dim sum diaries

Well, on that bad day, things did get worse. The Journal photo department didn't get the request, so no one showed up. Today, someone's coming to do the shots for the articles. I'm looking forward to staying inside while someone else braves the elements. Although, I guess I do have to go out and shovel at some point today.

Anyway, I'm trying to find the time and energy to work on my third Journal article. Once that's out of the way, I think I'll be covered to the middle of March. I'm forcing myself not to pitch anything else until I finish revising The Forbidden Phoenix. Yes, that thing is still kicking around. Must get to work...

Posted by marty at 12:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Many thanks to the staff and students at Afton Elementary. The grade six students were awesome. I'm so glad they were keen on my visit and so creative with their writing exercises. The only bad thing about the experience was that funky smell in the hallway... as one student aptly described it, the smell was like rotten cheese had just vomited rotten milk. Ewwwww.

Anyway, my thanks to the students for being so awesome. I had a wonderful time listening to all your lies and ideas. Keep writing!

Posted by marty at 06:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well, the day can't get any worse. Garage door froze, so I was late for a school visit. When I came home, I noticed a water main had broken on my street, which spilled water all down the sidewalk and up my driveway (hello skating rink). And now the water in my house looks like weak tea. Gross.

Anyway, the one good thing to look forward to is the Edmonton Journal photographer taking shots for my next two columns. I like going into the studio to take photos, but I love it when the photographer comes to my house, because it means less travel time for me. More importantly, I can feel a bit more relaxed. Normally, I look forward to photo shoots with the same sense of dread that I used to have just before having to get my class photo done.

Anyway, the photos are for a Valentine's Day article and a spring cleaning article. I have a couple of ideas, and I'm hoping that I won't look too deer-in-the-headlights for the shoot.

Hopefully, the photographer can get past the roadblock on the street and the ice dam building up on my sidewalks. Sigh. Next year, I'm spending the winter in Costa Rica.

Posted by marty at 01:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Sad news to report. I just heard from the local producer that the Toronto execs passed on Fulcrum of Evil. I'm getting a lot of second-hand information that was passed down through the ranks, so I'm not sure exactly the reasons for the rejection. I'm going to try to talk to the original producer who commissioned the script to find out what his bosses said.

I've been around the industry long enough to know that any number of reasons could have been behind the rejection, and about 80 percent of them have nothing to do with the show itself. The only way a writer can stay sane is to not take anything personally. Also, for future projects, it's important to stick to my guns and deliver something I can honestly stand behind rather than try to cater to what I perceive as the exec's tastes. I was pretty proud of how Fulcrum of Evil turned out. While there were some bumps in production, I can say that I never compromised the writing. I'd rather get rejected for a project I enjoyed working on than get a greenlight for a project I didn't recognize as mine.

As for Fulcrum of Evil, I did receive a vote of confidence for my writing. The local producer informed me that the exec who originally commissioned the pilot wants to commission me to write another pilot. So, while I must say good bye to Fulcrum of Evil, there's still a shot I'll get something on national radio. There might also be a chance Fulcrum of Evil airs locally, but I don't know any details.

Much thanks to my cast and crew for doing an awesome job on the production.

Posted by marty at 07:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I'm totally sleeping on the couch for this article. My wife's lawyer will be in touch with me shortly.

Posted by marty at 10:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I'm told by my new editor that my next column will run in the Friday issue. Tomorrow, I'm going to die... the article is all about my wife's snoring habits. Normally, I let her vet my drafts before I submit them to the Journal. This time around, she was too busy to read it. Gulp! Feets don't fail me now!

Posted by marty at 03:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I figured out part of the reason behind my lack of motivation. I'm coming down with the flu. The tough thing is that I'm doing an artist in residency at McKee school this week, and I have to be on my toes. The students are pretty bright. The school has a strong literacy focus, and it really shows. My bright spot of the week was a young man who was eager to show me his first draft of a story. When I gave him notes for revisions, he told me he wanted to do them on computer. That's dedication. Lots of great energy and ideas. I just wish I wasn't so sick. Anyway, McKee students are cool! Way to write.

Posted by marty at 08:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Still have no motivation to write and now I'm coming down with a cough (hopefully, not the six-week one that some people are getting). The bright spot in my week is that the police spoke with a City supervisor about my fence, and it's pretty clear that a City employee took out my fence, which means the City will be restoring the fence. However, I have look at the eyesore until summer and the ground thaws. Hopefully, the City won't fight this case. I just want my fence back.

Posted by marty at 05:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I can't believe this. Second week in a row where I have no motivation to write. I'm constantly tired from the residencies, and when I think about Forbidden Phoenix, I just want to take a very long nap. I think I'm officially burnt out with that script. The problem is I have to revise it in time for the March workshop. I'm not ready to call this writers' block, but I'm getting pretty close.

I think I'm going to take a couple of steps back and try to do some work on paper. I have to reconceive the second act, and maybe it'll be easier to do in outline form. Hmm, maybe tomorrow. Yes, yes, I'm admitting failure today, just like I admitted failure last week. Something has to spark eventually... I just can't muster any excitment for this project or any writing project.

