— my Final Draft screenwriting program, bought for me as a surprise gift. It’s the best thing ever.
— the new Green Day album. Goosebumps.
— the way Hope stops to clean herself in the middle of madly attacking a Netflix envelope
— my mother and how good she is, how kind and deep
— all of Jean and Pat’s friends – top-notch people
— my weight loss
— my cousins
— my Velcro curlers
— $200 round-trip-tickets to Los Angeles – score!
— the weather now – I love the spring chill in the air
— all my pen pals
— the kick-ass query letter my agent wrote to send out to publishers and editors. If that doesn’t sell my book nothing will.
— television movies from the 1980s and the crazy freakin’ events they can wrought decades later
— Lucy’s multiple chins and her beautiful hands and puffy cheeks
— email. Facebook. Twitter. All the ways we all can keep in touch … especially with my family … and the events of the last year. I have never felt alone.
Things I Love: Sheila
Several people have noted it, but the one I remember is George Carlin, who said that his dog just does whatever’s next….
I thought about that whenever you wrote about Hope attacking the Netflix envelope. Today, while visiting them at home, I watched my parents’ cat go from calmly cleaning its paws to intently studying the wires for my MP3 player’s earbuds, which had fallen out of my pocket, to attacking them. It was unfortunate for me, but at the very least I know I’d be okay if I had mice falling from my pockets.
Maybe we can say the dog does what’s next…the cat knows priorities, and how to change gears….
Great airfare find! (Any tips?)
Hope attacking the Netflix envelope–is it that she hated the film, or that she loved it so much she’s sabotaging the way to send it back?
As for the sudden bath, as Suzy Becker would say, “When in doubt, wash.”
Tommy – hahahaha I love how cats can just stop what they’re doing, take a quick bath, and then go back on the attack. And I love that Carlin quote!
Kate – My cousin Mike forwarded me a link to some flights on Virgin America that were all in the 200 dollar range – I am flying on a red-eye on my return flight, but there were also earlier flights at the same price.
I’m psyched. I haven’t had a vacation in almost a year.
A purely selfish and practical question: Any tips on securing an agent. My manuscript (it’s a crime novel) is almost finished.
Michael – for me it was about already getting something published on my own steam. She came to me.
Have you used the screenwriting program yet? If so, what do you like about it?
Jen – Yes I have! Screenplays obviously have to look a certain way – Courier font, and centered, and all that stuff (like this) – and Final Draft does all of that for you. I am still learning – but it definitely makes it easier to just type dialogue straight into the program, without having to slow down. You also don’t have to then go back and format everything so it looks right.
Best surprise gift ever. So practical, really useful.
Are most of the songs on the new Green Day album much like Do You Know Your Enemy? I saw them perform it on SNL and while I thought it was very Bad Religion-esque, it’s probably the best thing I think I’ve heard from them.
Cullen – That’s a really good one. My favorite so far is “horseshoes and hand grenades”. I’ve had it on eternal repeat since I bought it 2 days ago and every time I hear it I want to set fire to cars and shit like that.
Cashel’s a huge Green Day fan – I’ll have to see what he thinks about it when I’m out in LA.
Sheila- that is so cool about Final Draft. I’ve read a few books about writing a screenplay and was SO overwhelmed by the formatting…so this makes it look a lot easier. Now all I have to do is write it…
Thanks!
you strike me as a mac girl. Have you ever checked out Scrivener?