dangers of the world (uncertainty of a pandemic, new and unfamiliar routines, civil unrest, insurrections, etc.). Our memory gets impacted (I was trying to memorize a scene in the first few months of the pandemic and it took me 3-4 times as long to ingest it), our ability to associate into new worlds battle with our need to dissociate (via Netflix, food, doom scrolling), and creativity, believe it or not, sometimes begs for connection and spontaneity (writing at a cafe, having a conversation with a friend or a colleague). For me, writing and performing these days is like trying to break through the Earth's atmosphere using a butane can and scrap metal. I'm learning how to be okay with just persisting, no matter how hard it gets, and forgiving myself because we have sensitive artist's hearts and our systems are seized from fear of the unknown. Love to all the artists here.
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This is wonderfully written and so true, Cindy. I know when we recently shot a film (in the peak of the pandemic) some actors I've worked with who could memorize anything and everything really struggled at times. COVID brain was running rampant and I think you nailed it. Continued success to you on your journey.
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Hi Shane,
Hey...no problem. And sorry to read about your losses during this pandemic. I hope all those families will cope the best that they can as time advances.
So we did watch Break Even last night, and I was really impressed. All in all...it was a really entertaining film.
For the writers here, I would really recommend this film as a really good example regarding the quality and effectiveness of story, and screenwriting.
Just to preface a bit....one of the most insightful bits of advice I have received from a Power-That-Be Person is "tell me a story I haven't heard before." Now that is easier said than done, right, since a lot of people think that "everything has been done before." But everything really hasn't been done before. Maybe themes/goals/obstacles can be universal since the beginning of time, but new people in new locations at new times are just that: new. That's important to always remember as a writer - at least to me, and at least to one very important Power-That-Be-Person who can greenlight pretty much anything for a major studio. Tell me a story I haven't heard before.
So in Break Even we have a new world with new people in new places. We have a premise that is grabbing. We have four stories (A,B,C,D) that all unify at the end. We have external and inner conflicts presented in each scene. We have compelling characters who have to make moral decisions/choices throughout. We have consequences - both intended and unintended. We have twists and revelations; audience engagement; and a film that keeps moving. And we have an ultimately entertaining film that also checks the boxes of good story.
Those are some of the critical elements of story, and Break Even reaches them. So kudos to director/producer Shane Stanley and writer CJ Walley for accomplishing that.
And that's why I think it's a great study for writers, and hope you writers will get it/stream it. And also to support your fellow Stage32 members.
And just to add about indie films....I've posted a lot here in the past about the importance of indie productions, which comprise like 95% of all films made in any given year. They might not get 95% of the grosses, or 95% of the press, or 95% of the popcorn sales, but indie films are pretty important to writers and to other workers, and can be great entertainments for patrons. So extra kudos to you for being an indie producer, Shane, and much continued blessings to all of the indie producers in the cinema world.