It's hard to keep a strong chin, and good attitude at times.
I am the worst about that. Though I've long ago gotten over cloudy weather.
When I'm upset sometimes I have to go and "re-set". That might mean to take a shower or a 30 minute power nap.
Some things are hard to shake from your mind. I get so upset about work at times, problems arise in the middle of the night. I begin to think about the problem, and suddenly, I've lost my "sleepy feeling".
From our days at the Unity Church I remembered a saying "...get behind me, ___, J.C. rules my Life." You just fill in the blank with whatever was bothering you, and mentally see it going from your inside forehead screen to the back of your head.
Sometimes I have to do this with my business partner, David. I'll say to myself, "...stop thinking about that problem, send it to the back of the line in your head."
It works, try it.
I find that I can rarely understand what people are thinking, but I surely can control my own thoughts, especially the crazier ones! HA
Showing posts with label tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tips. Show all posts
Monday, March 2, 2009
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Editing: Thinking through Extravagance Transitions Part 2
Since the last entry, while explaining a transitional problem with the 2nd Act, I spotted transitional problems in the 1st Act.
The first version is listed here:
Act 1
Let’s Go Play Tennis
Stars on an Island in the Sea
Road Dog (my light fearing Lovely)
The 25th Anniversary Song
Her Face
Workin’ For the Government (...a soldier's song.)
First Christmas (Being Together)
Oscar’s been good to David
Something’s Wrong With The (Her) System
Advertisement: Zodiac Commercial, 1991
I realized that I should list all musical components including the Prelude.
Also, I want to keep the audience alive, so I need to add a couple more "peppy" numbers. While getting coffee this morning I knew I had to write a song about extravagance, that the main lesson was missing.
Here is the latest:
Act 1
Open: Flight
Let’s Go Play Tennis
Stars on an Island in the Sea
Road Dog (my light fearing Lovely)
The 25th Anniversary Song
Her Face
Workin’ For the Government (...a soldier's song.)
First Christmas (Being Together)
Oscar’s been good to David
Something’s Wrong With The (Her) System
Advertisement: Zodiac Commercial, 1991
The first version is listed here:
Act 1
Let’s Go Play Tennis
Stars on an Island in the Sea
Road Dog (my light fearing Lovely)
The 25th Anniversary Song
Her Face
Workin’ For the Government (...a soldier's song.)
First Christmas (Being Together)
Oscar’s been good to David
Something’s Wrong With The (Her) System
Advertisement: Zodiac Commercial, 1991
I realized that I should list all musical components including the Prelude.
Also, I want to keep the audience alive, so I need to add a couple more "peppy" numbers. While getting coffee this morning I knew I had to write a song about extravagance, that the main lesson was missing.
Here is the latest:
Act 1
Open: Flight
Let’s Go Play Tennis
Stars on an Island in the Sea
Road Dog (my light fearing Lovely)
The 25th Anniversary Song
Her Face
Workin’ For the Government (...a soldier's song.)
First Christmas (Being Together)
Oscar’s been good to David
Something’s Wrong With The (Her) System
Advertisement: Zodiac Commercial, 1991
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Editing: Thinking through Transitions between Songs in a Musical Play
Perhaps the hardest thing I have ever had to do as a video editor (and now writer) was come to terms with my story transition frustrations. As a matter of observation: most changes in script/story just don't seem natural to me.
There is an advantage in television and screen because in the Editing Room they add some natural sound break which jars the viewer back to the story. I know this because I did it thousands of times for multiple stories. Yes, modern trickery and visual slight of hand older-than-the-book! As editors our thought was: "...it was available and so I used it"
Whereas we share the infinity of sound, and therefore sound effects---in musical theater it is often the musical script-to-numbers which "don't fit the transition"; extracting huge amounts of believability/credibility from the storyline. Imagine the wrong character singing the wrong lamentation and this can ruin the "run of story".
Keeping in mind that the best movies often have the most smart transitions, in Musical Theater we should look to each story as if we can see it on film---at least between scene transitions.
For instance, the last object of focal point on stage should be the actual opening point from the next scene. Fading to black is usually accepted but a modern day cope-out in artistic circles when a clever transition can usually be experimented with during rehearsals.
