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when’s the last time you did something crazy? or “why I entered the Nicholl”

April 30, 2012 in media, arts & faith, the writing life with 0 Comments

Back in the beginning of 2012 the Lord told me that my word for this year was “courage.”

That is great and all, but the need for courage usually necessitates “scary things to be courageous about”. I’m already neck deep into that and most of it, well, I can’t talk about – yet. At some point I might be able to share what the last 8 weeks has been like. I feel like I’ve been stretched like taffy – it’s all good – but wow. So unexpected.

Kind of like God. He takes my breath away sometimes. And He’s taken my breath away over and over.

But when we glimpse just how big and amazing and awesome God is, we can start to believe for the crazy things. We stop getting tripped up by the impossible and instead just jump into the water and see what might happen. Even when the odds are stacked against us. God has been challenging me to pray bigger prayers. Crazy big prayers. And it’s been great. And exciting. But crazy big prayers are only one part of it. Sometimes we have to take a crazy step out of the boat, too.

So today I did something that – in my book – is just kind of crazy. I entered a screenwriting contest. Not just any screenwriting contest – The. Big. One. The granddaddy of them all. The Nicholl. You see, even though I’ve been writing screenplays for the past 8 years, I haven’t really had the opportunity to do anything with them. Screenplays are different than novels. I know what to do with them. Screenplays – well, they require far more money than I have to produce them. So I write and write and they are pretty little files on my computer.

The screenplay I just finished has been circling my heart for three long years. I love the story. And now I have a complete script. But what to do with it? I’ve been asking the Lord about whether or not to enter it somewhere (mostly because I don’t really have any other good ideas about what to do with it), but didn’t really hear anything. This morning as I sat out on my deck with the Lord, I began to look at all that God has already done. And I realized that my hesitancy was simply because I was afraid. It felt silly and ridiculous to even consider such a thing. I was afraid to fail. But fear is a very poor barometer to help decide what we should and shouldn’t do.

What exactly did I have to lose? Well, my fear.

Sometimes you just have to do something you’re afraid to do simply so you won’t be afraid anymore.

Yes, it’s a bit crazy. It is likely that more than 7,000 screenplays will be entered. That’s a crazy amount. But I still entered. I tried. And at the end of the day, I can be content with that.

Is there something crazy YOU should be doing?

totally unfamous is totally available on Kindle!

January 23, 2012 in books & faith, the writing life with 0 Comments

Last week I was very quiet because I was working to get my verse novel ready for the Kindle. Many hours and tears later, it’s finally available!

I really love this novel. I wrote it primarily because I was hearing from so many readers that wanted to know more about Beka. Well, I was actually interested in writing about Lucy – Beka’s younger sister. Totally Unfamous takes place about three years after the Becoming Beka series ends. It’s written as a novel-in-verse – which means that lucy’s voice is a bit different – but she has a voice all her own.

The cover!

Here is the description:

Totally Unfamous is a contemporary novel-in-verse about Lucy Madison, a 17 year old gymnast who is struggling to cope with a changing family and a past that haunts her. When Lucy meets Ben, she finds herself cautious and scared at the idea of any kind of relationship. But the longer it goes on, the more entwined her heart becomes and she becomes stuck – unable to move forward anywhere in her life. Lucy must face her troubles in the gym, at home and in her past if she is ever to find a hope for the future.

Intended for ages 13 and up.

Thanks for letting me share – and if you know others who might be interested – can you share it with them as well? I’d appreciate it quite a lot:-)

~Sarah~

 

 

when you want to give up before you’ve even begun

November 2, 2011 in media, arts & faith, the writing life with 0 Comments

These are words, right? Too bad I can’t count them up for my NaNoWriMo word count because frankly – I am getting off to a pitifully slow start.

I am lacking gumption.

