Having a tetris moment
Currently listening to: "The Legendary Johnny Cash"
Currently eating: homemade felafel and guacamole - oops, there goes this week's lunches
One of the things that writers get asked is "where do you get your ideas?" Although I'm always tempted to say that the good ones come from Waitrose but the rest come from the pound shop, my real answer is that I don't "get" them at all - they just arrive. Usually, they're kind of half formed, an "ooh that might be something" type of thought that isn't quite enough for a story. And then it floats about for a while, and if I'm being organised I write it down, and forget about it. Then something else pops up, or I read something, and suddenly, kerching! Now, THAT + THIS would make a story! At the Royal Court workshop, Lindsey called it a "tetris moment" when all the pieces slot together, and Jane explained it as having one idea that wasn't quite complete, that suddenly meets another thing you're interested in, and it all just clicks.
And joy of joys, I'm having a week of tetris moments. After a spell of feeling like I'd never have another idea ever ever again, the delayed effect of going to the workshop seems to be that every single brain cell is firing on all cylinders at the moment. A very old idea sprang back into life when I read an article in the paper and found a way into the story (this will hopefully be a BIG play); a new idea popped up (this will probably be a little play); and I got an insight into how I can make a character I've been playing around with for a while actually work out.
On top of this, KAOS put out their call for entries for this year's BSSC - early deadline 28th March, final deadline 27th June for live action scripts; animation is going to be a separate category this year. Unfortunately I haven't written a short script since "A Tree for Emily" last year, so I'm hoping this week's tetris moments will result in a little film as well as a little play. Gone In 60 Seconds will be calling for one minute scripts soonish too, their deadline is usually April, so I need a tiny play too.
I also need a new digital camera since my trusty Fuji Finepix packed in last week. I've been browsing various websites, including the blogs of a couple of good photographers in my blogroll, but I can't decide what to get, so any advice would be helpful. I don't want to spend silly amounts of money, because I'm a snapper rather than a photographer, I just like having pictures as souvenirs rather than being someone who aims to take classy photos, so if anyone knows of a good, reliable, basic and not too dear camera, please let me have your suggestions.
And finally, I think I managed to get my blogroll back to the way it was before I managed to lose everyone. But if I'm not linking you and you think I should, let me know.
Currently eating: homemade felafel and guacamole - oops, there goes this week's lunches
One of the things that writers get asked is "where do you get your ideas?" Although I'm always tempted to say that the good ones come from Waitrose but the rest come from the pound shop, my real answer is that I don't "get" them at all - they just arrive. Usually, they're kind of half formed, an "ooh that might be something" type of thought that isn't quite enough for a story. And then it floats about for a while, and if I'm being organised I write it down, and forget about it. Then something else pops up, or I read something, and suddenly, kerching! Now, THAT + THIS would make a story! At the Royal Court workshop, Lindsey called it a "tetris moment" when all the pieces slot together, and Jane explained it as having one idea that wasn't quite complete, that suddenly meets another thing you're interested in, and it all just clicks.
And joy of joys, I'm having a week of tetris moments. After a spell of feeling like I'd never have another idea ever ever again, the delayed effect of going to the workshop seems to be that every single brain cell is firing on all cylinders at the moment. A very old idea sprang back into life when I read an article in the paper and found a way into the story (this will hopefully be a BIG play); a new idea popped up (this will probably be a little play); and I got an insight into how I can make a character I've been playing around with for a while actually work out.
On top of this, KAOS put out their call for entries for this year's BSSC - early deadline 28th March, final deadline 27th June for live action scripts; animation is going to be a separate category this year. Unfortunately I haven't written a short script since "A Tree for Emily" last year, so I'm hoping this week's tetris moments will result in a little film as well as a little play. Gone In 60 Seconds will be calling for one minute scripts soonish too, their deadline is usually April, so I need a tiny play too.
I also need a new digital camera since my trusty Fuji Finepix packed in last week. I've been browsing various websites, including the blogs of a couple of good photographers in my blogroll, but I can't decide what to get, so any advice would be helpful. I don't want to spend silly amounts of money, because I'm a snapper rather than a photographer, I just like having pictures as souvenirs rather than being someone who aims to take classy photos, so if anyone knows of a good, reliable, basic and not too dear camera, please let me have your suggestions.
And finally, I think I managed to get my blogroll back to the way it was before I managed to lose everyone. But if I'm not linking you and you think I should, let me know.
posted by Sal at
7:48 pm
4 Comments:
ooh, I love Tetris moments!
I really want to do the Royal Court workshop now! Thanks for your write up.
cool-I can't wait to see what you put together!
After reading your review of the RC workshop, it sounds really good. However, I've had an email about it, and seen the prices .....
L xx
L, the prices up front look expensive - they are expensive, its a hell of a lot of money for a weekend - but on the other hand, its probably the best workshop I ever did, and in terms of what you get for your money, I think it works out pretty well at a per hour cost. But yes, it was a bit of a bite the bullet moment - what shall I give up in order to do this? For me personally, I felt it was worth it
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