Now add a musical theater component where---as a rule we "keep hope alive every other act" ---we will easily spot weak points in the script.
I'll use Extravagance Act 2 as an example:
Originally I had these three elements back-to-back:
Act 2
Extravagance
Coming Home in Dress Blue Blues (a requiem for war heroes)
When I Miss My Hair (written by music artist Derek Toomey)
Okay so I liked the numbers and I knew they had to come in this particular order. I didn't know where I wanted to go with the transitions. I only knew I had to make it to these three points within the plot line.
Another problem...two of the three songs are bittersweet melodies. How does one "sell" that. They don't, without losing the audience!
As I thought about it I realized the 3 needed to be cushioned with a lot of script and a couple of get up on your feet and dance numbers.
I decided to add some funny song about the odd jobs actors do after their careers fade called No Work for Old Hollywood?
The new play now looks like this:
Act 2
Extravagance
No Work for Old Hollywood?
Coming Home in Dress Blue Blues (a requiem for war heroes)
Go Deluxe
When I Miss My Hair (written by music artist Derek Toomey)
(...continued)
-------------------------------------
------------------------------------
Extravagance, the Musical by Ray Macon
An island in 1990 is the setting for this, the unofficial new “Cancer Musical of Hope”.
Aging celebrities Margot and David Fontaine think they have it all until Margot “begins to ignore” her breast cancer and their only son runs away to the Persian Gulf War. Not accustomed to failure; how will they make it through war, career layoffs, Hollywood politics and keep their love intact? There’s a surprise at the end which will leave one asking “why do I always doubt myself?”
Songs written for this work include:
Act 1
Prelude: Flight
The Crossing
Let’s Go Play Tennis
Stars on an Island in the Sea
Road Dog (my light fearing Lovely)
The 25th Anniversary Song
Her Face
Workin’ For the Government (...a soldier's song.)
First Christmas (Being Together)
Oscar’s been good to David
Something’s Wrong With The (Her) System
Advertisement: Zodiac Commercial, 1991
Act 2
Extravagance
No Work for Old Hollywood?
Coming Home in Dress Blue Blues (a requiem for war heroes)
Go Deluxe
When I Miss My Hair (written by music artist Derek Toomey)
We no Longer have to Fake it
She’s got the Fire to Make It
Reprise “First Act Songs”
This is what it Means to be Alive
Extravagance reprise
The 40th Anniversary Song
Advertisement: Metro sexual Male 2006
Postlude: Land
There is an advantage in television and screen because in the Editing Room they add some natural sound break which jars the viewer back to the story. I know this because I did it thousands of times for multiple stories. Yes, modern trickery and visual slight of hand older-than-the-book! As editors our thought was: "...it was available and so I used it"
Whereas we share the infinity of sound, and therefore sound effects---in musical theater it is often the musical script-to-numbers which "don't fit the transition"; extracting huge amounts of believability/credibility from the storyline. Imagine the wrong character singing the wrong lamentation and this can ruin the "run of story".
Keeping in mind that the best movies often have the most smart transitions, in Musical Theater we should look to each story as if we can see it on film---at least between scene transitions.
For instance, the last object of focal point on stage should be the actual opening point from the next scene. Fading to black is usually accepted but a modern day cope-out in artistic circles when a clever transition can usually be experimented with during rehearsals.
Now add a musical theater component where---as a rule we "keep hope alive every other act" ---we will easily spot weak points in the script.
I'll use Extravagance Act 2 as an example:
Originally I had these three elements back-to-back:
Act 2
Extravagance
Coming Home in Dress Blue Blues (a requiem for war heroes)
When I Miss My Hair (written by music artist Derek Toomey)
Okay so I liked the numbers and I knew they had to come in this particular order. I didn't know where I wanted to go with the transitions. I only knew I had to make it to these three points within the plot line.
Another problem...two of the three songs are bittersweet melodies. How does one "sell" that. They don't, without losing the audience!
As I thought about it I realized the 3 needed to be cushioned with a lot of script and a couple of get up on your feet and dance numbers.
