Hello Act 4...

...thought you'd be gone 'til November.

I'm writing the pilot of an original one-hour. It's only the first draft I keep telling myself. Just get it on the screen and worry about the little things later. Easier said. I've hit several blocks along the way, particularly in Act 3. I keep worrying that my characters are too flat and the dialogue too drawn out.

And then I hear voices (not the usual ones), whisper "focus on the story," "the story is key". Yes, very true. Every time I worry about anything other than the story, I get frustrated, leave my work station, and decide I need another coffee. Or I walk up and down the stairs, wondering why I didn't pay more attention in math class--I could've been an accountant!

Then I return to my desk, poke around old notes, quotes, and sayings I collect to keep me motivated, and read a few that relate to writing.

One of my personal favourites: "Just get it down on paper, and then we'll see what to do about it." I scribbled the quote on my whiteboard, facing my desk. Anytime I feel like I've hit a wall, I just look up and read it.

Get the story out, tell the damn story. Then go back for the little things.