Reading Makes You a Better Writer?

I love opinions. I love hearing other people's opinions (good or bad) and I love giving my opinion. Really who doesn't?

In saying that, I want to know all of your opinions about reading in general.

I have been told, in order to be a better writer I should read. My answer to that is "Do I have to?" (I don't like to read novels much anymore though I am trying to read 50 books in a year)

Do you believe reading a lot makes a writer better? Why or why not?

I just recently finished a book by James Patterson called "I, Alex Cross" which I couldn't put down. The suspense and mystery of the book made me read it so fast and I enjoyed every minute of it.

Though I find there's very few books that are able to make me want to read it in one sitting.

So I must ask, what makes a book so great and not great to you?

Can't wait to hear your answers. Now I have to bury myself into a another book. I have a lot of catching up still to do.

Update.

So sorry about not posting last week. My computer power cord decided to kaput on me.
My battery for my laptop basically ran out too and right around the time Script Frenzy was about to end.

Fortunately I had enough battery power to verify the amount of pages I did have (104 pages I believe) So yay I get to print out my shiney new winners certificate, dance around in celebration then get my butt back in gear to finish those scripts.

So I have to ask you all something.

Have you heard of MuseItUp Publishing?

A fantastic group of people, including the incredibly wonderful Lea Schizas, has recently opened their own publishing company in Canada. I have heard so many fantastic things about this fresh publishing company that I am now motivated, inspired and DETERMINED to write something for them.

If you ever thought about publishing, or are looking for a publishing company that will treat you well I suggest you take a look at their site. If it's run by Lea then it's bound to be fantastic!

Okay until next time everyone! Thanks for reading

A Little Taste of the Funnies

Note: Okay I am going to say right off the bat that I what you're about to read might be funny or it might not be. For Script Frenzy, as mentioned before, I wanted to write four scripts. I have my first one, which is a short, already done. It is supposed to be somewhat of a comedy, something I never have done before. So as a bit of a treat for you all, here is a little taste of that first draft script.

Let me know what you think. Oh and it's not properly formatted on here... again FIRST DRAFT!

Twaddict

EXT. - SIDEWALK - DAY

LATER THAT DAY

JENIS is walking and checking her Tweets at the same time.

REPORTER and CAMERAMAN follow in front of her.

Jenis almost bumps into RANDOM MAN.

RANDOM MAN
Hey! Watch where you’re going!

Jenis doesn’t look up.

JENIS
What ever man.

CAMERA MAN
You sure you’re not addicted to
Twitter? You’ve been on that thing
all day!

Jenis stops walking.

She walks up to the cameraman and punches him.

Cameraman and CAMERA falls to ground.

A Typical Day

It's the middle of the month (ALREADY?) and of course I have been running around like a chicken with it's head cut off..... okay that's a bad visual.

In lieu of Script Frenzy, I have been up to my ears with things I must finish. Finishing something is not always my strong point but my New Years Resolution was to try to finish things more often....Baby steps Mindy....Babysteps.

So for all of you out there whether you're a writer or not I'm wondering how do you handle busy days?

When I mean busy days I mean you wake up early, you go go go go go go go and then realize it's midnight and you literally fall asleep. I find that since the nice weather has arrived and all the snow is finally gone I have been busiest.

If you are a writer reading this, then I would like to ask how are you able to juggle work, home life, sleep and writing into one day AND finish everything?

Any feedback would be great. I love taking advice from others lol.

Update on Script Frenzy:

I don't know if I mentioned that I am writing four scripts; one short and three feature lengths, in one month.

So far my short is almost done and I am about to start my first of three feature lengths. This one is called Crystal Clear. So far it's about a girl's best male friend returning home and the two realize there's something up with each other. Eventually they find out what is up with each other is that their old feelings for each other are beginning to blossom again which neither want. It's going to be a chick flick basically, which is going to be the first romance type of writing I will have tried.

I will keep you updated and tell you about the other two scripts next week. I am definitely trying other genres besides my thriller/drama niche. Hey if you don't try you'll never know if you're any good.

Until next week, stay safe and have a wonderful week everyone!

Chit Chat with Jennifer Arzt

Here's the low down on Jennifer Arzt:

• She holds a MFA in Film, Television and Recording Arts
• She has pursued writing, directing and producing
• A few of her films have appeared in festivals in the United States
• She is THE Program Director for Script Frenzy
• She loves coffee and any food that her husband cooks

I would like to say thank you to Jennifer for taking time out of her busy schedule to do an interview with me. I cannot imagine how crazy the Script Frenzy office must be right now so I appreciate this.

How did the idea of Script Frenzy come together?