I decided to add some funny song about the odd jobs actors do after their careers fade called No Work for Old Hollywood?
The other song choice came from a totally wacky party idea from the mid 90s. The challenge was donning that old outfit under plastic you'd been meaning to wear for years beside your closeted Deluxe Vacuum. The night included drinking out of plastic cups stuffed into antique high heels.
I figured it could actually be a hit if we consider the large amount of crap we carry in our closets. It could also be a transitional song of acceptance (and coming-out) after Danny returns from war.
The new play now looks like this:
Act 2
Extravagance
No Work for Old Hollywood?
Coming Home in Dress Blue Blues (a requiem for war heroes)
Go Deluxe
When I Miss My Hair (written by music artist Derek Toomey)
(...continued)
-------------------------------------
------------------------------------
Extravagance, the Musical by Ray Macon
An island in 1990 is the setting for this, the unofficial new “Cancer Musical of Hope”.
Aging celebrities Margot and David Fontaine think they have it all until Margot “begins to ignore” her breast cancer and their only son runs away to the Persian Gulf War. Not accustomed to failure; how will they make it through war, career layoffs, Hollywood politics and keep their love intact? There’s a surprise at the end which will leave one asking “why do I always doubt myself?”
Songs written for this work include:
Act 1
Prelude: Flight
The Crossing
Let’s Go Play Tennis
Stars on an Island in the Sea
Road Dog (my light fearing Lovely)
The 25th Anniversary Song
Her Face
Workin’ For the Government (...a soldier's song.)
First Christmas (Being Together)
Oscar’s been good to David
Something’s Wrong With The (Her) System
Advertisement: Zodiac Commercial, 1991
Act 2
Extravagance
No Work for Old Hollywood?
Coming Home in Dress Blue Blues (a requiem for war heroes)
Go Deluxe
When I Miss My Hair (written by music artist Derek Toomey)
We no Longer have to Fake it
She’s got the Fire to Make It
Reprise “First Act Songs”
This is what it Means to be Alive
Extravagance reprise
The 40th Anniversary Song
Advertisement: Metro sexual Male 2006
Postlude: Land
Monday, January 29, 2007
Professional Writing
Q: Do you ever send professional association letters, and how do you go about composing them?
Yes, I send professional letters all the time. A good rule of thumb is to always ask yourself: what is the purpose of the correspondence? Is it to invite attendees? Is the purpose to update members (such as the examples from Cindy and I below) on the association's events or work?
You can be personal but not be too personal. For instance, start with a sincere sentence like:
"Hi (your name here),
I hope everyone in your family is well.
Procede to what you really want:
I just wanted to remind you about our Writing Workshop which we will be holding in the Clubhouse of our Complex this coming Saturday.
End with a sincere tagline and sign-out:
If there are any questions or concerns, please call my cell. I know you mentioned a previous engagement, but you are always welcome to join us!
Sincerely (or better yet---) Your Friend,
RR Macon
Atlanta
---------------
Another good tip is to keep it simple. Cindy keeps her letters more compact than me, but I make up for that by including helpful links.
In the example below Cindy and I wanted our Urban Professionals Network to set-aside certain event dates.
However, always trying to go that extra mile with writing---I also used the letter to compliment members who have business tools our entire group could share.
So it accomplishes both goals:
-----------------------------------
Hi Urban Professionals (UP)!
I just want to commend David Page on his company's growth to an Internet-Based business. Check out this link to his web site: http://www.page-enterprises.cceasy.com/index.cfm.We have seen David's web site grow from being an info-only page to a business where you can receive your own login and customers discounts. You can shop, and browse hundreds of products. David this must have taken a long time and as one of your fellow UP Members, I compliment you.
In the world of mortgage news---have you ever wanted to "watch" a housing market from as far as two states away? The other day Lonnie Schatz and I compared notes and we both are interested in watching the South Florida real estate market. AHM has a great tool which you can use to watch other real estate markets. Locally I use their Home Buyers Marketplace "Scout" to keep my eye of the 30306 area code. If you know ANY realtors, send them Lonnie's way. Believe me, they need this tool more than ever. (To inquire, send Lonnie an email Lonnie Schatz lonnie.schatz@americanhm.com).
