One somewhat controversial thing I believe about writing is that it's very good to be able to imitate other writers' styles. Other writers and scholars thereof might disagree, failing to see any practical application for it, and protesting that it's more important to refine and develop your own unique voice rather than trying to copy someone else's ( Read more... )

I've been reading John Finnemore's blog entries on the design process behind writing the episodes of Cabin Pressure. I always find that sort of thing fascinating, as I both love glimpses into the artistic process, as well as find it instructive to see how writers I admire go about making their work effective.

( Blabbing about Cabin Pressure and sitcom writing that interests no one but me. )

Today I finally remembered that the last episode of Cabin Pressure had been released-- over two months ago, as a matter of fact --and I hadn't listened to it. Tonight I finally did, and I am reasonably satisfied. To be honest, it didn't WOW me, as it rested on some plot stuff that I personally didn't think measured up to its usual level of ( Read more... )

I made myself a promise that anything I wrote longer than than ten minutes was going to pass the Bechdel Test. It is not a very high bar to include at least two female characters who talk to each other about the point of the story/something besides a man, so I am determined to do it. I have succeeded since I instituted this rule, which includes all ( Read more... )

As I have occasionally mentioned before on this blog, I don't think I'm the most talented when it comes to writing comedy. I like to think of myself as a fairly witty person, who can make you laugh with a clever remark in conversation now and again. But when it comes to coming up with real jokes or funny lines, that's more the province of other ( Read more... )

So much work today. I need to get the two costume breastplates for She Kills Monsters in such as a state as I can bring them in and make them fit the kids who are wearing them. One of them is mostly there, the other one hopefully I can get to that point in the next couple of hours. Thing is, I'd rather not worry about painting them today, as that's ( Read more... )

Overwhelmed and not doing so well. Negative, pessimistic thoughts have been pretty intrusive lately. I'm trying to keep working on the projects that are important to me, as productivity usually helps me feel better and the only way to ever get through is to persevere, but I'm feeling a bit discouraged and directionless. Maybe laying them out to ( Read more... )

A stab at an opening scene for the Cabin Pressure fan fiction! It's pretty horrible, but hey, it means I'm finished! 31 PLAYS IN 31 DAYS 2014!!!!! Yay!

Now I go sleep.

( Day #31 - )

Another big mess of a scene for my Cabin Pressure: San Tropez fan fiction. These are tough to write, I think because I'm aiming for someone else's distinctive style and characters. Also I want it to be funny with a touch of pathos as the original manages, such as you find of a show like Scrubs. That's pretty tough for me. So I just banged this out ( Read more... )

This scene for my Cabin Pressure fan fiction is a complete mess. I pushed to finish it so it has a lot of slapdash connective bits in it. But I do like the main ideas. I want the crew to be talking a little bit about their past relationships and revealing what their view of love has become based on past experience. Here's something for Carolyn, and ( Read more... )