At least that’s what I’m calling it. I have been surviving on cold and cough medications since last Friday and I can’t seem to get out of my own way. Ever had days like that? I rally for a little while then my brain calls it quits and I revert to wandering again. Feeling awful is kind of awful so I know I shouldn’t be too hard on myself but really? I’m only two days into this thing!

Which brings me to the “when you want to give up before you’ve even begun” part of the post.

Since I went into this thing already knowing I probably wouldn’t finish, my brain is telling me to pack it in now, throw back some NyQuil and get some rest. But I also know that I sometimes struggle with being a plodder (as opposed to plotter). I’m either in something 100% or I am out of it 100%. But sometimes, like this time, there isn’t really anything wrong with continuing to walk the course. No, I won’t be sprinting. I won’t be logging big word count numbers. But if I choose to make progress each and every day (even if it’s pitifully small progress) then I will eventually get this book finished. Maybe not on November 30th. But it will get finished.

“Giving up” implies being out 100% and giving in to that taunting voice that tells me “why bother anyway?” (know what I mean?)

But writing is a part of who I am. If that is what I am, then that is what I should do. Write. Every day. Even when it’s painful. Pushing through even when I’m feeling awful. It’s kind of the same way with life, really.

All I can do is focus on what is before me. Plodding through. Trusting God. Moving towards Him each and every day. Even when it’s hard.

After all, I’m pretty sure God is more interested in my attitude than my word count.

~Sarah~

 

 

How NaNoWriMo is like a Pitocin Drip

October 31, 2011 in books & faith, the writing life with 0 Comments

Tomorrow – the madness will begin. If you’ve never heard of NaNoWriMo, it stands for National Novel Writing Month. I heard a statistic years ago (and I don’t feel well so I’m not going to go hunt it down or anything), that 85% of all people “want to write a novel”. (I think this statistic is true because invariably if I mention that I’m an author, someone will say “Oh really!? I’ve been writing a book!! Could you introduce me to your agent..publisher..etc.” – yeah, that’s a post for another day.)

Anyhow – while NaNoWriMo is designed for everyone to finally write that book they’ve been dreaming of, many of my author friends use NaNoWriMo just like I do – for a virtual kick in the pants. A self-imposed deadline. A mass hysteria kind of frenzy writing that can turn those Blank Pages into Pages With Words On Them. They might be good words. They might be dreck. But at least they are words on the page. And as any writer knows, that’s half the battle!

So I’m throwing my pen (computer?) into the ring and will attempt to write a minimum of 1,667 words every single day during the month of November.

This would be a less-daunting feat if I weren’t directing a youth musical right now…that happens to open during November. This will be a problem because my brain is non-functional for several days as we rehearse. Which means I will need to up my word count on the days where we are not rehearsing. And this reveals why I technically “fail” at this challenge every. single. year.

I have never “won” NaNoWriMo for this very reason. Tech week hits (you theater geeks will know exactly how tramautic those two words are) and no more words go on the page. It’s been like this every year I have particpated.

So why do I keep doing it?? Glutton for punishment? (maybe.) Love a challenge? (maybe.) Love being a part of something extreme and crazy that pushes me out of my writerly isolation? (yeah. that.)

So I know I won’t “win” and I’m perfectly okay with that. Because at the end of the craziness, I will have words on the page and it will be more fun putting those words there when I know so many others are out there putting words on the page too. I might not hit the finish line, but the book will be well underway and far enough along that it will be impossible to not finish it up.

NaNo is like my pitocin drip to get this next baby (book) birthed. The pitocin gets things kick started but at some point the baby must come out.

Bring. It. On.

~Sarah~

what’s in a name

August 30, 2011 in real life & faith, the writing life with 0 Comments

Yesterday I wanted to quit being a writer.  I had the urge to just go get a regular job that is normal and nice and comes with a regular paycheck. Folding clothes sounded like heaven compared to the blood, sweat and tears that seem to accompany this crazy life sometimes.

Being a writer is very angsty.

I’m sure I’m the only one who has ever felt that way.