In 1999, Chris Baty started National Novel Writing Month, which has since grown into the largest writing competition in the world. Chris founded the nonprofit Office of Letters and Light in 2006 to run National Novel Writing Month and launch new events. Script Frenzy was the very first event launched by the newly formed nonprofit. In 2007, the curtains rose on the very first Script Frenzy.

Using each consecutive letter in the words "Script Frenzy", describe what the program is about:

Seeking
Creative
Release
In
Planning
Theatrical

Forays
Regarding
Entertaining
Neanderthals.
Zany?
Yes.

Why should someone signup to do Script Frenzy?

It's tough to find time to sit down and write a script without a deadline and no one holding you to it. Not only do we impose a deadline, we offer a huge support group of like-minded writers struggling with the same scriptwriting issues.

If you have a story–and I know you do–Script Frenzy helps you find the time to tell it.

Have you been able to participate writing a 100 page script? If so, how do you manage being the Program Director and trying to accomplish Script Frenzy?

I have! Every year.

It is always a challenge to write a script during Script Frenzy. But, I think that is true for everyone who participates! No matter what. We all have crazy schedules and when there are a few free nights in a row they feel like such a treat it is hard to convince yourself to keep at it and not just relax.

I always attempt to outline and be as prepared as possible before April. It hasn't happened yet, but somehow I always find a way to get to page 100.

What is a typical day in April like for you during Script Frenzy?

There is so much that gets packed into a day, I hardly know where to start. Before Script Frenzy starts I try to be as prepared for it as possible. There are the improvements to the website, new content development, soliciting of Cameos and sponsors, outreach, the planning and managing of the current year's design, pep talk writing, bug finding, coffee drinking, and if I'm lucky, I find time in the evenings for outlining and writing.

What is the most rewarding part of being the Program Director?

Helping people reach their goals. Even writers who don't hit 100 pages get something out of Script Frenzy. It is always so nice to hear how Script Frenzy had a positive impact on someone's life.

Script Frenzy, like NaNoWriMo, is run by donations. If someone is unable to donate but still wanted to help what could they do?

I think that first, I'd like to say that every donation means the world to us. Even $10. There is no donation that is too small.

That being said, we run on a lot of love and elbow grease. Folks can:

• Use GoodSearch.com and pick the Office of Letters and Light as their charity
  Get sponsored by friends and family
• Spread the word about Script Frenzy (We have flier to help)

Every little bit helps!

What is some advice you could give to new participants or people thinking about participating?

Keep writing. No matter what. After you finish the first draft you'll have an amazing understanding of process. Leave in bad dialogue and don't get hung up on a plot hole. Write past, over, and around story stumbling blocks. Often, after you've passed them, the answer becomes clear.

Remember, writing is rewriting. Use Script Frenzy to get to the end of your first draft. It is much easier to start draft two if you have draft one.

If you could be the main character in any movie, who would you be and why?

Edward from Big Fish because he lead a full, wild, and interesting life.

Patience

Hey everyone!

I am just letting you all know that my interview with Jennifer Artz is a bit delayed right now. Script Frenzy starts tomorrow and the poor girl is busier than a bee shall every be. So while we all wait I wanted to ask a question for you all:

Have you ever wrote a script or even thought about writing a script?

If so how did you do? If not, how come you haven't?

Chit Chat with Tavia Stewart-Streit

Here's the low down on Tavia Stewart-Streit:

• She attended the University of Southern California and graduated with a degree in Creative Writing


• Ever heard of Watchword Press? It is a Berkley-based literary organization where Tavia spends her spare time editing and curating.


• In her own words, she can't live without "The support I get from my insanely talented writer friends and coworkers...The high saturation of creative friends combined with my current job here at the Office of Letters and Light makes it nearly impossible for me to slack as a writer"


• She is the Young Writers Program Director for Script Frenzy

I recently had the chance to ask Tavia some questions about the Youth Program and Script Frenzy in general. Before you all read our interview, I would like to say thank you to Tavia for taking time out of her busy day, to answer a few questions of mine. It means a lot to me and I am grateful for this opportunity.

How did the Young Writers Program come together?

The Young Writers Program was created in 2004 after we were inundated with requests for a youth-focused version of National Novel Writing Month from participants who were also educators. After experiencing the benefits of our program first-hand, teachers wanted to share the triumph of writing an entire novel in a month with their students.
We started with a Young Writers Program page on NaNoWriMo’s main site, and due to its immediate success, we moved the YWP to its own website in 2005. In 2007, we built Script Frenzy’s Young Writers Program website in conjunction with the main Script Frenzy site. Both YWP sites offer kids and teens a safe and encouraging place to explore their imaginations, and provide educators with free classroom incentive kits and downloadable curricula including creative-writing lesson plans and workbooks. Script Frenzy’s curriculum is available in the teacher lounge here: http://ywp.scriptfrenzy.org/leaderslounge. 　