Also congratulations to Leah Henderson's son Adam Arcuragi for getting recognized by ABC News. Adam is a very talented musician.
I play Adam's demo CD all the time and I am happy he is getting the recognition he deserves: http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/index?section=entertainment&id=4528277
We hope to everyone at the breakfast on February 7th at Huey's (8-9am). UP Members please feel free to bring a guest.
At UP we celebrate small business and the many steps it takes to be successful. And we can be successful. Keep climbing higher everyone! Cindy Caldwell's Monthly email follows...
Your Friend,
Ray Macon
Persily & Associates
"Now a full service law firm!"
404-352-1100
http://www.persilylaw.com/
http://raisemytownmylove.blogspot.com/
-----------------------------------------
Hi everyone...
Please save the dates for our February events!
Wed, Feb 7 from 8 - 9am at Huey's on Peachtree in Midtown--invite guests for coffee, beignets & professional networking! We will do one-minutes and set up our speaker schedule for '07. We encourage you to invite guests to speak for future meetings!
Thursday, Feb 22 - margaritas at El Azteca (close to Huey's on Peachtree) from 6 - 8pm -- casual networking!
An email will be coming from Ray shortly that you can use to invite guests to these events.
--Cindy
Cindy D. Caldwell
Creative Consultant/Business Development
Randstad Creative Talent
"Good to Know You"
http://www.us.randstad.com/
http://www.randstadinsight.com/ (National Employment News)
Yes, I send professional letters all the time. A good rule of thumb is to always ask yourself: what is the purpose of the correspondence? Is it to invite attendees? Is the purpose to update members (such as the examples from Cindy and I below) on the association's events or work?
You can be personal but not be too personal. For instance, start with a sincere sentence like:
"Hi (your name here),
I hope everyone in your family is well.
Procede to what you really want:
I just wanted to remind you about our Writing Workshop which we will be holding in the Clubhouse of our Complex this coming Saturday.
End with a sincere tagline and sign-out:
If there are any questions or concerns, please call my cell. I know you mentioned a previous engagement, but you are always welcome to join us!
Sincerely (or better yet---) Your Friend,
RR Macon
Atlanta
---------------
Another good tip is to keep it simple. Cindy keeps her letters more compact than me, but I make up for that by including helpful links.
In the example below Cindy and I wanted our Urban Professionals Network to set-aside certain event dates.
However, always trying to go that extra mile with writing---I also used the letter to compliment members who have business tools our entire group could share.
So it accomplishes both goals:
-----------------------------------
Hi Urban Professionals (UP)!
I just want to commend David Page on his company's growth to an Internet-Based business. Check out this link to his web site: http://www.page-enterprises.cceasy.com/index.cfm.We have seen David's web site grow from being an info-only page to a business where you can receive your own login and customers discounts. You can shop, and browse hundreds of products. David this must have taken a long time and as one of your fellow UP Members, I compliment you.
In the world of mortgage news---have you ever wanted to "watch" a housing market from as far as two states away? The other day Lonnie Schatz and I compared notes and we both are interested in watching the South Florida real estate market. AHM has a great tool which you can use to watch other real estate markets. Locally I use their Home Buyers Marketplace "Scout" to keep my eye of the 30306 area code. If you know ANY realtors, send them Lonnie's way. Believe me, they need this tool more than ever. (To inquire, send Lonnie an email Lonnie Schatz lonnie.schatz@americanhm.com).
Also congratulations to Leah Henderson's son Adam Arcuragi for getting recognized by ABC News. Adam is a very talented musician.
I play Adam's demo CD all the time and I am happy he is getting the recognition he deserves: http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/index?section=entertainment&id=4528277
We hope to everyone at the breakfast on February 7th at Huey's (8-9am). UP Members please feel free to bring a guest.
At UP we celebrate small business and the many steps it takes to be successful. And we can be successful. Keep climbing higher everyone! Cindy Caldwell's Monthly email follows...
Your Friend,
Ray Macon
Persily & Associates
"Now a full service law firm!"