Definitely not a great frame of mind for the start of 2008. I'll see what I can do tomorrow with either the play or an Edmonton Journal article. I figure if I just start pushing myself to sit at the computer and write, I'll be able to forge ahead. Or maybe I should work on my laptop upstairs for a change of environment. Anyway, I'll find something to bust through this. I can't afford to let it go on for much longer.

Posted by marty at 05:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I saw Cloverfield this weekend, and I'm just itching to find the camera battery that was used to film the monster attack on Manhattan. I can't get my batteries to last longer than 4 hours. I liked the movie, but I kept having to yell at myself to stop asking logic questions. I mean if I can accept that a monster has risen from the sea to attack New York, why am I worried about how long a battery lasts or how the heck an amateur cameraman can find the best lighting conditions? Sometimes, I have to tell the right side of my brain to take a break.

Posted by marty at 10:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I'm amazed at the talent and creativity of the elementary students at Victoria School. I've been working all week with the students, and I have to say I was shocked that so many wanted to write. Yesterday, I had one class write through the recess break. Over half the kids just wanted to stay and finish their plays. Now that's what I call dedication.

One of my favourite moments of the entire week was when one of the students drew me a thank you note. I had given her an old Writers Market book, because she just wanted to know how to send her stuff to publishers. She drew a cartoon of me at a department store with my mom. I was in awe of her talent. I hope she keeps drawing. She's a bright star among many stellar students at Victoria. One more day to go. I can't wait to see what Friday's students create.

Posted by marty at 10:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I can't believe I fell for the latest easy let-down rejection. The first time someone pulled this trick on me, I fell for the excuse hook, line and sinker. I had sent God's Eye to a Toronto theatre. The literary manager called me and told me she loved the script and thought it was almost ready to go. The only problem was that their space was programmed for two years. No doubt, I wasn't going to wait two years for this theatre to produce the play, so I said I'd shop it around. But I was on a total high, because someone liked the script enough to say it could be on stage.

The second company I sent the script to said they liked the script, but it just wasn't the right fit. I've heard this reason many times over, and I didn't care, because I knew the play was ready and I just needed to find someone to program it into their season. I was riding the high of someone basically saying if only we had room in our season next year or the year after, you'd be a shoe-in.

Well, the balloon popped yesterday when I received a rejection letter from another company. The comments about the play were effusive. The only problem was that the theatre was booked until 2010. At that point, I realized that this was the latest strategy in letting writers down easy. I'm fine with the rejection, but I'm kicking myself that I bought the excuse. Sigh. Here I thought I had been around the block enough times to have seen everything. My hat's off to whoever invented this rejection reason. It's an instant classic.

On the bright side of things, I just learned that the international 3 Day Novel Contest (NOT the Book Television reality series, but the official competition that draws submissions from around the world) has announced their winners and shortlist. Sadly, I didn't make the cut, but to my joy, one of the 12 contestants from the Book TV reality series did make the shortlist. Hearty congratulations to Gayleen Froese!!! She's smart. She's personable. And she's one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. I'm thrilled that she landed on the list.

Posted by marty at 04:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Apologies. I've been busying coordinating the APN readings at the 10 Days of Madness Playwriting Festival and then I launched into a playwriting residency at Victoria School, so I've been rarely around the computer (and I have a backlog of unanswered e-mails to prove it).

I've been busy, but not on my own writing, which is a little bit frustrating. I'm hoping to find some energy and time to work on The Forbidden Phoenix this week. Probably not today, because I just finished pulling down the broken fence in the cold, and I have to do a little more work for the Victoria residency than I originally planned. Sigh. Plans are great; reality is a burden. I've also taken to working normal hours instead of the insane 14 - 16 hour days I used to do. Stress is a killer and I don't want to be the next victim.

Anyway, this week has been fun, but I am hoping that I can carve out a few hours on the weekend just to push through the revisions of the play and write another Edmonton Journal article. If I can just get my head above water for a week or so, I'll be fine.

Oh, and for the Edmonton folks, go check out The Mighty Carlins. I've been hearing great reviews about the show, and I'm hoping to find some time to catch it this weekend.

Posted by marty at 05:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Yesterday was an article writing day. Spent most of the morning and afternoon writing and revising one of my Edmonton Journal articles. They're all important, but this one was special, because it's my first with the new editor. I revised the piece about five times before I had something I could read aloud. And then I polished about 3 more drafts before I had the one I was happy to send off.

The article was about cleaning the basement and how hard it was to throw away the past. One down, two to go. I'll try to get the second one done this week, but I have to do workshops at Victoria School every day. Should be a busy week, but I'm looking forward to it. Working with creative kids may be just what I need to get inspired to push through the revisions on The Forbidden Phoenix.