Take today for instance. I get over my urge to go apply at starbucks or the mall yesterday and reluctantly pick up the proposal I need to finish and stare at it. I have a great premise. I understand the story. I’m coming to understand the characters. I sit down to tackle the proposal, type the title of the book and then….I stop.

I don’t know the main charcaters names!!!

I cannot go further until I do!! It seems like such a small thing but I think names are an integral part of the characters and they can’t become real until I know their names*. And here’s a confession that only writers will understand. I can’t just go pick a name like I’m picking out a watermelon at the store. It has to be the right name.

And I’ve got nothing.

Where did I put that Baby Name book….

 

~Sarah~

 

 

 

 

*either that or this is a deep-seated procrastination problem that I am in denial about…

 

The Gideon – be there!

June 21, 2011 in media, arts & faith, the writing life with 2 Comments

 

 

 

 

August 6 – 11, 2011               Ridgecrest – LifeWay Conference Center – North Carolina

If you are a Christian who is called to any kind of media arts; filmmaking, acting, screenwriting, writing, graphic novels, songwriting, singing, then make plans to join us at The Gideon this summer. I’ve been to this conference every year since it began and each year it just gets better and better. I wouldn’t miss it. This year will include a writing conference happening side by side with the film conference and you will be able to enjoy a plethora of classes in just about any field. Not convinced? Why should you go?

1. We need each other

Face it, Christians have a lot to offer one another. We are meant to function as a body and you just never know where God might bring that exact person you need to help fulfill a vision that God has put in you both. We need to be able to encourage one another and support one another and inspire one another in a faith walk that includes the crazy world of the media arts.

2. It’s an investment

Hands down, attending a conference is worth the expense because there is nowhere else you can get such an intensive and instructive experience. Nowhere else can you sit around and talk with like-minded individuals who may challenge, inspire and encourage you as you seek to fulfill the calling that God has placed within you. Learning is something we never grow too old or too experienced to do. And maybe you have something valuable that the Lord wants you to share with others. The Gideon is the kind of conference where you are investing in God’s people and they in turn, are investing in you. That’s kind of a beautiful thing to see.

3. Fellowship

We all need it. And I don’t know about you, but the crazy life I lead is…a little bit crazy. So going to The Gideon and getting to hang out, laugh and enjoy fellowship with people who not only understand me, but love me anyway? Well, that’s priceless. The workshops are fabulous. The film festival is amazing. But for me, the fellowship keeps me coming back like water in a well.

4. It’s on the East Coast!

You don’t have to be in Hollywood to have an impact. Filmmaking and writing and acting is happening everywhere and the East Coast has got a thriving market for all manner of media arts. So come see what God might have in store for you!

Seriously, don’t miss out on this! The films, workshops and specifics are still being arranged but don’t let that stop you from making plans and registering to join us today! And if you’re a singer or songwriter – there’s still time to enter the Lamon Record Contest to win a recording contract – how’s that sound? Get the details for the contest.

Find out more at the website: The Gideon Film Festival

~Sarah~

filmmaking days

April 22, 2011 in media, arts & faith, real life & faith, the writing life with 0 Comments

Back on the film set tomorrow with my littlest one and hopefully we’ll be finished up with this film project after Saturday. It’s a gorgeous spot in Maryland near and inside a beautiful Georgian mansion. But I somehow have to make myself work while I’m there. Must. Write. Words. Lots of words. and they can’t be the same words repeated over and over. Nope. They actually must make sense. By the time you read this I’ll be on the set trying to convince myself to work.

Sigh.

I’m sure I’m the only writer who has ever struggled with procrastination in the entire universe right?

You all are always weeks ahead of deadline right?

It’s usually not this bad!!

Stinks that these words don’t count…

~sarah~

btw – I was trying to post video of Punky on the film set and realized that I don’t actually know how to post video. and because of aforementioned deadline I didn’t have time to play with it…I couldn’t even upload a picture #techfail