404-352-1100
http://www.persilylaw.com/
http://raisemytownmylove.blogspot.com/
-----------------------------------------
Hi everyone...
Please save the dates for our February events!
Wed, Feb 7 from 8 - 9am at Huey's on Peachtree in Midtown--invite guests for coffee, beignets & professional networking! We will do one-minutes and set up our speaker schedule for '07. We encourage you to invite guests to speak for future meetings!
Thursday, Feb 22 - margaritas at El Azteca (close to Huey's on Peachtree) from 6 - 8pm -- casual networking!
An email will be coming from Ray shortly that you can use to invite guests to these events.
--Cindy
Cindy D. Caldwell
Creative Consultant/Business Development
Randstad Creative Talent
"Good to Know You"
http://www.us.randstad.com/
http://www.randstadinsight.com/ (National Employment News)
Friday, January 26, 2007
Creating an Outline
Sometimes the best way to finish a story is to think through the entire story in one-line sentences. Then, allow each sentence to represent a chapter. If you already know where you are going with the story, simply by knowing what is expected from each small segment can lead your book to finality.
This is a half list of chapters for my RAISE outline. Part of the book takes place in the Present, the other in 1950s. Some of the flashbacks have not been completed by my Co-author.
It's a great example of how to start a story, nonetheless:
Raise My Town My Love
Chapter 1 The Accident
Chapter 2 The Diner
Chapter 3 The Old Man
Chapter 4 David Unwinds
Chapter 5 Chopping Cotton
Chapter 6 Home Life with the Leathers
Chapter 7 David Awakes---Crystal Comes Home
Chapter 8 More Rest and Art Supplies
Chapter 9 Our Big Town
Chapter 10 Tension: Will It Rain Before Harvest?
Chapter 11 Cotton Trailer Line Wait
Chapter 12 Weigh-In of Trailers and Bales are Formed
Chapter 13 Friend Killed Stompin’ Cotton
Chapter 14 Funeral for a Friend
Chapter 15 Hunt Day
Chapter 16 The Hunt
Chapter 17 Christmas at the Leathers
Chapter 18 Modern Day: Hunt Day Goodbyes
Chapter 19 Crystal at the Diner
Chapter 20 David at Home with Trumpet
Chapter 21 Flashback
Chapter 22 Flashback
Chapter 23 Flashback
Chapter 24 David showers and goes for coffee and to see Crystal.
Chapter 25 The Marketing Expert Stranger
Chapter 26 Conversation with a Stranger
Chapter 27 Tour of Town with the Stranger
Chapter 28 Flashback: The death of Stan Leathers
Chapter 29 Flashback: L.E. our new dad?
Chapter 30 Flashback: Life on the farm
Chapter 31 Day Off---Trip to City
Chapter 32 Meet Marketing Expert for Dinner
Chapter 33 Flashback: Children Begin to Leave
Chapter 34 Flashback: Child #2 Leaves
Chapter 35 Flashback: Children 3 & 4 leave…well kind of leave.
Chapter 36 David dreams of a “last wagon train to Hollis.”
Chapter 37 A Walk in the Park with Crystal
Chapter 38 Tour of Dallas with the Marketing Director
Chapter 39 Dull day back at work in Hollis
Chapter 40 Mexican Birthday Party
Chapter 41 Flashback: The Leathers family takes in 5 strangers
Chapter 42 Flashback: Brothers go hunting together with strangers
Chapter 43 Flashback: Oldest Brother Trey becomes a policeman
Chapter 44 Flashback: Davey becomes a policeman
Chapter 45 Flashback: Hard Times Ahead: Pills...and kids to boot.
Chapter 46 Policeman Dave and the Weird Smell by the Bridge
Chapter 47 David in the Library researching American Roadside Attractions
Chapter 48 David meets friend, Douglas, who helps investigate smell.
Chapter 49 David finds the body of a Latina
Chapter 50 Consoles Crystal. Several days of his following her home.
Chapter 51 Flashback:
Chapter 52 Flashback:
Chapter 53 Flashback:
Chapter 54 Clue: "This ole town, people going down."