Posted by marty at 11:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So, I should be pretty happy today. The APN rehearsals went really well yesterday. I found out that the Edmonton Journal liked all three of my pitches. I had a good talk with my Forbidden Phoenix composer about what to do to some of the songs. I even got an invite to be part of the 2010 Winter Olympics symposium to plan the cultural component of the Olympics. But am I smiling today? No.

That's because some jerk rammed my backyard fence and pretty well snapped off the fence post. With the help of a good friend, I put this fence up. I have the cuts and bruises to prove it. I was thrown 5 feet because I couldn't hang on to the auger that made the fence post hole. I had laughs, sweat, and tears over the fence. It was my pride and joy. The only thing I had ever successfully built in my entire life.

And last night, I came home to see my hard work listing to one side like the Titanic. Argh. No note was left. I called the insurance company and the police. A very kind officer showed up late to investigate. Best case scenario is that the damage was caused by a Bobcat that the City uses to clear the sidewalks. Looked like the operator backed up too fast and smashed my fence. If I'm lucky, the cops will get the schedule of workers for yesterday afternoon and pinpoint who did it. I just want my fence fixed and I don't want to be the one who has to do it.

The really crappy thing is that no one can do anything until the ground thaws, so I'm stuck with an eyesore of a fence until the spring. And to top it all off, the incident triggered memories of the home invasion, so I wasn't sleeping at all last night. I'm a wee bit cranky today as a result.

Posted by marty at 03:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Yup, right on schedule, I'm starting to have the old nightmare about being unprepared for a university exam. I always have that dream when I'm butted up against a major deadline. I think I'll feel a little better after I talk to my composer today and get a sense of the second act song. He had a bolt of inspiration and came up with the music for the only new song in the second act. Now I have to break the news to him that there might be another two new songs in the second act. I think my biggest stress right now is that I'm not a lyricist and I have to be able to write the songs in the show to tell the story I need to tell. It's maddening to try to capture a sense of story, character and emotion and have to be melodic and rhythmic at the same time. Argh!

I think I'll just plow through the lyrics and tell the story first. Then I'll beg my composer to help make the words sound prettier.

Posted by marty at 08:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Today, I was reminded the best way to motivate myself. I looked at my calendar and noticed what I have to do in the next three weeks and then I looked at how much time I have to revise The Forbidden Phoenix. The workshop is in the first or second week in March, and I have to have something in place to give my composer time to write songs. I'm meeting with him tomorrow to go over the script. Now, I'm feeling panicked. It may not be creative inspiration, but it's close enough to light the fire under my butt. I'm pretty sure that I'll be working through this weekend. Now, in the world that is run by Murphy's Law, I'll probably get a green light on my Edmonton Journal pitches tomorrow. Yikes!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by marty at 10:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I just finished three pitches for the Edmonton Journal. The new Life editor is looking for articles in January. Hopefully, one of my three will make the cut and I'll get to continue working for the Life section. Maybe working on an article will kickstart my motivation for writing longer projects. Right now, I'm just looking for anything to do other than work on The Forbidden Phoenix or my next book project. Marathon or sprint? Right now, I just feel like sprinting. I think that's why I've been able to stay sane. Having a mix of genres and different length projects allows me not to feel too overwhelmed by the longer scripts and feel a tiny sense of accomplishment when I see an article in print. If only I could figure out a way to get paid to blog...

Posted by marty at 08:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Can't seem to get my motor going for any project today. Might be the fact that I tossed and turned all night long. Lack of sleep equals lack of motivation... I hope. I'm wondering if the stuttering start to 2008 might have something to do with my lack of drive. I'm trying to streamline the operations by dropping my business phone and turning my cell into my work phone, but trying to get Telus to do anything is like trying to get my cats to fetch. They'll do what they want on their own time. Maybe I'll just finish reading my zombie novel and imagine all the victims are Telus employees who pass me on to other Telus employees.

Posted by marty at 11:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Sad news to report. Few people ever notice the line on the front page of each section that is reserved for the section's editor. These tireless folks work behind the scenes editing articles, selecting photos and working on layout so that their sections are inviting and appealing. I had the privilege to work with Kathy Kerr at the Edmonton Journal's Friday Life section for the last two years. Yesterday, she e-mailed me to say she's been moved to a new job at the Journal, and Janet Vlieg will be taking over her duties.

I know only a few people will notice the change in editors, but I wanted to say that they all do an incredible job and they should be recognized and thanked for what isn't the most glamorous job, but it is the most essential. I suspect the internet has been hitting daily newspapers the hardest, and publishers are going to have reconceive what a daily does in order to stay relevant in this new media age.

Posted by marty at 01:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

What a great start to the New Year. I reread the notes on the play, and I'm starting to see a way to address them. I'm also getting excited about working on the script again. I think the first act is very close, and I have a good feeling that I'll be able to knock the second act into shape by the end of next week. As soon as I have the revisions set, I'll get together with my composer to work on the second act songs and tweak the lyrics of the first act numbers. The process is long, but the payoff is going to be worth all the work.

I'm getting excited for the workshop in March. And by then, I'll hopefully be able to share some good news about the project.

Posted by marty at 12:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)