How many students/schools have signed up to do Script Frenzy this year and in previous years?

We’ve consistently doubled our participant numbers each year. In 2008, we had around 250 students in 24 classrooms. Last year, we had 480 students in 54 classrooms. This year, we’re expecting over 3,500 students to participate in over 100 classrooms! 　

This is, I believe the fourth year Script Frenzy has been around. What has the reaction of students and teachers been like from the beginning to now?

We’ve only heard positive feedback so far! Educators have found teaching scriptwriting to be much easier and more rewarding than they imagined, and students find themselves actually having fun writing…in school no less. I think teacher Luke Perry describes his experience best in this article on The Writing Teacher blog: http://www.thewritingteacher.org/writing-blog-home/2009/4/1/script-frenzy.html. 　

How could someone, like a parent or teacher, get the program into their school?

Great question! The best way to convince parents and administration to add Script Frenzy to their Language Arts curriculum is by downloading and presenting our newly standardized lesson plans and student workbooks. Sharing testimonials, articles from the press, and statistics is also helpful (http://ywp.scriptfrenzy.org/media). We even have a letter for parents that educators can send home with their students (http://ywp.scriptfrenzy.org/lettertoparents).

Does this program have to be in school or could children do this at home?

Any kid or teen who is 17 or younger can sign up to write a script with us on the Young Writers Program website. Teens 13 or older are allowed to sign up on the main site as well, but will have to write 100 pages of script in order to win. The YWP site allows young writers to set their own page-count goals.

Do you participate in Script Frenzy and if so how are you able to manage the Youth Program and write a 100-page script?

My writing partner and I have written scripts together for the past three events, mainly during my lunch break. It’s amazing what two heads, when put together, can get accomplished in just one hour. That said, it’s easy for me to balance my work life, writing life, and personal life during April.

In five words or less, what makes this program so awesome to participate in?

Writing is better than watching. 　

What does the future hold for The Young Writers Program?

A lot. We’re planning a Young Writers Program Advisory Board Meeting in the next month to discuss curriculum improvements, website feature development, and outreach strategies! We’re hoping to edit our curriculum so it meets even more state Language Arts standards this year, and we’re excited to start developing virtual classrooms on our website so educators can communicate and track students’ writing progress with ease. 　

If you had 100 Monkeys, which Screenplay would you make them rewrite and why?

Wow, this question made me stare out the window for way too long. My co-worker Lindsey would disagree with me on this one, but I would have to say the 1995 Noah Baumbach film Kicking and Screaming. Though the story was entertaining and hilarious, the dialogue was way, way too Juno-clever. Real people aren’t anywhere near as clever and quick witted all the time. I’d love to see that movie re-written with more realistic dialogue.

SCRIPT FRENZY!!

Okay I am so excited because in about three weeks Script Frenzy is about to begin and boy do I have some pretty neat posts for you all relating to Script writing. It is all going to begin next week, where my first of two interviews will be posted. The first interview is with a lovely gal named Tavia Stewart-Streit who is the Director of the Youth Program for Script Frenzy. The second interview will be on the 29th and will be with Jennifer Arzt who is the Program Director of Script Frenzy. These gals are very important people when it comes to running the program.

Now I know what you all must be thinking. You're probably thinking "Mindy, what the hell is Script Frenzy?" Well for those who have absolutely no clue, Script Frenzy (aka the little sister of NaNoWriMo) is an event where a gigantic group of writers from around the world, decide to write a full 100 page screenplay, stage play, T.V shows, short films, and graphic novels during the month of April.

As a writer who is willing to try almost anything, I hopped on board as a participant when this program started about 3 or 4 years ago. Ever since then I look forward to April each year. It is absolutely fun and I urge all of you to try it out. Even if you never wrote anything all. Just TRY it and you'll love it! I'm sure of it.

For more information click Script Frenzy

Article (More like Website) of the Month

I'm a few days late with this post and I apologize for that.... we finally have received some beautiful warm weather which means more time outside!! YAY

For this Month's article of the month I wanted to send you to a website about an author named Ronald Kelly. In December I won an advanced copy of his new novel called Hell Hollow which I will be reviewing hopefully next week.

Ronald Kelly

Without revealing anything, all I will say is that it's a pretty entertaining novel thus far and is definitely my type of genre! The cover is quite creepy too and has scared a few of the kids I take care of.

Look for that review next week and until next time, have a great week everyone!

Picture of Words

I took this picture in my backyard last month. I thought it was pretty with the snow upon the branches and while I was looking at it this morning I wanted to see if anyone could come up with a poem or a one line story to go with the photo. I thought this could get some of you writer's juices flowing in your mind.

Can't wait to hear what you come up with!