Chapter 55 David and OBI meet to discuss case.
Chapter 56 David & Deputies beef-up control of town
Chapter 57 Fashion Shoot in Hollis
Chapter 58 Conversations in the Diner
Chapter 59 Missing Model
Chapter 60 Flashback:
Chapter 61 Flashback:
Chapter 62 Flashback:
Chapter 63 Missing Model found dead
Chapter 64 David is questioned by his old boss, the Sheriff
Chapter 65 David is questioned by the press
Chapter 66 David meets a reporter
Chapter 67 David plays trumpet after reading his "bad press", finds clue.
Chapter 68 OBI reveals a connection and warns of a loose "madman".
Chapter 69 David on patrol
Chapter 70 Flashback:
Chapter 71 Flashback:
Chapter 72 Flashback:
Chapter 73 David follows a stranger
Chapter 74 Killer traps Crystal
Chapter 75 David confronts and kills murderer
Chapter 76 David is cleared, consoles Crystal
Chapter 77 David & Crystal spend time together, magazine spread arrives
Chapter 78 Movie company calls for shoot
Chapter 79 Leathers children return to Hollis
Chapter 80 Leathers new:
Chapter 81 Leathers new:
Chapter 82 David asks Crystal's father for her hand in marriage
Chapter 83 David on patrol, reads positive article about town
Chapter 84 Movie studio comes to town, changing city scape and rundown look.
Chapter 85 Crystal & David become engaged
Chapter 86 David becomes Catholic
Chapter 87 David & Crystal speak of moving
Chapter 88 Wedding Town
Chapter 89 Reality & the town today
This is a half list of chapters for my RAISE outline. Part of the book takes place in the Present, the other in 1950s. Some of the flashbacks have not been completed by my Co-author.
It's a great example of how to start a story, nonetheless:
Raise My Town My Love
Chapter 1 The Accident
Chapter 2 The Diner
Chapter 3 The Old Man
Chapter 4 David Unwinds
Chapter 5 Chopping Cotton
Chapter 6 Home Life with the Leathers
Chapter 7 David Awakes---Crystal Comes Home
Chapter 8 More Rest and Art Supplies
Chapter 9 Our Big Town
Chapter 10 Tension: Will It Rain Before Harvest?
Chapter 11 Cotton Trailer Line Wait
Chapter 12 Weigh-In of Trailers and Bales are Formed
Chapter 13 Friend Killed Stompin’ Cotton
Chapter 14 Funeral for a Friend
Chapter 15 Hunt Day
Chapter 16 The Hunt
Chapter 17 Christmas at the Leathers
Chapter 18 Modern Day: Hunt Day Goodbyes
Chapter 19 Crystal at the Diner
Chapter 20 David at Home with Trumpet
Chapter 21 Flashback
Chapter 22 Flashback
Chapter 23 Flashback
Chapter 24 David showers and goes for coffee and to see Crystal.
Chapter 25 The Marketing Expert Stranger
Chapter 26 Conversation with a Stranger
Chapter 27 Tour of Town with the Stranger
Chapter 28 Flashback: The death of Stan Leathers
Chapter 29 Flashback: L.E. our new dad?
Chapter 30 Flashback: Life on the farm
Chapter 31 Day Off---Trip to City
Chapter 32 Meet Marketing Expert for Dinner
Chapter 33 Flashback: Children Begin to Leave
Chapter 34 Flashback: Child #2 Leaves
Chapter 35 Flashback: Children 3 & 4 leave…well kind of leave.
Chapter 36 David dreams of a “last wagon train to Hollis.”
Chapter 37 A Walk in the Park with Crystal
Chapter 38 Tour of Dallas with the Marketing Director
Chapter 39 Dull day back at work in Hollis
Chapter 40 Mexican Birthday Party
Chapter 41 Flashback: The Leathers family takes in 5 strangers
Chapter 42 Flashback: Brothers go hunting together with strangers
Chapter 43 Flashback: Oldest Brother Trey becomes a policeman
Chapter 44 Flashback: Davey becomes a policeman
Chapter 45 Flashback: Hard Times Ahead: Pills...and kids to boot.
