The last two days I have been frantically writing for
competitions, deadlines all at the end of this month. I don’t know why, but I
seem to always leave everything to the last minute; to the point that 'A' put the
kids to bed so that I could set myself up in the study to start writing a ten
minute play, not continue with one…start one.
It does seem to work for me though. That is why we need
deadlines, otherwise there would be no pressure at all to get things done. All
in all I had six competitions to enter, even though some of them I used work
that I had previously written (recycling), there were two comps that I wanted
to write new work for. This was good for me though, even if it wasn’t good for
the health of everyone around me; I do thrive when I feel the pressure on me
and I have to put myself under pressure at times in order to get things done.
As a freelance writer my only deadlines come from magazines
or competitions, everything else is in my control. To increase my output I put
together a schedule stating what I would be doing on each day. For instance,
Monday I have put down as a writing day; Tuesday a sending day and so on; I
have also set myself targets, each week I have to send a piece of work
somewhere and I have to update this blog every Friday. In order for this to
work I need to be organised, something that doesn’t come very naturally to me.
I have written a list of all the magazines that I could possibly write for and
then I come up with ideas for various articles or stories.
One of my dreams is to write a script for Commando magazine,http://www.commandocomics.com/
I used to love that as a child and have bought an omnibus edition for my son.
There are some really wonderful stories in it and some very memorable
characters, your typical war story characters really. Writing for comics is
very similar to writing a script for stage/tv/film, but it does need action on
every page. I would suggest, if you ever think of attempting writing a script
that you just write it first and then worry about the layout. The story is the
vital thing and with comics, it needs to move at a pace. That is my challenge
for the next few weeks.
As for these competitions, now they are done it is out my
hands. In the last week I have submitted two plays; one poem; a sitcom pitch
with episode one; a one act play and a full length play. I have also sent off a
script that I adapted into a teleplay for a particular company.
Exciting times and a great thing to do, felt like a proper
writer again. Now, I just need to earn more money with my articles.
2 comments:
I am envious of your discipline, productivity and outlook. I just don’t think I have it in me to write. I have the passion for the ideas, the characters, the story. I know I watch and appreciate good to great TV and films. I don’t watch or read rubbish. And watching good things does get my brain ticking over and I get excited again. But... I’m just the least productive writer ever. And I don’t know why.
Oh, should be back in England if there is a writing meeting late Feb / early March. :)
Wonderful post, Zac. I tend to do better with deadlines too, and also lean toward procrastination.I like to think that the "not writing" time is spent mentally preparing for the actual "sit-down work" of writing. Sounds like you have a great schedule worked out. Keep writing:) Blessings, Marissa
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