Chapter 46 Policeman Dave and the Weird Smell by the Bridge
Chapter 47 David in the Library researching American Roadside Attractions
Chapter 48 David meets friend, Douglas, who helps investigate smell.
Chapter 49 David finds the body of a Latina
Chapter 50 Consoles Crystal. Several days of his following her home.
Chapter 51 Flashback:
Chapter 52 Flashback:
Chapter 53 Flashback:
Chapter 54 Clue: "This ole town, people going down."
Chapter 55 David and OBI meet to discuss case.
Chapter 56 David & Deputies beef-up control of town
Chapter 57 Fashion Shoot in Hollis
Chapter 58 Conversations in the Diner
Chapter 59 Missing Model
Chapter 60 Flashback:
Chapter 61 Flashback:
Chapter 62 Flashback:
Chapter 63 Missing Model found dead
Chapter 64 David is questioned by his old boss, the Sheriff
Chapter 65 David is questioned by the press
Chapter 66 David meets a reporter
Chapter 67 David plays trumpet after reading his "bad press", finds clue.
Chapter 68 OBI reveals a connection and warns of a loose "madman".
Chapter 69 David on patrol
Chapter 70 Flashback:
Chapter 71 Flashback:
Chapter 72 Flashback:
Chapter 73 David follows a stranger
Chapter 74 Killer traps Crystal
Chapter 75 David confronts and kills murderer
Chapter 76 David is cleared, consoles Crystal
Chapter 77 David & Crystal spend time together, magazine spread arrives
Chapter 78 Movie company calls for shoot
Chapter 79 Leathers children return to Hollis
Chapter 80 Leathers new:
Chapter 81 Leathers new:
Chapter 82 David asks Crystal's father for her hand in marriage
Chapter 83 David on patrol, reads positive article about town
Chapter 84 Movie studio comes to town, changing city scape and rundown look.
Chapter 85 Crystal & David become engaged
Chapter 86 David becomes Catholic
Chapter 87 David & Crystal speak of moving
Chapter 88 Wedding Town
Chapter 89 Reality & the town today
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Create an Outline: Raise My Town My Love
Hollis, Oklahoma.
Present Day
Story begins with a Policeman and an accident; where four adults are killed. None of the adults are wearing belts. One baby survives.
In the second chapter we see Policeman David drawing with a piece of charcoal--- while on duty. He's drawn the baby seat from the accident site! An old man interrupts his silence and David follows the old man, a local crazy, back to the man's home.
Q: Why write it this way?
Two juxtaposing situations back-to-back early-on creates empathy and eventual trust for our protagonist, David.
He witnesses something horrible that could have been prevented. As the first on the scene David saves one life, a baby.
In the second scene we witness David's otherwise boring life as a policeman and general good guy.
Might as well go ahead and give him up to the forces of evil: He's one of those---he helps the elderly.
Yet we must suspect David's going to be wounded by this opening scene nonetheless.
Tip: Visualize entire scene from top to bottom. You've already began taking infant steps toward the story. What happens second by second?
If I am driving down a road and start to dodge objects in the road, the road is certainly opening a story for me, ...just ahead?
Present Day
Story begins with a Policeman and an accident; where four adults are killed. None of the adults are wearing belts. One baby survives.
In the second chapter we see Policeman David drawing with a piece of charcoal--- while on duty. He's drawn the baby seat from the accident site! An old man interrupts his silence and David follows the old man, a local crazy, back to the man's home.
Q: Why write it this way?
Two juxtaposing situations back-to-back early-on creates empathy and eventual trust for our protagonist, David.
He witnesses something horrible that could have been prevented. As the first on the scene David saves one life, a baby.
In the second scene we witness David's otherwise boring life as a policeman and general good guy.
Might as well go ahead and give him up to the forces of evil: He's one of those---he helps the elderly.
Yet we must suspect David's going to be wounded by this opening scene nonetheless.
Tip: Visualize entire scene from top to bottom. You've already began taking infant steps toward the story. What happens second by second?
If I am driving down a road and start to dodge objects in the road, the road is certainly opening a story for me, ...just ahead?
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